The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-11-16
Visit OF Jenny Lind to tho Blind.


JOHN McKEoN, District Attorney,
DAVID GRAHAM.
Visit Of Jenny Lind to tho Blind.
This distinguished stranger, yesterday, (Nov
I2) paid visit of more than ordinary interest to
tie Asylum for the Blind, on Thirtyiourih street.
All notice of her intended visit had been carefully
kept from the inmates of the institution, none OF
whom, not even the superintendent, Mr.. Cham
berlan, being aware of her purpose till she was
presented to him by MIR. John Jay, who, with his
family and one or two friends attended her. This
secrecy had been observed lest Miss Lind's desire
TO give the pupils substantial pleasure, should be
frustrated by crowd of visiters, whom the know
ledge Of her purpose would attract to the place,
and who had other opportunities of hearing her
sing to better advantage
The party arrived at the Asylum about half-past
sing to the pupils few OF her songs Mr.. Chamber
lain directed the bell to be rung. In about 1--WE
minutes the party was asked into the chapel, where
we found the school assembled, all ignorant yet Of
the purpose OF this unusual summons. There were
about one hundred and thirty of these unfortunaes.
whose eyes.
and who strove in vain 10 CRAFTY the intense curl
osity under which their restlessness and intent OK
pressions showed they were laboring.
When Mr.. Chamberlain announced to them the
generous compliment which Miss Lind was about
paying them, there was general expression of sur
prise and delight Her fame had obviously preceded
her into this abode Of darknee, and every of its
stricken inmates seemed to appreciate the privilege
that was in store for them, and the wide distinc-
ton of her to whom they owed it.
After laying aside her hat and gloves, Miss Lind
then proceeded to the piano, and commenced ono
of her most choice melodies, the name OF which
does not occur to AT first, all other emotions
among the pupils seemed TO be swallowed up In
surprise, from which they did not recover fully
even in the second piece. They seemed to be-
painfully intent upon every note that fell from her
lips, beuaying in the play Of their features and
changes color, their susceptibility to the variable
effects of the music.
The third piece she sang was the Song Of the
Birding" BY this time, the pupils began to realize
what had happened, and unde rstand that the IA
nous Jenny Lind mad come, and was actually sing
ing 10 them They now gave themselves up wholly
TO the pleasure of the music, and when they lis
tened TO the vocal feats which have made the 'Brd
Song so popular, They seemed worried that they had
no way of adequately expressing their delight
They could not exchange with each other looks Of
admiration, and they had never learned how other
audiences are accustomed TO wreak their feelings
upon expression" in the concert room. Ii was Gu
rioas TO watch the smile of pleasure creep over
their faces, and give place betimes 10 stern or sad
expression, according 10 their relative e1hbii-
ties, all strongly contrasted with the comparatively
passive features of those who have all their
perfect to share the labor of observation and the
pleasure of enjoyment. When Miss Lind arose
from the piano, the pupils no longer attempted to
restrain their expressions OF delight, but spoke to
each other about her singing with as much enthu-
sasm as If they had just awakened TO the pleasures
of a new sense.
We were then invited to walk through the inst-
visit had not been anticipated, the most perfect
neatness and order seemed 10 peryade the establish
ment The pupils thronged about Miss Lind
wherever che moved, and were perfectly happy
when she took them, she did great many, by
the hand, and addressed them All who were pre-
scented TO her, testified, in their quaint and arlless
ways, the deepest sensbiliy and gratitude for her
attention. One little girl, OF about sixteen, 10 whom
our eyes had been attracted during the singing, by
her absorbed and delighted expression OF counte-
nance, and by particularly small pair of hands,
which she held quietly in her lap, urged her way
modestly through the crowd Of her companions,
and said jokingly, that she wanted 10 Jenny
Lind. Miss Lind took hold of her delicate little
hand, and said, poor thing, wish you could see
the sky" "Oh" said the girl promptly, 81 shall
see that in heaven, and shall see you there, too.
"But," said Miss Lind, ''you may have much
higher place there than v The ready response,
though confused and rather narlculate, Of the
little girl, imported that none but angels would
occupy higher seats in heaven than Miss Lind. To
ano,har pupil who approached, she said, placing
blind" "Yes," was the reply Cannot you see
al alll-cannot you zee met" "No," said the girl,
"but hearing is the greater blessing now"
In reply TO come inquiries about musical culture
ia the institution, Mr.. Chamberlain informed
that vocal and instrumental music were taught
quite extensively. The piano and the organ, aud
variety Of wind instruments, were used by the
pupils Of one or both sexes, fine band had been
organized, and a number of the graduates were
employed as organists in churches. lie then in
vited two Of the young ladies to perform on the
piano and to sing. No young dcbpidntc was ever
more delighted at receiving an invitation TO sing in
the presence Of royalty, than were these poor
things at the opportunity of performing before
Jenny Lind, and it is but just TO them TO say that
their execution was very credable.
The pleasure which her visit had conferred upon
the school was so great that Miss Lind intimated
disposition 70 visit them again II she could posi-
bly, find the time. She left about two o'clock,
having given in the Of single hour TO these
stricken sufferers, ss Mr.. Chamberlain very grace
fully remarked 10 them at the close OF the singing,
"a qualification, the like of which they had never
enjoyed before, and in all proba bility would never
enjoy again"
We have seen Miss hind on many occasions.
when she was receiving the rapturous applause of
thousands, but we never saw her appear 20 suob
advantage as when she stood the cynosure of this
throng Of blind children, upon whom she was dis
pensing with infinite grace her tenderness and
sympathy Pot.