Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-09-14
NOTICES OF NEW BOOKS, LITERATURE, AND
THE FINE ARTS In NEW YORK.


The excitement produced by the arrival in New York Of
JENNY LIND reaches its climax to-day, in anticipation OF the
which is to take place this evening at Castle Garden
The Swedish Nightingale will make her first appearance IN
America before immense audience, unanimously disposed
to be gated and stimulated by the previous competition o
the privilege OF hearing her this opening night OF her trans
atlantic campaign But will not be- by any MEANS an au
dience representing the musical taste or the artistic Judgment
and discrimination of this community II was very evident
at the auction sale of the tickets that the bidders consisted
chiefly strangers who obliged to hear Jenny Lind at
the first ALL and who accordingly were COM
paraivey Indifferent the price of their places persons
with whom feeling of curiosity TO witness the reception
of the songstess the predominant motive, and who paid
for the spectacle rather than the singing and number OF
individuals who seemed suppose that the fact Of puchas
ing at high price ticket for the first concert in some way
reflected upon themselves ray distinction and pub
lie regard
The consequence is that Jenny Lind will sing to hearers
in the main quite unpepared appreciate the real merits Of
her voice and unless the contagious enthusiasm which
large and excited crowd apt of itself create sustains the
previous expectations of the house, much disappointment will
inevitably be felt.
On the Continent and in England the lovers Of music had
been in the habit of listening the elaborate artistic, and
eIqusey finished performances Of the Italian prma donnas
until their taste had become thoroughly educated in par
cuar schools Jenny Lind appeared and the striking contrast
between the peculiar powers Of her voice and the style her
execution with the prevailing standard took the musical world
by surprise This very contrast in great measure secured
her preeminence and those who had heard Grs and Per-
san the oenest the most competent 10 measure the
distance between them and their superior in the ranks
of song. But here, in community comparatively unedu-
Gated in musical tase and entirely devoid Of the means OF
forming the discrimination to which Jenny Lind owes so
all
positive powers without the aid Of that conossieush
her hearers which she has hitherto been accustomed
Really is very ordeal because, although her voice
wonderful and without much musical experience be
admired and appreciated by any she has now to meet
and satisfy the vague ancpaons of people who have no de-
finite conception themselves of what they expect and who
will be disappointed with any thing short Of absolute
miracle.
Nevertheless she will accomplish much be asked
Of human powers Of song In spite of The difficulties alluded
above and the fact that real estimate Of her powers
be made by the American public until the present Juror has
subsidized and calmer more discrminating Judgment by
competent audiences shall have been pronounced her
first appearance fail to be triumph 1t will be r
butte her unvaed reputation and her acknowledged posi-
ton the first Of vocass living, if indeed she has
been surpassed 1t will be welcome to her at once an
artist and woman and may expect very much such
scene as Madame de sae describes in her glowing picture of
the coronation of Corinne. -.
Jenny Lnds reception in this country has been marked by
some of the characteristics which fail to accompany the
proceedings Of the American public with regard to "distia
guished foreigners" 1t invariably happens that
does of this genus foot shores than he mme
daey seized upon by particular class of persons who
monopolze the offices of hospitality, and, while overwhem
ing their guest with civies in the Of the entire public
guilty of subscribing their ends. When DICKENS
New York he bounced upon by the ultra fash
onables and the Boz ball. the Park Theatre, got up
the most appropriate form welcome The particular clique
which originated the idea of enabled by Of
it to obtain complete control Of the lion. OLE BULL
nopoTzed at first by the theatrical people, and long
before those who had scrupes against the theatre could
get an opportunity of hearing him that before the opes
established here separate entertainment and the
great vion fddled in the intervals of farces Lord Nor
godsend for the dners-out and the bor-uipats
Of select circles During his progress through this part Of the
country he probably miles of polished mahogany, and
the bonnebouche of nnumerabe suppers Latey the
Hungarans capital card for of enterprisng
hotel proprelos who, in entertaining them gratis bread
upon the waters which they found ain very few days,
the accessons of popularity which ensued for the benefit
of their establishments JENNY LIND has not been captured
by the shonables the managers but had she
reached the Irving House than the retail hopkeepes set to
work overwhelm her with the products Of American in
dusty, and flaming pu for themselves, by being pa
aded in the papers donors Of presents to JENNY LIND
thus getting for their slice Of the prevailing excite
constant stream Of toilet, wardrobe, and boudor
Injuries poured in upon the prma donna the conucopa Of
American hospitality discharged itself upon her in the shape
of satin slippers, riding gloves, hats and whips, silk bonne
bouquehodes, artificial flowers, and fancy stationery; her
looked like the beginnings of the Industrial Exhibition
Of year, and she has probably formed the very natural
conclusion that American welcome strangers consists in
complete outfit in the latest fashion. glance the ad
versng columns Of the daily papers might open her eyes
the possible admixture of little eaven of selshness in all
this retail munitcence The purchase by Genn, the haer
of the first choice Of ticket for the first the absurd
price 225 would then be understood by her the best
vesment he could possibly have made complete
hod of advertising throughout the entire Union never
devised and accomplished in any other way would have
cost FIVE times that sum.
In the time Jenny Lind herself the object and CEN
ire Of all this interest," looks fresh and undstubed she
the first vocalist in the world. The impression
which she produced upon those whose estimate poba-
bly, udcous than that of the mass fully confirms all
the prestige Of her European reputation She is remarkably
unaffected simple and sincere in her manners and entirely
without any Of the petensons of genius
in persons Of her profession while pols them for
society The destinations Of the fooghs give to her appear
the stage youthulness and beauty which sunshine
and everyday intercourse disspate, or rather convert into