Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1854-01-07
Lennr Lind, Since Her Return.

a correspondents h"o ~" S'J"J H-
much of Madame GoldSchmidrs .ocie'
" since her return to Europe, favors us
With some interesting "reminiscences -
"It is not my intention" he writes,
",o add a tardy tribute to the many
that have been bestowed upon this gift
ed child Of song. I would only quote
from memory the recollec,ions of some
hours spent in her society, at an un-
fashionable watering.-placs, during q
season Of retirement and reposo, after
her long and successful campaigns in
America aud in England. Worn out
by her almost incredible labors in this
country, where her health suffered from
the constant changes of climnteto which
she was exposed, soon after her return
10 Europe She sought shelter from the
gaze of the multitude and q relaxation
| from public duties among people no.
ted for their sobriety and quiet habits; !;
and a re.establishing of her health in
the baths of the North Sea.
"Perhaps the never.changing view,
from her front windows, of the broad
sea rolling its sluggish waves in tedi-
Gus perspective, until lost in the west
ern borizon-sea and sky blending into
one-and the long row Of sand.hllls
I,hat lined the shore in dull monotony,
nrelieved by tree or house, had their
influence upon her mind; but, be that
as it may, her face was ever thoughtful,
sometimes even to sadness, and her
penetrating gaze, like the cold, grey
sky above, seemed fixed and certain.
At times she smiled, but it was like
some lone figure in picture of SOlttHde'
placed there by the skilful artist to
make the solitude more grand-and the
effect was the same. As she sat with
her embroidery ever in her lap, and
seemed to count the stitches that she
took, | more than once asked myself,
''Can 1t be Jenny Lind?" In conrer-
sa,ion she was cheerful, but rather pre-
ferrod to listen than to talk; and she
was a good lis,ener-for there is quite
as much art in listening well, as in con-
versing well.
"At the dinner-table, she appeared
to good advantage, and presided with
grace and dignity, at no time more so
ihau when she offered for toast, a
mericsn, And as she replaced her;
glass upon the table said: II wonder
# shall ever see that happy country
again! |" She spoke of the Americans
with much feeling, and of the Amerl-
can ladies' whom she had met, as among
her dearest friends. Their bsauty she
ox,ollod, and mentioned one young la
dy Of New York city, who crossed the
ocean in the steamship with her, as be-
ing particularly beautiful and amiable;
But she thought that the young n'arried
ladies confined themselves too closely
to the nursery, and did not take sufi-
cient exercise in the open air; that they
were TOO exacting towards their hus-
bands, and that the latter were too IN
elaigent!
"Sho spoke of Barnum as wonder
ful man, and of his Museum as mar
yollous enterprise. Dinner over, the
post-boy brought in some letters, ono Of
which, directed to Miss Jenny Line" "
and which bore the stamps of half the
post.oGices in the United States and
Europe, she opened, and after reading,
handed it to her husband, requesting
him to answer it! He took it, and,
laughing, read love.sick epislle from
q chap in Ttad', enclosing an offer Of
"heart, hand and fortune !"
Never hearing her speak i'll Of any
person, I, one day, purpossly introdu.
ced tho name Of a lady (of some reputc
in New York city who, with her daugh-
ter, had behaved towards her in most
unladylike and unkind manner, during
religious services in an English church,
only a few days previously; but she DO.
trayed no feelings of resentment, and
onlyshowed consciousness cfths trcat-
ment she had been subjected to, by i'm
mediately changing the subject Of con:
versation. Not beggar or deformed
person but that was an object of her
sympathy; and even two little dogs re-
ccivod her caresscs one day, while she
talked with their master, in order 10
"give them time to rest" Us she said.
"Such are some Of the,raits of char
actcr which Jenny Lind" possesses
all amiablc. loveable and womanly.
They are her natural qualities, as sing
ing is her natural gift. Force of cir
cumstances has moulded and strength
ened her mind, giving her the power of
restraining her feelings, aud TO com
mand respect from the unieeling when
necessary; but pure and kindly heart
is hers-pityand dsrotiOn are her strong
est passions
Recollections Of her early years
and of her home spread themselves,