Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-02-02
An Anecdote of Jenny Lind.

she is woman, and, like all women, she
loves to talk; but she will try to indemnify
herself for it,
A very pleasant anecdote is related of the
journey Of the nightingale, the scene of which
is laid in Cnais--some say Boulogne--but it
matters little whether it be Calais, Boulogne,
Havre or Dieppes. Here is the story:
Leaving Paris by rail, Jenny Lind arrives
in the evening at the sea coast, and for the
sake of repose. determines to pass the night
there Great artists take very good care of
themselves, and so the cantatrce will pass a
comfortable night, and not cross the straights
until the next morning At Calais--or Dou-
| logne-her arrival is announced. There are
distinguished amateurs there, dilettante who
will be delighted to hear the Swedish Might
ingale but the nightingale is as dumb in the
provinces as in Paris; Jenny Lind visits with
her displeasure the departments as well as
the capital, and has placed all France under
her interdct. Poor France!
Among the provincial dilettante are some
who pride themselves upon their skill and
boldness. Must they cross the straits TO
hear the nightingale in London? OF what
avail are their wit aud audacity, if they SIM
| ply content themselves with making Journey
which any one can accomplish who has money
and time to spare What delightful thing
sous, or without leaving the town. and to
cause her to break her obstinate resolution
not to sing in France and what n triumph
could they succeed in the undertaking. But
what hope is there Of success.
Scarcely had the nightingale been installed
IN the apartments prepared FOR her, when
three gentleman make their appearance.
! They disregard the directions to admit no
one, and enter by authority. Their severe
department, their magisterial air. and mar
ner, cool and selEpossessed, denote persons
! charged with business Of importance. One of
them, addressing the nightingale, whom he
accosts without any salutation, says. in
sharp and peremptory tone.
Give me your passport, madame" Jenny
Lind. astonished but still faithful to her vow
of silence while on French SOIL snrrenders
her passport without syllable. The gentle
man having examined it with carelulness
indicative Of the most profound distrust. re-
| marks, with q roughness mingled with irony ::
"Oh, you are aware that YOU have neglected
no precautions, and that you travel under an
assumed name"
For whom Co you take me ?" replies Jen.
ny, compelled at last to speak.
DO not hope 20 deceive us. You see that
we are well informed. \ very clever female
imposter. who has been living in Paris for
| some time past, where she has deceived num-
berless dupes, having collected n considerable
sum Of money, is endeavoring to reach Eng
land
We'll, and perhaps you think"
THAT you are the person. exactly so. ma
dame; your features, person and general sp-
pearance conform exactly to the description
we have received. Our instructions are posi-
tive"
The Nightingale protests loudly and indig-
nantly that she is Jenny ind, but her angry
explanations are met by the most ronical in
credulity on the part of her visitors. The
spokesman of the party inquiries if she can
find bail or establish her identity, but Jenny
Goes not know soul in the place
"Then, Madame, we must take you into
custody for the present"
At these words the professions Of the great
artist are redoubled in vigor, but are met by
the following answer:
But, Madame, there is very simple way
Of contounding or convincing us. You pre-
! tend 10 be Jenny Lind-very we'll if You are
! she. You have no need Of procuring bail or
| witnesses. for you carry with you the distin
guished proof of your identity Nothing is
easier to prove that you are really great
artist, q Respondent genius wonderful
/ singer. | am enough of a musician to decide
! that, and now give us the proofs
The argument was unanswerable. and the
! Nightingale, in dilemma hesitates before
accepting the alternative offered 30 her.
"Ah. was sure Of it," replies the author OF
/ the proposition lyon are confounded. Put
Oft then this disguise, and cease 70 sully an
! illustriouS name"
(Which is my own, sir"
"Very well. madame but your protesta-
| tions are of no avail if yoa are unable to give
| us the proofs which we require. 1t remains
| for us only to execute our orders"
! "Well," eyclaims the Nightingale, van
quished and resigned, lift must be So listen,
and Judge for yourselves"
Then, after q moments pause to collect
herself, animated by the certainty Of the effect
which she is going TO produce, and of the tri-
umph which awaits her. she commences the
cavaiina from Norma" Her voice so pure,
so melodious, so powerful, displays all its for
mer richness the three gentlemen are in q
state Of ecstacy and delight
"Bravo admirable sublime !" they ex-
claim, as the last note is uttered. "Admira-
BILE sublime " is repeated from the adjoining
apartment, the door Of which opening. dis
covers several other persons applauding vehe-
mently. At the sight of these new hearers,
Jenny discovers the device practised to en-
trap her
you must pardon us this artifice" oxclaim
| the culprits, land also the discomfort we have
occasioned you, and the restraint under which
you have heen placed. However enormous
may have been our error, We have not the
courage to regret it. since it has been the
source of so much pleasure to us. Our ex-
cuse must rest in your renown, and our desire
to listen to you. No one is more competent
than yourself TO detect the vagaries of musi-
cal funaticism. You are generous, you are
chartable-be appeased, then, with the re-
hecton that you have sung for charitable
object. Each of us pays hundred francs for
the inestimabie happiness that he has enjoy
ed We are ten, and the whole will make a
purse of a thousand francs, which We shall
present TO the poor in your name"
The cuIprits pleaded their cause so felici-
tousy and eloqaently that they were forgiven
Besides, what would have been the use of be-
ing angry The evil was irremediabe, and
the cantatriee could not recall her notes. In
spite Of her severity toward the French pub
lie. Jenny Lind is woman Of spirit, amable
and warm-hearted, and she pardoned them
And this is the way in which the amateurs ol
provincial town have succeeded in getting
the start Of Paris, and have heard Jenny
Lind sing
The ENGLISH LANGuAGE.-fhere are in the
English language 2050G nouns, 40 pronouns