Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-02-20
AN AEEcDorE OF JENNY LIND.


Aftera dumb sojourn at Paris. Jenny
Lind has gone to give concerts in Lon
don. English ears have no terror for
her. Three weeks of silence have op-
pressed her for. after all, she is a wo-
man, and, like all women, she loves 10
talk but she will contrive to indemnify
herself for il. faoeaL rF
A very pleasant anecdote is related
of the journey of the nightengale. the
scene Of which is laid in Calsis-some
say Boulogne-but it matter little wealth
er it be Calais. Boulogne, Havre. or
Dieppe, Here is the story:
Leaving Paris by rail. Jenny Lind ar
rives iu the evening at the sea-coast,
and for abe sake of repose determines to
pass the night there. Great artists take
very good care of themselves, and so
the cahtstrice will pass comfortable
night. and not cross the straits until the
rext morning. At Calais-or Boulogne
her arrival is announced. There ale
distinguished amaturs there. dilettan-
tie who will be delighted to hear the
swedish Nightengale ; but the Night
engale Is dumb. in the provences as in
Paris Jenny Lind visits with her dir
pleasure the departments as well as the
capital. and has placed all France under
her interdict Poor France
Among the provincial dilettanIe, are
some who pride themselves upon their
skill and boldness. Must they cross the
straighis 10 hear..lhe Nighlengale in Lon
don? OF what avail are their wit and
audacitysSif they simply content them
selves with making a journey, which
any one.can accomplish who has money
and time to spare !? Wha. delightful
thing itswould be to hear Jenny without
leaving the town, and to cause her to
break her obstinate resolution not to sing
in France and what a triumph, could
they succeed in the undertaking BuI
what hope is there Of success
Scarcely has the nightingale been in
stalled ID the apartments prepared for
her, " hen three gentlemen make their
appearance. They disregard the direc-
tions to admit no one, and enter by au-
thority. Their severe department, their
magisterial air, and manners, cool and
self-possessed, denote persons charged
with business of importance. One oI
them. addressing the Nightenkale, whom
he accosts without any salutation, says,
in sharp and premptory tone
"Give me your passport, Madame. p"
Jenny Lind, astonished, but still faithful
to her vow Of silence while on French
soil. surrenders her pass port without a
syllable. The gentleman having exam
ined it with carefulness indicative of the
most profound distrust, remarks, with a
roughness mingled with irony.
"Oh, we are aware that you have
neglected no precautions, and that you
travel under an assumed name"
"For whom do you take me o. replies
Jenny, compelled at last to speak.
"Do not hope to deceive Us. You see
that we are well informed. A very
clever female imposter, who has been
living in Paris for some tine past, where
she has deceived numberless dupes, hav-
ing collected considerable sum ofmon-
ey, is endeavoring to reach England"
"Well. and perhaps you think"
"That you are the person-exacuy
so, Madame your features, person and
general appearance conform exactly to
the description we have received. Our
instructions are positive"
The Nightengale protests loudly and
Indignantly that she is Jenny Lind, but
her angry explanations are met by the
mos, ironical incredulity on the part Of
her visitors. The spokesman of the par
ty inquiries if she can find bail or eslab-
lish her identity; but Jenny does not
know soul in the place.
"Then, Madame, we must take you
into custody for the present"
AT these words the protestations Of the
great artist are redoubled in vigor, but
are met by the following answer (:
.'But Madame, there is very simple
way of confounding or convincing u.s.
You pretend to be Jenny Lind-very
well if you are she. you have no need
of procuring bail or witnesses, for you
carry with you the distinguished proof
of your identity. Nothing is easier than
to prove that you are really great ar
tist, respondent g MUS, wonderful
singer. l am enough of musician to
decide that. and now give US the proofs.
The argument was unanswerable, and
the Nigblengale, in dilemma. hesitates
before accepting the alternative offered
to her.
"Ah, l was sure of it" replies the
author of the proposition; you are con-
founded. Put off then this disguise, |
and cease to sulIy and illustrious name"
(Which is my own, SIR"
"Yery well, madame but your pro-