The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-05-22
webster and Jenny Lima.


Sweet Springs, September 3, 1874
Webster and Jenny Lind.
Ex-senator Foote Of Mississippi has
made book of bis Recollections. In il
he tells how Mr. Webster administered
a bow to Jenny Lind. In 1850 Mr.. Bo.
disco, the Russian Minister in Washing
ton, gave dinner party in honor Of the
Cars Birthday. Mr.. Webster toasted
the Emperor, and his manner Of doing il
appears to have made an impression upon
Mr.. Foote similar to that made by Win
terfeld's pronunciation Of g Mesopotamia"
upon the mind Of the old lady.
"Mr. Webster offered the toast in honor
Of bis Imperial majesty, and accompanied
il with one Of the most digni6ed, concilia-
tory and truly statesman-lke speeches
ever listened to. Neither PericIes nor
Tacisus, in their most Inspired moments,
could have given a more noble and fslicitops
expression to stately and elevated thoughts
and sentiments concerning the happiness
and true glory Of governmentsan of peo-
pies. When the dinner was over, Mr.. Web.
ster, in his most bland and courteous man
ner, approached Mr.. Stewart and myself,
invited us to accompany him in his carriage
back to Washington, suggesting that he
would be pleased if we would 90 with him
also to the opera, where Jenny Lind was to
regale, for the last time, Washington
audience with her charming minstrelsy.
There was Of course, no refusing such an
invitation, so we hurried forward with
glowing anticipations Of enjoyment to
the appointed scene Of entertainment.
On arriving at the door Of the opera
house Mr.. Webster entered in his grand
est manner, and slowly passed down the
central aisle of the building. 1t chanced
that Jenny Lind was then on the platform,
and was about to commence singing our
inspiring national anthem, "The Star
Spangled Banner" So soon as Mr.. Web
s:er's approach was perceived the Assem-
blage spontaneously broke forth with tenn
pestuous applause, evidently recognizing
it as a remarkable coincidence that the re-
nowned defeader Of the Constitution should
have happened to come in the very moment
that the sacred emblem of the nations
liberty and union was on the eve of being
rapturously apostrophised in song. So
soon as the audience settled down into
quietude the inspiring tones Of Jenny
Lind's marvellous voice was heard. Never,
either before or since, have | been made
50 overwhelmingly sensible as ! was on
that occasion Of the commingled power Of
music and sentiment The whole con-
course really appeared to be electrified.
Mr.. Webster was so transported with de-
light that he actually secped almost to be
unconscious of the presence Of others, and
hummed very distinctly in unison with
the varying tones Of the songstress. All
the enthusiasm Of his soul had evidently
been kindled into fame; all his patriotic
pride had been awakened, and his whole
moral nature appeared 70 have been
touched and inspired by tho seraphic
sounds 10 which he was an enrapturcd
listener.
When the song was over, Mr.. Webster
las If impelled BY sense Of official duty
TO offer, in the name Of the great nation
which he felt entitled 10 same degree to
represent on this occasion, the formal
tribute Of its respect--ross from his scat,
aud stepping forward to central position
between the audience and the platform
upon which Jenny Lind was standing,
made her one Of the most houoring and
majestic bows l ever beheld. The amiable
and accomplished recipient Of an homage
as unexpected as il must have been grati-
| flying manifested someting Of . graceful
and bIushing embarrassment, but courts-
sled Notwithstanding most profoundly in
response, upon which the assembled multi
tude gave vent to their delightin most vocif-
erous applause. A second bow was admin