, 1876-07-30

body, in the drcssing-room OF the
Opera-Housc, Just before the curtain rose,
and, when her time to go on the stage arrived,
Mr.. Gyc, who. up to that moment, had never
heard her sing note, found Emma Abbott
ready For many, months she had been drilled
in drumming Tor the part Of Maria, who marches
at the head Of her regiment, she has no
equal rs drummer on the operate stage
Gyc forbade her to drum. With every obstacle
and embarrassment placed in her way, Miss
Abbott may be saio to have
CONQUERED SUCCESS AT TIE POINT OF THB
BAroSET.
The next day the Associated Press telegram
ran thus:
LONDON, May 2.-Miss Emma Abbott made de-
cided success in her debut as Daughter OF the
Regiment at Coyent GARDEN tonight. Though
her acting leaves something to be desired she pos
almost perfect in her rendering of the character.
The London journals confirm the cable report
The Daily !Sems, the Era, the Hour, the 1e|e-
graph, even the Staudard,- overgcnerous
to American debutantes, give Miss Abbott high
whole may he summed up in the following,
from the Illustrated London Neaas, than which
there is perhaps no higher authority in Great
Britain:
On Tuesday 3lllc. Emma Abbott made her first
appearance on any stage, and achieved q great and
genuine success by her performance us .Narid,, in
:. La Figlia del Reggnlel,to. /" This young lady,
nn American, has brilliant soprano voice OF sx-
tcnsirt compass. Her acting WAS renlarka-
BILE. . !. Altogether, it was one Of the most
promising first appearances we have seen for many
years. There should be bright future for this
young nrtist.
Gounod, the composer Of "Faust," resides in
London.
"cAN SEE N. GouNoD?"
The qucstioner was Emma Abbott, who, un-
aceomp lnicd, anu without Il letter of introduc-
tion, rang the bell of N. Gounod's residence.
The servant handed her card with blanks to be
filled up, on which was printed "your name,"
"residence," "by whom introduced,'' etc.
Miss Abbott handed the card buck to the ser
want.
~ don't want to sign that. I want to see II.
Gounod."
A sharp voice came from the head OF the
stairs. 1t proceeded from Madame Weldon, NJ.
Gounod's self-ronstituted guardian. ''What do
you want?"
Miss Abbott ran up the stairs. II want to
American girl
"You caarot sing, child,n said Madamc Vel
don, " and you cannot see II. Gounod.''
*'Oh! can. I can sing the Jewel Song in
'Faust.' Won't you please hear met"
~ say, child" repeated Madame Weldon, Sc
yercly, "you cannot sing; there is only one
person living who can sing that song"
"0h!" SAID Miss Abbott, .'..you mean Patti.''
but i 1nuslc-boX,-slle can't sing.n
"Thcn you mean NilssOn!n
"Nilssout No! Her voice is worn out long
ago!,
eyes expressed her curiosity.
'' 1t is mysclf-Ma.laule Weldon.n
80, Mrs. Weldon, won't you please sing it for
me. [ would SO like to hear you!"
Madame Weldon led the way to the piano.
She sang, aud Miss Abbott appiauded.
Now, Mrs. Weldon, you shall hear me sing"
And, suiting the action to the word, Miss Ab-
bott began the Jewel Song. She had proceeded
but a few bars, when Madame Weldon tried to
stop her "There, there, child, stop; YOU call-
mot sing" Suddenly VOICE from tile tup Of
the next tight Of stairs called out:
''wELDoS! WELDON! WHO HAVE YOU GOT
TuERE!"
Before Madame Weldon could reply, Miss Alb
bott shot past her aud up the stairs. 40, II.
Gounod, it is l, Emma Abbott, III American
girl, and want to sing for you!''
Madame Weldon flau followed her up the stairs
"she cannot sing, n. Gounoa, and want
her to so away"
:. ~; :.shs IS sl!all not 70 away" replied Gounod,
He then seated himself ut the piano, and be-
gan the accompaniment. He played it Us Miss Alb
the song; Madame Weldon again tried to stop cr,
but Gounod forbade her interrupting. lie said,
- Miss Abbott should not leave the house til
she had sung tic song" He agaiu commenced
the accompaniment, and told Miss Abbott to
sing. ulteriug an inward prayer, she oueyed.
sung all her power aud feeling. When she cou-
cluued, her eyes were full Of tears. Gounod
ruse from tile piano, and took her by buth
hands. lie said, Miss Abbott, you have sung
my song better than have ever heard it sung!o
copy Of ''Faust." my child,'' said he, II
want you to accept this from me-" Seating
himself ut his table, lie took pen aud wrote il
in the frontispiece:
T0 MISS EMMA XDBoTr,
FROM cuAnIEs GoGNop.
In token Of Miss Abbott's singing for him.
this day, the Jewel Song from = Faust" bet:
ter tbun he has ever heard it sung.
........ CHARLES GouSop.
HER MARRIAGE.
During the last wcekor two IL severe personal
attack upon Miss Abbott has appeared in the
London correspondence Of the Cincinnati Com
nsercia1 The writer Of the London letter as
serts that Miss Abbott is 's married." aud that,
keeping the fact = secret, sllc has since her
31arriage ma been living upon the bounty Of
Dr.: Dr. cnapin's church: This statement, in
Miss Abbott's character, is false, shameful, and
Miss Abbott's marriage to Mr.
L. I. Wctherell, Of New York, was published in
the papers ut the time it occurred, and had the
entire appreciation OF her friends. Mr.. Wethercll
is abundantly able to provide for and protect
his Wife Emma Abbott's good name needs no
defense among those who know her. This at
tempt to injure her will only react upon
its originators. In making her debut
under her maiden name she followed the uni
vcrsa1 custom OF the opera and the stage. 1t is
necessary only to refer to Jenny Lind, RistorI,
parepa, Nilsson, Pattin who are always men,
toned ~ their unmarried nalncs That ieaI-
ousy and malice should always follow success is
but a repetition OF the experience
Ut all who have attained distinction in
any OF the arts. But, at last,
in spite Of all obstacles, Emma Abbott has fair
ly won crown from an eXacting aud critical
audience. She has Shown that genius and prill-
riple, pluck and work, may a1ld do exist in one
person; aud thus existing, will yet prove their
right to the highest place. F.D.C.
. AT HOME.
CREsWOLD's CONCERTS.
The programme fur the Exposition sacred
concert this afternoon embraces the kyrie from
[laydn's Imperial Mass and other sclectionsfor
Inc organ, by Mr.. Creswold; ~ Know that Ny
sedeener Livcth," by Mrs. Emma Thurston;
fendelssohn's If With All Your Hearts,"
md Haydn's "In Native Worth,'' by Mr.
Alfred Wilkie; " Sweet as the Dew" and " In
egcr Vitsc,'' by the Oriental Quartcttce; g o
Nan OF God u from The E1iiah hv Mrs THURS