Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-06-08
MISS JENNIE HUNTER.
Her GenEaa eaG RssmaGie Talent
Her Merits NOT Appreciated By
h Memphis Public.
Communicated

ahe memphis Pubic.
.lCOmmunicated.l
Human nature, Mr.. Editor, is indeed
a strange admixture. l had really
thought Memphis to be quite an appreci'
alive community. / have changed my
mind. Apart from the noble object Of
the entertainments given by Miss Jennie
Hunter, her skill and decided talent as a
recitatiOnist merited overlooking houses,
instead of the mesgre assemblAge on
each occasion. Cook, the humbug, the
trickster, drew to OVERLOOKING. Even
the negro MINISTRIES drew we'll. But Miss
Hunter, accomplished and artistic, ma.
tive and to the manner born" backed by
an object most laudable and praise
worthy, failed to draw at all. l really
cannot comprehend such bad taste, and
an absolute lack of intellectual appreci.
alton and local pride. Truly, "a
prophet is not without honor save in his
own country" A very large percentage
of the intellectual and cultivated circles
had heard her before, when she assisted
Miss Grace LeWellyn in her debut as
Fanchon." How they could have for
gotten her recitation of the Spanish
Duel" is more than l can conceive.
Without detFacting from the merits
Of Miss Lewellyn, | must confess
to a higher admiration of the
genius and talent displayed by Miss
Hunter on the occasion referred to, al.
though their roles were entirely different.
The n was excellent; the other par
excellent-possessing both genius and
talent in no small degree. Genius is Of
the soul. 1t is warm and inspiring
Talent is Of the reason aud understand.
ing. The former gives the impulse and
aim aud illumines the pathway. The lat.
ter furnishes the means Of practical ap.
plication. Genius is emotional; talent
is intellectual. Without the one theie is
no intuition; without the other no execu-
ton. Miss Hunter possesses, in an emf
nent degree, these two requisites, which,
when properly blended and harmonized,
make the really great mind and great
dranatist. She enunciates distinctly;
her elocution is remarkable for one of
such inexperience and youth, eVincing
dramatic talent of a very high order.
AS . of the city papers said, and the
only n that paid her anything like a
deserving compliment, should she adopt
the stage as a profession, success would
follow like her shadow. In addition TO
her dramatic gifts, she possesses a
beauty Of fece aud figure we'll adapted
to them-a fair, rather delicate-looking
girl, with full, intellectual brow, sunny
eyes, pretty mouth, lnxuriant hair and
graceful carriage. The contour Of her
face is peculiarly delicate, fascinating
and beautiful, every lineament blending
with a sweet expression, hat ELECTS a
feeling of interest as well as admiration
Her voice is sweet and musical, lacking
only in strength, a deficiency which ma.
turer years will cancel. The young lady
l hope will excuse this personal sllusion.
l had only intended noticing her dra.
matte beauty, but feel that the picture
would be too imperfect without touching
upon her physical as well as mental
graces. In conclusion, we will say that
she may well be proud of her efforts,
which are none the less exalted because
the Memphis public failed in a just rec
ignition of them. The failure reflected
on the public-not on her. W. d. d.
MEMPHIS, June l, 1877.