Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-08-19
BRET HARTE'S NIECE.
An American Girl Takes the
Grand Prize at the Paris Con-
serYatOire.
Parisian. July ISL

Parislan, July ISL
The concours de chant of the
French conservatoire was fnished last
Friday afternoon, and the chief honor
this year falls to Miss Gertrude Girls
void, of New York city. This is the
first time since the establishment of
that famed temple of music that an
American, Or even an English-speak-
ing person has ever carried off the
grand prize 1t was contrary to prec-
edent, but how couldit be otherwise?
1t has been remarked that the touch
ing sweetness of song has often won
the heart and has been the sovereign
OF the willing soul, when love was
crowned but music won the cause. 4"
So, too, it was this year at the con-
servatoire, and so it might have
been in 1879. Many people we're dis.
appointed last summer when Miss
GriswOld, after singing before the jury
and a crowded house, was awarded
only first accessit. The fair Ameri-
can refused TO receive such an empty
honor, after having been led to expect
greater one; and while the jury and
all the concurrents and the audience
were crying for Miss Griswold to step
forth, she was we'll on her way home
Her action produced great commo
tion among professors and pupils at
the conservatoire, for it was difficult
for them to comprehend the courage
which would enable young lady to
fling back in the faces of the jury the
first recompense ever offered to a ma.
tive of her country. Afterwards.
however, the affair was amicably ar
ranged, as the beautiful American
girl was restored to full fellowship
in the conservatoire.
Miss Grisworld's grand success this
year is only the more gratifying be-
cause it was not only wholly deserved,
but was achieved despite many, and
what would have been to almost any
other person overwhelming, difficult
ties. But to her serious opposition
was only greater reason why she
should work harder for that prize
which she felt certain was sure to re-
ward her efforts. Day after day,
through all the twelve months of three
long years, she has sung and studied
at the conservatoire. Accompanied
by her mother, Miss Griswold sailed
from New York in August, 1877, and
in August Of that same year was en-
tered at the conservatoire, pupil to
the distinguished Mr.. Barbut, himself
a first prize winner in the long
time ago, 1t is to his credit that
all this years prize winners
were in his class. 1t is not necessary
for us to review Miss Griswold's la
bors since that time; it is sufficient to
say that on last Friday, the 23d inst,
after a more than usually hard con.
test, she was pronounced both by jury
and public the best singer in the
school, and the first prize was accord
ingly awarded to her. II Is true that
a first prize was also awarded to a
French girl, named Merguiller, but
this is because she is singer of mar
velous ability, and richly deserved all
the honorg conferred on her. But Of
the two, Miss Griswold's name was
first, and this, under the conservatoire
rules, gives her the chiet honors OF
the year, so far as singing is concerned.
AS to her artistic future, Miss Girls.
wold is not yet determined. Nor is
her triumph quite complete. After
the public distribution Of prizes next
month, at which Miss Griswold viii
sing, she may be engaged for a season
at the Grand Opera. Ordinarily the
winner Of prizes at the conservatoire
may be engaged either at the National
Academy Of Music or at the Opera
| Comique, but in Miss Griswold's case
Mr.. Carvalho can have no claim upon
her, as she has studied only the
grand operas. If, after the distrihu-
tiop Of prizes, Mr., VaucoTbeil should