Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1882-01-28
HISTORY OF A GREAT WOMAN.

One hundred years ago Bath, Eng9
was one of the most fashionable watering
places i'm the world. From all quarters
of the globe cOngregated not only inva-
lids to gain health from the thermal
springs, but the idle, the dissipated and
the enthusiastic lovers Of art. Bilious
East Indians, Irish fOrtune-hunters,
equity statesmen and ladies of rank went
there to seek relief from ennui.
Some lOunged i'm the pump-rOom and
gossiped scandal; with other sought
diversion, and sometime found it, in the
excellent theatrical performances and
still more excellent concerts; andiparties
also furnished an endless round of at
traction in dancing, cards, music and
poetry. f5y
Into this gay city of frivOlity and dis
sipatiOn came Thomas Linley, the cele-
brated musical composer, and here he
settled to his profession, married and
brought up his talented family. 80"
Here his daughter, Elizabeth, was
born in 1854, while in her infancy she
evinced such astonishing musical pow
ers that her father lost no time in sed-
ulOusly cultivating them. When she
was only II years of age, she appeared
publicly in the great assembly
rooms, Bath, were 'she charmed the
company by her taste and execution, and
astOnished the more critical with the
beauty of her voice and wonderful COM
mand she possessed over it"
Her influence was magical; "her be-
witching melody went directly to the
heart;' and from that time she was al
ways present at every important concert
at Bath, where he had the distinction of
being considered the principal singer.
At first she was called the "Syren;"
when she was but II years they named
her the "Angel;" and to those who listen
ed with enchanted ears To her raviShing
voice, land beheld with admiring eyes
her graceful appearance, polished de-
meanOr and lovely cOuntenance, whose
uncommon beauty painters were so
eager to transfer to their canvas, such
an appellatiOn was not very surprising.
Every student at Oxford was in love
with this angelic-lOOking girl when she
sang there in the OriatOrOs;" and he
would have been rash youth who had
dared to speak i'm Disagreement of this
divine Saint Cecilia" as they called
her.
At sixteen she was overwhelmed with
lovers; all the young men of fashion
some very rich, and others hoping to be-
come rich by securing the wonderful
syren pressed eagerly forward to enroll
themselves among her suitOrs.
Her name was the toast at every con-
vivial meeting, and her charms the
theme Of every poet and rhymer who as
pired to the distinction of gaining a
laurel wreath from Lady Miller, and
reigning queen of Bath.
This lady did not possess beauty; but
Horace WalpOle tells us: Nothing is
considered more tOnish than to visit her.
y All the fluX Of quail
ity cOntended for prizes gained for
rhymes and themes; Roman vase, dress
ed with pink ribbon and myrtle, receiv-
ed the poetry which was drawn out at
every festival and the
brightest composition was rewarded by
permission for the author to kneel and
kiss the hands of Lady Millar, who
crowned the victor with myrtle"
Among these pOetical competitors was
youth of 10 or 20 named Richard Brins
ley Sheridan, who, as matter of course,
was an ardent admirer of the beautiful
Elizabeth.
His family and the Linleys were on in
innate terms, and the brilliant yet pen
niless Richard composed some of his
most graceful and effective poems for