Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-04-24
JENNY LINo.s SYMPATHY.
Tho Humane Disposition Of tho Famous
"Swedish Nightingale"


Tho Humane Disposition of tho Famous
"Swcdish Nightingale"
Poverty delicate health, neglect,
loneliness and griSf marked tho early
life OF Jenny Lind; but instead of
hardening her character, and making
1t cynical AMI selfish, these early
trials made tho grcat singer noble
woman, sympathetic and charitable to
all who suffered in mind or body.
When she had become the diva TO
whom all Europe was open. and who
was courIcd by managers she insisted
that no engagement with them should
prevent her singing for any charitable
purpose. Thy would have paid her
generously 10 remain silent save on
specific nights, but Jenny Lind would
use her voice in charity work when
and where she pleased. A writer gives
two anecdotes illustrative of hor SYM
pathetic nature and her determination
TO have her own way.
She arrived in small town in En-
gland, whore she expected to rest for n
day or two before going TO largo
city. To her vcxa,ion. she discovered
that she had boon announced for n
monster conccrl;" that tickets had
been sold, and hall hired. With the
stcrnncss thai was natural to her whom
indignant. she demanded of the man.
ayers an explanation OF this conduct
in robbing her, of the expected rest.
They apologizcd. and admitted their
error, but begged her not to put them
10 modification aud loss by withdi aw-
ing the tickets
Just consider Mss Llndv said ono
Of them, seeing that she remained un-
affected. Crowds of people, who
never will have chance of hearing
you again, bought up all the cheap
seats; think f tho disappointment to
them"
How much have yoa expended P'
she sad. coldly. Tho amount was
namod-something under a thousand
dollars. Jenny Lind wrote her cheek
for the sum. and dismissed her man
ayers. Within an hour she was driv-
ing about the town to find what chari-
table institution was most in need OF
money. She discovered that the hos
pital for incurabos was the needy in
stitution. Immediately, by her orders,
the town was placarded with bills an
nouncing that Jenny Lind would sing
the next night at a charity concert.
The managers were furious but help
less, for Jenny's time was at her own
disposal The hall was crowded. for,
by Jcnny's directions. large number
of seats had been placed at q nominal
price for the bcnrfi of the "disap-
pointed people" The act of the great
vocalist not only replenished tho treas
ury of the hospital, but called attcn-
ton to the charity. and the result was
that within year it was placed be-
yond all need of private donations.
One day, while staying at hotel.
she overheard servant lamenting to
another that mono of them could 'af-
ford to hear Jenny Lind sing" The
next afternoon all the servants of the
hotel assembled, at her request, In one
of the public parlors and listened TO
Jenny's singing of Swedish. Scotch.
English and G irman ballads. Her
sympathy dictated the selections, and
they touched every heart. The listen
ers were so enthusiastic that Jenny
was obliged TO tear 10 pieces tho laccs
and ribbons she was wearing that each
one might have n souvenir Of the hap
py day.
One of the English Princesses, her.
self known for her willingness TO
promote by her presence a deserving
object, demonstrated with Jenny Lind,
after she had become Madame Gold
schmidt, for her readiness 10 sing for
every charity.
"Your Royal Iigmoss," said Jenny,
with smile, I'VE must make use of
our royalty. however it is conferred,
as much for the public gool as possi-
bic. Tho fact of your royal birth ena-
bles you to do mora for others than
money could. NV royalty comes with
my voice, and l feel that l have no
more right to withhold the exercise of
It than you feel to refuse to grace a
flower show or open n school, or even
stand by some hospital patient n few
moments to give her the satisfaction
OF knowing that her Queens daughter
was at her side"
mo Sermon" said tho Princess, in
telling the story, "eyer meant more TO
me than the quiet argument of Jenny
Lind's, that ones advantages or tai
onts are so many moral responsible
ties. - Lippincotrs Mdgazfne.