San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-30
he Fifth of Series About P. T. Barnum

extended over the entire country
He wrote a statement to the press
confirming the rumor that he hat
engaged Jenny Lind. 1t was printed
in all the New York newspapers fol
February 80. 1850. and copied by
newspapers in other cities. With O
noble gesture Barnum said to tn,
public:
Perhaps l may not make any
money by this enterprise: but | as
sure you that if l knew | should moi
make a. farthing profit. l would
ratify the engagement. so anxious
am l that the United States should
be visited by a lady whose vocal
powers have never been approached
whose character is charity. simple
ity. and goodness personified.
Miss Lind has numerous better
offers than the one she has accepted
from me; but she has great anxiety
to visit America. She speaks OF
this country and its institutions in
the highest terms of praise, and as
money is by no means the greatest
inducement that can be laid before
her. she is determined to visit us.
I'm her engagement with me
(Which includes Havana), she ex-
pressly reserves the right to give
charitable concerts whenever she
thinks proper. Since her debut in
England, she has given to the poor
from her own private purse more
than the whole amount which have
engaged to pay her. and the pro-
ceeds of concerts for charitable pur-
poses in Great Britain, where she
has sung gratuitously. have realized
more than ten times that amount"
1t was this mention Of Jenny Lind's
charities. used casually but pointedly
in every publicity notice Barnum
wrote that turned his speculation into
a certain success.
1t is proof of his sagacitv as a
Snowman that he utilized all sides
of his materials. and even exploited
as effectively as he did tier in
claims to fame. any incidental per.
sonal characteristics they might re-
veal. He not only exploited them
thoroughly. but he also foresaw the
possibilities of them, at least in the
case of Jenny Lind.
A few years later Barnum looked
back upon his accomplishment and
confessed: Il may as well state" he
wrote in his autobiograph. "that al
though ] relied prominently upon Jen-
ny Lind's reputation as a great must
cal artistic. l also took largely into
my estimate of her success with all
classes of the American public, her
character for extraordinary benevol-
ence and generosity. Withou; this pc
in her disposition. I never
would have dared make the enga cement
which ! did. as l felt sure that there
were multitudes of individuals in
America who would be prompted to at
tend her concerts by this feeling
alone"
Thirty thousand at the Pier.
Jenny Lind arrived in New York
in August, 1850. More than 10000
persons were standing about the dock.
according to all the newspapers of the
lay. and as Jenny Lind looked at
hem and listened TO their clam. -ous
greetings, she said with the proper in
of surprise: "But have you
10 poor people, all these people are so
veil dressed." West Street for n doz-
N blocks was thrOnged with people
eady and anxious to make an enthu-
iastic holiday of her arrival.
a large bower of green plants was
decorated with flags. and two
riumphal arches adorned the dock.
he center of each arch bearing a
arge device: Welcome, Jenny
lind :" was on the first: the second.
by the American eagle.
cad Welcome to America ~
Barnum had arranged for the
of these arches, but quietly.
o that the impression given TO both
emmy Lind and the multitude was
hat OF an official municipal greeting.
Just before the steamer touched
he dock some one suggested that
Swedish flag would not be out of
lace. None was to be found on
uch short notice. and the German
lag was hurriedly hoisted as an
Elective substitute.
Cheering broke loose. and the |
O.OO0 swayed with excitement as |
he Atlantic locked. As soon as the
oat touched the pier the crowd |
roke bounds. and the strong de-
nchment of Fifth Ward police with
reat difficulty prevented many per-
ons from being swept into tho
'ater. One man did fall off the
ock, and Jenny Lind watched the
escue with sympathetic excitement.
People were crowded on all roofs
] the. neighborhood, and all the
'indows looking out on to West
treet were filled. Spas and rig
ing of nearby vessels were covered
18th the reckless. and the Tenders and
of the Hoboken ferry house