A STORY OF JENNY LIND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 228, 24 September 1881, Page 1

A STORY OF JENNY LIND.

In 1 847 Guila Grisi and Jenny Lind ' were singing in London, but at different places. Each star struggled to outi shine the other, and those who one \ evening went into ecstacies over Grisi's ."Norma" were the next evening enraptured with Lind's "Casta Diva." Such was the rivalry that it was not [ expected that they would sing together at a public concert. But Queen Victoria, thinking it a shame that two singers so eminent should be separated by a petty jealousy, requested both to appear at a court concert. Of course they complied with the request. The Queen cordially welcomed them together for the first time., She then gave the signal for the concert to begin. As

Jenny Lind was the younger of the two it had been aranged that she should sing first. With perfect confidence in her powers, she stepped forward audi began. But, chancing to glance at Grisi, she saw the southron's malignant gaze fastened upon her. The fierceness^ of her look almost paralyzed her. Her courage left her, her voice trembled,! and every thing before her eyes darkened. '■ She became so faint that she nearly* fell. By the utmost exertion of her; will, bowever, she succeeded-in finish-! ing her aria. The painful silence that* followed its conclusion— a silence even noticeable where those present are embarrassed— convinced her she had; made a failure. The conviction was confirmed by* the triumphant expression; on Grisi' s countenance. Despite the' semi-torpidity ofher senses, she. realized; that the failure meant lost glory, the; destruction of her happiness, and the! mortification 1 and griof of her parents! and friends. Suddenly something — it \ seemed like a voice from, heaven—whispered : f Sing one of the old songs in y our mother tongue." She cau ght at, the idea as an inspiration which had flashed into her mind between the termination of the vocal part of the aria! and the accompany ist's final chords. She! unnoticed by the company, asked him; to rise and took the vacated seat. For a few seconds she suffered her fingers to wander over the keys in a low pre- ; lude, then she began to sing. Her selection was a little prayer, which, in the long ago,. she had loved above all ' other songs in her childhood's repertoire: She had not thought of it for yetirs. ; A.s she sang, she was no longer in the ; presence of royalty,: but in her father- ; land, surrounded by those who, listened not /to criticise. : Jvpt one of those be- : fore' her ijndersood the words of the "prayer,''! but the plaintiveness of the : melody and the inspired tones of the ? pure, sweet, voice brought the moisture '■ I to every eye. '.There was the silence ,pf ; admiring ; wopder. When; having '-. I finished the "prayer," she lifted her ; j mild blue e^es to her rival, whose flam-. ! i iug or!} 3 had so L 'disconcerted her, she < 'found no fierce expression ou her. coun- '- tenanee, but instead, a tear diamonding ', J the 1 long, black eye-lashes. A moment ; | after, with the impulsiveness character- ; izing the children of the tropics, Grist 'rushed to Jenny Lind's side, placed her ! arm around the girl's neck and kissed !her, regardless of the lookers-on. — Mew York Sun.