CHAPTER   XTX.
 

(1790-1791.)
 

Anival of Jenny land—NarratiTe of Her Reception and Sneoeu—Salary of
the Hayor in 1790—Pinal I.ooation of Seat of Oovemment

^PJagne of Yellow Fever.

In the crowded Metropolitan Opera House, when the season for
1908^1909 was opened, tbe writer was asked by an octogenarian patron
of music If he could estimate the number of persons present who, on
September 12, 1S60, heard "the neatest singer we have ever had," Jenny
Und. Believing ten to be a fair estimate* the writer was greatly aston¬
ished when told by hia Informant tbat there were not Ave individuals
known to him In that vaat assemblage who had liatened to the Swedish
nightingale upon her flrst appearance in this country. As that occasion
marked an epoch In the annals of America's musical history, a brief descrip¬
tion of tbe Arrival and reception of this famous queen of song Is hers
given.

la theae days, when the fashions change with every season; when the
phrase "goes like tbe wind" Implies a snail's pace: when the mlle^^mlnute
record has been eclipsed, a period of flfty yeara Is as yeaterday. And yet
It ia safe to say that there are very tew New Yorkers alive tonlay who In
ISSO were eld enough to appreciate what that welcome to Jenny LInd on
September 12, 1S50, meant. She was called the "Fair-haired Saga-Singer,"
the "Child of Valbatr' and "Blue-eyed Vafa,'^ In a "Norranic welcome" to
her, written by F. J, Ottarson, which appeared in The New York Dally
Tribune of Monday, September 2, 1S50, the flrst verse of which Is here
given:

Blue-eyed Valal Bragi's datighter!

Sped from Cambria's bardic shore,
Ymer*s azure tears of slaughter

Proudly blush to bear thee o'er;
On thy great heimakrlngla going

Trolla before thy path aball flee;
Agir'a children, homage showing.

Smooth the throbblnga of the sea;
Himmiglaefa down from heaven

Bows her cloud invading head,
Drifa now to slumber given

Keeps the night watch of the dead;
Blothughadda, Hefrlng. Hravnn,

Huah the aurglng of the main;
Bylga. Uthr. Kolga. Drafn.

Laugh and dimple In thy train.

93