Miss Greenfield embarked from New York in a British steamer, for
England, April 6th, 1853, and arrived at Liverpool the 16th of April,
1853; rested over the Sabbath, and proceeded Monday morning to London,
in which metropolis she became safely domiciled on the evening of the
same day.
But painful trials awaited her from a quarter the most unexpected. The
individual with whom she had drawn up the contract for this musical tour
was unfaithful to his promises, and she found herself abandoned, without
money and without friends, in a strange country.
She had been told Lord Shaftsbury was one of the great good men of
England, and she resolved to call upon him in person and entreat an
interview,--his lordship immediately granted her request, listened
patiently to her history, and directly gave her a letter of introduction
to his lawyer.
The following letter from one of her early friends in Buffalo, will
relate some of the incidents of her trial:
Buffalo, July 29th, 1853.
Friend Elizabeth,--I have just received your letter of the 25th,
and we are all pleased to hear of your good health and improvement
in music. I have received two letters before from you, the first
with your likeness, and the other with the box of presents for
Julia Palmer, and the children, all of whom were much pleased with
them.
My health has not been good this summer, and when I have thought of
writing to you, my mind has been so confused that I found it
impossible to say on paper what I wanted to. I know you must think
strange of it, but I know, too, that you will not think we have
forgotten you, or that we have ceased to feel a deep interest in
your welfare, and future success.
I think Mr. ---- is not acting right by you, and I wish you had
some disinterested friend to stand by you and make him do as he
ought. I received a letter yesterday from Mr. Spooner. He says
Antonio has returned to New York, and tells bad stories of ----
If they are true, you ought to call him to account, ---- Antonio
says ---- would not advance you money to pay your doctor's
bill,--this he had no right to refuse, whether you have made money
or not; and if he refuses to advance you any thing which you
require for your health, comfort, or respectability, he breaks the
contract, and you are at liberty to do better if you can.
It would do no good for me to write to ----, and it might do you
harm. When you left New York I expected Mrs. Howard's brothers
would be in England when you arrived there, and I calculated upon
their selecting for you some person to act as your friendly adviser
in case of need; but they returned earlier than I expected, and
arrived in New York about the time you landed at Liverpool. Under
these circumstances I see no way for you but to do right yourself,
and trust that some distinguished friend will be raised up to you,
who has influence and discretion, and who will be willing to tell
you what is best, and will stand up as your protector and defender
in case of need; and it seems to me, that such a one can be found
among your numerous patrons. I know well your honest heart, and I
know too that you would rather suffer wrong than do wrong; but it
is necessary to you that you be respected, and if ---- will not give
you money for your necessary expenses he is cheating you; and if he
cheats you now, he will continue to do so.
Now, I would advise you to select some person in whom you have
confidence--show him this letter, and then do just what he shall
advise. You will see _by the contract_ that ---- is bound to let you
have money, for all necessary expenses, whether you _make_ money or
not; and he is bound to keep a secretary, whose business--among
other things--is to show you at all times how your account with
Mr. ---- stands, as regards receipts from concerts, &c., and
expenses paid out for the same. If you cannot make ---- do this, I
would advise you to leave him any way.
In selecting a friend to advise you, be careful and not select one
who has any interest in deceiving you, or who would advise you to
do any dishonourable act towards Mr. ---- or any one else; for I
would rather see you return a beggar than with the name of
dishonour or meanness of any kind. If ---- acts fairly by you, do
the same to him, whether you make money or not;--and this I know
you will do, if you can determine what is right.
My health is now improving, and I feel quite myself again. Mrs.
Howard and the children have been quite well since you left, and
your baby is growing finely. It begins to say pa, pa! and ma ma!
and stands by the sofa and chairs; but you won't know it when you
return, for its hair is losing its curl and becoming somewhat the
colour of my own. We still call her Greenfield, although some of
Mrs. Howard's would-be friends are much _shocked_ at it. However,
Mrs. Howard says you took good care of it when she was not able to;
and she thinks the name just as good as the care you gave it. Sarah
is improving rapidly in her music, and both she and Mary are making
good progress at school. Monsieur and Madame St. Kenney often ask
about you, as well as many other of your old friends.
You must keep yourself prudent and discreet, and you will find in
England many who will not see you wronged. But I trust that ----
will do right by you, and that you will not have occasion to tax
the good offices of any kind friends, that may be made by you while
away from your native land. Mrs. Howard and the children send their
kindest remembrance and regards to yourself and Anna. Write to me
every week, that I may know how you are getting along; and, as my
health is improving, I will write to you as often as I think it
will be of benefit to you. Truly, your friend,