To the Queen's House in the Haymarket to hear Jenny Lind, whom Everybody
do call the Swedish Nightingale. Did go with a Pit Ticket, cost me 8s.
6d., which is a mighty Sum of Money to pay for only the Chance of a
Seat. Went at 6 p.m., expecting a Crowd, and there a Mob of People
already at the Doors, and some did say they had come as early as Five.
Got as close as I could to the Pit Entrance, and the Throng increasing;
and by-and-by Ladies in their Opera Dresses standing without their
Bonnets in the Street. Many of them between the Carriage Wheels and
under the Horses' Heads: and methinks I did never see more Carriages
together in my Life. At last the Doors open; which I began to fear they
never would, and I in with the Press, a most terrible Crush, and the
Ladies screaming and their Dresses torn in the Scramble, wherefore I
thought it a good Job that my Wife was not with me. With much ado into
the Pit, the Way being stopped by a Snob in a green Jockey Coat and
Bird's Eye Neckcloth, that the Checktakers would not suffer to pass. The
Pit full in a Twinkling, and I fain to stand where I best might, nigh to
Fop's Alley: but presently a Lady fainting with the Heat and carried
out, which I glad of; I mean that I got her Place. I did never behold so
much Company in the House before; and every Box full of Beauties, and
hung with yellow Satin Curtains, did show like a brave picture in a Gold
Frame; which was very handsome to look round upon while the Musicians
were tuning. The Fiddles tuned, and the Overture played, the Curtain up
for the Opera; which was the _Sonnambula_; the Part of _Amina_ acted by
JENNY. The moment she came on the Stage, the Audience, Lords, Ladies,
and all, upon their Legs, shouting, cheering, waving Hats and
Handkerchiefs, and clapping of Hands in white Kid Gloves. But at last
they silent, and let the Nightingale sing: and for certain she is a
wonderful Singer. It did amaze me to hear how easy and sweetly she do
trill and warble the most difficult Passages: and I perceive she hath a
rare Ability of Voice. But what did no less astonish me was her Acting,
it being as good as her singing; for she did seem to forget herself in
her Part, instead of her Part in herself; which is the Mistake of most
Opera Singers. To think that she should draw the whole Town in Crowds
together to hear her sing a few pretty Sugar-plum Melodies and portray
the Grief of a poor Peasant Wench cast off by her Lover! But she do put
a Grace and Beauty of her own into the Character and Musique: which I
take to be the Mark of a true Genius. She made to sing divers Songs
twice over, and called upon the Stage at the End of the Act, and again
when the Opera was finished; when, good Lack, to see the Nosegays and
Posies flung in Heaps upon the Stage! She must needs get a Mint of Money
by her Singing; but she has spent a Deal of it in building Hospitals,
and I do wish (Heaven forgive me!) I had all she has given away in
Charity.
[Illustration: _A PROSPECT OF EXETER HALL. SHOWYNGE A CHRISTIAN
GENTLEMAN DENOUNCYNGE YE POPE._