But there were undoubtedly many who did not read the European news, and it was for those that Barnum worked, because they were to pay the bills. He met an English newspaper writer who had seen Jenny Lind and had heard her sing. Barnum hired him to write articles of one or two newspaper columns once or twice each week, as long as his ingenuity and Barnum’s suggestions held out. He wrote of her personal characteristics and the warmth of her receptions in Europe, so that those who could not be fascinated by the sentimentality of her benevolence could be impressed by the prestige of European opinion. The articles were dated “London” and appeared as special correspondence from that city. Barnum told a reporter for the _Chicago Tribune_ in June, 1890, “I suppose that was the first attempt in this country to ‘work the press.’ I am free to confess that it couldn’t be done now. Besides, it is not necessary.” This last was in deference to his guest, for he always regarded reporters as guests, “whom he frequently did not wait for, but sent for,” as a friend said. But Barnum “worked the press” until he died, not always so crudely, but with invariable effect, and to-day also young men with imaginations think publicly for motion picture stars and prima donnas, bank presidents and national governments. On August 14, 1850, the _New York Tribune_ printed an alleged letter received by Barnum from Julius Benedict, who wrote that he had just heard Jenny Lind again and assured Barnum that “her voice has acquired--_if that were possible_--even additional power and effect by a timely and well-chosen repose.” Julius Benedict also said: “Mlle. Lind is very anxious to give a Welcome to America in a kind of National Song, which, if I can obtain the poetry of one of your first-rate literary men, I shall set to music, and which she will sing in addition to the pieces originally fixed upon.” This letter was without doubt written by Barnum. It was dated from Schlangenbad, Germany, August 24, and was printed in the _New York Tribune_ of August 14. This may have been a misprint in the _Tribune_, and it may have been an error in calculation upon the part of Barnum or his employees. However, even if the letter were mailed from Germany on August 4 or August 1, it could not possibly have reached Barnum in time to print in the _Tribune_ of August 14. Besides, Barnum, as he tells in his autobiography, had been thinking for some time of this Welcome to America, and we know that the desire for such a song not only did not originate with Jenny Lind, but that she was reluctant to sing it after Barnum had made the arrangements necessary; then, Julius Benedict would not have suggested a song by a “first-rate” literary man, using one of Barnum’s favorite Yankee adjectives. Three days later the _Morning Courier and Enquirer_, a New York newspaper, printed the following card of announcement from Barnum: “MESSRS. EDITORS:--