These strong evidences of approval did not, however, make Miss Greenfield vain. The natural simplicity of her character remained unchanged. All the many exhibitions of great public and private admiration, and the praises that her performances constantly evoked, while of course affording her much pleasure, served mainly as impulses to newer and higher efforts in her chosen and beloved profession. Nor was her disposition less tried by the many difficulties that often formed in her pathway. Of these I need not speak here. But amidst them all this noble lady and artist was ever brave, patient, hopeful, ambitious in a certain sense, yet modest. Fully aware of the magnificent quality of her voice, and of its phenomenal character; singing a higher and a lower note than either of her great contemporaries,--Parodi, Kate Hayes, and Jenny Lind,--she yet did not rest content, as most persons under the same circumstances would have done, with the enthusiastic plaudits elicited by her performances, but diligently applied herself to a scientific cultivation of a voice in natural power well-nigh marvellous, as well as to acquiring a scholarly knowledge of the principles of general music. In this commendable course she met with remarkable success, considering the circumstances by which she was surrounded. And now, quoting at times largely from her "Biography," I proceed to give the following sketch of the career of this remarkable queen of song. Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, better known perhaps by her musical sobriquet, the "Black Swan," was born in Natchez, Miss., in the year 1809. When but a year old she was brought to Philadelphia by an exemplary Quaker lady, by whom she was carefully reared. Between these two persons there ever existed the warm affection that is felt by mother and daughter. In the year 1844 this good lady died. In her will the subject of this sketch was remembered by a substantial legacy. The will, however, formed the subject of a long legal contest; and I believe Miss Greenfield never received the bequest. Her family name was Taylor; but, in honor of her guardian, she took the latter's name,--Greenfield. "Previous to the death of this lady, Elizabeth had become distinguished in the limited circle in which she was known for her remarkable powers of voice. Its tender, thrilling tones often lightened the weight of age in one who was by her beloved as a mother. "By indomitable perseverance she surmounted difficulties almost invincible. At first she taught herself crude accompaniments to her songs, and, intuitively perceiving the agreement or disagreement of them, improvised and repeated, until there was heard floating upon the air a very 'lovely song of one that had a pleasant voice, and could play well upon a guitar.'