Music and Some Highly Musical PeopleTrotter, James M.
History
Music and Some Highly Musical People
Trotter, James M.
African American musicians -- Biography; African Americans -- Music
"Again Mrs. Stowe says, 'To-day the Duchess of Sutherland
called with the Duchess of Argyle. Miss Greenfield happened
to be present; and I begged leave to present her, giving a
slight sketch of her history. I was pleased with the kind
and easy affability with which the Duchess of Sutherland
conversed with her, betraying by no inflection of voice, and
nothing in her air or manner, the great lady talking with
the poor girl. She asked all her questions with as much
delicacy, and made her request to hear her sing with as much
consideration and politeness, as if she had been addressing
any one in her own circle. She seemed much pleased with her
singing, and remarked that she should be happy to give her
an opportunity of performing in Stafford House, as soon as
she should be a little relieved of a heavy cold which seemed
to oppress her at present. This, of course, will be decisive
of her favor in London. The duchess is to let us know when
the arrangement is completed.
"'I never so fully realized,' continues Mrs. Stowe, 'that
there really is no natural prejudice against color in the
human mind. Miss Greenfield is a dark mulattress, of a
pleasing and gentle face, though by no means handsome. She
is short and thick-set, with a chest of great amplitude, as
one would think on hearing her tenor. I have never seen, in
any of the persons to whom I have presented her, the least
indications of suppressed surprise or disgust, any more than
we should exhibit on the reception of a dark-complexioned
Spaniard or Portuguese.
"'Miss Greenfield bears her success with much quietness and
good sense.'
"Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland afterward became her
ever-unfailing supporter and adviser.
"The piano-forte which previously had been furnished Miss
Greenfield to practise upon was taken from her. The Duchess
of Sutherland, upon learning the fact, immediately directed
her to select one from Broadwood's.
"We cannot refrain from quoting Mrs. Stowe's description of
the concert after dinner at the Stafford House:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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