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 favour 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 colour 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.
It became painfully necessary for Miss Greenfield to take the procedure expressed in the following legal notice, (although the bare presentation of the document did not take place until Jan. 12, 1854.)
To Mr. ——, 29 George Street, Hanover Square, London:
Sir:—The salary of five pounds per week, payable by you to me under our agreement, bearing date the twenty-first day of October, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, being in arrears and unpaid for more than five weeks last past, (though repeated applications have been made to you for payment thereof) and the amount now owing to me by you having been demanded, and default being made in payment of the same, and there being other breaches on your part, of the agreement made between us, I do hereby, in pursuance of the power or authority given to me by the said agreement, bearing date the twenty-first day of October, eighteen hundred and fifty-three, and of all other powers and authorities enabling me thereto, give you notice that I do hereby cancel the said agreement, bearing date as aforesaid, and also the agreement dated the sixteenth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, respectively made between you of the one part and myself of the other part, and do hereby declare that the said agreements, respectively, shall be, and become absolutely void on the giving of this notice to you; but without prejudice to my rights and remedies for the recovery of any money that may now be due to me, under or by virtue of the said agreement, or either of them.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Elizabeth T. Greenfield.
The piano forte which previously had been furnished Miss G., to practise upon, was taken from her. The Duchess of Sutherland, upon learning the fact, immediately directed her to select one from Broadwood’s. Her grace, from whom good acts seem constantly to emanate, permitted her to choose one valued at sixty guineas.
Arrangements being completed for a Concert at the Stafford House, the following announcement at the same time was made to the British public:—