Cheer after cheer rang out as the choir arose to
sing America. It was fully ten minutes before we were allowed to begin
the concert.
The praises of this first concert were so many that we were obliged to
give another in Tremont Temple in Boston. From that time we gave a
concert each month to raise funds for the volunteers during the year
1861. The treasury was always supplied from the proceeds of these
concerts and the supply of money never failed, to my knowledge, during
my sojourn in Dedham. The excitement of the hour was intense--regiments
of volunteers passed daily on their way to the front. They were
greeted and cheered by the people; garlands and bouquets were thrown
from the windows as they passed. It was a scene that never will be
forgotten, when we reflect that not two-thirds of these splendid men
ever came back. Later on the choirs visited the hospitals and we found
many brave hearts, who had fought and were wounded for their country,
lying there. To them we brought supplies of fruit, flowers and
nourishing food and sang to them. So the good work went on from week
to week until the year 1861 was nearly over. We decided to return to
California, business was demoralized and uncertainty reigned and we
had been four years from home. During that time I had become a singer
and was able to take my place with other artists of repute. I had
during my study become acquainted with the foremost artists of that
time and sang with them on many occasions.
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