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New York Ap 30th 1862.
My dear Madam
Perhaps you may remember that during your visit to America many years ago you ex changed several letters with Bish op Hopkins of Vermont the result of which was that he visited this city for the purpose of using some complimentaries you had kindly sent for your concerts and of intro ducing to your notice his little son then a lad of fifteen who was thought to possess some genuis for music. You were so kind as to in vite them both to your hotel and on hearing the boy play some of his humble compositions you re marked that he had still much to learn which indeed was but too true. That boy was myself
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I returned to the green of Vermont after that visit, and to the homely occupation of domestic coun try life. One year I spent in college after which I returned to New York where I renounced all ideas of be coming an artist and studied chem istry with Dr [Doremus?] for three years. But alas! my love for the Art was too strong I then re nounced chemistry and alone and unassisted determined to be only an Artist.
My friends and family were in despair, and for four years my experiences were so sad that I can hardly recall them without tears. Anything is more endurable than the scorn of one's own family but a brighter day was at length to dawn, I have hardly proven a disgrace to my fathers family
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and I have received too many proofs of public esteem to be lieve all my labors have proven vain. Composition has been my main study, and although my numerous piano concerts may possibly have occasioned you to notice my name as that of a virtuoso of humble pretensions, I am yet sensible of my great deficiencies as pianist on account of the careless juven ile training which I received.
My object is thus so unceri moniously arresting your atten tion regarding my affairs my dear Madam is to say that I have written many songs of which only two or three have ever been published, the publishers here having invariably said
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that they were not popular enough and were too German. Thus have I kept them back, (as in fact I have most of my work, excepting at some of my own concerts) and have well nigh despaired of ever having a chance of showing my country men my best efforts, for without an interpreter surely no composer can be appreciated.
Seeing notices of your intended concerts this season I was struck with the thought that possibly you would bring out one of my most trifling songs if it was sent you, in consideration of the slight very slight claim I have flattered myself to pos sess upon your forbearance. I have accordingly herewith sent you the "Farewell" with piano score and full Orchestra parts
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so that it would give you as little trouble as possible. Of course this one has never been pub lished.
I need hardly beg to assure you that it is not my vanity which prompts me to this my dear Ma dam, but my love for my Art for whose sake I have suffered so much. There are so very few Artists in this country, and of those who are called by that name so few really deserve it that one who is wrapped up in Music as I am, meets with apathy and coldness unspeak able but which you surely know all about and can appreciate and pity.
May I in conclusion
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request you to consider this confi dential, and that you regard the song as entirely your own property, that is if you find it at all worthy of your notice and lastly that you may extend to me the ut most indulgence as to one who feels cut off from the world of Art by a residence in this commercial country and who has ever remem bered that one short interview with you, with feelings of the deepest interest and love for her who was pleased to give the first words of encouragement to a weak and helpless infant in Art as I as suredly then was, and as I ever yet feel myself to be. If you should honor this with a reply my Dear Madam you would indeed highly fa vor Your humble & obt servt
Mme J L Goldschmidt