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.'

"There dwelt in the neighborhood of Mrs. Greenfield a
physician, humane and courteous; capable, too, of
distinguishing and appreciating merit and genius, under
whatever prejudices and disadvantages they were presented.
His daughter, herself an amateur in the science of
harmonious sounds, heard of Elizabeth's peculiar structure
of mind. Miss Price invited her to her house. She listened
with delighted surprise to her songs. She offered to
accompany her upon the guitar. This was a concurrence of
circumstances which formed the era of her life. Her pulses
quickened as she stood and watched the fair Anglo-Saxon
fingers of her young patroness run over the keyboard of a
full-toned piano-forte, eliciting sweet, sad, sacred, solemn
sounds. Emotion well-nigh overcame her; but the gentle
encouragement of her fair young friend dissipated her fears,
and increased her confidence. She sang; and before she had
finished she was surrounded by the astonished inmates of the
house, who, attracted by the remarkable compass and
sweetness of her voice, stealthily entered the room, and now
unperceived stood gathered behind her. The applause which
followed the first trial before this small but intelligent
audience gratified as much as it embarrassed her, from the
unexpected and sudden surprise. She not only received an
invitation to repeat her visit, but Miss Price, for a
reasonable com