girlhood might yet be fulfilled. She would take new courage and go
on with the work. She would practice and study every available moment.
In time she would become indeed a great artist. She would not now stop
to dream of future success. She must work and work hard.

Success and triumph were near at hand and almost before she was ready to
receive them, engagements to play flowed in upon her from every
direction. The days of poverty and trial were over. A steadily
increasing financial success followed her efforts and, taught by the
sorrowful experience of her childhood, she managed her affairs with
wisdom and laid the foundation of her present independence. In May she
gave a concert in Boston on her own behalf at Chickering hall and played
_Grand duo brilliant_ for piano and violin, _La Mucette de Portici_ by
_Wolff_ and _De Beriot_, _Reverie_ by _Vieuxtemps_, _Elegie_ by _Ernst_,
and the _William Tell Duo_ by _De Beriot_.

These were the most popular pieces of the day. They all belong to the
transcription or fantasie style. Enormously difficult and well
calculated to please the fancy and amuse the ear, they give a hint of
Madam Urso's ability at that time and show just about how far American
culture had risen. It is interesting to notice them as we shall see how
rapid and how great have been the changes in violin music in the last
ten years that are included in this part of the story of a musical life.

In June she made a short tour through the Provinces and then returned to
New York and spent the Summer quietly among friends and in practice upon
her violin.

Nothing satisfied her in music. The true artist never is satisfied, but
is ever urged onward by a noble discontent. The concert pieces demanded
by the public, were not to her taste. She could do better work. She knew
and played finer works than these. The people would not listen to them.
She would wait. In time they would grow up to something better. In all
this she was ever urged on higher and higher, trying new feats of
technical skill, drawing forth even finer tones and continually
advancing towards the higher standard of excellence she had set for
herself. In all this she met with obstacles and difficulties. She could
not have instruction from others. There were none in the country who
could teach her anything and her concerts broke in upon her time
seriously. She was studying for public appearance and appearing in
public at the same time.

On the opening