took part; on this occasion she again distinguished herself, from which time she has been considered the brightest singer of her race in America. In 1888 she commenced her professional career at Wallack's Theatre, a place where no other colored singer had been privileged to shine. It was here that Mr. William Riesen, a famous musical director in New York, hearing of her wonderful voice, called to hear her sing; after doing so he telegraphed to Mr. Henry Abbey, of the firm of Abbey and Schoeffel Grau, managers to Adelina Patti, Henry Irving, Ellen Terry, and all the greatest notables, when on American tours, telling that he had found a "phenomenal singer," and instantly Abbey sent an agent to secure her for a West Indian tour. Before proceeding on her mission she sang in New York before all the newspaper critics. The Times said she was a phenomenal singer and that she had no equal in her race; the Sun said she was a great singer, who in a few years would surpass some of the world's greatest singers; the Herald predicted a great future for her; and the Providence Journal said she would be a credit to her race and would do honor to any stage on which she sung. The New York Clipper gave a glowing account of her and was the first paper that described her as the "Black Patti."
On 29th July, 1888, she started on her West Indian tour, paying a visit to Jamaica, where she commanded two months of great success in Kingston. It was here that Mrs. Jones received her first decoration—a gold medal inlaid with pearls and rubies. The tour lasted eight months, during which time she sang in all the principal colonies, being recognized as the greatest lyric star of her race, and was the recipient of several other beautiful decorations. On her return home at Providence she was feted in a grand style by her numerous friends. She returned to Madame Lacombe for further study. Then came an Australian manager, who offered her great prices to go to Australia, but she declined his offers, as she had promised to return to the West Indies, where she was greatly delighted with her success. Mrs. Jones has received more presents and testimonials in the various places in which she has sung than any other prima donna was ever honored
with, and whenever she appears in public her breast is seen brilliantly illuminated with some of the most chaste medals extant. The following are the cities where she received gold medals, with the dates: Kingston, Jamaica (with pearls and rubies), September 2, 1888; Colon, November 3, 1888; Barbadoes, November 26, 1888; Port of Spain, Trinidad, December 18, 1888; San Fernando, Trinidad, December 15, 1888;
