New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-22
AT THE SUMMER RESORTS.
THE PRINCESS DORA DISTRIA.


DELIGHTED WITH VISIT TO THIS COUNTRY
TALK ABOUT THE WOMEN OF AMERICA AND
OF RUssIA-HER PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND
CHARMING MANNER.
IRON An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
SwAMPscOTT Mass, Aug. 20.-Ths wild and
lovely seaside resort has entertained so many dis
tingushed guests that 10 the stranger who Is at all
sensitive traditions Of the past perceptions of
the present there is a charmed atmosphere about
it. Really, the place is Swampscott only by
courtesy as that village is two three miles inland,
and the hotels and cottages cluster on the very
verge Of the ocean, where the blue Atlantic rolls H.
Down the shore. dark point In the sea, is Nahant,
and above. Just hidden from view by a rocky prom
ontory is the quaint old town of Marblehead. The
wild rocks here at Beach Bluff as this part OF the
coast is called. ut ont into the foanng water. and
the view of the skv utterly eclipses any landscape
II il here that the Princess Dora Dlsria is pass
ing the summer IN quiet medItative fashion, that
10 not yet an exclusive one. Her desire to come TO
America was less for the collecting Of material for
future writing than to secure season of reDose,
impossIble in her own home at Florence. As lovely
socially as she is gifted and accomplished. she at
tracts throng of visitors whom she receives with
the free courtesy of gentle breeding. In a Two or
three hours conversation with her found woman
remarkably free from foreign idioms. She expresses
herself with ease.
''I do ask YOU to correct one thing for me-" she
said. among her first remarks. " A lady has said
of me that was divorced. Now if this were true
she would be rigat TO say it, but 1t is not true.
The Princess went on to say that she had found
Russian life singulary distasteful to her; that her
health suffered there and that the autocratlc amO-
sphere Numerically opposed to her own ilOera
IDEAS that residence there had proved 80 lnsup-
ole that It had forced her TO pass much of her
time III Italy even before the death OF her husband,
which occurred twelve years ago
On the subject of wOmans advancement she is an
| enthusiast, yet restrained by the strong logic or
| facts and Il firm. dIspassi0Eatc judgment. She
dwet the singular contrast presented IN the con
dillon Of women Russia and IN America that
while in this country an atmO phere OF courtesy anu
| aDparent freedom surrounds women. yet they are
still restricted matters Of property and IN voice
| IN the Government; while 10 Russia women yet
| hold their personal property III their own rlgdt
after marriage and are entitled To vote In muucl-
pal affairs. Of the excellence OF Russian women as
| nhV.ctaus she SPOKE, adding that the medical was
| the only profession the Russian woman ever en-
| tered.
| her lovely gardens there designed by herself. are
| described by her III words that seem to touch the
picture into form and color
| During her stay i'll America she does not plan ex-
| t.usIye travel. She was charmed with New-fOrk
and IL greatly pleased with BOSTON, For some time
a,ttr her arrival here she the guest OF Mrs Dr.
oliver whose home is N the city and at whose house
| Mr. Longfelow Mr. Fields and Others paid her per-
| soual visits. The Princess dlned with Mr.. Long
| fellow at Nahant, short time since, and referred
| with pleasure t. "A new poem which he had Just
written land which has yet been published that
he recIted TO her after dinner. She will visit Sara
| tuga. Niagara and Wass ngtOn.
| Dora Ulstrla Is now woman lty years OF age
| She has grown stout with years, but retains
| marked personal beauty. At tine Clifton House she
| i accompaed only by her maid. she IL very Iegu-
lar and simple IN her HABITS waiting herself with
| true democratic freedom. Although she has been
| an honnred guest at most of the Courts of Europe,
| the simple and unconventional life suits her best.
I'm the afternoons she SITS on the upper piazza of
the Clifton House, overlooking the sea, wrapped IN
| a magnificent India shawl. with a little talle be-
| side her bearing fruit and flowers. and perhaps u
! book 1T Is here tnat / repOse myself" she re-
| marked.