, 1891-12-11

Makers who Want Her Indorsement.
Her Costumes All Made In America.
Suspended on the hall rack by a pink
ribbon an inscription in letters Of gold az
sured me before the maid could respond
that the queen Of comic opera was at
home.
We had a little dinner party last night
aud things are topsy turyy," said the maid
alphabetically. IF it were not for the
dinner, madame would have been up long
ago. She always breakfasts at 100. Then
her sisters staid last night, and nov
Nine. Cambri, the singing teacher, has
just gone TO her room, but she expects you
and will be down shortly"
With a buster the garrulous maid swept
the cream and gold cushion of a Louis XIV
chair set before us on entering the coy,
restful salon.
We haven't begun housecleaning yet"
she added; madame says she hasn't time to
bother with it. This new opera keeps her
on the go all the time"
Another tender caress of the buster on
the dustless Sevre and Limoges ware on
the onyx table and the faithful servant
vanished, leaving us to study at leisure the
home of the woman Of whom Arditi said
when asked by Florence, the comedian,
what impressed him most during his recent
american visit 1 nave heard the MOTlufA
greatest singers said the famous COM
poser, but America has in Lillian Russell
the most beautiful natural voice ever
heard excepting PATHS"
From the time when she was a chorus
girl at Tony Pastors, the fame and fortune
Of New Eork's fayorite have risen SO rap
idly that at the Garden theater In New
York she recently created the role of Mar
ton in Audran's L Cigale," and receives
.1- --.,.f - ~. F
the United States. For the past year this
exceptionally beautiful woman has found
a home in one of the monotonous brown
stone houses in Forty-third street. The in
d~ividuality of the mistress, however, is
disclosed in the dainty beauty OF the in
terror.
A symphony in gold and white Is the
coy salon, through whose silk portieres
CLEANS the Rreenery OF growing plants
baskinEin the sunshine that steals through
the windows of the pretty breakfast room.
Gold and white are the walls, hangings,
chairs and cabinets, rich in the suggestive
ness Of the days of Marie Antoinette.
DivHns Of gold and White brocade, with in
wiling cushions and foot rests, screens
from whose panels smile Vatican DANES
and knights. mementoes of operate tri-
umphs, a piano in white and gold and a
dainty writing desk of the same, with fairy
lamps and silver mounted stationery i'm
plements-all softening without detracting
from the etchings and water colors on the
wall. Everywhere are portraits of the
beautiful singer in her various roles. On
a Tyre screen in front of the white mantel,
respondent in rare Faience, is the picture
OF La Cigale," taken from the rigina at
London. HRrkl a step on the stairs. Into
this gold and white nebula bursts, like
Aurora, the golden haired opera queen.
In the merciless sunlight of the early
winter day her physical charms were more
beautiful, more winning If possible than
in the footlight glare. Russell is not yet
thirty. \ mauve crepe de chine n~egligee,
revealing a petticoat OF valcnciennes, en-
veloped her queenly form. A vandyke
ruff OF old lace was at the throat and
rufies Of the same fell from the flowing
sleeves, whose every movement disclosed
the dainty pink and white Of the rounded
arms.
"Oh, ] am so anxious to do my new part
justice, - she said, as We ensconced ourselves
on the divan for a chat. 81 dreamed of
La Cigale' every night after l saw it at
Paris until l sang at the first performance
in New York"
When you take up a new opera do you
always study the music with a teacher?"
Certainly. But this time l was deter
mined that the critics should admit that /
can act as well as sing. They always say,
She sang her part well. but walked
through it Mrs. Scott Siddons has been
in this country for some months, and |
studied with her three times a week. Four
weeks / rehearsed daily from three to five
hours"
Lillian Russell is one of the hardest
working, most conscientious students on
the stage, and managers y she is prompt
ness itself.
The tinkle of a tiny bell, the odor OF VIC
lets, the arrival of the family
autocrat-a little black and white dog with
bright, intelligent face, aGectionate pro-
~clivities and well groomed hide that dis
titled the aftermath of a perfumed bath.
After the canine had been dismissed with
a love tap a corset agent pleaded a hear
ing. The firm had sent the singer a corset,
begging her to test its merits. She did SO,
but refused to give it a written testimonial.
The bill for the corset was then sent in,
and, TO the firms chagrin, promptly paid.
He says there's a misunderstanding.
He wants 10 explain" "a the maid.
81 have had enough annoyance. If he has
anything further TO say let hin write"
said Miss Russell, who is besieged by all
sorts OF cosmetic and toilet manufacturers
to indorse their concoctions.
81 have been turning them of for five
years" mumbled the maid, but he is the
most persistent"
at reminds me OF my costumes" re-
sumed the singer. Il designed them my
self. saw tie originals and think nave
improved upon them. l intended to get
them abroad, but finding that / could no:
get away ! selected the materials and had
them made by a New York house. | have
had dresses from Worth. Felix and all the
Old World modistes, and l feel sure they
could not produce more artistic, perfect fit
Ting gowns than | nave had made here at
home, 1t has taught me a lesson. l be-
lieve in encouraging home talent, especially
when it. does work equal to the best of the
other side. Instead of going to Worth OF
Felix, who make you feel that they are
comforting u favor by taking your meas
IRE. | intend henceforth TO stay at home,
where every one takes a local pride in car
rying out ones ideas. ransacked every
curiosity shop in New York in search of IL
Fifteenth century monocle. which l carry
in the second act. Finally | got one. There's
nothing that one cannot get in New York"
Ida ROSE MCCABR.
Minna X. Gale, who was the late Law
renee Barrett's leading woman, is now