The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-25
Some Interesting Foreign Women.

There were a group OF extremely in
teresting foreign women at the exposition
who contributed largely 10 that social
side Of it which has never been ade-
quately emphasized 1t is a side which
recorded itself In memory rather than
In the contemporary press; but as people
are more interesting than things. IL is
the phase that will perhaps live the long
est in the history of the White City.
The Woman's Building. whose merits
and dement's have been a subject of
perpetual discussion served its best pur-
pose as a kind of international clubhouse
for women, and in Organization Room
almost every afternoon a number Of
women were apt to be found representa-
tive Of several countries. and Offering a
fascinating study Of individuality.
Senorlta Catalina de Alcala, of Spain,
is a young woman of perhaps thirty-five.
speaking English 80 perfectly that one
takes It for granted at first that she
is Spanish by marriage rather than birth;
a woman OF medium height, with slender,
well-rounded figure brown hair, and eyes
that match IL 10 a shade. and costumed
in a gray princesse gown fitting close
~ her pretty figure. Madame De Alcala
was sent TO this country when a young
girl. and she lived for some time in
ature, and acquiring an entire familiar
ity with American life. With the excep-
ton Of SenOrita de Baron, the well-known
novelist, Madame de Alcala is said 10
be the most highly educated woman in
Spain She IS the author OF several
books. ranging over the line Of economics
and Of historic biography Not a woman Of
poetic or imaginative genius, she still
enters approximately into all this realm
by the hneness and force Of her extended
culture. Her meter lies I'm facts in the
visible and the tangible: but through her
very exceptional intellectual equipment
she transcends the limits Of tempera-
ment and enters into the greatest variety
OF artistic interests. Madame de Alcala
is a friend OF Madame de Baron and
speaks with critical appreciation Of her
novels. which have given her an enor-
nous prestige In Spain, where Sue
cessfu woman writer is more phenomenal
than in France italy, or Germany. In
her manner Madame de Alcala is simple
and direct. and her power OF terse ex-
preston is rather noticeable.
or Madame Hanna Korany Of Beirut
Syria. words seem too colOrless 20 speak
she is OF pure Oriental type. Her COM
niectlon OF creamy amber is clear 10
Transparency, aud her deep. luminous, jet
black eyes invest her with a beaming
radiance OF expression. The dark hair
falling in loose waves. is carelessy knot
ted hack under a scarf Of creamy Spanish
lace worn over her head after the Syrian
fashion. Her figure is slender and girl
ish. and she has 2 magnetism that rem
dered her always the centre OF any group
In which she CHANGED 10 Ind herself.
a little picture Of her will always linger
II 10 sion n
very elaborate and beautiful reception
given one dav 10 Miss Susan p. Anthony.
and the hostess. a woman or cosmo-
nolitan culture. had brought home with
her from some Of her journeys richly
Illuminated CODY Of the Koran. II lay
on a table in the library. and there the
thronc OF guests grouped about while
Madame Korany translated TO us from
the wonderful book COstumed IN white
with gold embroideries, and half-blown
rose i'm her corsase. with her luminous
eyes aglow. and a faint flush OF excite
ment in her face. she seemed an embodi-
ment Of a poets dream OF Lalla Rookh.
II love you so" she exclaimed one day,
implusively clasping the hands or the
lady she addressed. ''you are so warm. SO
good-you American, not cold like the
Europeans.
Spontaneous 10 idult, sHc WAS 'VV Il
kind Of social thermometer i'm the swift
ness with which she registered an i'm
preston. OF her home in Beirut where
before her sparkle the blue waters OF
the Mediterranean and behind rise the
snowy peaks OF Mount Lebanon she
spoke with enthusiasm. In reply 10 some
casual remark about the Japanese. she
replied, with a pretty disdainful sweep
Of the plump little hands. "Oh yes. but
they are not cultured like the Syrians.
Harpers' Bazaar.