The Washington times., 1895-06-09


The following account of Christine Nelson
as she now appears, was written to a friend
i'll this city by Miss Matte Tyler, daughtero of
Col. Matt Tyler. Miss Tyler spent last sum
mer and early autumn abroad in company
with her aunt, Madame Robin, of Paris and
during her stay had the good fortune to be
thrown in close intimacy with the celebrated
prina donna, whose name is worldwide,
Miss Tylor writes:
while travelling in Europe last summer
1t was my good fortune to see Christine
Nelson quite frequently. AS her name is
still dear to the heart of all Americans
who have once enjoyed her exquisite voice,
some little description OF the woman as she
now appears, will be of interest.
at surprised me greatly to find one
who had the world at her feet content
to live such quiet, simple and useful ex-
istence while still in her prime. Miss Neil
son lives in a Beautiful house. situated
on the Rue Clemant Marot in Paris, sur
rounded with all that is beautiful in art
Her collection Of paintings and statuary
is of great value, TO say nothing Of curios
gathered from all corners of the globe
In the midst of every luxury, surrounded
with all that the most cultivated and re-
fined taste can supply. lives Christine
Nelson, now the Countess de Casa Mi
randa, but never by any other name than
bered in America.
No longer is her voice heard in public
but she told me that she practiced as reg
ularly as when she sang every night be-
fore an admiring audience. Unlike most
artists, she will not permit her photo
graph TO be sold, but sometimes gladdens
a friends heart, as she did mine, by Civ
ing one. Occasionally she sings q song
or two. to please her old friend Mrs
Pell, whom she delights to crafty, often
playing quiet game of cards, driving,
or spending whole evenings in her company
and talking in her irresistibly bright and
fascinating way.
Upon the occasion of ball given
by Mrs. Pell last autumn Christine danced
the first quadrille with her hostess, dane
ing as gracefully and with as much enthu-
siasm as if before the footlights. Her
jewels were superb. Her collection OF
precious stones, mostly the gift of crowned
heads, is ranked as in the finest in Europe.
Christine has changed but little since
the time she was drawn by an admiring
crowd through the streets of New York,
when the people hitched themselves to
her carriage, after having taken out the
horses. A little stoIlter, perhaps, but
just the same 10 voice and feature with
the same charming manner. She re-
members with keen pleasure the many
friends made during the tours Of America
duQ OllSu tApTeSSeu d WISH 10 SptuQ du-
other season among them, but her husband,
the Count de Casa Miranda, does not care
To travel as she does
''Melba, Calva Syble Sanderson and
Emma Games have come aud gone and
held us spell bound with their voices, but
none have taken us by storm and charmed
us as Christine Nelson, while her voice
is remembered by those who enjoyed an
opportunity of hearing her, as vividly as
though she sang in grand opera only yes
terday. She sang a song for me last
spring, and her eyes sparkled and her pure
voice rang out as clear and strong as ever
and sent me back to America with q
souvenir I shall never forget"