Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-23
THREE CENTS PER COPY.

u IL tortoise-shell. The tor,sollo bc.,.
the silver monogram og "Melba" ac,o.~
Its polished surface. The paper case 4, a
little pagoda. Almanac. clock. inks,a,a
paper-outter, tiny wax candle-boldcr
matchbox. pen-trays. all are solid. brown
and glossy. Tho dainty little penholdsr-'
a soft. black ball with gilt Trimming.
the only stranger. Even the was,e-nanor
basket has a broad band OF Old rose ,th.
bon around its fantastic body. The naner
is the faintest tint OF mauve. heavy vi,h
delicate gilt monogram In blue. with eros,
and devicc-"Inyictus nance"
Two freight pictures one a Soanish
beauty. the other grape picture. are
the ornaments OF "cozery." Here "a a
huge diyan laden with silken pillous
Everywhere are curios and souvcn,r.
medals. clocks. watf hes. spoons. honbo,
boxes, vinaigret,es. rich with silver ana
gold. emeralds. and diamonds. Melb,
smiles at the idea OF danger In havt,,
such quantities OF small yaluabIes seat.
tered about as n they were shears. thin.
bles. and pin-cushlons. She laughs a,
hearing that Patti keeps all her memory
treasures in glass cabinets. where they
can give pleasure without Offering tempta.
ton.
Her sleeping-room IL as charming a
bower as her salons. Her bed is a genu.
Inc Marie AGtOinet.e. on which the Ouoon
has actually slept. II stands on a u,tle
raised das. The cover IS heavily ON.
broidered. The dresslng-table IL ukc tha,
OF any dainty lady. Pictures. flowers and
portraits OK friends are scattered about
Her boys room. across the hal. ~ all
white and yellow. with books and pictures
10 suit his taste.
CAREER As \ pRIMk DONNA
She has been singing hut ak years. Her
maiden name was Mitchell. her father
being Scotchman. hcr mother of Spanish
descent. From the latter she Inherited
her musical gift; AMI as a girl she was
one OF the best pianlsts In Melbourne
her native city. At II she married sorrow
and the name Of Armstrong To drown
grief she followed the instinct that led
her 10 n public career. Her people as
Is usually the case. We're strongly opposed
q the step. although now accepting Il
with the success Il has brought
"More success is 'rst flr want ~ COM
mon sense than FOR lack ~ talent" she
wisely says. "One who socks A public
career. especially a stage career. must
have common sense AMI character. or 10
matter how much voice she may have she
cannot make progress. not speaking NOR.
ally. hu, practically"
t. learn an opera. Me'bl first engages
an accompanis'. who Ia a xool coach. anl
with him sings softly through 80. ~'"@lc
TN the airs and cues are learned. The
words she learns IN bel at lunch. driving.
pacing the floor. She has a gooi certain
me nory. For her first repe-tory she
learned ten operas In ten months. In
America last season she mastered Tam
hluscr' IA five days hut that meant 'ayE
AMI nights She has no favorte role, but
becomes imb1cl with each In turn.
The most expensive stage dress sho
ever had made was for "Tannhanser
was cloth OF gold. heavily embrolief'
and cost 1900 francs originally II hai
train as long rs large room. but this
she was obliged - have cut the weight
WAS $50 flf'gulng.
Yer triumahlnt career ~ prima donna
since her del'ut In Brussels In lS>S -
known to all lovers of music.