The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-13

of disillusioning begins as soon as she
reaches the gay capital. Here is case:
A girl went to teacher to discuss terms.
He went into contortions before she had
sung five notes, and exclaimed: MY dear
girl, il you had waited five minutes
longer that beautiful voice would have
been ruined! You must have a lesson at
once-now, before 1t Is too late
,"Rs taught her five minutes and charged
her 25 francs. Young LADY pupils cannot
get honest criticism. The teachers tiatter
them to their faces, take their money
and laugh behind their backs. Freuchmen
are too polite to tell them the truth. They
don't understand American women.
"Why. they exclaim, 'these Ameri-
can women actually believe what men say
to them. A French woman never does
that
"fhis typical young girl we are speaks
ing OF has an allowance of about $50 a
montb--some have less, some more. The
music teacher char yes $40 a month; ac-
compartment, $40; teacher OF acting, S12;
teachers of the diction (French and
Italian), S6 each. That's S1l0, leaving
only $40 for room rent, food, washing
and clothing, so say nothing of throat
specialists and other medical attend
ance."
"How do they manager"
"Don't ask me how some OF them man
age, please" said Madame Sprague.
"Most of them, however, are very brave
ana very persevering. They begin to
economize. where they can least afford
to--in their living expenses. They get
sick, have tonsilitis, bronchitis, bu. vet.
with dogged persistence, try to practice
every day.
"'You mustn't try to use your voice
while it is in that condition., said to
one of them.
".Oh! l must" she replied, was 60
ing to be BILE to sing in grand opera in
two years, and it is over year now.
There's all that debt piling up at home!
How can ever pay it IL fail here?"
"Spartan fotritude is nothing to the
'srunk' of some of the American girls.
was asked shortly before left Paris to
co tribute to the relief of a beautiful
girl whom a physician had found actually
dying ircm starva ion. He was just in
time 10 save her. She was not failure.
Reports of her talent and graces had
reached England, and manager came TO
Paris TO see her She was too weak to
sing for him-and he returned without
her. Did she give up? No, indeed, She
vowed she would succeed or die. pm too
proud 10 go home, she said; Il may lie
here and starve, but I'll make name or
die.
"Girls here are hardly less determined.
Just the other day a lady asked me to
give her daughter the benefit of my ad-
vice as to her future course in music.
She was a pretty girl of %, with a sweet
voice, which disappeared on using. She
did bit OF skirt dancing that 6-year-
CID child might do, and ssked: "What
do you think I'd batter do?'
"'Have babies, Susie, DEAR replied.
Her eyes fairly blazed, 'Tll not do it,
she exclaimed, and left the room in great
anger.
"Tbe average girl goes to Paris for the
acc mt and she never gets 1t. The only
American who can sing in French is
Sibyl Sandersop. Most OF those who at
tempt 1t have no idea how badly they do,
and as the audience oftener doesn't know
the difference 1t passes. Very many peo-
plo go abroad to mbibe' art, and end by
| imbibing almost everything else. Europe
is a beautiful place for a girl who 10 al
ready educated to visit. 1t broadens her
views, and IL she is accompanied by her
parents or a chaperon she will get on very
well. But poor girls had better study at
home, and, when they have an educated
voice, experience and money, take a Paris
course"