The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-07-03
HOME LIFE OF PATTI.
Craig-y-Nos and All Its Wonderful At
fractions,
IN. Y. Tribune.)

IN. Y. Tribune)
Nine. Mary Scott Rowland gave
charming talk before few invited
friends yesterday. The supJeco was a
Month at Craig-y Nos Castle.
In perfectly informal manner NINE.
Rowland gave personal "reminiscences OF
the ideal home life Of Patti, ana told
how she came to select this picturesque
spot among the Welsh mountains in
South Wales. and the manner in which it
has been brought to state Oh per1ectlon,
SO far as earthly possessions go. Photo
graphs Of the castle were shown and the
more nrominent of it's sixty-five rooms
described.
The outside attractions are no less per-
feet. with gardens, Conservatives and
hothouses. where one can pick strawber-
ries, pear or bltnch of grapes any day in
the wear: the Stables, with superb horses
and carriages; tile dog kennels, with the
rarest breeds in the canine world; the
beautiful lake. with its rowboats, and
the fishing stream, where Nicolini enjoys
keenest sport-all were graphically de-
scribed.
The regular routine of the home life of
the great diva is so well ordered that it is
rarely varied She never drives on Sun
day, believing that the coachmen and sta
bIemen should have day with their
families to rest or attend one of two
churches and Welsh-supported
by her.
''Shall tell you how Patti entertains
her guests?" asked the speaker. "Well,
from the moment one leaves the station
in London it seems as if the thoughtful
ness and power of Patti are in evidence.
On reaching Meath, twenty miles from
the castle, a transfer is made from the
main line to narrow gauge road. A
telegram has notified the officials that her
guests are expected, and every employe
becomes obsequious at once. On reach
ing Penwylt station carriages and
liveried coachmen and footmen are in
waiting, and the beautiful drive of three
miles begins, winding up and up toward
| the castle, through magnificent scenery.
"On each side of the main entrance are
stationed ten men in livery-the upper
house servants. Passing through this line
into the spacious hall the guests are most
cordially received by Mime. Patti.
IF the arrival is at O'Clock, as it is
usually arranged to be, tea is Immediate
ly served in the summer garden, which
is a beautiful room, inclosed in glass, en-
circlcd with flowers and palms, and
which adjoins the conseryatories.
| IAN automatic piano plays during the
service of this dainty repast The guests
are then at liberty to enjoy themselves to
their liking till the dinner hour, at 8
O'Clock, when everyone appears in full
dress. Patti is always magnifcently at
tired, and sparkling with gems. Only on
state occasions is dinner served in the ele-
gantly appointed dining room. Patti
generally prefers the summer garden,
with it's flowers and music.
| after this sumptuous meal everyone
| goes to the music room. Here the largest
automatic orchestral instrument in the
world plays all the operas in which Patti
has sung. Oftentimes Nicolini plays on
one of his priceless violins. or some visit
! ing artist contributes to the musical
hour. On rare OCCASIONS PATHS divine
voice is heard In some simple melody
She is especially fond of negro songs, and
when she sings Massa's in the Cold, Cold
| Ground every eye is sutfused with tears.
''At - O'Clock Patti gives the signal
for retiring, and on reaching her room
| touches q bell, which notifies all the SER
wants that they are to retire, and only the
Waterman is thereafter alert.
"In every corridor maid is stationed
to obey the slightets wish of the guests
| Before retiring she asks the visitors when
and how their light breakfast shall be
served. The menu includes every luxury,
and ones meal can be ordered the same
as when in hotel
"Patti attends tosher voluminous CORE
spondence in the early morning, not ap-
pearing till the regular breakfast hour-1
o 'clock-when a rare and delicate feast is
spread. ~
| Perfect liberty Of enjoyment is accord
ed to every visitor, driving, rowing, ten
mis-, billiards and bowling being among the
recreations enjoyed. If one tires of look
ing at the pheasants, which are one of
the hobbies of Nicolini, there is room
full of all kinds of birds-parrots who
talk and sing with almost human intelli-
gene; hooking birds, Inagpies and num-
berless canaries. Here PATHS divine
voice my be heard singing some exquisite
arias, which the birds try to initiate.
Whenever Patti goes out the peasants
who fairly worship her, fall on their
knees in homage so conscious are they of
| the blessings scattered by her bountiful
hand
''Twice every year Patti gives two con-
certs, one at Meath, the other at Swansea,
for the benefit of charity, and always
several thousand dollars are raised. All
| the artists who assist, sometimes twenty
five in number, are invited from London
at PATHS own expense, and entertained
royalty at the castle. On their departure
each artist is presented with some costly
trinket, which is probably a souvenir of
one of the most delightful experiences in
life.'
Nine. Patti gave her last concert of the
season yesterday at the Albert Hall,
London This'was in place Of the one at
which, owing.to indisposition, she was
unable to appear short time ago.