The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-28

Those Who Study Painting, Sculpture and Music Abroad.

Mrs. Frank Leslie recently returned
from a s%ojourn Of nearly two years in
Europe. Most Of her time was spent in
Paris, where she gave a good deal of
attention to the subject Of American
girls and women who go abroad to
study art and music.
AS the desire to study abroad is an
almost universal one among the bright
and ambitious girls of this country,
I asked Mrs. Leslie to give them the
benefit Of her observations an expert
ence.
Everything depends on the girl"
said Mrs. Leslie. $50 far as opportun-
fty is concerned, there seems to be no
good reaSOn why a student should go
farther than Paris to acquire all that
may be acquired from instruction in
painting or sculpture, in vocal or in
strumental music. It is surprising to
find how many there are pursuing these
branches according to the light that
Is in them. Earnest, intelligent girls
and women from every state-one
might almost say from every city and
town-in the country are there. hard
at work in the ateIiers and the conserv-
ator1es. You see them copying the
masterpieces of the Louvre and Luxem-
bourg. You find them at a brilliant en-
tertainment in the American colony at
night, and next day working from the
nude in Julian's studio.
1t charmed me, to note that the vast
majority Of American girls who have
gone abroad to study do study. and
for such as really mean business there
is no safer or p~leasanter place than
Paris. The frivolous and capricious.
who have no set purpose in life, will
find distractions n temptations
enough. to be sure, and that is why
L say 1t all depends on the girl.
Much has been done in late years to
make life pleasant in the French cap
1tal for American girl students. DR..
Thomas w. Evans built a beautiful
home for them In a pleasant part of the
city a few years ago, and there Is now
a movement on foot to establish an
other home to accommodate a still larg-
er-number on the most liberal terms.
There are restrictions necessary in the
conduct of these institutions hat are
resented by a certain type of girl. But
the demand for accommodation far ex-
ceeds the present pace, showing that
the nature Of woman to have a safe
retreat and anchorage obtains in Paris
as elsewhere. But there are probably
ten American girl students living in
boarding houses or apartments in Paris
for every one in the homes. Some of
the girl bachelor quarters are quite
bewitching in their appointments. and
~ this method girls Of decidedly limit
ed means provide themselves with
comfortable and exemplary homes.
Two of the most talented girls I met were
from the West. Their money supply was
decidedly limited. and they lived in a little
nat of three rooms without a servant. They
were welcome, nevertheless, in some of the
most exclusive homes Of the American colony
ana TO those OF several fine French families
whom they had met through a letter of intro
duction they brought with them. Both
were studying under one of the great artists
and were reputed by critics and painters
aiKe 70 possess something RESEMBLING genius.
Inc democracy that obtains among the
art students OF Paris is Of the most pro-
nounced type. They are all hail fellow well
me- IN the studios and pay no attention to
dlHerences OF race, color or previous condi-
ton At Juhan's was a bright colored girl
from Boston who eVineed remarkable talent.
she was one of the most advanced scholars
IN the school for the time she had been
studying. 1t was not surprising that the
French students were polite to her because
1t mas long been the custom of the country
to treat a colored person with the same con-
sideration as a white. But the example i'm
pressed the Americans so that they relaxed
their cold shoulder TO a marked extent. Con-
sidering our national prejudice against as
sociating with colored people On a footing of
] equa1ty, this was a distinct gain, and as to
the future Julian was of the opinion that
the colored girl would become the best artist
in the class.
Mrs. Aver, of Lowell, Mass, recently
gave money enough to fit up a home for
American young men who go to Paris to
study art. 1t is a most comfortable place and
seems to be thoroughly appreciated by the
young men of small means who have entered
the Lists. Excellent mealsrfa and rooms are
provided at the lowest possible price The
natron is a thrifty F-renchwoman, who makes
the place attractive by always having the
rooms bright and cheerful The home has
been a great comfort to scores Of young men.
and Mrs. Ayers is always looking out for
their welfare. Such a place was made neces-
sary by the fact that numbers Of adyentur-
GUS young men reach Paris from our shores
each year without sufficient money TO meet
their running expenses. If some provision
were not made for them, their suffering
| would be great. AS 1t is, subscriptions have