The times., 1898-09-29
BLANCHE ROOSEVELT.
Death of "the Beaty and Genius of
the New wcrId''
CFrom the New York Timesl

(From the New York TimesI
A more beautiful and gifted woman
America has rarely produced said a
member OF the New York Woman's Press
Club, in speaking of the Marchesi AL
legri. better known TO the world at large
as Blanche Roosevelt, who died recently
in London
II visited her both in London and
Paris" continued the speaker ''and
more fascinating woman / never came il
contact with; and if she had lived in
this country she would have been an in
spiratiOn to all thinking American w0m-
en-"
Her salon was always crowded with the
most brilliant expOnents Of literature and
art. as well as with sOvereigns and dip
lOmats. and being such a remarkable
linguist. Mime. Machetta d'AIlegri was
sought on every hand. Her memory and
her wit were alike marvellous. and Victor
Hugo said of her on many occasions:
She is the beauty and genius of the
New World
Blanche Roosevelt cIassed among her
intimates and admirers L0ngfellOw,
Browning, Lord LyttOn (Owen Meredith.
Sardou, the Queen of ROumania C'Car-
men SylvaD, Alice di Monaco. daughter
of the Prince of Monaco. and others Of
lesser prominence.
On one occasion she was a guest at a
reception given 10 Robert Browning in
Italy. AS she was leaving she descended
the marble steps of the palace 10 cater
her carriage. She was attired in ruhe
of sapphire-blue velvet, with a GainsbO.-
Ough hat of the same, with waving white
ostrich plumes. As she stepped forJh.
smiling and bowling graciOusly 10 those
about her. the rays of the setting sun
streamed through a glass dome and rest
ed upon her red-gold hair. making as
lovely a picture as one would wish 20
look upon. Browning remarked TO
friend:
What a pity Raphael is not living 10
see her, There would be new Ma
DONNA"
Nine. Machetta was an indefatigable
worker and always declared that her best
thoughts came after midnight She was
often heard to say: No woman should
know unhappiness if she owns books and
is able to write. With these resources
she should be impervious TO sorrow and
disappointment She was the first
American woman to be decorated by the
French Academy. and this was done in
recognition Of her Life OF Gustave
Dore,'' which has been translated into
the principal European languages Her
book The Copper Queen was dra-
matized by SardOu, and she was arrans-
time of the runaway accident in Monte
Carlo last year which killed the coach
man and so seriously injured her that her
life work was brought to an unttmely
close.
About three years ago Blanche RoOse-
welt was made an honorary member OF
the New York woman's Press Club. OF
which her sister Mrs. Edwin H Low.
of this city. Is an officer. Mrs Low is at
present in London. and was with the
marchesi when she breathed her last.
Among her effects is a white lace scarf
of great value. a present from the En-
press of Russia. accompanied by letter
expressing much admiration for ia belle
Americaine." VINO had just made her de-
bur at Covent Garden in La Traviata.
Her voice though sweet and OF excel
lent quality was not strong enough for
grand opera. and so upon her marriage
TO the Count Macbeth she gave up the
stage for literature.