The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-29
PATTI AT 81 YEARS OF AGE.
How She Has Avoided the Wrinkles
of Middle Age.


From the Baltimore American.
Although Nine. Adelina Patti Is past
the half century mark, she appears
like a woman of thirty. Her skin is
without a wrinkle, her complexion
clear and healthy, her physique strong
and active How does she accomplish
this miracle, ask her friends. Has she
found the fountain of perpetual youth7
To an intimate admirer. Mrs. Leon
ard L. Hill, recently returned from
a visit TO the great diva's Welsh castle,
Craig -y-nos, the famous songstress i'm
parted the secret of her youthful ap-
pearanCe.
Every morning she gets up at $780,"
says Mrs. Hill. takes a bath and a
short walk in her gardens. At . or a
little after she eats a light break
fast, consisting of fruit and rolls.
while she is eating her maids ar
range her hair and she looks over her
mail and determines on her evening
enga gements. Then she writes a few
letters and practices a half hour on
scales. Only twice in thirty years has
she omitted this exercise.
AT IL o'clock she is ready for a
walk. Weather has no terrors for her;
rain or shine, hot or cold, she ven-
lures out Just the same. When it 10
pouring she can be seen in long
macintosh reaching nearly to the
ground. high rubber boots and an old
sloucn hat on her head, sauntering off
for a few miles walk.
when she walks she walks. and
most American girls would be put to
shame trying to keep pace with her.
She does not pull her collar over her
ears to prevent the rain from beating
on her. Instead she holds her face up
and delights to feel the rain stream
ing all over it. This is how / keep
my fresh color she says; that is why
there arc no wrinkles around my eyes
nor creases in my cheeks
After her walk she rests and then
takes lunch in her conservatory. No
coffee, tea, chocolate or ice water for
me- she told me. i trace half the Ills
of you American women to such
things l never saw her drink iced
water. Rich foods she sedulously
avos1s; she is fond of them. She Is
believer in eating enough and of
plain, substantial dishes.
After dinner, which lasts an hour
or two, she sings, dances or plays. and
at 70 o'clock every night goes pune
tually to bed.
Mime. Patti Is a fervent advocate
of fresh air She revels in It. On fair
days she puts on short skirt and a
| pair of thick and comfortable walking
shoes and tramps miles into the hills
and valleys of Wales. What ails you
girls?' she used to say to us. Where
is your ambition, your life? Don't sit
about doing nothing; get into the air
| and walk. Then, at my age, you will
be as rosy and healthy as l am, and
not broken down and suffering with all
sorts of complaints She took us to
the village and ordered us heavy shoes
but no one could keep up with her.
although she allowed no cards in
her house. she joins in all kinds OF
| children's games. There is exercise in
them. she declares, and that is what
the body needs. Like all singers, she
avoids draughts, but she can't get into
the air often enough. Cosmetics she
| abhors.
! Her voice is as fresh and tuneful
now as when she sang years ago. The
! great English doctor, Sir Morell Mac
| Kenzie, told her that on account OF
! her excellent care of herself she would
sing at eighty as we'll as she did al
| forty. The woman who commands S5,-
000 every time she sings and looks
| twenty-five years old attributes hel
youth, her health, her splendid consti.
tuition and figure to a sensible anG
simple observance of natures laws"