The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-10-09

who died soon after, leaving her with a
daughter, whom she placed in a fashion
able convent school, where she was edu-
Gated pianiste. She displayed ex-
ceptional talent in music.
From her teacher, the Senior Raniere
Vilanova, she received a gold medal. as
well as a gold medal from the convent.
for distinguished progress. She now as
sists her mother with her classes, but
does not appear IN public
Famous in s.The Black Crook"
Nine. Bonfanti's greatest triumph was
in The Black Crook" whose wonderful
ballet, so old theater-goers say, has never
been surpassed. The grace and beauty
Of the premiere helped to make this
ballet noted. Men raved over her charms,
and women envied her renown When she
appeared on the streets, crowds of admir-
ers would gather to stare at her as she
stepped from her carriage 10 go into one
OF the shops or the theater, and when she
danced the florists shops were emptied
TO supply her with stage tributes. The
alteration for the lovely Bonfanti was a
characteristic of the theater-going pub
lie more idealistic, more romantic. more
emotional, but also mere natural, than the
cynical, supercritical audiences of to-day.
After the revival of THE Black Crook. +"
about ten years ago Nine. 2onfanti reti--
ed permanently from the stage. She be-
came teacher of her art, as other great
dancers have done on their withdrawal
from the foOtlights.
She has decided views In regard 10
dancing, and certainly no woman In
America to-day is more competent TO
speak on the subject Of the training of
the muscles. for the education of a dan
seuse is as much a science as that Of a
prima donna.
Nine. Bonfantrs speciality is the train
ing in those small graees which make the
crude society butterfly the polished wo,n
an OF the world. Her system. the teach
ing Of the poetry of motion, shows a stu
dent the art of walking across a ballroom
the proper method Of acknowledging an
Introduction, whether 10 ones equals
ones social superiors, or to ones Irfe-
riors, for there are shades Of difference
required by the niceties OF social usage
The woman who has lately come In 10 her
millions learns how to step In and out of
her brand new equipsge, how 10 enter her
opera box. diyest herself OF her splendid
cloak and. sinking into her LUXURIOUS
chair, demean herself gracefully "A the
glasses Of the house are leveled on ner
How 20 appear 10 critically aDpre-ist.
the arias OF the great tenor or the prirna
donna, now 10 entertain the friends that
drop Into her box between the acts All
these and the thousand ana one 9TH, DE-
tails OF social life dependent on a natural
carriage, self-possession and grace ar.
mastered.
The great BOnfanti claims that easy
manners and bearing come from the mas
terry OF the muscles that her svste,,
teaches, for part Of the teaching OF BIasis
and Old World ballet masters was an ex-
quisite department.
Mistakes Of PHYSICAL CsItsre.
The woman who studies pbvsicai cri.
ture with the idea that & will make her
graceful" says Nine Bonfantl. Is max
Ing very great mistake I know. for
have carefully observed the system and
have convinced myself that il Is aot what
the American woman needs IL dsyeIooz
one set Of muscles az the expense OF an
other Pointing 10 her graceful Ie..
Look al my cat Is she not 4 model Of
graceg The grace Of the cat Is the grace
OF nature. One could not have a better
model than a playful kitten. She Jumps
she dances ana springs about, every mus.
Gle employed and her little mind. plea
ursbiy active, pFoailag By the exercise as
we'll"
Nine. BonfantFs love for cats Is appar
ent- Daisy, her pet. Is a eur.ously spot
ted black ana white cat thar enjoys the
lessons Of pupils. great and small Her
gambols sometimes serve 10 Illustrate 10
the pupils Ame. BonfsntI's pFiaclple OF
acquiring ''p0ise and ease In movement"
in dancing. continues the teacher.
every muscle Is developed harmOnlcusly.
and thus both grace and strength are az
qulred. a lady does not need the strength
and muscles Of prize fighter Athlete
exercises are 50 violent that as a rule