New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-07
NJ. ROSTANDs NEW HOME

BATNs-cHARMs or a RETREAT
IL THE PYRENEES-THEF FAM
lily LIFE OF THE POET
Parts, October -.
Anything that treats Of the author Of ''Cyrano'
cure 20 awaken the interest Of Parisians.
Castor Deschamps has found inspiration in
Rostands new house. that has, yet, risen
scarcely higher than the foundations. At first
sight the subject might seem dry enough in all
conscience. but Deschamps has embellished
bricks and mortar in this instance with the art
IF which he is master. and Rostand has i'm
oued them. even at this early stage. with some
shing OF his own poetic fancy and artistic per
sonalty The house is being erected at Cambo-
lesBains in the Basses-P yrenees. The sur
rounding country contains some of the loveiest
scenery in France. and the site chosen by
Rostand rs in the words Of the graceful writer
who has just visited Il. made shelter
poets dream
The railway from 81. Jean de Luz 10 Cambo
follows the winding course Of the clear and
parking Nive This river. fed as fl is from
mountain springs. and fltering through glisten-
ing pebbles and silvery gravel ii glides along.
has acquired purity and hmpidity that
neschamps only compare that of pre-
cious stones. "One would like 10 stop and
drink" he says Happy inhabitants of Usta-
illI, Tor Nnotn DAY ana nlShts the FOUNTAINS OF
the Pyrenees shed the enchantment of their
crystal fluid" He adds that he can we'll under
stand how the "Americans"-meaning the
Basques who traffic in the Argentine Republic
often dream Of the platanes Of Hslson when far
away. and long build their dwellings there.
The Basques come TO C3mbo once a year on St.
Johns Eve and The very stroke Of mid
night drink deep draughts from the ferruginous
waters for their healths sake. The medicinal
properties Of the Cambo waters at first only
known 10 the inhabitants of the place. eventu-
ally led 10 the esta blishment Of the now famous
watering place of Cambo-les-Bains.
Dr. Grancher. OF the Paris Faculte De Mede-
Gin. was among the earliest Partisan converts
20 the beauty and health giving qualities Of
Csmbo. He fixed his residence there and was
in time elected mayor He is something Of an
artist. well as physician and il is largely
owing 70 his inluence-whch. however, never
takes the form Of command-that the land
scape is nor disfigured by the ugly villas that
blot the beauty of 50 many fashionable water
ing places. Foreigners who take up their abode
ar Cambo build their houses a Ia maniere
basque" skilfuly adapted The eXgencies of
contemporary civilization. DR.. Cirancher's own
house, the hospitable Zosaenia. is one Of the
gems Of the place. Indeed II Is supposed that
the sight Of il, together with the personal in
huence Of the doctor himself largely contributed
20 induce Edmond Rostand TO settle at Cambo
also He and Or. Grancher are great friends
and the latter takes the warnest interest in the
progress of the formers new home. It was
C1rancher who introduced Rostand 70 Cambo
and love Al first sight was the result Of the
Introduction The heart of the author OF
"Cyrano." always susceptible 10 the charms of
nature. fell easy victim 10 the fairylike
scenery Of fair Cambo. The woods, the noun
tains. the quiet meadows and the delightful
waters All combined 10 we'd him the spot
And who can but congratulate him on his
choice, The horizon, looking toward the Span
ish frontier, blends gradually with the distant
Pyrenees. while the heights OF Arsemendi and
the triangle Of Mount Darrain FORM as IL were,
screen sheltering the luXuriant valley from
the too fervid rays of the sun or the glare Of
ihe transparent clouds. At times the blue
mountain peaks seem capped with a silver mist
and others. arrowlike. cleave through the
cloud fakes, and appear sharply outlined
against the white background
Rostand's house is the most beautiful in all
the Basque country. NJ Deschamps goes so far
to say even that it surpasses in beauty all
the houses in France and in Navarro and
for the best of reasons-namely, that il exists
Vet only in the Imagination OF the poet
II will, when the poets dream is realized. over
look the river NiVe and face panorama OF val
ley and mountain and undulatng woods
hoStano daily inSpectS the progress or the work.
which is being carried out under his direction
by NJ Tournaire. The latter is the architect
who assisted The young of the Ecole
d Athenes to discover the lost sanctuaries OF
Delphi An almost immemorial custom Of the
Basque country exacts that each house newly
built should he ornamented with a slab bear
ing some appropriate inscription. The slab Is
placed above the entrance door. Some Of these
inscriptions curious enough Here man
does what he and Fortune. whatever she
wills. Jean de Casavielhe had me built in
1882" Thus runs of these announcements.
Another. IN the Basque language. is follows:
To my friends, first Of all: to the poor. when
they present themselves: 10 my enemies (who
has not got some?); TO all these I am open"
The Chateau de Csstetis has this. For the poor
] have no bolt
II is not stated whether Rostand has vet
selected the motto for his house not,
hat we may be sure that whatever Il IS destined
10 be it viii be worthy of the great writer.
Meanwhile he lives in neigh boring villa. about
which, as he said 10 Deschamps when he well
ooned him, there is nothing modern He does
not admire the modern in architecture, at all
events. The general air of the villa at Cambo
rs one Of happy. family life and homely sim
plicity. Here he lives with his charming wife
and two sons. writing and watching the build
ing OF his castle in the air. destined in few
short months 70 become 3 substantial fact
z. 7 B.