New-York tribune., 1903-02-22
AUGUSTA HOLMES.
Paris, February 10.

a
Paris, February TO-
The last days of Augusta Holmes, who died at
her Paris residence January % of heart af-
fection that had only manifested itself within
week. snguarly sad and picturesque
Ever since the unsuccessful production of her
opera, La Montague Nore,' at the Grand
Opera, in Paris. in the year 1898. the com
poser had been gloom7 and downcast. La
Montague Noire," which had to be withdrawn
after thirteen performances was. in her opinion
the great work of her life, and its failure was a
terrible blow, frcm which she never recovered.
Augusta Holmes was a remarkable woman
Arthur Pougin, musical critic of lie Me-
restrel," says that of 'all the women in FraTice
who for tie last hundred years have devoted
themselves to musical composition, she was by
far the most highly gifted" Her talent was
spontaneous and original, having more vigor
than grace and greater power than delicacy.
Not that she lacked feminine qualities but her
dramatic work characterized by violence of
emotion rather than charm. She seemed
younger thai, she really was. She persisted in
placing her birthday in the year 1854. when in
truth she was born in Paris on December 10,
1S47. Her parents were Irish. Her mother was
descended from the MacGregors of Scotland and
from the O'Briens of Ulster She assumed
French nationality in 1879. AMI, in the words OF
a Partisan journalist, Mile. Holmes, with her
luxuriant golden hair. united in her person the
qualities OF beautiful Hibernian Drudess
with the nervous, athletic gestures of Scotland
and the joyful confidence and ardent faith of
France"
1t was indeed a touching and impressive
sight when a few friends of the composer
and two or three journalists were shown into
the small "chapele ardente," tastefuly ar
ranged in the apartment in the Rue Juiiette
Lamber The body, attired in black. reposed on
a velvet couch The golden hair was arranged
as in an aureole. The face was smiling and
wore the bloom of youth. On the bosom were the
violet ribbon and decoration of Officer Of the
Academy. Around the head were placed tri-
colored ribbons, golden palms and withered
fowers-reics of happy events on the stage and
in the concert room, and in remembrance of her
ode, 1.-The Triumph of the Republic" which was
executed by 1.2CO instrumentasts at the Cen
tennial Exhibition in 1889. Around her arm
a broad golden bracelet bearing the in
scription, La Montague Noire." On her long,
fingers numerous antique rings
Above the head ivory crucifx, and at
small table beside the couch a branch of
sacred lockwood tree between two lighted can
dies
Like Victorien Sardou Augusta Holmes had
recently become a convert to occult science AL
though she received the last sacraments of the
Roman Catholic Church. she exclaimed in almost
her dying breath I regard what people call
death with absolute serenity" Turning with
smile to her devoted friend, Mile. Huet, she said:
''I don't know where am going to, but you may
feel sure that shall lot leave you in spirit any
more than my great master, Cesar FTanck, ever
left me, and who. whenever L summoned him,
appeared at my side and gave comfort and
advice. l not dying, but merely being trans
formed in space" For the last five years she
had been devout Spiritualst. The conversion
came about in this way: Spiritualist friend
after conversing with Augusta Holmes evoked
the spirit of Ambrose Thomas. Although she
was a fervent Wagnerian, the composer of
'Mignon" bore her malice. The spirit of
Ambrose Thomas appeared, and when cross
questioned by meanE of table raps made the
singular confession that his life had been 'one
long error" l was created to be q composer of
comic OPERA" said the spirit. I only TWEEN
ty years old when composed gay little bout
fonerie entitled LIE Perruquier de la Regence.'
and 1 am sorry that 1 did not continue in that
light and merry vein. wherein my true talents