The Washington herald., 1906-10-21

Miss Molly Elliot Seawell. whose new
book, THE Victory with illustrations by
John Walcott Adams, came from the APP
pleton's press week ago, has return
ed to Washington, after a summer spent
in Europe,
Miss SeaweH is now established in her
home for the season. When seen by a
representative CT The Washington Her
aid last evening. Miss Seawen appeared
the embodiment OF health. Recuperativc
England, and France, and Germany-with
possibly the fattering reception and ad-
vance sale of the new bOOk-have acted
as tonic to further invigorate the de-
Iightful personality Of this popular writer
of fiction In conversation Miss Seawell
Is as vivid as in print, and a delicious
sense Of hUmor intersprinkles her remi-
niscenees of places and persons.
Indeed I have had a charming holi-
day" agreed Miss Seawel and just now
being without a stenographer. I have not
settled down to work Can YOU help me 10
find ole?' she added plaindvely-''s some
nice girl who viii not distract my
thoughts with a new shirt waist and a
different Iocket and chain every day IN
the week?
You are right; l have been paying
country visits in England-in the beautiful
hop country in Kent-staying with Mrs
Burnett, at Maytham Hall, and also in
Penshurst, as the guest of Lord Ronald
Gore. whose delightful "Reminiscences"
and other books are so well known in this
country. And l was in London for short
time during the season. London is 50 in
teresting, and everywhere I went met
people who had pleasant things to say Of
Washington society. I met one night, at
dinner Miss Evelyn Durand. who spent
last winter AT the British Embassy. She
was fun OF questions about Washington
friends
''What did you do in Paris. Miss Sea
weH?''
I spent very quiet month in Paris,
seeing my old friends and hearing good
music. I have loved always TO walk in
the streets Of Paris-untiI now. The cab
their horses through the bois. but they
were nothing compared to the automobiles
that are now the terror Of pedestrians. In
Paris there is a total disregard Of speed
limit. and the policemen are of no service
whatever beyond shouting 10 the unhappy
persons on foot to beware of the ap-
preaching monsters on wheels. The Paris
policemen are only one degree better than
the Russian guardians Of the peace, who
actually arrest the poor unfOrtunates who
happen to get in the way OF vehicles and
are knocked down and about by automo-
biles
Speaking Of Russians, 1 met many of
them this summer at Nauheim, where I
went for the baths. 1 was amazed at
their optimistic tone in discussing the
present condition of their country. the
unmoved acceptance OF what Americans
would consider a perilOus situation. 4
weil-known Russian lady told me that
hers was the only castle that had not yet
been looted in the southern part of Fin
land, yet she did not appear apprehen-
sive"
Were you in Nauheim for treatment
for your eyes," Miss SeweI was asked.
Yes; and they are vastly improved.
am able now to read for an hour or
two every day. It is rather unusual 10
take baths for the eyes in this place
where every one goes for heart treat
ment All, 7 like Nauheim. Its simple,
life appeals to me. People
90 there year after year. and the result
is a reunion of friends which Is extremely
agreeable. I have always said that Nau-
helm is a place to form friendships It
is Testful. and the principal dissipation
is having tea with a party on the ter
race while listening to the music. 1 have
been at Nauheim for seven seasons. and
always in the same villa, which has be-
come homelike TO me. Among the in
teresting people there this summer was
Nine. Esmarch. who was born a SchIes-
wig HOlstein princess, and is an aunt Of
the German Empress. Nine. Esmarch
save up her royal hOnOrs in order 10
marry Dr. Esmarch. one of the greatest
surgeons of the age He is now fraH
old man of eighty, but his mind IS still
active. and he is revered by the younger
in his profession.
Miss Seawel fits the setting of her
home. especially her drawing-room. 1t
is typicaIly French. ana decorated ar
tistically N green and white Above the
Dedulilul Alldulcl uliiOl - series OF
neutrality-suspicious. in oil of three
favorite illustrations-from as many of
Miss SeawelTs books. On either side
Of the mantel the wall space is orna-
mental with n girondole of eight lights
set in circular mirror that. in turn. is
framed in gilt laurel leaves The charm
ing fiying figures, also in gilt, above
them were obtained from a French pal
ace in the Rue Latte. the home of queen
HOrtenSe-
These are my special treasures ex-
planned Miss Seawell, indicating a minia-
ture OF Napoleon and two plates that
bear the Napoleonic crest. You know
am a Napoleon crank After I obtaine1
these things. some persons were unkind
enough to doubt their genuineness, and my
faith in them was lessened. until Mr.. de
IVOlIeU the newly zODOfnfod Minister