The Washington times., 1913-03-07
Distinguished Russian Actress
Says All Women Are Fasci-
mating in the Extreme.

TT has been seven years, perhaps
more. since Madame Nazimova
commenced to play English parts,
The writer remembers being sent
70 interview this interesting Russian
when she first became known otherwise
than as most talented actress playing
leading parts in an obscure Yiddish
theater in New York. At that time
Madame Naximova could speak En-
glfsh but brokenly. and IT was claimed
that she had learned the language in
six weeks. / did not doubt this state
ment the night 1 heard her stumble
through The Dolls House." and later
In the week when I heard her in one
or two other plays In which she was
presented by Charles Frohman.
When went to talk to her it was
even more difficult to understand her
language, for her Russian accent was
decidedly marked. and when the act
ress became excited, It was almost inn
possible to understand what she said.
She was delight to talk to, however,
though ones mind was forced to do
many gymnastic stunts before II was
always possible to thoroughly, decide
just what the madame meant. She had
ideas then that were fresh and abun-
dant. Sometimes they were pungent; ;
her phrasing of them was crisp. and
she always chose the best word in
giving voice to her thoughts One Of
the things she said is particularly
apropos apr, Just now, inasmuch as she
Will follow next week the charming
young person who was one Of the top
les OF her conversation at that time.
Billie Burke had just loomed large on
the theatrical horizon, and Of her the
Russian said: That dear little girl
types In the category Of fascinating
women"
Nine. .Nazimova now speaks perfect
English, with scarcely q trace Of ac-
cent, and her conversation Is particu-
larly delightful. 1t was seven years
nova, and though 1t was in q different
CITY, and she had not seen me once
since that first time. she knew me,
and greeted me with that charming
smile OF hers that conveys So much
The glowing words of romantic inter-
tice. About her there seems to hang
the air that one might expect from q
reincarnation Of some dead and gone
Egyptian queen-the sort Of woman
who might change the history of the
world with one wave Of that sinuous
hand of hers. She raised that hand ii
greeting, and Immediately her face lit
up with an expression that Egyptian
queens never knew. She was the typi-
cal Russian beauty. with the sharp
hair. the face that seemed to light up
as she talked. Also there was much
about her Of the grand lady Of the
world, the fiattered and adored, the
woman whom it would bore to be told
she was beautiful. yet who knew that
hat
could tell her.
There was vivacity to her manner as
she prepared for her return to her
hotel, and when l said that perhaps
she would rather see me at some
other time. she smiled and asked:
How long can you stay?"
Very long. with your permission"
So She said that she would not waste
any time changing her costume, and
bundled up into a long moleskin gar
ment, pulled afur hat down over her
ears, and we jumped into waiting
auto. and went back to her hotel. where
we had dinner together. She told me
that could ask her all the questions
pleased, and confessed that she was
always a little frightened at interview
ers. though women were not quite so
bad as men.
Naturally the first question that en-
tered my mind was what this woman:
from a strange country, thought OF
American women. Here are some OF
the things she said regarding her opin-
ion of her fair sisters. not only OF
America. but of the world over:
Every woman Is fascinating whether
she is married or single. ugly or pretty.
fat or thin. / do not think there is
any one type of woman more fascinat-
ing to the men than others. This is
mos, fortunate for our sex. Men are
attracted by their opposites and. strange
to say, to women who apparently rep
resent everything that they wouid seem
not tn care for. Ny ideal type of wom-
an. however, Is one who combines
masculine brain with the feminine
charm. l see a great many women VINO
AFFECT certain masculine traits, who
wear high boots and queer mannish-
looking hats, but such Things nave noth-