The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-06
ROMANTIC SETTING WHERE.
AMELIE RIVES WRITES


Tn this prosalc nge one rarely meets,
even In the literary world, which
should materialze imagined desid-
erata, a romantically charming person
in "A setting which II In entire harmony.
But In finding Princess Troubetzkoy at
Castle I'M. the beautiful old estate OF the
Rlves family in Aibemarle county. Va,
one is struck by tho fact that the ideal
combination can exist outside of fiction.
The driveway entrance set between
huge columns OF close clipped lockwood.
the shaded lawn with Its wide. lovely
perspectlves. the walks, drives. gardens
and orchards and the beautiful old house
are all the kind which make people ex-
claim: How lovely! II would inspire one
to write n book here THE sad case usu-
ally being that the matter Of fact occu-
pants could not write book even II they
thought OF It, So one gets an added sat
Isfacticn from the knowledge that such
an appropriate setting really shelters so
lovely, imaginative, romantic, charming
a person as Anelie Rives.
II Is here. surrounded by simplicity
and tranquility difficult TO find to-day
even on old Virginia estates, the Princess
likes best to work and does her best work
In New York she cannot escape from ex-
acting social duties and tlresome conVen-
tlons. and In New York she would have
10 engage n generous slice OF city block
70 procure a room such as the one she
writes In AT Castle Hill
1t Is an unusual and charming room
I'm other regards than size. The walls are
n Georgian panels and the woodwork
finely carved. the furniture Georgian
and Colonial with n discreet intermlngling
~ fat cushioned chairs. An inviting
,hoise longe heaped with soft pillows Ii
set before the huge fireplace In which
the Dire, once lighted In the fail, IL not
allowed to 20 out until the next spring.
THE dainty feminine bibelots on the dress
Ing table contrast with the library OF
hoolsr filling the wall space. such
library as one would expect to find In
scholarly mans study rather than
woman's boudoir.
81 like best to write among my mos.
intimate belongings" the Princess says.
81 am more at ease. There are numbers
of rooms here which have been suggested
to me as more suited TO the role OF work
room, but | will none OF them: here
am so much myself and | can do better
and more rapid work In my own room Mt
Castle Hi than In any other place In the
world
with her husband, Prince Pierre Trou-
betzkoy. the portrait painter. and her
young sister, Landon Rives. the Princess
leads full happy, wholesome life during
the time OF her residence here. The
|
rarely vacant. The continuous and cor
dial hospitality OF Castle Hin Is tradi-
tional. The quaint charm OF the entire
| Interior II very great The state drawing
room in the new front part OF the build
ing was fitted nearly a hundred years age
by Madame Rives. wife OF our then Am
| bassador to France.
There are few more typical rooms OF
| the period to he found anywhere. The
walls are hung with many fine family por'
| traits; among them are two which are
| copies OF the originals that have gone e
| other members OF the family. These
paintings are considered good copies and
are the work OF the Princess.
| II should of course have been q
painter" she tells one with conviction
| had ] not been compelled to write"
Her naive phraslng, compelled C
| write" names the quality which has per
haps been foremost In bringing her sue
! cess. For no one can deny that Ameli'
! RIves Is II born story teller, that she ha,
a story telling gift which demands ex
preston as well as an unusually rict
Imagination and power OF feeling.
But. returning to the description o.
| Castle Hill, the drawing room retains lit
orally its old time furnishings. as wei
as it's quaint old time atmosphere. Tn,
silk draperies, yalances and coverings o
the inlald rosewood chairs have taken
subtle tones OF am rose ana ashes o
roses There IL no modern touch. Bu
across the great nail which cuts throusl
the centre OF the mousse In the music room
ana library. MODERN notes are INTRODUCED
for the sake OF luxurious comfort
the gardens ana orchards are oeinl
improved by the Princess VINO, In add
tion TO her many other interests ma
gone IN Tor serious farming AS farme
she has many amDltions ana practca
Ideas. She Is experimenting with a ne'
herd or folled Angus dairy cows, an
her venture IL appiaudeo by the expert
enced farmers IN her neighborhood
"Of course i like TO farm love
do everything l can well, she say
naively. But, she amends mot as
like TO write books.
The Princess Is nlled with contaglou