(!l0rucU UntuetBitg Hthrarg 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 BENNO LOEWY LIBRARY 
 
 COLLECTED BY 
 
 BENNO LOEWY 
 
 1834-1919 
 BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
Cornell University Library 
 ML 420.P55W33 
 
 Adelaide Phillipps,a record 
 
 III 
 
 by Mrs. R. C 
 
 3 1924 022 451 144 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924022451144 
 

ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS 
 
 A RECORD 
 
 BY 
 
 MRS. R. C. WATERSTON 
 
 * The echo of her voice enwrought 
 A human sweetness with her thought.* 
 
 SECOND EDITION 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 CUPPLES, UPHAM AND COMPANY 
 ©Xa Cotner iSookstote 
 L U \x 1883 
 
Copyright, hy ^^i_^ 
 
 A. WILLIAMS AND COMPANY, 
 
 ELECTROTYPED BY BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY. 
 
 PRESS OF WRIGHT AND' ^dxTE'li POINTING CO. 
 
MBtiltit anil ^r&illa ^^Ijillippa, 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS.. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The current of Adelaide Phillipps' pro- 
 fessional life was bending towards a new 
 channel when I first saw her. That mo- 
 ment is vividly before me now. She was 
 standing beside Madame Arnpult's piano, 
 havings just finished her singing-lesson. 
 Madame Arnoult presented her to me, 
 saying: "Miss Phillipps is studying with 
 me the songs in Cinderella; she is to 
 appear in that part at her benefit." She 
 was then about seventeen years of age, 
 and seemed to me the brightest, health- 
 iest, happiest young woman I had ever 
 seen. I remember her showing me with 
 girlish pleasure the play-bill, printed on 
 
2 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 white satin, for her benefit, and won my 
 interest by her cheerful simplicity. 
 
 Madame Arnoult, a woman of fine 
 musical qualities and education, was then 
 the best instructress in vocal culture 
 in Boston. Her husband, Dr. Arnoult, is 
 still remembered as a man of fine presence 
 and refined manners, whose instructions in 
 the French language were very much 
 sought and appreciated. They were both 
 persons of good position in France, and 
 made many friends in America. Madame 
 Arnoult knew the world, and especially 
 the musical world, and when she recog- 
 nized the very remarkable gift Miss Phil- 
 lipps possessed, in a grand contralto voice, 
 she advised her to study for the Italian 
 Opera. Thus the lively and talented 
 young actress became a prima donna of 
 the lyric stage, a change not quite so 
 great as that of Cinderella, but something 
 like it. 
 
 Madame Arnoult took a truly mater- 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 3 
 
 nal interest in her young pupil, who be- 
 came the companion and friend of the 
 charming Claire Arnoult, the daughter of 
 the house. At that time Madame Arnoult 
 resided near us, and we often attended her 
 musical evenings. She was surrounded 
 by a rare company of talented young 
 people, some of them her pupils: Ade- 
 laide and Claire, Theron Dale, Edward 
 Sumner, Harrison Millard, and others. 
 Sometimes these musical meetings were 
 held at our house, and thus began my 
 interest in Adelaide, which grew into 
 an unchanging affection. Miss Phillipps 
 had become well known and a great 
 favorite in Boston from the time when, a 
 mere child, she appeared on the stage 
 of the Museum; and when the change in 
 her career was proposed many were ready 
 to assist her in pursuing studies for a dif- 
 ferent branch of her profession. At that 
 time Jenny Lind was in Boston, — Jenny 
 Lind, who seems as remote to the present 
 
4 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 generation as those mythical personages 
 Una or Chriemhild. Miss Phillipps was 
 introduced and sang to her. Jenny Lind 
 had a heart as well as a voice, and sent 
 her a check for a thousand dollars and a 
 letter in her own handwriting, recom- 
 mending Emanuel Garcia, who had been 
 her own teacher, as the best instructor, 
 adding most sisterly advice concerning 
 the career of an artiste on the lyric stage. 
 Many other friends came forward to show 
 their willingness to aid Miss Phillipps, 
 especially Mr. Jonas Chickering, the ever- 
 generous friend to all who appealed to his 
 sympathy, " especially to those who were 
 of the household" of music. 
 
 Miss Phillipps never wished to acknowl- 
 edge that she was not an American by 
 birth, and even the fact that at Stratford- 
 on-Avon she first saw the light, was rarely 
 mentioned. Perhaps the very air of 
 Shakespeare's birthplace stimulated the 
 development of her infant dramatic powers. 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 5 
 
 Adelaide often said she did not know what 
 circumstances led her parents to place her 
 on the stage, but, at all events, she had no 
 recollection of her first appearance, unless 
 it was in a play where she was obliged to 
 jump out of a window into somebody's 
 arms. She was afraid to do it, until one 
 of the actors standing in the wings held an 
 orange towards her. She took the leap, 
 and thus won her first prize. 
 
 Mr. Phillipps brought his family to 
 America when Adelaide was seven years 
 old. They went first to Canada, and 
 afterwards came to Boston, where they 
 remained. From her mother, who was 
 Welsh by birth, Adelaide inherited many 
 of her finest traits of character. The ten- 
 der affection and unselfish devotion which 
 marked Mrs. Phillipps' daily life in her 
 family was an example her daughter faith- 
 fully followed. 
 
 Her father was a man of strong char- 
 acter, and watched over his children with 
 
6 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 a severe authority. Especially was this 
 care extended to Adelaide. Placing her 
 so early on the stage, he certainly per- 
 formed his duty by guarding her from 
 every danger through her early career. 
 Very few young girls are so simple in 
 manner and pure in mind as was this child, 
 whose vocation brought her before the 
 public. Through her long career she ac- 
 knowledged that the stern protection of 
 her father had always shielded her. But 
 in her own nature there was a natural 
 aversion to evil, which was a yet more 
 powerful protection. 
 
 Mr. Phillipps' family were brought up 
 in the habit of unquestioning obedience to 
 their parents, which never seemed to 
 cause any abatement of filial affection. 
 The union between the members of the 
 household was very strong, and continues 
 unbroken, except where death has, from 
 time to time, lessened their number, but 
 never their affection. 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 7 
 
 It was in January, 1842, that she made 
 her debut at the Tremont Theatre in the 
 comedy of " Old and Young," personating 
 five characters, and introducing songs and 
 dances. On the 25th of September, 1843, 
 she first appeared on the boards of the 
 Boston Museum, which then stood at the 
 corner of Tremont and Bromfield streets, 
 and had began to include dramatic per- 
 formances among its attractions. The 
 character which she assumed was " Little 
 Pickle" in "The Spoiled Child." The 
 song of " Since then I'm Doomed " is 
 introduced into this play, and was given 
 by her with much effect, being among her 
 earliest lyric efforts. The exhibition of 
 her budding histrionic powers were of 
 course confined to juvenile parts, while 
 her graceful dancing was a chief attrac- 
 tion at that early age. She was not satis- 
 fied with the position of a dancer, and 
 thanks to the acuteness of the late Thomas 
 Comer, then leader of the orchestra at the 
 
8 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 Museum, she was soon promoted to show 
 her capacity in such fairy spectacles as 
 the children of Cypress, Cherry, and Fair 
 Star, and later as Cinderella. For many of 
 these the music was arranged by Mr. 
 Comer. Her versatility of talent, readi- 
 ness of wit, and obliging nature made 
 her as much of a favorite behind the 
 scenes as on the stage. " They were so 
 kind to me," she would say, when speak- 
 ing of those days, " they took such care 
 of me, for I was but a child when I first 
 appeared there, — so much of a child that 
 I used to drive my hoop back and forth to 
 the rehearsals. The work was play to 
 me; I learned my parts easily, and was 
 petted and praised, which was very pleas- 
 ant." Besides the watchfulness of her 
 father, she was much indebted at that 
 time to her aunt, Miss Anne Reese, who 
 was also connected with the Museum. 
 She was devoted to Adelaide (her sister's 
 child), and no memorial of the niece would 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 9 
 
 be complete without some tribute to so 
 excellent a friend and guardian. Her 
 aunt continued to reside with the family 
 until a late period, and Adelaide did not 
 fail to repay in every way her obligations 
 to this relative. 
 
 At the time of her early life in Boston, 
 her parents resided in Tremont street, 
 from whence one day, while driving her 
 hoop to the Museum, she saw a beautiful 
 doll looking out of a shop window. To 
 possess this doll became the ardent desire 
 of her heart, for which she determined to 
 save every penny. Each day she looked 
 at the doll, and each day seemed nearer 
 to the purchase. But, alas! one morning 
 the doll was not there, some one else had 
 bought it. This was a terrible disappoint- 
 ment; the little girl ran to the Museum 
 weeping bitterly, and reached the re- 
 hearsal in no feigned sorrow. Mr. W- 
 H. Sedley Smith, then the stage mana- 
 ger, kindly inquired the cause of her 
 
lO ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 tears, and the child's story touched his 
 heart. He comforted her, not only with 
 sympathy, but soon brought to her another 
 doll as beautiful as the one she longed for. 
 This kind gift was remembered with grati- 
 tude all her life. Beside her doll, the 
 little brothers and sisters claimed her 
 attention and were her pets. " I always 
 remember mamma with a baby in long 
 clothes on her lap, which she held so 
 nicely; my youngest brother, George, 
 was my special charge." She continued 
 her care for him until she gave him a 
 thorough education in the School of 
 Technology. From Boston they removed 
 to Neponset, to a house near the bay. 
 Here they owned a boat which the broth- 
 ers managed. On moonlight nights in 
 summer the few residents near them used 
 to listen to the beautiful voices that came 
 from the little yacht floating over the 
 water. 
 
 As Miss Phillipps grew up towards 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. II 
 
 womanhood she had many characters as- 
 signed to her. In those days there was 
 always a play and a farce at every theatre. 
 She often appeared in both. Mr. William 
 Warren was then, as now, the unrivalled 
 comedian, whose wit and pathos we all 
 know so well. In speaking of her experi- 
 ences, Adelaide said, " I never lost the 
 command of my countenance but once on 
 the stage, and that was at the Museum, in 
 some farce where Mr. Warren was shut 
 up in a pantry closet, while I, apparently 
 unconscious of the fact, was playing the 
 piano accompaniment to a song. He 
 suddenly opened the door and looked out, 
 his face revealing the fact that he had 
 been solacing his imprisonment by help- 
 ing himself to some of the sweetmeats 
 on the shelves, assuming a look such 
 as only Mr. Warren could call up. It 
 was all over with me and my song; for- 
 tunately with the audience also, who were 
 too much convulsed with laughter to no- 
 
12 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 tice my inability to proceed with my song 
 until it was possible for the play to go 
 on." 
 
 At the Museum Miss Phillipps continued 
 a general favorite until, as has already 
 been stated, a change came in her dra- 
 matic life. After many years had passed 
 she came home one day and said with 
 a good deal of feeling, "I have been 
 to the Museum to-day, and there I saw 
 the sword and shield with which I acted 
 a Fairy Prince hung up as trophies. It 
 is pleasant to be remembered." With 
 much regret, although she did not swerve 
 from the conviction that it was for the best, 
 Miss Phillipps took leave of the Museum 
 stage and the corps dramatigue with 
 which she had been so pleasantly as- 
 sociated. But the time had come. 
 
 In 1852, after a concert given as a trib- 
 ute to her, at which she sang with other 
 artists, she left home for England, ac- 
 companied by her father. They arrived 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 1 3 
 
 safely in London, and took lodgings 
 in Golden Square, a spot remarkable in 
 the history of London as the residence 
 of renowned people. Bolingbroke, the 
 " St. John " of " Pope's Essay on Man," 
 lived in Golden Square; also Mrs. Gibber, 
 the singer of George II.'s time. Here also 
 Miss Thackeray has made us all acquainted 
 with the home of Angelica Kauffman in 
 her delightful story of " Miss Angel." 
 And now there came to Golden Square 
 this young girl from America, to begin 
 professional studies for a career on the 
 lyric stage. 
 
 Miss Phillipps remained in London 
 nearly two years, pursuing her studies 
 with Garcia, and making good progress 
 in the Italian language. It was a happy 
 period of her life. Her master, Emanuel 
 Garcia, took much interest in his pupil. 
 He was one of those rare instructors who 
 rouse all their pupils' energies. A brother 
 of the immortal Malibran, he seems to 
 
14 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 have shared the magnetic charm of his 
 sister, and, although a severe master, held 
 a firm hold on all who came near his life. 
 After spending some time in London, 
 Mr. Phillipps left Adelaide there and re- 
 turned to America for a short visit. When 
 he joined his daughter again in England, 
 he brought with him the adopted child of 
 the family, whose name, Arvilla, will often 
 appear in this narrative. She was the 
 daughter of a friend of Mrs. Phillipps, to 
 whom she was entrusted. It should be 
 stated here that, growing up into woman- 
 hood, it was a foregone conclusion that 
 she should become the wife of Adrian 
 Phillipps. At the time of her joining 
 Adelaide she was a mere child, but so 
 cheerful and happy that her companion- 
 ship was a comfort to her sister, who, as 
 will be seen in a few extracts from a jour- 
 nal kept during their stay in Italy, had her 
 share of the varied experiences of a young 
 artist at the beginning of her career. 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 1 5 
 
 In following the professional life of 
 Miss Phillipps the record inevitably takes 
 the form of a chronicle, being principally 
 drawn from reports of the daily press in 
 the various countries she visited. She 
 never consented to any means being used 
 by her agents to gain favor in regard to 
 these reports of performances, and this fact 
 gives force to the universal praise received 
 from the press. Her letters contain little 
 information except on personal or family 
 concerns. The romance of stage life 
 which may exist in the imagination of 
 those who attend theatres does not form 
 a part generally of the thoughts of the 
 performers. To describe the effect of the 
 lyrical dramas after the evening closes 
 cannot be added to other exertions, and a 
 sentence, " very successful," or " we are 
 doing a good business," often is all that is 
 written home by the weary Leonora or 
 the martyred Azucena, although the ap- 
 plause of crowded houses yet sounds in 
 
1 6 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 her ear, and she is surrounded by beauti- 
 ful flowers as witnesses of the admiration 
 she had received. 
 
 In the autumn of 1853 Miss Phillipps, 
 accompanied by Arvilla and her father, 
 went to Italy, as a residence in that 
 country was thought best for her improve- 
 ment in the Italian language, and afforded 
 an opportunity for receiving the training 
 of Signor Profondo in operatic acting. 
 This last study was less necessary from 
 her previous knowledge of the stage. 
 The grace and ease of every movement 
 of her perfectly modelled form, and the 
 light, firm tread of her small feet, must 
 be remembered by all who recall her ap- 
 pearance on the stage. A distinguished 
 clergyman of Boston (Dr. Bartol) says 
 in an essay recently published : " How 
 largely unconscious is all our best knowl- 
 edge and lore of life. I said of a dis- 
 tinguished actress, Adelaide Phillipps, she 
 knew how to pose on the stage j and my 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 1 7 
 
 friend answered, ' She did it from in- 
 stinctive grace, not knowing anything 
 about it.' Was she less knowing because 
 for the moment she was inattentive or 
 unaware ? " 
 
 Her grace was certainly instinctive, 
 but she was seldom inattentive on the 
 stage. One of the members of the Ideal 
 Opera Company (Mr. Barnabee) illus- 
 trates this fact when he writes: "Among 
 a large number of distinguished character- 
 istics of her dramatic excellence was her 
 absolute identification with the charac- 
 ter she assumed, and her attention to the 
 smallest details, to attain which she availed 
 herself of any suggestions. I remember 
 standing in the wings and observing the 
 military correctness and precision with 
 which she performed the operation of 
 sheathing her sword in the role she was 
 performing, and learned on inquiry that 
 she had taken lessons from an army 
 officer. Her presence of mind and ready 
 
1 8 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 wit often extricated herself and her asso- 
 ciates from unpleasant predicaments. On 
 one occasion the last lines of her song es- 
 caped her memory (in Pinafore) and quick 
 as a flash, without lapse of time or rhythm 
 she supplied the words which set the au- 
 dience in a roar, — ' The rest — I have — 
 forgotten.' It would be superfluous for 
 me to comment upon her musical acquire- 
 ments or to write of her private worth." 
 
 Of the residence in Italy there is a 
 record in the diary alluded to, written by 
 Adelaide from time to time. The little 
 cahier lies before me in its blue paper 
 cover, the handwriting is that of a 3'oung 
 girl, and the record is touching from its 
 simplicity and truth : — 
 
 " Florence, October, 1853. 
 
 " Commenced my diary for mamma. 
 Mr. Guerini said he had two new American 
 
 scholars, Mr. and Mrs. A . We called 
 
 to see them and found them very agree- 
 able; they went with us to some place, 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. I9 
 
 I forget its name. The next day they 
 called and wanted me to go with them to 
 see Michael Angelo's house, and also to 
 see the making of mosaics, but I could 
 not go on account of my Italian lesson. 
 It rained this afternoon, and the thunder 
 and lightning was dreadful. 
 
 " Mr. Biandi came and asked me if I 
 wanted an engagement j he had spoken of 
 me to one of the agents who wanted a 
 contralto. The agent came accordingly. 
 I sang to him ' Pensa alia Patria? He 
 seemed very much pleased with my voice. 
 The place is Brescia, in Lombardy. They 
 offer four hundred dollars a month for 
 four months. The first part to appear in 
 Arsace. Papa will give an answer in a 
 few days. Mr. Biandi brought me the opera 
 of Semiramide and gave me some good 
 ideas. I commenced studying Arsace. 
 
 14th. Mr. A called and went with 
 
 Arvilla and myself to the Pitti Palace. We 
 were delighted. The pictures are superb. 
 
20 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 Met Signer M , who said it was an 
 
 excellent chance for me to go to Brescia. 
 An American artist (Mr. Jackson) asked, 
 through Mr. Guerini, my Italian master, 
 if I would sit for my bust to him, I said 
 yes, and to-day he called, and I made 
 an arrangement to go to his studio next 
 Tuesday. Tuesday Mr. Biandi brought 
 the engagement for me to sign, and told me 
 I was to appear in // Vastale instead of 
 Arsace. He brought the opera and we 
 read it over. Went to Mr. Jackson's 
 studio in the afternoon. Evening, studied 
 my part. 
 
 " Saturday, sth of November, 1853. 
 
 Got up at four, left Florence at six 
 o'clock, arrived at Pestoria, had breakfast, 
 and arrived safe at Brescia; delighted with 
 the place; made my debut at Theatre 
 Grande; had great success; opera Sem- 
 iramideP 
 
 The little diary breaks off, and for the 
 story which follows, I am indebted to Ar- 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 21 
 
 villa's recollections, who was the constant 
 companion of her sister. It was the cus- 
 tom of the place for the directors and 
 musical critics to assemble at the theatre 
 on the evening previous to the first repre- 
 sentation, and expected a full-dress re- 
 hearsal. Signorina Fillippi did not wish 
 to appear in the armor of Arsace, and 
 with girlish obstinacy, persisted in coming 
 on the stage in her black skirt and white 
 overdress. The judges were displeased, 
 and showed it. This put her on the defen- 
 sive, and she sang through the part demi- 
 voice to the despair of the manager. She 
 certainly was not right to go against his 
 interests and the custom of the place. 
 The next evening the house was crowded. 
 Semiramide was given and Arsace en- 
 tered in full armor, but was received in 
 silence. Not a hand was raised. She sang 
 through the recitative and andante with- 
 out applause, the directors and critics 
 being determined to punish her for dis- 
 
22 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 obeying their edicts the evening before. 
 But when she burst forth in the caballetta 
 and threw into it all the passionate fire of 
 her soul and wealth of her voice, she con- 
 quered her audience, and a storm of ap- 
 plause followed and continued during her 
 whole engagement. A band of music 
 awakened her early the next morning, 
 coming, as they professed, to congratulate 
 her on her success, continuing to disturb 
 her rest until they were -paid, and then 
 they went away ! 
 
 The following is one of the many no- 
 tices written in " La Fama," Brescia, 
 December, 1853: — 
 
 " La Signorina Fillippi ('Arsace ') por giovane 
 e bella, ricca di forte e ad un tempo dolcissima 
 voce, intuonata, flessibile, estesa, di vero con- 
 tralto, educata al bel canto dal sommo institu- 
 tore Enianuele Garcia dest6 un tempo piacene e 
 marviglia. Lodossi pure il suo distinto ed ele- 
 gante modo di porgene e I'anima di cui si mostra 
 dotata e divenne in breve la deliza del publico, 
 che le fece le piu clamoroso applausi." 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 23 
 
 Which may be translated : — 
 
 " Miss Phillipps is young and attractive, with 
 a genuine contralto voice, rich and strong, at the 
 same time of true intonation, sweet and flexible. 
 The clear and distinct method of delivery, the 
 soul with which she seems gifted, surprised and 
 delighted us. She at once became the favorite 
 of the public, who greeted her with clamorous 
 applause. She is a pupil of the great master 
 Emanuel Garcia." 
 
 " February, 1854. 
 
 " We remained at Brescia about four 
 weeks, and then left for Crema, where we 
 were to sing for the carnival. I had a let- 
 ter from Signor Bottesini, the father of 
 the great contra-basso player. He pro- 
 cured us apartments in the house of a 
 friend, a Signor Freri. We were very 
 comfortable there, and I had an oppor- 
 tunity of speaking Italian with the daugh- 
 ter, as she spoke pure Italian. 
 
 " It was very cold weather, the snow as 
 deep as in America. The Impresario of 
 the Milan Scala came down to hear me. 
 
24 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 and wished to engage me for three years; 
 this I could not do, but was willing for 
 one year. Signor Mangiameli also made 
 an offer for the .Carcano spring season. 
 The last three weeks I was at Crema I 
 enjoyed myself — walked with Signorina 
 Freri every day; in the evening the 
 theatre. Signor Buratti could not pay us 
 at all; that rather threw us back. I was 
 sorry to leave Crema." 
 
 Although there is no statement of the 
 fact in the Journal, the same success at- 
 tended her performances. 
 
 "Milan, March. 
 
 " As soon as we arrived in Milan we 
 made an engagement for the Carcano. 
 We were short of money, but thought we 
 could get on with the pay I should have 
 at the Carcano, but, unfortunately, we 
 did not get it, and consequently we are 
 not in a flourishing condition. I suppose 
 it is all for the best. If I allowed myself 
 the privilege I could sit down and have a 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 25 
 
 good cry, but it would do no good. 
 Mangiameli does not open the theatre, and 
 I have no chance of singing. I expected 
 Signor Mangiameli to-day at two o'clock, 
 but of course he did not come. Well, he 
 is thinking of me; that's one comfort ! He 
 told me last Saturday that he would open 
 the Carcano on the 6th of June, and I 
 should sing Romeo. ' Chi sa ? ' " 
 
 " March 25. 
 
 " Signor Profondo, who wrote wishing to 
 make an engagement for April and May, 
 does not yet appear. Three years ago 
 yesterday papa and I left Boston. The 
 weather is fine, and I sit with my window 
 open. It is very discouraging to have no 
 chance for singing and making some 
 money. Well, I suppose it is all right, 
 and this is a good lesson to me, so that if 
 ever I am well off I may know what it is 
 to suffer, and so help others," 
 
 This lesson, so trying to young or old, 
 was learned and remembered, and in after 
 
26 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 years, when success came, her heart and 
 her hand were ever open on every oc- 
 casion where her sympathies were 
 enlisted. 
 
 To have made a successful debut, and 
 then to be kept waiting for an opportunity 
 to reappear, is one of the trials of the pro- 
 fession, often caused by the jealousy of 
 rivals. After weary waiting, each week 
 promised an appearance, and nothing being 
 done, on Friday, i8th, the Journal goes 
 on: — 
 
 " Signor Mangiameli came. We went 
 with him to see the prima donna. She 
 asked me to sing at her benefit. I con- 
 sented to sing the cavatina of Arsace, 
 
 '■Ecco mi al fine^ La Signora M was 
 
 very kind to me. In the evening went 
 
 to the theatre; Signora M in a passion 
 
 about something broke a beautiful fan. 
 
 " The night had come in which I was 
 to sing to a Milanese audience. A very 
 good house; at the commencement of 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 27 
 
 the evening I sat in a box. At last I was 
 on the stage. They all looked at me. 
 Not a hand! I sang the recitativo with- 
 out any applause; a faint brava once or 
 twice, and that they seemed afraid to do. 
 At the end, however, of the recitativo, I 
 had a good round of applause; then 
 several times in the adagio, at the end 
 of which I felt I had the audience with 
 me entirely. The applause was so 
 great I almost forgot that I had any more 
 to sing. During the cabaletta I could 
 scarcely utter a phrase but what they 
 would cry out and applaud me so that I 
 was in a perfect delirium, and sang as I 
 never sang before. I was called out seven 
 times, and was obliged to repeat the caba- 
 letta. It was such a triumph as I did not 
 dream of having, much less hope for. I 
 felt very much like crying. Signora 
 
 M was very kind. She really seemed 
 
 pleased with my success. I could not go 
 to sleep until after four o'clock. 
 
28 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 " Signer Mangiameli called before ten 
 o'clock. I could not see him. We went 
 to his office. There was a gentleman in 
 the office talking about my singing. He 
 said he had heard all the great singers 
 sing the Cavatina di Arsace, but never as 
 I sang it. ^ I do not make compliments, 
 but you have everything beautiful, — voice, 
 execution, knowledge of the stage, soul, 
 etc' I thought that quite enough, and 
 begged him to say no more. ' I do not 
 flatter,' he said; ^all Milan is speaking 
 of you.' On Tuesday I sang for the or- 
 chestra." 
 
 Although the entries in the Journal 
 show much discouragement and waiting, 
 yet that Miss Phillipps appeared in the 
 Carcano Theatre is thus reported in " La 
 Fama": — 
 
 "It is needless to say that the first honors 
 were carried off by Miss Phillipps, who sang so 
 beautifully the aria from Semiramide, better 
 still the rondo from Cinderella, and exquisitely 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 29 
 
 in the last scene from Romeo and Juliet. A 
 shower of sonnets flooded the theatre after the 
 rondo from Cinderella. We can truly say that 
 Miss Phillipps has made a success in four short 
 performances which would cost most artists a 
 lifetime to acquire." 
 
 The little Journal records a wearisome 
 waiting for the payments due and vari- 
 ous engagements offered and not ar- 
 ranged. At last she writes, in March, 
 1856: "I made an engagement for Ro- 
 vereto to-day. We are to be there a 
 month. I cannot say I regret leaving 
 Milan, 
 
 Monday, April, 1856. Several people 
 came to see us off. We found the boat 
 did not leave for Riva that day because it 
 was festa, so we had to hire a carriage 
 to take us to Peschiera, as the boat leaves 
 there every day, festa or no festa. We 
 met Signor and Signora Profondo at Pes- 
 chiera. Signer Profondo sa3'^s I ought to 
 remain three years in Italy. At eleven 
 
30 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 o'clock went up Lago di Garda, and ar- 
 rived at Rovereto about seven in the 
 evening. 
 
 In Rovereto Miss Phillipps' success 
 w^as so great that it naturally excited the 
 jealousy of the soprano and tenor. On 
 the occasion of the tenor's benefit she had 
 no part assigned her, but w^as asked to 
 appear, extended on a couch, in one scene 
 where a lay-figure was needed. Of course 
 this proposal was declined. The tenor 
 and his friends spread the report that 
 Signorina Fillippi had refused to sing at 
 his benefit. Entirely unaware that any 
 adverse feeling had been excited against 
 her, Miss Phillipps came on the stage as 
 "Rosine" in the "Barber," a role in which 
 she had been received with much ap- 
 plause. Great was her astonishment on 
 being greeted with silence, and not only 
 silence, she heard that terrible sound 
 equally appalling to the traveller in South 
 American forests, or the prima donna on 
 
ADET^AIDE PHILLIPPS. 3 1 
 
 the stage. She had self-command enough 
 to go through with her song, but when 
 she turned to leave the stage she burst 
 into tears, such genuine tears as touched 
 the emotional Italians. They repented the 
 rebuke, convinced it was not deserved, 
 giving her a round of applause which was 
 renewed at every possible moment dur- 
 ing the performance. It was the first and 
 last time Miss Phillipps ever heard the 
 voice of the serpent. 
 
 The following notice, translated * from 
 a Rovereto paper, shows the place she held 
 in the estimation of the audience: — 
 
 " Notwithstanding the bad weather the 
 theatre was crowded with happy people. 
 Great is the power which this young 
 artist, with her superb voice and fine 
 method of singing, has over the public. 
 The applause which greeted her was im- 
 mense. The flowers converted the theatre 
 
 *I am indebted to Mrs. Adrian Phillipps for these 
 translations. 
 
32 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 into a garden, and sonnets were showered 
 upon her from over the house. It may 
 be said in a few words that it was truly a 
 festival," 
 
 One of these sonnets is selected from 
 many others, and flows sweetly on the ear 
 in that most musical language : — 
 
 All' Estimata Cantante 
 Adelaide Phillipps, 
 
 Prima Donna Contralto 
 Al' Teatro Sociale di Rovereto, 
 
 Nella sua serata di beneficio. 
 
 SONETTO. 
 
 Adelaide, tu canti ! — E i mesti detti, 
 
 Che 1' angoscia d' amor strappa a' Elmireno. 
 
 Eco destan gentile in ogni seno, 
 
 Ricordo forse dei perduti affetti. 
 Adelaide, deh canta ! Benedetti. 
 
 Sono i soavi tuoi concenti — Meno 
 
 Non verra bella fama, e ognor, sereno 
 
 Tu a te stessa cosi avienir prometti. 
 Canta Adelaide ! — Che un' ebbreza pia 
 
 La grazia dell' accento al cor apprende. 
 
 E son gemelle, il sai, bellS. e armonia. 
 
 Canta ! — Che il canto pih sentiti rende 
 
 Gioia, amore, dolor, malinconia 
 
 In chi del canto la virtii comprende. 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 33 
 
 If the young prima donna could have 
 fed upon sonnets, flowers, and applause 
 her stay in Italy had been longer, and 
 after patient waiting the success already 
 achieved might have opened her way to 
 a European career. The inducements to 
 remain were many, — a delightful climate, 
 the beautiful language, which she spoke 
 and sang with ease and correctness, to- 
 gether with the demonstrative nature of 
 the musical Italians, offered great attrac- 
 tions. But the Italian managers were 
 unable to offer any salary worthy the 
 name, and even that small payment was 
 seldom made, and as we have read in the 
 preceding pages, an opportunity to appear 
 even after an engagement had been signed 
 was hedged about with briers. Miss Phil- 
 lipps possessed no means by which ex- 
 penses could be met unless her engage- 
 ments were remunerative. Under all 
 these adverse circumstances it was de- 
 cided best to return to America. At the 
 
34 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 time we in America regretted this de- 
 cision, considering it a great mistake. 
 The reports of her success reached us, but 
 not the records contained in the young 
 girl's Journal. We judged of what we 
 knew only in part. Another reason for 
 withdrawing his daughter from Italy ex- 
 isted in her father's opinion of the music 
 of Verdi just then becoming fashionable, 
 and which was of a nature too trying for 
 her voice, not having reached its full 
 power, and requiring careful treatment. 
 Whatever visions of her operatic fame 
 floated in the minds of her friends the 
 delight of going home was a reality that 
 balanced all other considerations in her 
 true and affectionate heart. 
 
 The public welcome on her return to 
 Boston was handsome. An extract from 
 one of the many tributes to her first ap- 
 pearance after her return, will show the 
 sincere welcome she received: — 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 35 
 
 " Monday Evening, October 8, 1855. 
 " Miss Adelaide Phillipps was warmly wel- 
 comed. She has evidently profited much by 
 diligent study under good masters, and will no 
 doubt make a sensation in opera. The pro- 
 gramme this evening gave the public five oppor- 
 tunities for judgment on Miss Phillipps' merits, 
 and upon a most imperative encore she added 
 her own pianoforte accompaniment, a sixth, 
 which, in a new version of ' Home, Sweet 
 Home,' expressed most feelingly her emotions 
 on receiving the welcome home Boston ex- 
 tended to her." 
 
 A lively girlish letter written to her 
 father w^hile on a visit at Mr. W. H. 
 Sedley Smith's house, vi^ho retained the 
 interest she had aw^akened when a child 
 at the Boston Museum, is full of her 
 natural buoyancy. It is from West 
 Groton, but there is no date of year or 
 month, probably soon after her return 
 from Italy: — 
 
 " Dear Papa, — Thinking you might like to 
 receive a few lines from your unworthy, yet 
 dearly-beloved daughter, and that you might be 
 
36 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 alarmed and slightly agitated (enough to pre- 
 vent your hair from growing) at my non-appear- 
 ance at 'the dearest spot on earth,' I send 
 this letter to let you know that I am in excel- 
 lent health and enjoying myself very much, and, 
 to be polite, I hope you are following my ex- 
 ample. They wish me to remain here a few 
 days longer, and if you have no objection, and 
 are not, all of you, very unhappy at my absence, 
 I should be pleased to remain. Mr. Smith has 
 a very pretty place here ; farm, I should say, 
 about fifty — what do you call them — of land 
 (acres .? ) and a pretty little cottage ; four mag- 
 nificent elms round the house, and a pretty lawn 
 before the ditto (is that the way to say it .■'). 
 Now I am sure after such a graphic description, 
 Rockwood (the name of the estate) must arise 
 before your sight in all its primeval beauty ! 
 We rise about half-past six, and begin the day 
 by breaking our fast. We then walk through 
 the grounds an hour, read, make preserves, 
 walk on the lawn, dine at half-past twelve. 
 Then it begins to be rather warm ; thereupon 
 we each retire to the place we like best and pass 
 the afternoon in reading or sleeping. Tea at 
 five o'clock, after which we wander on the banks 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 37 
 
 of the Squmicook, one of the most romantic 
 rivers I have ever seen ; sometimes we take a 
 boat and row upon its placid bosom. If you 
 passed through the adjacent woods you might 
 see two or three lovely girls refreshing them- 
 selves in its liqtiid -wdX&rs ! What a fine thought ! 
 At another time you might see a young girl 
 standing as one entranced gazing upon the beau- 
 ties that were around her, when suddenly you 
 would see her eyes — and graceful form — and 
 then her rosy mouth would open, and then such 
 a peal of celestial melody would break upon 
 your ear, that you would say it must be Orfeo 
 come to earth and goes seeking, in disguise, his 
 beloved Euridice. 
 
 "I have some idea of publishing my letters ! 
 I feel it would do a great deal of good and be a 
 great acquisition to the literary world in form- 
 ing style and raising the tone of society, but I 
 do not wish it known at present, therefore you 
 will oblige me by not mentioning to the literati 
 that you have received this letter. I would say 
 more, but it is time to send to the post-office. 
 The people are all talking round me, so that if 
 I had not been very much interested in my sub- 
 ject I should not have been able to express 
 
38 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 myself so elegantly. Mr. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Bigelow, and Miss Bellows, all desire to be re- 
 membered. My love to Nanny and the chil- 
 dren. 
 
 " I must now say adieu, and believe me your 
 affectionate Adelaide." 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 Miss Phillipps made an engagement 
 in the spring of 1855 to appear in Italian 
 opera in Philadelpiiia and New York. A 
 fair prospect seemed opening for her 
 debut in America. 
 
 A few evenings before she was to leave 
 town I had invited friends to meet her at 
 our house. The day the party was to take 
 place news came of the sudden death of 
 her mother. My invitations were recalled, 
 to the great disappointment of my guests 
 and to my own sorrow. Knowing well 
 the strength of the affection which united 
 the mother and daughter, I felt that this 
 bereavement must prove most unfortunate 
 for Adelaide's professional future, coming, 
 as it did, at so important a moment in 
 the opening of her career. 
 
 39 
 
40 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 She came to me in deep affliction. It 
 was a painful task, and seemed a cruel 
 one, to urge her to overcome the external 
 emotions of her grief as far as possible 
 in order to fulfil her professional engage- 
 ments. She did so bravely, keeping down 
 the fresh agony of a young soul's first 
 great sorrow, to appear self-possessed 
 before the rigorous public. Miss Phil- 
 lipps made her first appearance in Italian 
 opera in Philadelphia as Arsace, in Semi- 
 ramide. One of the daily prints of that 
 city thus reports the occasion: — 
 
 " Miss Adelaide Phillipps took the public by 
 surprise last night by the classical purity and 
 perfection of her execution in Arsace, which is 
 one of the surest tests to which a contralto of 
 the present day can be subjected. Miss Phillipps 
 sustained herself triumphantly, and at once es- 
 tablished herself as an artist of the first class." 
 
 An incident connected with that even- 
 ing amused her in after years. Our friends, 
 to whom we had written to insure their 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 4 1 
 
 presence at her first appearance, as well 
 as their sympathy for the trial under which 
 she came forward, knew nothing of her 
 previous history, and not much, perhaps, 
 of the opera of Semiramide, and expected 
 to see a trembling debutante in white 
 muslin and blue ribbons. Great was their 
 surprise when the young warrior, Arsace, 
 came on the stage in full armor, helmet 
 and sword, and acted the part with all the 
 ease and fire of a practised artist. Her 
 magnificent voice "brought down the 
 house." Miss Phillipps fulfilled her en- 
 gagement in Philadelphia, and returned to 
 New York according to agreement, going 
 through the representations at the Acad- 
 emy of Music. The following extract is 
 from one of Edmund Quincy's letters to 
 the Ne-w Tork Tribune, of which he was 
 at that time a Boston correspondent, over 
 the signature of " Byles " : — 
 
 " Miss Adelaide Phillipps' friends here have 
 heard with great pleasure of the success which 
 
42 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 attended her d^but at the Academy. I am con- 
 fident that it will increase the more you hear 
 her. Her appearances in Philadelphia and New 
 York were made under peculiarly trying circum- 
 stances. Less than a week before her appear- 
 ance in Philadelphia her mother, to whom she 
 was passionately attached, died suddenly, and it 
 was in the midst of the most cruel affliction that 
 she had to appear in obedience to the stern 
 necessities of her profession. I think she cannot 
 fail to fulfil the favorable impression of her first 
 appearance after a short interval of calm and 
 repose." 
 
 The severe strain upon her nerves 
 during these performances brought on an 
 illness which obliged her to shorten her 
 engagement. During her stay in New 
 York many friends were kind, but no one 
 more devoted to her than Mrs. Sophia 
 Morton Bullus, who from that time to the 
 close of her own life ever extended to- 
 wards Adelaide all the promptings of her 
 generous and hospitable nature. 
 
 The unfavorable circumstances of her 
 first appearance were such that her debut 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 43 
 
 in America can be fairly stated to have 
 taken place on the 17th of March, 1856, 
 under the management of Max Maretzek. 
 The opera was " II Trovatore," — Miss 
 Phillipps as Azucena. According to one 
 critic, "this opera was new at the time, 
 and ' Mile. Fillippi,' as she was called, was 
 really obliged to create the part. But it 
 is not extravagant to say that her render- 
 ing of the character has always remained 
 a standard." 
 
 This opinion is substantiated by in- 
 numerable tributes to her representation 
 of Azucena in America and Europe. 
 Only a few selections can be made from 
 the mass of newspaper reports accumu- 
 lated with regard to Miss Phillipps' repre- 
 sentations of various roles, all filled with 
 discriminating praise. 
 
 The following extract, from a leading 
 New York paper concerning the inter- 
 pretation of the character of Azucena, was 
 written during the season of 1856, and 
 
44 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 may serve as the impression ever made 
 on the public by the artist in this role : — 
 
 " Miss Phillipps, when she appeared as Azu- 
 cena, raised the Gipsy mother at once from a 
 melo-dramatic personage to that of a tragic 
 heroine. The paint and tinsel were eschewed 
 alike with the artificial and exaggerated action 
 so generally seen in the part. The vocal inter- 
 pretation was rich, equable, and artistic, and the 
 audience were again and again thrilled and in- 
 spired to irrepressible applause by the dramatic 
 feeling she infused into the more declamatory 
 passages, particularly in the Condotta elVera. 
 Bouquets were showered upon her, and round 
 after round of applause." 
 
 It was in New York that Miss Phillipps 
 sang for the first time " Leonora " in Don- 
 izetti's " La Favorita." " Her Leonora," 
 writes an able critic, " became famous as 
 the best that had been seen for many a 
 day on the stage. Her performance was 
 marked by noble delivery, able vocalism, 
 truthful, impressive action, and unaffected 
 pathos." 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 45 
 
 Those who witnessed her performance 
 of the role of Leonora can never forget 
 the effect of her graceful attitude when 
 the curtain rose on the fourth scene of the 
 third act. The resolution Leonora had 
 taken of revealing her story to Fernando 
 before their marriage gave noble elevation 
 to her figure, as, after the recitative, she 
 rose and advanced to the front of the 
 stage, pouring forth, in her richest tones, 
 the love, anguish, and hope contained in 
 the cavatina, " Oh, mio Fernando 1 " In the 
 last scene the lovers suddenly recognized 
 each other in the court of the convent, 
 both having determined to hide their sor- 
 rows in the cloister. Leonora finds that 
 her letter discovering her story never 
 reached Fernando. Enlightened now by 
 her confession, all his feelings change and 
 his love is restored. For one brief mo- 
 ment their voices mingle in the exalted 
 strains of union and happiness which pre- 
 cede the death of Leonora. 
 
46 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 There is a power of human passion and 
 pathos in that scene which seems to have 
 its counterpart in the meeting between 
 Dimmisdale and Hester in the wood, as 
 Hawthorne reflected it on the magic 
 mirror of his wonderful romance. 
 
 A party of friends were one evening 
 discussing the subject of different com- 
 posers and their merits with Adelaide. 
 There is always a battle waging between 
 the adherents of different masters, be it in 
 music or painting, and few of us are broad 
 enough in our natures to acknowledge 
 that though one side of the shield may be 
 golden, and the other silver, they are both 
 precious metals. One of the company 
 said to Miss Phillipps, "you know some 
 of the virtuosi call Donizetti's " Favorita " 
 " trashy." Her eyes flashed, and sweeping 
 to the piano, she struck a few chords, 
 and then burst forth in a recitative and' 
 aria of that opera with a power, passion, 
 and pathos which almost took the listeners 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 47 
 
 off their feet. When the aria ended, she 
 drew herself up with much dignity, and 
 said, " Do you call that trashy? " 
 
 After a very successful first season in 
 New York, Miss Phillipps was engaged 
 for Havana by Maretzek. Havana then 
 cultivated the opera among its tropical 
 plants, and it was a city where artists 
 were desirous of securing engagements. 
 She immediately became the favorite con- 
 tralto, and was received with unbounded 
 applause. For three or four successive 
 years the public demanded her re-engage- 
 ment. A notice in an Havana paper, 
 under date November 15, 1857,. says: 
 " Maretzek has taken the public favor by 
 storm with his troupe. We have sur- 
 rendered at discretion. Miss Adelaide 
 Phillipps comes back to her place in our 
 affectionate and respectful interest. She 
 is the contralto favorite of Havana, and has 
 found her way to our hearts." In speaking 
 of Havana, in after years, Adelaide said: 
 
48 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 " My greatest artistic success, my true ap- 
 preciation, was in Havana." There was a 
 touch of pathos in her voice as she recalled 
 the friends she had there made and the 
 experiences of her life during those sea- 
 sons. She enjoyed the beautiful tropical 
 regions, made various excursions into the 
 neighborhood, and especially described a 
 remarkable cave from which she brought 
 us a beautiful specimen of stalactite. In 
 Havana, however, she contracted the yel- 
 low fever, that serpent hid away among 
 tropical flowers. She survived, but never 
 entirely recovered from the effects of that 
 terrible disease upon her fine constitution. 
 "The lyric stage," writes a musical 
 critic, "was not the only one on which 
 Miss Phillipps was eminent. In oratorio 
 she was equally great, and in some re- 
 spects unrivalled." She made her first 
 appearnce before the Boston Handel and 
 Haydn Society, December 30, i860, in, 
 the Oratorio of the Messiah. Her render- 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 49 
 
 ing of the impressive Aria, " He was de- 
 spised," came not only with artistic power 
 but from a devotional nature, and into 
 the music she threw her soul, consecrat- 
 ing her artistic powers to the Source from 
 whence all great gifts are bestowed. 
 Equally beautiful was the expression which 
 she gave to the words, " He shall lead his 
 flock," as if in vision she saw the tender 
 Shepherd carrying the lambs in his bosom, 
 and was telling us the heavenly story in 
 divine melody. Her next performance 
 with the Handel and Haydn was in the 
 "Stabat Mater," March, 1861. 
 
 Under the management of Signor Me- 
 rilli, Miss Phillipps made a professional tour 
 in Europe in 1861. She was accompanied 
 by her brother Frederic, and arrived in 
 Paris at the close of the summer. Paris 
 was then, even more than at the present 
 time, the great judgment-seat before which 
 artists were to appear and receive sen- 
 tence. Adelaide fully realized what an 
 
50 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 ordeal awaited her in a first appearance 
 at the Italian Opera House, where Alboni, 
 the great contralto, reigned supreme. 
 There were friends in Paris who were 
 kind in their attention and cheer to the 
 debutante at this critical moment of her 
 life. At the rehearsals Signor Mario, the 
 unrivalled tenor, who took the part of 
 Manrico in the opera " II Trovatore," 
 manifested much interest for her success. 
 He told the people behind the scenes at 
 the rehearsals that Miss Phillipps belonged 
 to an American city of great musical 
 knowledge and taste. " When Mme. Grisi 
 and I were there," said he, " so great was 
 the enthusiasm that the students from a 
 neighboring university volunteered to 
 come on the stage as ' Supes,' in order to 
 give expression to their pleasure in our 
 performance." " When the evening came 
 for the opera, I felt," she said, " for the 
 first time in my life ' stage fright' before 
 the curtain rose. As I lay on the bank in 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 5 I 
 
 the opening of the second act, Signer 
 Mario (Manrico) encouraged and roused 
 me and dispelled to a degree the power of 
 the demon." 
 
 The following letter is from the corre- 
 spondent of the Boston Advertiser, under 
 the date of Paris, October 25, 1861: — 
 
 " The musical portion of your readers will be 
 glad to learn that Miss Adelaide Phillipps, as 
 Signorina Fillippi, has passed through the se- 
 vere trial of a first appearance before a Parisian 
 public with entire success. The critical audi- 
 ence of the Salle Ventadour sat in judgment 
 upon her 'Azucena' last night, and gave it their 
 unqualified approval. Accustomed as they have 
 been to Alboni, and no one else in this part, it 
 was not to be expected that they were to experi- 
 ence any new sensation in the rendering of the 
 music. To achieve success it was necessary to 
 make it a dramatic triumph. Alboni, with her 
 wealth of voice, is so fat that she can only stand 
 still while the music gushes from her throat like 
 a fountain. Miss Phillipps, on the other hand, has 
 a great deal of dramatic power, and displayed it 
 to such purpose in her delineation of the fierce, 
 revengeful, yet loving gipsy mother, that she 
 
52 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 would have made a hit with far less vocal excel- 
 lence than she possesses, for the French like 
 acting above all things, and Alboni is one of the 
 few whom they would tolerate without it. Miss 
 Phillipps had several difficulties to contend 
 against ; — a feeling of awe at the proverbially 
 severe and cultivated character of a Paris audi- 
 ence, and a sense of the important results their 
 decision would have on her future career, were 
 surely not unnatural even to one accustomed to 
 the stage from her earliest years. 
 
 " There is something appalling in the way a 
 debutante is treated here on a first night. There 
 is no token of a greeting. The first movement 
 begins and ends, and then the second, and still 
 there is a chilling, unsympathetic silence. At 
 length at the end of the cabaletta there is a 
 moment of suspense. The applicant for favor 
 has been heard and judgment pronounced. For 
 one instant she is doubtful if it is to be a blank 
 or a prize, the suspense lasted an instant only, for 
 there followed a burst of applause that must 
 have satisfied the most anxious friend or most 
 ardent admirer. 
 
 " Some injudicious friend threw a wreath as 
 large as a horse-collar on the stage before Miss 
 Phillipps had sung a note. This awarding of 
 laurels before they were earned puzzled the 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 53 
 
 audience and embarrassed all on the stage. 
 They did not know what to do with it, till at 
 last Mario picked it up and threw it behind the 
 scenes. 
 
 " Miss Phillipps was called out after the first 
 act, and at the close of the opera ; a mark of 
 approbation not often bestowed. This success 
 is an ' Open Sesame ' to her for every opera- 
 house in Europe, and she may well congratulate 
 herself on such an important step in her career. 
 Mario never sang better in his life. 
 
 " Miss Phillipps makes her second appearance 
 in the " Ballo in Maschera," again taking Alboni's 
 part. She will also appear with Penco in " Semi- 
 ramide" as Arsace, where she is quite at home in 
 a part especially adapted to her, both vocally 
 and dramatically." 
 
 Galignani says of Miss Phillipps' debut, 
 " she took the public by storm, and the 
 result was complete success." 
 
 The Paris correspondent of the London 
 Morning Herald thus analyzes her 
 gifts : — . 
 
 " A noble contralto voice, a style remarkable 
 for its brio and pathos, perfect vocalization and 
 
54 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 powers as an actress, only to be compared with 
 that of MaUbran and Madame Viradot, are the 
 recommendations of Mile. Fillippi to the favor 
 of the public. Her success was immense." 
 
 The Paris Patrie of 1861 extols Miss 
 Adelaide Phillipps as the best contralto 
 that has been heard in France for a long 
 time. " Voila un vrai contralto^ " and to 
 these qualities it adds : — 
 
 "She joins a rare energy and spirit as a 
 comMienne. She is of the very best order, and 
 must soon eclipse by her magnificent talent cer- 
 tain artists who now stand high in the public 
 regard. Miss Phillipps won her first laurels in 
 America. Her reputation will soon be Eu- 
 ropean." 
 
 Miss Phillipps' season at Paris was so 
 successful that the impresario of the 
 Italiens engaged her for the whole season 
 of the next year. From Paris she went 
 to Spain, under the direction of Signor 
 Merilli, with a troupe of which Madame 
 La Grange was the soprano. She sang 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 55 
 
 trough the opera season in Madrid 
 "vmh distinguished artists, and held the 
 variols^ contralto roles of the favorite 
 operas, "sdways sharing the applause which 
 followed^he representations, and some- 
 times awakening jealousy by a greater 
 success man debutantes are generally 
 'sH&w^'to obtain. She was in the midst 
 of this gratifying career when news 
 was received that the impresario of the 
 Italian opera in Paris had played with 
 false cards. 
 
 Gamblers it seems draw the line at 
 false cards, and it was a breach of honor 
 that could not be overlooked. The im- 
 presario of the opera in Paris is the 
 servant of the government, and he was 
 dismissed from office. His successor was 
 not bound to fulfil previous engagements; 
 he had other prima donnas on his list, and 
 Miss Phillipps lost this valuable opportu- 
 nity in her artistic career. She bore the 
 great disappointment with the same good 
 
56 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 temper and dignity that she manifested 
 through all the trials of her professional 
 life. 
 
 The climate of Madrid is very cold and 
 trying to vocalists, and Miss Phillipps 
 hardly dared to venture out, or to visit the 
 picture-galleries, or enjoy any of the pleas- 
 ures of a traveller. The severe climate 
 of Madrid made her dread that of Russia, 
 and she declined offers of engagements in 
 St. Petersburg, where doubtless she would 
 have achieved fame and fortune. The 
 recent death of the charming Madame 
 Bosio, in that countr}'^, from illness con- 
 tracted in a journey from Moscow to St. 
 Petersburg, had a great influence on Miss 
 Phillipps' decision to avoid Russia. 
 
 She was also offered an advantageous 
 engagement in Brazil, but did not accept 
 it. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 From Madrid she visited Barcelona 
 and various cities in Spain vi^ith the opera 
 company, returning to Paris in the spring 
 of 1862. She was at once re-engaged by 
 Merilli for an extended professional tour 
 through the north of France, Belgium, 
 visiting also Holland, Poland, and other 
 parts of Europe. She was the star of the 
 company. Everything seemed to favor 
 her, and she enjoyed the whole journey, 
 not only its professional success, but she 
 felt a vivid interest in the countries she 
 visited. Her quick eye caught all their 
 beauty, and she appreciated the history of 
 the great past which was associated with 
 many of the places through which she 
 passed. The old cities of France wel- 
 comed her; at Lille so great was her 
 
 57 
 
58 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 success that the press of the city pre- 
 sented her with a laurel wreath at her 
 benefit. Near one of these cities the 
 leading members of the troupe were 
 invited to visit a family residing in a 
 neighboring chateau or castle, of which 
 Adelaide gave, on her return home, a 
 graphic description. The building was 
 very old and picturesque, with a tower 
 which had stood a siege. "I never un- 
 derstood," said she, " of any place what 
 people meant when they said it was like 
 being in a play, until I looked out of my 
 window on this old tower, with its moat 
 and surroundings. The family, who must 
 have been of rank, were charming and 
 hospitable. They seemed to live much 
 of their time in this chateau, but were 
 great patrons of the opera when any 
 troupe visited the place, and often invited 
 the leading artists to their house." This 
 was a very pleasant incident in the tour. 
 When performing in one of the cities of 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 59 
 
 Poland she was much impressed by the 
 fact that all the ladies present at the opera 
 wore black dresses as mourning for their 
 country ! In Poland" she visited a salt- 
 mine, one of the noblemen in power hav- 
 ing ordered it to be illuminated in her 
 honor. She described it as a fairy scene, 
 unlike anything out of the Arabian Nights. 
 At Prague she had immense success, es- 
 pecially when she performed " Zerlina " 
 in " Don Giovanni." 
 
 That opera was originally written by 
 Mozart for production at Prague, and its 
 performance there is always attended by 
 unusual popular interest. On this occa- 
 sion of the representation of Don Giovanni 
 the demand for seats became so great that 
 the town theatre was abandoned and a 
 summer theatre beyond the city limits 
 was utilized. The road to this place 
 the evening of the representation was 
 thronged early. When the opera was 
 to be performed, Miss Phillipps and the 
 
6o ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 rest of the troupe dreaded the ordeal, but 
 her success as Zerlina was indisputable, 
 and that night has since been memorable 
 in the musical annals of Prague. 
 
 Her visit to Hungary, especially to 
 Pesth, interested her extremely. If the 
 pen could only convey Adelaide's brilliant 
 and vivid descriptions of all she saw and 
 experienced on this tour, aside from her 
 success as a prima donna, these pages 
 would be luminous indeed. 
 
 At the close of this engagement Miss 
 Phillipps returned to America. At home 
 we were in the midst of the war of the 
 rebellion, and if not, like the ladies of 
 Poland, in mourning for our country, 
 we were sorrowing over many brave 
 and beloved ones fallen in her defence. 
 Adelaide had her part also in the anxieties 
 of the time, as her brother Adrian was on 
 the staff of Admiral Thatcher through 
 three years of the war. 
 
 While in New York, during an opera 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 6 1 
 
 season, she was the guest of Mrs. Sanford. 
 The following letter addressed to her sis- 
 ter, is dated — 
 
 New York, East Fifteenth Street. 
 
 I take a large sheet of paper, for the good reason 
 I have not a small one at hand. I am getting 
 on well, the weather is pleasant, and Martha 
 was a success. I have received congratulations 
 from many for my great success in it. So I 
 suppose it is all right. Last evening Adrian 
 came ; was delighted to see him ; looks well, 
 though he is home on sick leave. Parepa sang 
 in a concert last evening before the opera 
 {Lucrezia), and we had the pleasure of com- 
 mencing after half-past nine o'clock. I had to 
 sing my Brindisi three times, although it was 
 more than half-past eleven o'clock. Mrs. San- 
 ford's maid goes with me behind the scenes, 
 I have always two or three young ladies also, 
 so you see I am well protected. I had a very 
 pleasant ride on horseback this morning, at 
 seven o'clock, in the riding-school with Mr. 
 Stanfield. He wished me to try his horse in 
 the ring first that I might have no fear. I like 
 the horse very much. Adrian went with me. 
 We took a long walk up Fifth avenue, and 
 
62 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 arrived at home in time for breakfast at nine 
 o'clock. Adrian will leave for Boston to-morrow 
 night. Adrian has told you all the news, noth- 
 ing particular has happened since he left us. 
 Friday morning Mrs. Sanford and I went to 
 riding-school, and had a very pleasant ride. 
 In the evening went to the opera. Norma; 
 a fine house. Saturday had a most lovely 
 ride in the Park on horseback of course, we 
 left home at seven o'clock ; the weather was 
 delicious. Last night we all went to bed early. 
 I hope Adrian will return to New York; tell 
 him to be sure and write to me. Remember 
 me to the Websters. I suppose you will all be 
 having a good time on Tuesday, as it is Carrie 
 Webster's birthday. Love to every one ; shall 
 be most happy to hear from any one who will 
 take the trouble to write to me. Adieu. 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 Adelaide. 
 
 In the spring of 1864 Miss Phillipps 
 was re-engaged for Havana, under Signor 
 Lorini's direction. She was most cor- 
 dially received there, repeating the roles 
 in which she had been so great a favorite, 
 and reviving friendships gained a few 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 63 
 
 years before. It was in Havana that she 
 obtained those charming Cuban songs 
 which all who heard them will remember, 
 dropping like the princess' jewels in the 
 Arabian nights, sparkling and bright from 
 her lips. These she often introduced in 
 response to recalls after her grand arias, 
 the liquid, lustrous tones having the 
 rhythm of fairy bells. 
 
 It was in her earlier visits to Havana 
 that Adelaide obtained her knowledge of 
 the Spanish language, which she spoke 
 with fluency. Mr. Charles F. Bradford, 
 of Roxbury, himself an able Spanish 
 scholar, in speaking of Miss Phillipps said: 
 " To converse with her in Spanish was 
 a rare pleasure; the ease and grace of 
 her language, the beauty and vivacity of 
 her conversation were fascinating. You 
 know," he added, " how I admired her as 
 a vocalist, and esteemed her as a woman; 
 the perfection of her Spanish made the 
 charm of her society complete." 
 
64 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 Miss Phillipps took the contralto part in 
 the oratorio of " Elijah " for the first time 
 in 1864. It was during a visit at our house 
 that she prepared for the oratorio, and 
 studied the score carefully. " I must 
 take it in at my eyes," she said, " before I 
 go to the piano." The exquisite aria, " Oh 
 rest in the Lord," impressed her very 
 deeply, and must ever be associated w^ith 
 her voice by all who remember its tender 
 tones and expression. She once said, 
 "You do not know how much that aria 
 has been to me; whenever I feel sad or 
 depressed I go to the piano and sing it to 
 myself; it always comforts me." 
 
 Another association with these sacred 
 words must find mention here. At the 
 services given at the Music Hall, in 
 commemoration of Charles Sumner, June 
 9, 1874, Adelaide Phillipps sang "Oh 
 rest in the Lord." Fit expression for a 
 soul whose " heart's desire " that slavery 
 should be ended had been granted; whose 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 65 
 
 battles were fought, and who after victory 
 had found " rest." 
 
 It was on a professional journey to 
 California in 1865, while crossing the 
 Isthmus, that Adelaide made the ac- 
 quaintance of our friends, Mr, and Mrs. 
 Charles W. Huntington, of Boston. Mrs. 
 Huntington's fine musical taste had ap- 
 preciated the artistic powers of Miss 
 Phillipps, and the knowledge of her per- 
 sonal qualities caused a sincere friendship 
 to be formed which continued through the 
 following years. On their return to Bos- 
 ton the hospitable house of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Huntington became one of Adelaide's 
 homes. 
 
 The opera company with which she was 
 connected had a successful season in San 
 Francisco. There are many tributes to 
 her performances in that city. Here is 
 one which expresses the general admira- 
 tion she won, for, unlike the bouquets 
 showered upon the prima donna, these 
 
6() ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 warm-hearted expressions do not lose 
 their aroma by time : — 
 
 " The benefit of Miss Phillipps on Wednesday- 
 evening was all that lady could expect, as the 
 Academy was densely crowded. ' The Barber ' 
 was given and accepted with equal zest and 
 relish by both artists and audience. The last act 
 of Romeo and Juliet was sung very effectively by 
 Miss Phillipps and Signorina Sconcia as the con- 
 clusion of the entertainment of the evening. 
 Miss Phillipps as Romeo gave the audience a very 
 strong evidence of her tragic abilities. She was 
 honored by a bewildering profusion of flowers, 
 together with a white dove which fluttered down 
 to her, going through his part very gracefully. 
 Some very beautiful specimens of California gold 
 wrought into ornaments were also presented, 
 while the receipts of the house gave California 
 gold in another shape — to the amount of over 
 two thousand dollars." 
 
 Through the seasons including 1865 to 
 1868, she appeared in opera and concerts, 
 visiting California, the Western States, 
 Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, 
 and many other places, travelling thou- 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 67 
 
 sands of miles and giving almost as many 
 performances. Chicago thus greets her 
 in October 30, 1857: — 
 
 " Miss Phillipps as Rosina gave an artistic and 
 finished representation of coquettish character. 
 Light, vivacious, and thoroughly at home on the 
 stage, her acting may be as warmly commended 
 as on the preceding evening in a totally different 
 portraiture. Her versatility is surely evinced in 
 the perfection with which she equally represents 
 the passionate gypsy, and the coquettish ward 
 of a petulant guardian. Certainly Rosina has 
 never been given us in her twofold character of 
 what she is and what she appears to be to Dr. 
 Bartoldo as Miss Phillipps embodied her. For 
 pure, sympathetic, solid vocalization it has never 
 been surpassed. In the music-lesson scene she 
 introduced a Spanish song with a very quaint 
 and charming orchestral accompaniment, which 
 was warmly encored." 
 
 The family to which Adelaide belonged 
 was a musical one, and her sister Matilde 
 had developed a noble contralto voice. 
 One morning Adelaide came in quite ex- 
 cited and said, "I have been hearing 
 
68 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 Matiloe sing. Upon my word I must look 
 to my laurels; she has a grand voice. I 
 never intended her to be ,a professional 
 singer, but she has the true artistic tem- 
 perament, and I must give her every ad- 
 vantage, and shall go to London and place 
 her with Garcia next summer." Adelaide 
 was at that moment studying the parts 
 she was to take in the great Triennial 
 Festival of the Boston Handel and Haydn 
 Society, May 5, 1868. Of the opening of 
 this Triennial Festival the following re- 
 port is taken from the Daily Advertiser 
 of that date : — 
 
 " The present festival has been planned on a 
 larger scale than any kindred undertaking in 
 this country. . . . The soloists that will appear 
 from day to day include the best talent procur- 
 able, headed by Mme. Parepa Rosa and Ade- 
 laide Phillipps. There was a brilliant audience 
 at the opening of the festival. The perform- 
 ance of Mendelsshon's ' Hymn of Praise,' justified 
 the promise of the rehearsal. Parepa Rosa and 
 Miss Phillipps were in superb voice. The chorus 
 
 ♦ By Mr. Howard D. Ticknor. 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 69 
 
 and orchestra were very effective and Carl Zer- 
 rahn as leader deserved great praise on the occa- 
 sion. The oratorio of Samson was given in the 
 evening of the opening day, Mme. Rosa in the 
 soprano, Miss PhiUipps in the contralto roles. 
 If the soprano's music was rendered with fitness, 
 so also was Miss Phillipps' in the contralto music 
 of Micah. One of the first canons laid down to 
 us by an old master of the genuine classic school 
 long years ago was that, except where words were 
 merely added to music as a vehicle for carrying 
 on vocalization, the spirit of the words should 
 always be paramount, and the music so tempered 
 as best to illustrate the text for which it was 
 composed. Miss Phillipps sings as if this rule 
 were ever in her mind when she assumes an 
 oratorio r6le, or indeed any r6le. Her noble 
 voice, her high culture, and her clear, crisp, real 
 execution are never forgotten, but she always 
 sings as if she meant what she is singing, and 
 only used music as a help to full expression. 
 Her "Return, O God of Hosts," and "Ye sons of 
 Israel now lament," were perfect in feeling and 
 coloring, and in our mind the very gems of the 
 performance. Her recitatives were also admir- 
 ably read." 
 
 " On Friday afternoon of the week Beet- 
 hoven's Ninth Symphony was given. There can 
 
70 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 be no more crucial test of singers and orchestra, 
 and if ever that test was nobly and gloriously 
 borne it was so yesterday. The three first 
 movements were splendidly sustained, and when 
 the great finale began to rise in cumulative 
 strength and sublimity every individual choris- 
 ter or instrumentalist seemed imbued with posi- 
 tive inspiration to meet and triumph over the 
 tremendous exigency of the time. The solo 
 passages were worthy of the master and the 
 hour in their sureness and strength, delivered 
 as they were by Mme. Rosa, Miss Phillipps, Mr. 
 Stimpson, and Mr. Rudolphsen." 
 
 The festival ended on Sunday evening 
 with the oratorio of the " Messiah." The 
 writer already quoted closes his report of 
 the week as follows : — 
 
 " Although the climax of this festival must be 
 held to be that wonderful presentation of the 
 Ninth Symphony, yet the Messiah of last night 
 was worthy to rank with the best versions of 
 that great work, and worthy to conclude a series 
 of performances, which, in the entirety of their 
 scope and rendering, have never — as we think 
 we may in no boastful spirit assert — been ap- 
 proached on this continent. With that splendid 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 7 1 
 
 orchestra, that mighty sea of organ tone, that 
 immense chorus, with its enthusiastic, urgent, 
 yet generous and wise conductor, that quartette 
 of principals, — with all these elements what 
 could but result in unqualified success last 
 night ? With our minds reverting, as we write, 
 to the emotions and incidents of the last few 
 days, we cannot enter into details of this last 
 performance to tell at length how Mme. Rosa 
 uplifted and swayed all hearers, how Miss 
 Phillipps' pleading voice gave new pathos to her 
 touching arias, nor how the smooth sweetness of 
 Mr. Simpson's tenor, nor how the strong, honest 
 bass of Mr. Whitney supplemented and sup- 
 ported them ; and our one general, genial heart- 
 felt tribute must go on record thus simply and 
 shortly." 
 
 In addition to the oratorios Miss 
 Phillipps sang at two concerts, in one that 
 pathetic song from Handel's "Rinaldo," 
 Lascia cKio -pianga^ which was ex- 
 quisitely rendered. 
 
 In the summer succeeding the Triennial 
 she went to London, as has been stated, 
 and placed her sister satisfactorily with 
 
72 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 Garcia as instructor. She visited Paris, 
 and made an engagement for the next 
 winter, which she afterwards cancelled on 
 account of the illness of her father. 
 
 In February, 1869, Matilde Phillipps 
 was summoned home by the wish of her 
 father to see her once more. She obeyed, 
 and crossed the Atlantic alone in the 
 midst of winter. Adelaide was at our 
 house awaiting her. By some mistake no 
 one was on the wharf to receive the soli- 
 tary traveller, and unable to understand 
 what this meant, she was kindly attended 
 by a fellow-passenger to a hotel, from 
 whence she drove to our house to hear 
 some intelligence of her family. Adelaide 
 received her. Matilde was quite worn 
 out with fatigue and excitement, and, in- 
 deed, needed a comforting reception. 
 
 She had then been nearly a year under 
 the instruction of Garcia, and, of course, 
 we looked forward anxiously to hear her 
 voice. The next day I told her how de- 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 73 
 
 sirous Adelaide was to hear her sing; but, 
 knowing artistic temperaments, she would 
 not urge her to do so. After much hesi- 
 tation, Matilde said: " Oh, I would rather 
 face a thousand strangers than sing to 
 Adelaide! How should I feel if, after all 
 she has done for me, I should disappoint 
 her?" At last she took courage, and 
 asked her sister to play the accompaniment 
 of Di tanti ■palpiti. I retired into the 
 next room in order to leave the sisters to- 
 gether, taking care to be near enough to 
 listen, and, as the beautiful voice and fine 
 rendering of the recitative and aria fell on 
 my ear, I felt that gratification had come 
 to us all. As the last notes of the ac- 
 companiment died away I re-entered the 
 room. Adelaide turned to her sister, and 
 said in her emphatic voice, "Matilde, I 
 am satisfied, more than satisfied." It was 
 a touching moment. I believe we all 
 wept. What else could three women do 
 at such a moment? To Matilde it was 
 
74 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 deeply gratifying, and scarcely less so to 
 Adelaide. 
 
 Some one says that joy is so foreign to 
 our experiences that we can only express 
 it by our tears. 
 
 Matilde went to Marshfield, where her 
 father's pleasure in seeing her rewarded 
 the effort she had made. After a short 
 visit she returned to London, and con- 
 tinued her studies, and from thence went 
 to Italy, where she made her debut, and 
 continued in Italy and Sardinia several 
 years with much success. 
 
 Whenever Adelaide's public engage- 
 ments allowed her the pleasure of spend- 
 ing a few weeks socially among her many 
 friends she enjoyed their home and their 
 society life very much. Her buoyant spirit 
 and many accomplishments rendered her 
 always a welcome guest. The subjoined 
 letter, addressed to her sisters, was writ- 
 ten during a winter visit to Mrs. Dr. 
 Doremus, in New York: — 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 75 
 
 "New York, 70 Union Place. 
 
 " My Dear Girls, — Why don't you write to 
 me. I am really worried, for Adrian promised 
 to write as soon as he had seen you all, but not 
 a word have I received. Send me a few words 
 immediately. You remember, Arvilla, the music 
 I left in your charge at Marshfield. I want 
 you to send the orchestra parts (and piano) of 
 'Orfeo' and the ' Barbiere,' also the 'Bacio.' 
 Send immediately. I am going to sing at a 
 concert here, Gosche engaged me ; now remem- 
 ber. I suppose you wish to know what I have 
 been doing since I wrote last, I think on Satur- 
 day ; so here goes ! 
 
 " That evening we went to see Booth ; had a 
 private box. After the performance the gentle- 
 men who went with us came home to supper. 
 I sang a few little things. Sunday we went to 
 church, and I dined with Mrs. Sanford. Sev- 
 eral people there, among others, Kate Field and 
 her mother ; pleasant evening, music. Monday, 
 rained all day. I practised a little and wrote 
 two or three letters, and in the evening we went 
 to see Owens in Solon Shingle at the Broadway 
 Theatre, met Guerrabella there. Tuesday went 
 to see Mrs. Sanford, took a pleasant walk, and 
 in the evening went to the artists reception; 
 met everybody I had ever known. Wednesday, 
 
76 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 Mrs. Doremus' reception, great many people. 
 Sang of course, was in very fine voice. Had 
 a handsome present of flowers, and a nice 
 
 dance. Made Mr. H dance the lancers 
 
 with me. Thursday, pleasant day. Evening, 
 went first to Mrs. Wilson's to hear Hoffman 
 play, then to a party at Mrs. Mackay's, had a 
 lovely dance. Friday, went out, made calls. 
 Evening, had a quiet time at home, that is to 
 say, only about a dozen people came to see us. 
 Saturday, went to the Philharmonic. Adrian 
 came and found me there. I need not tell you 
 what we did that day. Adrian must have given 
 a description. Sunday after Adrian left I dined 
 with Mrs. Stevens and Miss Reed. They have a 
 magnificent house. It was a regular dinner- 
 party, and very elegant, which they appeared to 
 give for me. We had music of course. Mon- 
 day, went to see Mrs. Moulton. You have heard 
 me speak of her. She was Miss Greenough, and 
 married in Paris. While there met Mrs. Hills, 
 who invited me for the next evening at her 
 house. Mrs. Moulton was to be there. On 
 Tuesday I went and had a delightful time. Miss 
 Reed, Mrs. Moulton, and I sang, also the young 
 lady of the house. I suppose many of the 
 nicest people in New York were there. Dr. 
 Doremus and I took Mrs. Moulton home. Be- 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS, 77 
 
 fore going out Gosche called and I made the 
 engagement to sing at the concert. Wednes- 
 day, went to see Mrs. Sanford. Evening, Mrs. 
 Doremus' reception, music, dancing, etc. Max 
 Strakosch came to see me, and wants me to go 
 on a concert tour. Evening, went to a free 
 school to hear Dr. Doremus give a lecture on 
 chemistry. I sang an English song to the 
 children. Friday, went with Mrs. Sanford 
 and Guerrabella to Fifth Avenue skating-pond. 
 Lovely, mild day. Very good skaters. Even- 
 ing at home. The laughing song has made a 
 ' perfect furore here. Why does not Mrs. Ring 
 send my dress .' I want it particularly for Tues- 
 day, a dancing-party I am going to. There, 
 now you know all about me. 
 
 Yours, Adelaide." 
 
 The allusion in the preceding letter to 
 her " singing to the children," illustrates 
 one of Adelaide's characteristics. She 
 was very fond of children and had a great 
 charm for them, as they generally have the 
 power of thought-reading, and recognize 
 the real friend. A party of young girls, 
 graduates of the Everett School, who met 
 
78 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 her one afternoon at our house, each 
 doubtless remembers, through the years 
 that have intervened, how gayly she en- 
 tered into their pleasure, and sang for 
 them bright and lively songs. In her last 
 evening visit to us she described, with 
 wonderful vividness, a little girl who was 
 once a passenger with her in crossing the 
 Atlantic, — a wilful, unmanagable crea- 
 ture, full of the very spirit of mischief and 
 insubordination. Adelaide determined to 
 subdue her, and through resolution, and 
 the magnetism of her power, the child be- 
 come gradually more and more under her 
 influence, and at last sat quietly at her 
 feet, and looking up in her face, said, 
 " You have made me good, though I did 
 not mean you should." All who as chil- 
 dren were brought in contact with Ade- 
 laide in their homes (now perhaps with 
 children of their own) will recall many 
 anecdotes of her delightful companion- 
 ship, and hold those memories among the 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 79 
 
 sweetest of their childhood. Hers was a 
 broad nature, stretching out its sympathies 
 on every side, touching the electric chain 
 by which we are bound to each other, 
 sending the message of cheer and com- 
 radeship along the line whether in sun- 
 shine or in storm. The influence of her 
 song upon untrained natures was shown 
 one evening at a fashionable house in 
 New York, where Miss Phillipps sang 
 Kathleen Mavourneen to a large company. 
 While the song proceeded the young wait- 
 ress came into the room with a tray in her 
 hand; the pathos of the voice and the song 
 entirely overwhelmed her; and, forgetful 
 of time and place, the girl sank down on 
 a seat and burst into tears. It was a 
 heartfelt homage to the singer. 
 
 The great " Peace Jubilee " took place 
 in Boston in the summer of 1869, an im- 
 mense building having been erected for 
 the purpose. It was a time of great ex- 
 citement. The war of the rebellion was 
 
8o ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 victoriously finished, sanctified by the 
 proclamation of freedom which ended 
 slavery in the United States. Some pub- 
 lic demonstration seemed fitting. The 
 whole affair was arranged with much 
 care, and was a success. A great chorus 
 and orchestra was led by Carl Zerrahn, 
 and the performances were worthy of the 
 occasion. Mme. Parepa Rosa as soprano, 
 and Adelaide Phillipps as contralto, were 
 the leading artistes, but many others 
 filled the roles needed in so vast an 
 undertaking. Miss Phillipps spent the 
 week of the Jubilee with us; and as 
 we drove every day to the private en- 
 trance of the building it was interesting 
 to see the ripple of pleasure pass over 
 the faces of the crowd as they recognized 
 her. Few of them could enter the hall, 
 but their expression of good-will was 
 more gratifying than the loud applause of 
 the multitude within. The immense size 
 of the auditorium raised a doubt if any one 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 8 1 
 
 voice could fill it. One of Miss Phillipps' 
 firiends, at her request, stationed himself 
 on the upper tier of seats. They agreed 
 upon a signal to testify if her voice clearly 
 reached him. The signal was made at 
 all the doubtful points very satisfactorily. 
 Mme. Parepa Rosa's voice rose finely, 
 and her whole appearance seemed in har- 
 mony with the occasion. The press 
 speaks most favorably of all the perform- 
 ers. " On the second day," says the Tran- 
 script, " Miss Phillipps was the soloist 
 in ' non piii di fiori,' which, though not 
 suited to such an immense audience- 
 room, was faithfully rendered by Miss 
 Phillipps, and her charming delivery of 
 the air was recognized by every culti- 
 vated listener." 
 
 On June i8th the attractive programme 
 was given to the children of the public 
 schools. Mme. Rosa sang " Hear, oh 
 Israel," Miss Phillipps, the song from Lu- 
 cretia Borgia, " II segreto per esser felice," 
 
82 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 and both prima-donnas joined in the 
 duet from Stabat Mater, " Qui est Homo." 
 As memory recalls those two distinguished 
 women as they stood together on that great 
 platform, and hear again the echo of their 
 grand voices, it is hard to believe that 
 they have passed away from the music of 
 this world forever. 
 
 Of the closing day of the great Jubilee, 
 June 19, 1869, the same writer gives 
 this tribute to Miss Phillipps : — 
 
 " We are glad to say that her superb artistic 
 reputation was reached in ' Lascia ch'io Pianga.' 
 She never sang more nobly and truly. Her 
 voice was potent in reach and sublime expres- 
 sion for all quarters of the audience-room, 
 while the rich, mellow, glowing quality of the 
 tone made its way to every ear, as well as to 
 every heart. She was enthusiastically recalled, 
 and repeated the aria, turning her voice and 
 person more directly to the chorus part of the 
 house, where a shower of plaudits had a signifi- 
 cance which could not be mistaken." 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 83 
 
 Thus closed a delightful week, full of 
 the joy that pervaded the very air with 
 the assurance of peace and freedom, and 
 found its best and deepest expression in 
 the noble voices of the singers. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 During the rest of the year 1869 
 Adelaide remained at home, in conse- 
 quence of the increasing illness of her 
 father, sparing neither strength nor ex- 
 pense to give him every comfort and lux- 
 ury. She had indeed devoted assistance 
 from Arvilla and her brothers, Matilde 
 being at the time in Europe. Towards 
 the spring of 1870 Mr. Phillipps revived, 
 and Adelaide, escorted by her brother 
 Adrian, took a concert-tour in the West. 
 By one of those chances, as they are called, 
 which occur in life, we met her in San 
 Francisco, and attended several concerts 
 in which she sang, and she had a very 
 cordial reception. 
 
 In October, 1870, Mr. Phillipps died at 
 
 Marshfield. His daughter returned in 
 84 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 85 
 
 time to watch over his last days with more 
 than filial devotion. 
 
 \Jn the ensuing winter she joined another 
 concert troupe, going South and West. 
 The foirowing notice from a correspond- 
 ent of the Evening Transcript (L. B. B.) 
 gives evidence of her reception in New 
 Orleans: — 
 
 " Miss Phillipps, that sterling artiste, is meet- 
 ing with almost unprecedented success South 
 and West, giving concerts in all the cities and 
 large towns. The press of New Orleans is loud 
 in praises of her artistic efforts in that city. 
 One of the largest halls was engaged and filled 
 on each occasion by that well-known musical 
 community. Miss Phillipps will return to Bos- 
 ton in season for the Triennial Festival, which 
 is to take place in May, having been engaged as 
 principal contralto for several months. In the 
 meantime she has other cities to visit and other 
 conquests to make. Success attend her ! " 
 
 The following March, 187 1, Miss Phil- 
 lipps sang in Brooklyn, New York, with 
 the Philharmonic Society. She was the 
 
86 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 guest of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon L. Ford, 
 at whose hospitable mansion Adelaide 
 was ever welcome. The audience at 
 Brooklyn was always a sympathetic one 
 to her, and whether in opera or concerts 
 she received their cordial reception. 
 
 On Easter Monday, 187 1, Carl Rosa 
 opened a season at the Academy of Music 
 in New York, the principal artists being 
 Madame Parepa Rosa, Adelaide Phillipps, 
 Wachtel, and Santley.* We were present 
 at the Academy on the opening night, 
 when the house presented a most brilliant 
 aspect. The immense crowd was, as one 
 of the performers afterwards said to me 
 (Mr. Santley), "almost an oppressive 
 although very gratifying sight from the 
 stage." The enthusiasm was contagious. 
 
 * The magnificent baritone of Mr. Santley will be 
 remembered by all who heard the " Dolby Troupe," con- 
 sisting of Mr. and Mrs. Patey, Miss Wynne, Mr. W. H. 
 Cummings, and Mr. Santley. Their rendering of the 
 great oratorios, as well as that of their perfectly-finished 
 ballads, given with rare excellence, proved them to be fitly 
 placed as first in rank among English artists. 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 87 
 
 The opera was " II Trovatore," and as 
 Azucena lay apparently sleeping on the 
 bank, she was not as in Paris, in any dan- 
 ger of stage fright, but searching with 
 half shut eyes for our place in the audience 
 in order to know that we had good seats. 
 Having ascertained that fact, Azucena 
 composed herself. The tributes from the 
 leading New York papers at the time 
 were strong in their tone of appreciation 
 of this rare combination, of which Mr. 
 Rosa was the conductor. The following 
 extracts will give their general impres- 
 sion : — 
 
 " The opening of the new opera season last 
 night was attended with all the magrificence 
 which the combination effected by Mr. Rosa 
 seemed to require. The fact that the receipts 
 were about nine thousand two hundred dollars 
 proves that the Academy was crowded to a de- 
 gree without parallel in the history of the 
 Academy of Music. The performance was 
 worthy of this excitement. Parepa Rosa, 
 Phillipps, Wachtel, and Santley form a cast 
 
88 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 which cannot be surpassed. The audience 
 thought so last night, and as each member of 
 the great quartette appeared on the stage a 
 hearty round of applause gave a cordial welcome. 
 The opera was " II Trovatore." Of Madame 
 Rosa, who has so often sang the part of Leonora> 
 it is unnecessary to speak at full length, but she 
 sang with great power and effect. Miss Phillipps, 
 the Azucena of the evening, was welcomed back 
 with genuine warmth, and gave a nobly drama- 
 tic delineation of the gypsy mother. Her 
 voice throughout was rich and melodious, and 
 her action far transcended what is usually wit- 
 nessed on the lyric stage. Wachtel and Santley 
 gave us two of the most notable personations 
 which the average opera-goer may ever hope to 
 witness. One all fire, the other all finish." 
 
 The performances which followed were 
 all equally successful, and the crowded 
 audiences filled the house through the 
 season. 
 
 Miss Phillipps said that it was almost 
 the only instance in her experience where 
 the demand for tickets was so great that 
 none were at the disposal of the artists. 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 89 
 
 At the conclusion of her engagement 
 with Mr. Rosa's troupe Miss Phillipps 
 returned to Boston to take her place in 
 the leading contralto roles of the second 
 Triennial Festival of the Handel and 
 Haydn Society. These were in the 
 oratorios of Elijah, Messiah, and Stern- 
 dale Bennett's " Woman of Samaria," 
 and in the concerts of the week. 
 
 The tenor of the second Triennial was 
 Mr. William H. Cummings, of London. 
 To a pure tenor voice was added great 
 culture and style. Mr. Cummings is a 
 man whose whole nature and training 
 fits him peculiarly for oratorio music, 
 and all who listen to his rendering of the 
 tenor roles in the Elijah and the Messiah 
 must have acknowledged that their effect 
 was due to something beyond what was 
 contained in the scores even of Handel 
 and Mendelssohn. Mr. Cummings ex- 
 pressed great admiration of Miss Phillipps' 
 artistic powers, especially her rendering of 
 
go ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 the aria, "He was despised," which he said 
 he had never heard so effectively given. 
 This was the only occasion on which her 
 emotional nature almost overcame her 
 artistic training. Some chord was touched; 
 the listeners could not hear. She sang 
 through the aria perfectly, but she sank 
 down on her seat in tears. 
 
 For the following anecdote, which be- 
 longs to the time of the " Second Tri- 
 ennial," I am indebted to Mrs. Gordon 
 L. Ford, of Brooklyn, N. Y., as well as 
 for other appreciative expressions growing 
 out of her long acquaintance with Ade- 
 laide, which will be added later in the 
 record : — 
 
 " An instance of her sweet temper and quick 
 tact occurred at a rehearsal of the Handel and 
 Haydn Society in Boston. Mme. Rudersdorf, 
 who had come from London to sing at the festi- 
 val, made some complaints of the inaccuracy of 
 the singers equal in rank to herself, with whom 
 she was practising. Some of them were dis- 
 posed to resent this criticism on the spot by 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 9 1 
 
 withdrawing their services ; and, for a moment, 
 the festival seemed endangered. Miss Phillipps 
 came to the rescue, and, springing up said, in 
 her sweet, cordial way, ' I think we all deserve 
 that reproof ; we certainly do take some of these 
 passages in a very scrambling fashion ; let us try 
 if we cannot hit the notes at once without a 
 scramble,' and harmony was restored by her 
 assuming the reproof and sharing the blame. 
 
 " I never saw her imperious but once, and 
 then she had much provocation. She was to 
 sing ' Oh rest in the Lord ! ' at a Philharmonic 
 concert. There had been no rehearsal. The 
 audience waited for her appearance ; but when 
 the music was handed to her it had been altered 
 from the contralto — in which it was written — 
 to a soprano pitch, and, of course, was out of 
 the range of Miss Phillipps' voice. She ex- 
 plained to the conductor, but he said he had 
 no other scores for the orchestra. Some sharp 
 words followed, when Mr. Richard Hoffman, 
 the pianist, stepped forward and volunteered 
 to play the accompaniment as Mendelssohn 
 had written it, which was successfully done. 
 This was the only time I ever saw her temper 
 ruffled, and, indeed, in her stage relations with 
 other singers she was always large-hearted, 
 kindly, and forbearing in word and deed." 
 
92 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 In the third Triennial of the Boston 
 Handel and Haydn Society, in 1874, Miss 
 Phillipps took the contralto roles in J. K. 
 Paine's oratorio of " St. Peter," and in 
 Bach's " Passion Music," both works 
 demanding much study and practice. 
 Bach's Passion music had been given in 
 selections in 1871, but was now presented 
 more fully. Miss Phillipps studied the 
 difficult scores most earnestly, and her 
 rendering of it was entirely appreciated 
 by the critics. In 1881, when the direct- 
 ors of the Boston Handel and Haydn 
 Society were obliged to turn, almost at the 
 last moment, in their utmost need to 
 Matilde Phillipps for the contralto roles 
 of the Passion music, Adelaide was very 
 ill, but she rose at once to her artistic 
 power; and lying on her couch heard her 
 sister's rendering of the part. Matilde 
 had sang the role previously, but several 
 years had passed, and to recall such diffi- 
 cult music at so brief a notice required 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 93 
 
 both courage and sympathy. Adelaide 
 was entirely gratified by the favorable re- 
 port of her sister's performance. Miss 
 Phillipps' last appearance with the Han- 
 del and Haydn Society was November 
 24, 1878, and, as we now know, closed 
 appropriately with Verdi's " Requiem 
 Mass." 
 
 A quartette company was organized by 
 Miss Phillipps in 1874, with which she 
 visited various States in the Union. Per- 
 haps a letter received during this tour will 
 give a glimpse of the work of such an 
 undertaking: — 
 
 St. Paul, Nov. 9, 1874. 
 Dear Mrs. Waterston, — This is such a 
 beautiful place I wish you were here with me to 
 enjoy it. We have had a very successful trip 
 thus far ; very fine weather, and the performances 
 go well and the public are pleased. The ex- 
 penses are greater than I expected; sometimes 
 three hundred dollars more than I thought, but 
 as yet the payments are all right. My tenor, 
 Mr. Karl, has a beautiful voice, sings well, and is 
 handsome, which pleases the ladies. So far so 
 
94 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 good. The baritone, Orlandini, has a fine voice 
 and is a good artist, as is also the buffo, Barcelli, 
 We only meet at the theatre and in the cars. 
 They all seem contented. 
 
 Etta Newcomb is with me, and is a great 
 comfort. We manage to take a walk almost 
 every day, so I am not tired yet. We have been 
 through Kansas, out to Omaha, Dubuque, 
 Winona, and hurried here on Sunday morning. 
 After the concert of Winona we slept one hour, 
 leaving the hotel at half-past twelve o'clock. 
 Poor Etta, I woke her singing, " Oh, an artist's 
 life for me ! " She understands the pleasures of 
 it now ! We shall be here two nights ; then into 
 Michigan and Illinois ; Chicago on Monday and 
 Tuesday ; St. Catherine's, Canada, Friday ; 
 Rochester, N. Y., Monday; back to Massachu- 
 setts and New Hampshire. After that I do not 
 know where we go ; work back West I suppose. 
 I gave up Boston in November as too early. I 
 shall try to arrange for February. I hope your 
 visit to the mountains was pleasant. Let me 
 hear from you at Chicago. 
 
 Yours, always, 
 
 Adelaide. 
 
 A scrap from another letter written in 
 the country, somewhere in New England, 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 95 
 
 gives a pretty picture : " I am in a nice 
 farm-house, sitting in a kitchen with a 
 great open fire. Its light glances on knit- 
 ting-needles and gold beads. It is all very 
 quaint and pleasant. They are such nice 
 good people. I sang to them, and though 
 I have had larger audiences, few, I think, 
 who enjoyed the songs more." 
 
 A larger organization, under the title of 
 the Adelaide Phillipps Opera Company, 
 of which she was the manager, visited 
 various parts of the country. It was a 
 double company, and included among 
 its members some of those artists men- 
 tioned in the letter from St. Paul, with 
 many additions. Miss Colville, Adelaide, 
 and Matilde Phillipps were the prima 
 donnas. 
 
 With this company she went through 
 the South and West, and was certainly 
 very successful according to all the reports 
 of the newspapers in the various places 
 visited. But she found the care and 
 
96 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 responsibility too great for a woman who 
 was also one of the artists. The ex- 
 penses were very heavy, and the man- 
 agement of so large a company difficult. 
 When the season closed it was not a 
 financial success, for Miss Phillipps paid 
 all debts, just and unjust, being highly 
 conscientious, which very few managers 
 would aspire to be considered. 
 
 Matilde Phillipps, who had been singing 
 in opera in Sardinia, left the favorable 
 opening there, and returned to America 
 to aid her sister in this undertaking. 
 Matilde made her first appearance in New 
 York. A note from her contains these 
 heartfelt words : " Do you know that 
 Adelaide took a small part in the opera 
 of Ceneratula at my debut. As my 
 success increased her delight w^as so great 
 that she forgot to be the cruel sister Tisbie, 
 and became the noble-hearted Adelaide, 
 showing all her pleasure in the expression 
 of her face so beaming and true." 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 97 
 
 Singers are not exempt from embar- 
 rassing accidents, as was told by Adelaide 
 on her return from a concert in a country 
 town. " I had packed my dress," said 
 she, " in a champagne basket, and tied 
 it up with green ribbons. We arrived in 
 good season, and after tea I retired to my 
 room to make my toilet rather leisurely, 
 as is my wont. By-and-by I thought I 
 would take out my dress, which was a 
 very pretty one. So I untied my green 
 ribbons and opened the champagne bas- 
 ket. Imagine my feelings on beholding 
 a pair of high boots, rough coat, and all 
 the rest of a man's habiliments. My 
 charming dress, lace, flowers, and all the 
 rest of the finery had fallen into the hands 
 of some man, who by a wonderful coin- 
 cidence, had packed up his clothes in a 
 champagne basket and tied it with green 
 ribbons I Neither of us could avail our- 
 selves of each other's garments. It was 
 too late to make any other preparation 
 
98 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 than to brush up my travelling dress, 
 add the few additional ornaments I had 
 brought in my pocket, and send on word 
 to the audience that Miss Phillipps regret- 
 ted extremely that her evening dress had 
 not arrived in time, which was certainly 
 true. I really felt for their disappointment, 
 for, however well we sing, all goes bet- 
 ter when we are handsomely dressed; and 
 I fear they felt defrauded of half the 
 price of their tickets. They were very 
 good, however, and applauded me and my 
 black silk." "What became of your dress ?" 
 was the feminine exclamation. "Oh, it 
 was found. The man was glad to get his 
 boots again." 
 
 Of the many concerts at which she 
 appeared it is impossible to make any 
 record. No one who heard her songs, 
 whether gay or pathetic, can fail to re- 
 call the varied chords she touched in 
 the human soul. Her ringing laugh in 
 a frolicsome jeu d''esprit, the words of 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 99 
 
 which were written by Miss Kate Field, 
 set to music by Bendalari, contrasted 
 with songs that stirred our hearts. All 
 must remember, whether heard at home 
 or from the concert platform, her ren- 
 dering of "Auld Robin Gray" and "Kath- 
 leen Mavourneen." Another charming 
 chanson, "The Danube River," still 
 flows like the stream it pictured through 
 the memory. A western paper, the In- 
 dianapolis Sentinel, thus graphically de- 
 scribes some of Miss Phillipps' songs: 
 "Between the acts of 'Martha,' in 
 response to the uproarious encore of 'The 
 Laughing Song,' Miss Phillipps sang the 
 'Rosebush' (an epitome of woman's life), 
 a ballad which must have been written 
 to suit the wonderful pathos, passion, and 
 sensibility of her ripe and mellow voice. 
 Her perfect enunciation of every word 
 made them plain to the remotest auditor, 
 and were received with breathless silence. 
 She threw a world of sentiment into every 
 
lOO ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 line, but her power was conspicuously dis- 
 played in rendering the tender couplet — 
 
 " ' She pressed her hand to her throbbing breast, 
 With love's first wonderful rapture blest.' 
 
 " And the sadly suggestive refrain — 
 
 " ' Withered and dead they fall to the ground, 
 And silently cover a new-made mound.' 
 
 " Miss Phillipps' versatility was displayed 
 by a quiet transition from tears to smiles 
 when she responded to a third encore, 
 with ' Coming through the Rye,' the bloom 
 of which is perennial." 
 
 As these words recall those songs, how 
 many will catch their echo in their own 
 hearts out of the silence which now rests 
 upon her lips. During a summer which 
 succeeded a fatiguing season. Miss Phil- 
 lipps, in company with Miss Kate Field, 
 went to Europe. The voyage was always 
 a pleasure to Adelaide, and to all her fel- 
 low-passengers who were able to enjoy 
 her society. 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. lOI 
 
 She visited the Pyrenees, and made 
 various excursions. In London Adelaide 
 called upon Madame Parepa Rosa at her 
 pleasant home, surrounded by every com- 
 fort and elegance. The additional hap- 
 piness then anticipated w^as, alas! never 
 realized; and in a few months the mother 
 and child left the world together. Mme. 
 Parepa Rosa's death was sincerely mourned 
 in America, where she had many friends. 
 The voices of Mme. Rosa and Miss 
 Phillipps so often had mingled in oratorio 
 and opera, that to unite their names 
 together now seems, in memory of all 
 we owe to their gifts, but a fitting homage 
 to two grand artistes. 
 
 In 1879 Miss Phillipps joined the Ideal 
 Opera Company, under the direction of 
 Miss E. H. Ober, and carried into it her 
 vocal and dramatic culture and her un- 
 flagging spirit. She continued attached 
 to that company until December, 1881, 
 when she made her last appearance on 
 the stage in Cincinnati. 
 
I02 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 These sketches of Miss Phillipps' pro- 
 fessional work suggest somewhat of their 
 variety and extent; but the real experi- 
 ence of an artist is faintly outlined by any 
 enumeration of roles, or reports of suc- 
 cess or applause. In such a career much 
 is required; serious thought, hard study, 
 anxious hours; the fatigue from travelling 
 hundreds of miles before taking a difficult 
 part, leaving the opera when over at mid- 
 night for the next city; this is but part of 
 the regular routine. Added to these trials 
 come exactions of managers, jealousy of 
 rivals, uncertainty of remuneration aftel" 
 the toils of the season are over. There 
 are many ways by which the prosperous 
 path of a popular artist may be circum- 
 vented without the facts appearing openly; 
 not to mention the varying phases of the 
 capricious public, and always being at the 
 mercy of newspaper reporters. Many of 
 these trials await all artists whose profes- 
 sion brings them before the public, be it 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. IO3 
 
 on canvas or in marble; but especially is 
 it true of the musician, and eminently of 
 the lyric artist, whose success or defeat 
 may depend on one supreme moment. 
 To most people who go to the drama or 
 opera the actors or singers are mere ap- 
 pearances who come out to amuse us, and 
 we think them rewarded b}' applause and 
 flowers. So they are, in a degree. But 
 how little do we consider what they have 
 gone through in a life-long preparation to 
 give us an evening's amusement. Few 
 realize what is required of a dramatic, and 
 yet more of an operatic artist. The mem- 
 ory, the musical ear, the words of a for- 
 eign language, the action of the part, be it 
 tragic or comic, presence of mind to meet 
 all emergencies without a sign of disturb- 
 ance, even when painful accidents occur, 
 or life itself is in danger. Sometimes the 
 performer is suffering physical pain, or 
 from recent illness, often in great personal 
 anxiety or heavy bereavement, yet they 
 
I04 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 must come before the public and play their 
 part before critics who make no allow- 
 ances : — 
 
 "Watch the part of the player bravely and deftly 
 done, 
 
 See the difficult height attained, the loud applauses 
 won. 
 
 Weep with his passionate sorrow, thrill with his pas- 
 sionate bliss, 
 
 Blending your joyous laughter with that happy laugh 
 of his. 
 
 Well that his marvellous acting, dazzles, wins, refines. 
 
 Who thinks of the desperate effort written between 
 the lines ? " 
 
 Miss Phillipps was not one of those who 
 decried her profession. The stage was as 
 familiar to her as her home, and she al- 
 ways maintained that men and women 
 were not misled by being connected with 
 it, any further than their characteristic 
 tendencies would have been shown in the 
 temptations and trials of life in whatever 
 sphere they moved. 
 
 "The actual work behind the scenes," 
 she would say, " leaves no time for those 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. I05 
 
 sort of things people imagine; we are too 
 busy, often too anxious, to attend to any- 
 thing but our parts. The heroes and hero- 
 ines of the opera are seldom the lovers 
 they enact, often quite the reverse." 
 
 The bare rafters, the coarsely-painted 
 scenes, the workmen in their shirt-sleeves, 
 the cold draughts sweeping through the 
 comfortless passageways, suggest only 
 work and risk of health to any one who, 
 stepping across the line, sees the reality 
 instead of the appearance. 
 
 Miss Phillipps was eminently of the Ital- 
 ian school of vocal music, the school of 
 nearly all the great singers of the past. 
 Since she first appeared on the lyric 
 stage changes have come over the musi- 
 cal world. The great German composers 
 are more widely known, and Italian opera 
 is waning. 
 
 Long since Miss Phillipps' career began 
 the opera bouffe has introduced its demor- 
 alizing influence on the stage and on soci- 
 
Io6 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 ety. French dramas have instilled their 
 poisonous atmosphere, all the more dan- 
 gerous because imbibed through the me- 
 dium of grace and talent. 
 
 As changes await every human inven- 
 tion, let us hope that this age of sensation- 
 alism may pass aw^ay, bringing a better 
 taste to the community. 
 
 Had Miss Phillipps first appeared in 
 America, her talents as an actress and 
 vocalist duly stamped by European 
 fame, she would doubtless have received 
 a greater ovation. The proverb, "A 
 prophet is not without honor save in 
 his own country," cannot justly be said 
 to have been verified in her experience; 
 yet it is doubtless true she was too 
 near the daily life of the country, espe- 
 cially that of the city of her adoption, 
 to become that mysterious idol, a foreign 
 prima donna. 
 
 If Adelaide Phillipps had thrown her- 
 self entirely into her profession, without 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS, I07 
 
 regard to any motive but selfish success, 
 she would doubtless have filled a v^^ider 
 space in the operatic w^orld, and taken her 
 place as one of the great artistes of her 
 time. But she never swerved from the 
 straight and narrow way in which she 
 walked as a woman. That she sacrificed 
 worldly prosperity to principle, and after a 
 long life of great and generous exertion 
 left but a modest fortune, is certainly true. 
 Although a conscientious artiste, and 
 entering with interest into the duties of 
 her profession, her heart was in her per- 
 sonal life, her home, and with those friends 
 whom she loved. 
 
 A sacred voice has said '' no man can 
 serve two masters; ye cannot serve God 
 and Mammon." Adelaide made her 
 choice, and it was not Mammon. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 A FARM in Marshfield was pur- 
 chased in i860 for Mr. Alfred Phillipps, 
 the eldest brother of the family; there 
 they removed, and it became their home. 
 It was a valuable farm, near the sea, and 
 adjacent to the estate of Daniel Webster. 
 This home was the centre of Miss Phil- 
 lipps' thoughts and interests. Here she 
 returned every summer, when not profes- 
 sionally engaged, to enjoy country life. 
 Perhaps the following letter, written to 
 my sister after a visit to Marshfield, will 
 best show the life led there: — 
 
 "June, '74. 
 
 " I met Adelaide at the station in Boston and 
 
 arrived safely at Marshfield, where four of the 
 
 family dogs received her with great emotion, — 
 
 two great Newfoundlanders, 'Caesar' and 'Lyon,' 
 
 a beautiful brown setter, and a funny little Es- 
 108 
 

ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. I09 
 
 quimaux terrier, 'Tasso,' the principal actors. 
 When we reached the house poor old Rip, the 
 aged bloodhound, who has figured in many of 
 Adelaide's dog-stories (since she brought him 
 in a basket, a young puppy, from Havana), could 
 only look pathetically in her face and feebly wag 
 his tail. The house, where we were received 
 by Arvilla, is very pleasant and homelike, and 
 seemed gay with young people coming and 
 going. Altogether it was like a family in a story- 
 book, with varied histories and prima donnas 
 among them, and somewhat like living in a 
 Landseer picture of dogs, with humans thrown 
 in ; humans, however, who possessed many tal- 
 ents and musical ability. We walked to the 
 beach the first day, about a mile from the house, 
 accompanied by four of the dogs. On our way 
 an imprudent woodchuck was killed by ' Lyon ' ; 
 it was an unlucky day for that woodchuck. The 
 farm is under cultivation, Mr. Alfred and his 
 brother Edwin having charge of it. Mr. Alfred 
 Phillipps also has a conservatory, where he raises 
 flowers for the city as well as home. Near the 
 house is a statue of a female figure looking 
 downwards. This was placed there when the 
 Thomas family, whose ancestors owned the 
 place, met in commemoration of the first settlers 
 of Marshfield. The figure holds an inverted 
 
no ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 vase in her left hand^ and in her right, which 
 also clasps her dress, a wreath. The design 
 idealises the return of their ancestress, Sarah 
 Pitney Thomas, to the spot where she came as 
 a bride December 2, 1648. Mrs. Thomas was 
 an heroic woman, who grew up in the wilder- 
 ness, bravely facing its dangers and maintaining 
 through life that unswerving faith which was 
 the characteristic of the Pilgrim mothers. With 
 a sincere, but perhaps fanciful, intention, the 
 wreath in the hand of the figure typifies a gift 
 and recognition from the spirit of the true 
 woman of two centuries ago to the true woman 
 now mistress of the old Thomas homestead. 
 The depression in the ground which marks the 
 cellar of the first home of Mrs. Thomas, and 
 above which she bends, is filled with flowers. I 
 was, indeed, on the sacred sod first trodden by 
 our New England fathers. The low-lying hills, 
 the ocean view, were the same to-day as when 
 they looked upon them, and must have recalled 
 their native land, amid the cares, the sufferings 
 and efforts of which we, with little thought of 
 them, now reap the harvest. 
 
 "The next afternoon we visited the house which 
 belonged to Daniel Webster. You will remem- 
 ber our visit there many years ago, with our 
 mother, when I was a child. That part of the 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. Ill 
 
 estate then belonged to the Thomas family, al- 
 though Mr. Webster had already made it his head- 
 quarters for fishing excursions. The great elm 
 still lives, and is a magnificent tree. The house 
 has been entirely altered, and the part added by 
 Mr. Webster changes its aspect. The propor- 
 tions of the library are ample and dignified : 
 here many rare books, pictures, and other gifts 
 presented to Mr. Webster are gathered. Mrs. 
 Fletcher Webster kindly showed me every ob- 
 ject of interest, and took me over the hoiise, 
 which she has done all in her power to preserve. 
 It is impressive, for it still seems to hold the 
 history of a very remarkable man ; but a sphere 
 of melancholy pervades the whole mansion. The 
 rain, which began to fall heavily, prevented us 
 from seeing the grounds or visiting the sea- 
 shore, where Mr. Thomas first met Mr. Webster 
 and mistook him for some strange fisherman. 
 ' Why, Mrs. Quincy,' he said to our mother, ' I 
 never had seen such a fisherman before ; he had 
 great boots and old clothes, but yet he had such 
 eyes. He came home with me, and that was 
 the beginning of his making this house a sort of. 
 home.' 
 
 " The next day, the rain ceasing, Adelaide 
 drove with me to Duxbury along the pathway of 
 our Pilgrim fathers. ' The bay where the May- 
 
112 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 flower lay' was in the distance, and we passed 
 the French Cable Telegraph Station, between 
 which two points of progress a vast history lies. 
 It was Sunday afternoon, and as we drove through 
 Duxbury all was quiet. Here many retired sea- 
 captains live in supernaturally neat houses, with 
 cheerful grounds full of flowers, giving one a 
 pleasant sense of rest after storms. We drove 
 to " Captain's hill," where a monument to Miles 
 Standish was commenced in 1872. At the lay- 
 ing of the corner-stone a large number of ladies 
 and gentlemen attended. In a manuscript note 
 to the pamphlet containing an account of the 
 proceedings, by Mr. Stephen M. Allen, corre- 
 sponding secretary of the Standish Monument 
 Association, he writes : ' As a matter of courtesy 
 General Horace Binney Sargent, president of 
 the association, handed the spade to the ladies 
 first, and in their behalf Miss Adelaide Phillipps 
 took it, and turned the first sod for the founda- 
 tion of the monument.' 
 
 "The evenings of my pleasant visit were 
 varied by music. Suddenly Adelaide exclaimed, 
 "You must hear Csesar sing." Accordingly 
 the black Newfoundlander, of whose vocal pow- 
 ers I had heard frequently, was led to the 
 piano, and sat looking up gravely in Adelaide's 
 face, who began to play an accompaniment. 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. II3 
 
 " Sing, Caesar, sing," she cried ; and, aided by 
 her voice, Caesar certainly uttered sounds of 
 more or less musical effect, somewhat mournful, 
 it must be confessed, yet greatly to the pleasure 
 of his affectionate friend, while Caesar took our 
 applause with great dignity. The close of my 
 visit was somewhat saddened by the death of 
 poor old Rip, which took place in the afternoon 
 on our return from Duxbury. Adelaide had 
 loved him well for fourteen years, and mourned 
 over him, though glad that his sufferings from 
 that incurable disease, old age, were over. 
 Adelaide superintended his burial in a quiet 
 spot, which she will tenderly guard. The event 
 was rather sad ; and, to show the uncertain- 
 ties of life on a farm, one of Arvilla's favorite 
 ducklings departed for duckling paradise, at 
 the same time poor old Rip died. 
 
 " My pleasant visit closing, I took leave of 
 Adelaide, and was escorted home by Mr. 
 Adrian Phillipps." 
 
 In recalling the pleasant excursions we 
 made together, a few days which Adelaide 
 and I spent with Mr. and Mrs. Eben Dale, 
 at their beautiful residence in Gloucester, 
 Massachusetts, comes back with great 
 
114 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 interest. Mr. and Mrs. Dale had been 
 for many years her true friends. Their 
 brother, Mr. Theron Dale, has been al- 
 ready named as one of the musical com- 
 pany who met at Mme. Arnoult's house, 
 when Adelaide was preparing for the lyric 
 stage. At the time of our Gloucester visit, 
 Mr. Theron Dale and his sister, Mrs. Swett, 
 occupied the old homestead in the town, 
 while his brother's mansion stood near 
 the sea, where the waves broke upon a 
 small beach below the cliff on which the 
 house stood. We were most hospitably 
 entertained at both houses, enjoyed de- 
 lightful drives, and the evenings were 
 filled with music. Mr. Theron Dale was 
 a very musical man, sang well, and im- 
 provised gracefully on the piano. He was 
 much and generously interested in church 
 music and all connected with the subject. 
 Few are left who enjoyed those da3'^s 
 together. The master of the house, his 
 brother Theron, Mr. Turnbull, the son-in- 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. II5 
 
 law, his lovely daughter, then a little 
 child, and now Adelaide, have passed be- 
 hind the veil which is so thin and yet so 
 strong. 
 
 Adelaide's generous interest in young 
 people was often manifested among her 
 neighbors. It was her custom to invite the 
 young ladies of Diixbury in the summer 
 to what she called " an orchard party." 
 A table was placed under the trees, 
 ornamented with flowers, and on it ar- 
 ranged the delicacies of a five-o'clock 
 tea; Adelaide, her sisters and the broth- 
 ers, waiting upon the company. When 
 the evening came all adjourned to the 
 house, and finished the visit with music 
 and dancing. A new hall having been 
 built for the Marshfield Agricultural and 
 Horticultural Society, the expense ex- 
 ceeded, as is often the case, the calcula- 
 tions for the enterprise; Miss Phillipps 
 offered to give a concert in aid of the 
 fund, and gathered about her a number 
 
Il6 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 of professional friends to aid in the con- 
 cert. Her sister Matilde having returned 
 home, was also enlisted. In order to make 
 it more attractive, a scene from " Cinder- 
 ella" was introduced, for which the 
 young ladies of the " orchard-party " 
 were trained as chorus, Matilde taking 
 the part of Cinderella. When the time 
 for the representation came the whole 
 neighborhood turned out, many of the 
 older Old Colony people never having 
 heard a concert or an opera. The suc- 
 cess was great, both artistically and 
 financially. So grateful were the recipients 
 of Miss Phillipps' generosity that the 
 members of the Agricultural Society 
 wished to give a concert in her honor. 
 This offer she decidedly declined for 
 herself, but finding that her refusal gave 
 much disappointment, she consented that 
 the tribute should be transferred to her 
 sister Matilde, who was commencing 
 her professional career. This was ac- 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. II7 
 
 cordingly done. About this time Mrs. 
 Livermore made a Temperance address 
 at the Agricultural Hall in Marshfield. 
 Miss Phillipps went to hear the gifted 
 speaker. The earnest, graphic address 
 moved her very much. At the close she 
 expressed her interest and sympathy. 
 " Let me ask you," she said, " to go home 
 with me — all my singers are at my house 
 to-day arranging concerts for the next 
 season. I ran away from work and them 
 to hear you." Mrs. Livermore accepted 
 the invitation, and enjoyed a concert of 
 rare sweetness and beauty. " It must be 
 our best," said Miss Phillips, "for the 
 woman to whom we sing is not only 
 ' one of a thousand, but is more than a 
 thousand.'" At the close she said, 
 "Now, Mrs. Livermore, when I can 
 serve you for this object with my voice, 
 command me. There must surely be 
 occasions on which I can do something to 
 aid in this ' woman's temperance work.' " 
 
Il8 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 Mrs. Livermore promised to call on 
 her when free from professional engage- 
 ments, but the time never came. 
 
 Among the friends of Miss Phillipps 
 residing in the Old Colony were the 
 Thaxter family, and Mr. John Quincy 
 Thaxter had become her man of business. 
 He was often a visitor at Marshfield, 
 as an intimate friend of the family. 
 On one occasion he was to spend a few 
 days with them. The last evening of 
 his visit closed with a gay tea-party, at 
 which all seemed especially happy. As 
 he rose from the table, he said, " do 
 you know we are thirteen? I wonder 
 which it will be." The answer soon 
 came. The next day Mr. Thaxter 
 went to Boston, and on his return a 
 severe accident happened to the railroad 
 car. He had stepped upon the platform 
 as it neared Hingham, to greet in pass- 
 ing two relatives, who always looked for 
 him at that hour. He was thrown from the 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. II9 
 
 car and instantly killed. This was a very 
 severe shock to all connected with him, 
 especially to Miss Phillipps, whose ready 
 sympathy for Mr. Thaxter's family, as 
 well as her own loss of a true friend, was 
 strongly felt. I remember the pathetic 
 tones in which she related to me what 
 had happened, and dwelt sorrowfully on 
 her visit to his parents, whose grief she 
 shared. " His mother asked me never to 
 forget how he enjoyed my singing, and 
 added, 'When you can will you sing 
 something he loved, in the evening about 
 the time he died ? ' " 
 
 The loss of Mr. Thaxter was serious in 
 several ways to Miss Phillipps, for, cut off 
 in a moment as he was, some of her in- 
 vestments were not entirely arranged; 
 as usual, however, she had not much 
 thought for herself. After this event 
 Miss Phillipps placed her business affairs 
 in the hands of Mr. Samuel S. Shaw, 
 who remained a true guardian of all 
 
I20 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 her interests to the close of her life, and 
 whose sincere attention to her welfare and 
 that of her family remains unbroken. 
 
 From the description given of Miss 
 Phillipps' home life, it will be clearly un- 
 derstood how happy it was. Her interest 
 in the farm and all the arrangements of 
 her brother Alfred may perhaps be better 
 told in a few letters written when away 
 from Marshfield on professional tours. 
 Mr. Alfred Phillipps was specially inter- 
 ested in horticulture, and received very 
 strong tributes from the horticultural 
 societies of the Old Colony for his taste 
 and skill in floral designs which orna- 
 mented their annual agricultural and hor- 
 ticultural fairs. From the following let- 
 ters it is evident how her thoughts ever 
 turned to Marshfield, — 
 
 " Dear Alfred, — What is this pretty flower 
 I send you ? It was in a basket given me last 
 night. You ought to have some like it. We 
 are very successful. Do not overwork yourself. 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 121 
 
 Be sure and have the asparagus-bed attended 
 to at once." 
 
 In another letter, dated from Chicago, 
 she writes, — 
 
 " I hope all is going well with you. We are 
 doing finely here. Please have plenty of melon 
 seeds planted. Have you had the grafts of the 
 black apple-trees attended to .' I hope so. Do 
 not forget about the road. If they make it 
 straight, and take away the curve round our 
 house, I shall never feel like seeing Marshfield 
 again. Let me hear about it. How are all the 
 .flowers .'' 
 
 " Your affectionate sister, 
 
 " Adelaide." 
 
 The following note testifies that Miss 
 Phillipps' interest in young ladies was not 
 confined to " orchard-parties " at Marsh- 
 field,— 
 
 "Hotel Pelham, Boston, May i8, 1881. 
 " Dear Alfred, — I intend giving a tea to 
 the young ladies of our chorus, about twelve or 
 fourteen. It is to come off after the matinee. 
 Can you let me have some flowers ? I should 
 like enough to make little bouquets, putting them 
 together in the centre of the table in a mass ; 
 
122 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 when the young ladies leave, it can be taken 
 apart, and each receive a bouquet ; so you under- 
 stand they must be small. I shall want the bag 
 of silver, and a table-cloth long enough for ten 
 or twelve people. Emily will attend to that. Are 
 you having any lobsters yet down with you .'' If 
 so, I should like some, quite fresh. I think you 
 and Edwin had better come up on Saturday, as 
 I do not like trusting the silver to a stranger. 
 Let me know if I can depend on you ; also about 
 the lobsters. We give the ' Chimes of Nor- 
 mandy ' at the matinee ; so I shall have tea at 
 half-past five o'clock, as the young ladies sing 
 again in the evening. I shall run down to 
 Marshfield on Monday afternoon, and the archi- 
 tect will come on Tuesday, so I hope the cellar 
 is in good order. Love to Edwin and yourself. 
 " From your 
 
 "Adelaide." 
 
 Those who remember Miss Phillipps' 
 charming representation that afternoon in 
 the " Chimes of Normandy," and the ex- 
 quisite duet between Mr. Karl and herself, 
 could hardly have believed the heroine of 
 that tender passage was " on hospitable 
 thoughts intent." 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 1 23 
 
 "Burnett House, Cincinnati, Dec. 30, i88i. 
 
 " Dear Alfred, — I wish you all a happy 
 New Year. Do you know you wrote me a very 
 good letter ? I enjoyed it much. Write me 
 again when you have time. I am so glad to 
 hear about the services at the river. Miss 
 Devereux has indeed done a good work. What 
 did you do at Christmas ? Did any one dine 
 with you ? Do you send flowers to Boston .' Be 
 sure and remind Mr. Pierce of his promise to go 
 down to Marshfield, and have the dining-room 
 chimney made all right. I shall run down to 
 Marshfield when I am singing in Boston, and 
 make arrangements about the chimney-piece. 
 We are doing a fine business here. We shall 
 be in Pittsburg next week, then in Baltimore, 
 then in Philadelphia two weeks. I wish you 
 would ask Edwin to make me two trellises, 
 rustic work. Miss Cowing is going to give me 
 a honeysuckle, and I want one for that to put 
 near the clematis ; it is such a mean thing the 
 clematis is on now. 
 
 " Love to all. 
 
 "Adelaide." 
 
 The services at the river, mentioned in 
 the preceding letter, were arranged for 
 the benefit of a small fishing village 
 
124 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS, 
 
 called Green Harbor, in Marshfield. Miss 
 Devereaux was principally instrumental in 
 making this effort for the religious benefit 
 of the place. Services were first held in 
 a cottage, but Miss Devereaux's zeal en- 
 listed others, and a small church has since 
 been erected, which is now well attended. 
 Even in Carlsbad, when fatal sickness 
 was upon her, Marshfield was ever near 
 her heart. In one of those revivals of 
 physical strength, which often precede 
 the close of life, Adelaide writes thus to 
 Alfred, — the last letter the brother was 
 ever to receive from her hand: — 
 
 " KoNiGS Villa, Carlsbad, 
 
 September 14, 1882. 
 
 "Dear Alp red, — I am getting on quite 
 well, and hope to return next summer. 
 
 " Now I want you to prepare me a nice piece of 
 land up near the house, which will be my vegeta- 
 ble garden — Adelaide's garden. It must be large 
 enough for a strawberry-bed. Please to plant 
 plenty of melons, early vegetable, etc., etc. It 
 must be near the barn, so that I can have the 
 water turned there if necessary. Now do this 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 1 25 
 
 for me, there's a good fellow. Prepare it this 
 fall, and some time I will fence it in. Have 
 you got those grapes planted yet, like Dr. 
 Henry's ? I hope you are not troubling your- 
 self about the fair ; it takes up too much of 
 your time when you are attending to your 
 greenhouse. Now be sure and get in your 
 plants early; do not leave it late. Save the 
 geraniums. The people here and all over Eu- 
 rope are suffering from wet weather ; rain, rain, 
 rain. I hope you will write me a nice Marsh- 
 field letter, telling me all the news. Give my 
 love to Emily. Love to all. 
 
 " Yours affectionately, 
 
 "Adelaide." 
 
 The "Emily" so frequently mentioned 
 is a faithful domestic, who sometimes ac- 
 companied Adelaide on her professional 
 tours, but generally superintended the 
 household at Marshfield. An invaluable 
 friend is such a member of any family; 
 true to their interests and devoted to their 
 comfort in sickness or in health, and who 
 in this instance has for twenty years shared 
 their joys and their sorrows. Such a 
 
126 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 helper and friend the family possessed in 
 "Emily," who remains to cheer those 
 who, like herself, have met with an 
 irreparable loss in their beloved Ade- 
 laide. 
 
 In Miss Phillipps' domestic life, as well 
 as among her friends, the charm of her 
 magnetic presence came with light and 
 warmth. I can even now seem to hear 
 that light, firm step as she approaches 
 the door of the favorite room where this 
 tribute is written, raising gayly a peculiar 
 note known to us both as heralding her 
 approach, and her cordial response to the 
 greeting, " Come rest your weary little 
 feet at a friend's threshold." 
 
 The home at Marshfield was the centre 
 of Adelaide Phillipps' interests and affec- 
 tions; to it she dedicated a large pro- 
 portion of the results of her untiring efforts 
 in her profession. Her devotion to her 
 family has often been mentioned as "a 
 burden "upon her; this idea she always 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 1 27 
 
 resented. "What should I do it for if 
 not for them? " she said, with feeling. 
 
 The record of Adelaide's life shows 
 how the filial and fraternal affections and 
 duties were its leading motive. It is not 
 to be supposed that with all her qualities 
 and attractions she was not sought by 
 those who would gladly have gained the 
 prize of such a heart, and limited its affec- 
 tions to what is called the nearest relation. 
 But she resolutely turned from such sug- 
 gestions. " While I am on the stage," 
 she said, " I shall never marry. It was a 
 determination I made early in my life, and 
 I have seen no reason to regret it." 
 
 To make her home all that she wished 
 it to be for those she loved, as well as for 
 the reception of her many friends, her 
 expenditures may be said to have been 
 lavish. She was never happier than when 
 keeping open house in the summer; and 
 those who availed themselves of her cor- 
 dial invitations — and they were many — 
 
128 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 cannot but retain a grateful recollection 
 of her hospitalities as a hostess. 
 
 Among the enjoyments of Adelaide's life 
 few were greater than her visits to the fam- 
 ily of Judge Monell, at their charming res- 
 idence at Fishkill-on-the-Hudson. Mrs. 
 Monell in a letter recently received says : — 
 
 "Mr. Monell and our daughter made Miss 
 Phillipps' acquaintance during a journey to Cali- 
 fornia, and on visiting us after her return she 
 became at once a cherished guest and friend 
 whose coming was hailed ever after as an occa- 
 sion of rejoicing. She went with us one summer 
 to Lake Placid, in the Adirondacks, where she 
 seemed to assimilate with the sylvan spirit of 
 the forests and lakes of that region, saying that 
 she never found any atmosphere where her voice 
 flowed with such ease and pleasure to herself as 
 among those wild scenes of the primeval forest. 
 She did not wish to sing in any public way at 
 the- hotel, but one day she was discovered in the 
 kitchen in the midst of the landlord's family and 
 the guides, who were all in tears at her touching 
 musical recital of 'Auld Robin Gray' for their 
 especial benefit and enjoyment. 
 
 " We had the pleasure of passing a few days 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 1 29 
 
 at her home at Marshfield, and shall always 
 remember the spirit and kindness of manner by 
 which she enhanced our enjoyments there, our 
 ride to the beach in the country wagon, and our 
 picnic in a rustic house she had built on the 
 shore, where she had a curious collection of 
 china, of a marine and sailor-like description, 
 kept for that especial purpose." 
 
 In Mrs. Monell's letter she also alludes 
 to what Adelaide called her "sentimental 
 tea-set," many of her friends having con- 
 tributed a cup and saucer to itj and I 
 recall the almost childlike delight with 
 which she received our donations to this 
 peculiarly constituted " sentimental" col- 
 lection. 
 
 There was as great a versatility of 
 power in her private life as in her pro- 
 fessional work. She threw herself into 
 the experiences of her friends without any 
 effort; we never felt she was trying to 
 love or sympathize with us. In a visit 
 from her, many years ago, after our return 
 from Europe, where a great bereavement 
 
130 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 had befallen us, Adelaide's presence was a 
 soothing one. At the time she was one 
 of an opera company giving perform- 
 ances every evening. The newspapers, 
 and the reports of our friends, were full 
 of her praises, especially in her gayest 
 roles. From these she would come home, 
 pleased to bring me the flowers that the 
 audience had showered upon her, and 
 change quietly from the playful character 
 with which at that moment people were 
 associating her, to the tender friend. 
 
 An extract from a letter written by 
 Miss Mary G. Monell touches upon the 
 same quality in Adelaide's character: — 
 
 " All her friends must have felt her deep and 
 intense sympathy in the sorrows of others, and 
 the quick and beautiful way in which she ex- 
 pressed it. I remember once, in the earlier days 
 of our friendship, the sudden death of a dear 
 friend darkened my life. Adelaide was in Bos- 
 ton, and seeing a notice of the death in the 
 papers, started at once and came to us. With- 
 out warning she walked quietly into my room. 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 131 
 
 saying simply, 'My dear, I have come to help, 
 if I can. Shall I stay ? ' Need I say she did 
 stay, and then took me with her to Marsh- 
 field, where her keen sympathy and constant 
 care did more than all else to keep morbidness 
 away." 
 
 No morbid tendency belonged to her 
 healthy nature. Times of depression 
 indeed, came, owing to the circumstances 
 in which she was placed at the moment, 
 but she threw off despondency quickly. 
 Notwithstanding the buoyancy of her 
 spirits, and the energy she possessed, she 
 had in her constitution a reluctance to ac- 
 tion. After a few days of entire rest, she 
 would say, as she gathered herself up to 
 plunge into busy life again, " How lazy I 
 should be if I had not been obliged to 
 work ! " 
 
 Mrs. Gordon L. Ford, at whose home 
 in Brooklyn, N. Y., Adelaide was a wel- 
 come guest, recognizes this element in 
 her nature : — 
 
132 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 " I think her life alternated beween pe- 
 riods of rest and effort, and she gathered 
 strength for her severe labors by intervals 
 of entire passivity. I have even heard 
 her called indolent, but her energy far 
 overbalanced any inborn tendency to 
 lethargy, and was unceasing and untiring 
 when anything remained to be done. She 
 had strong social feeling and social talent, 
 and made the joys and sorrows of her 
 friends her ownj yet nothing could keep 
 her from her engagements, and her work- 
 ing career was characterized by patience, 
 enthusiasm and conscience, which, added 
 to her natural gifts, carried her to the top 
 of her profession. It sometimes seemed 
 to me that, as she combined many oppo- 
 site traits of character, she must have had 
 ancestors of various races, and different 
 strains of blood must have met in her; 
 for she had the firmness of purpose, per- 
 sistenc}' of will, and strong sense of duty 
 and affection that pervade the northern 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 1 33 
 
 nations, and at the same time possessed 
 the quick emotions and the versatile genius 
 of the Latin races. The public knew and 
 appreciated the artist; her friends loved 
 and trusted the woman, who was essen- 
 tially what the Italians call sifnpatica. 
 Her voice showed this sympathetic qual- 
 ity, and in its natural timbre melted the 
 soul; for while she excelled in florid exe- 
 cution, there was a deep undertone in it 
 of strength, of humanity, which was the 
 keynote of her character." 
 
 The allusion Mrs. Ford makes to Ade- 
 laide's social talents and tastes is verified 
 by the experiences of all her friends. 
 Had her lot been so cast, she would have 
 been a brilliant " woman of society." As 
 a raconteur she had a wonderful gift and 
 much power of mimicry. To these qual- 
 ities was added the ease with which she 
 spoke several foreign languages. She 
 never used her conversational powers to 
 the disadvantage of others, passing deftly 
 
134 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 over the characters of those whose con- 
 duct towards herself, personally or pro- 
 fessionally, merited severe censure. 
 Sincere in her friendships, forgiving to 
 her detractors, generous almost to a fault 
 towards any whom she could aid, her un- 
 conscious rectitude bore her on through 
 life, without its ever occurring to her that 
 such a course was at all remarkable. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 While engaged in professional work 
 with the Ideal Opera Company, during the 
 winter of 1880, Miss Phillipps had a 
 severe attack of illness in New York, at 
 the house of Mrs. Reed. This kind 
 friend's tender care doubtless prolonged 
 her life. In consequence of her illness 
 her brother, Dr. Frederic Phillipps, was 
 summoned from San Francisco to attend 
 her, but on arrival was so ill himself as to 
 be unable to remain near her. His sister, 
 urged doubtless by this fact, seemed to 
 rally all the forces of her nature to meet 
 the emergency. She soon left New York 
 and came home to make arrangements for 
 the comfort of her brother. Marshfield 
 was too distant for her visits to him; she 
 therefore took a furnished house, then 
 
 13s 
 
136 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 vacant, belonging to her friends, Mr. and 
 Mrs. J. Henry Sears, and removed her 
 brother and some members' of the Marsh- 
 field household to the pleasant mansion in 
 Dorchester, associated in her mind with 
 many recollections. Miss Phillipps made 
 the acquaintance of Mr. Sears on one of 
 her voyages, and from that time both Mr. 
 and Mrs. Sears had been true and appre- 
 ciative friends, w^hose home she often 
 had shared in her many transits from 
 one place to another. Dr. Phillipps 
 had held for several years the appoint- 
 ment of surgeon at the hospital at 
 Aspinw^all, Panama; afterwards took the 
 position of surgeon on board one of the 
 great steamships plying between San 
 Francisco, Japan and China. The fre- 
 quent attacks of Panama fever, contracted 
 at Aspinwall, undermined his constitution, 
 and he came home fatally ill. His sister 
 supplied every comfort. Matilde, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Adrian Phillipps, together with the 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. I37 
 
 members of the family from Marshfield, 
 were devoted nurses, Adelaide returning 
 whenever it was possible to watch over him. 
 At last the end came. His sister was on 
 the stage when the telegram arrived, and 
 was informed of the event as soon as the 
 performance was over. The last service 
 was held in the house at Dorchester, where 
 many friends assembled. Adelaide showed 
 me a beautiful wreath of white flowers 
 sent by the "young ladies of the chorus." 
 "You see, it is a broken one," said she. 
 It was typical of the first break among the 
 brothers and sisters, so long tenderly 
 united. When all was over I said to 
 her, "When do you return to your work?" 
 "To-morrow," was her reply. "To-mor- 
 row?" I said, looking at her sad counten- 
 ance and deep mourning dress. "Yes, I 
 must, and there is a great deal of help in 
 that word, 'must.'" 
 
 She resumed her place in the company 
 under Miss Ober's direction, and continued 
 
138 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 her work for several months. It must 
 have been near this period that her last 
 visit to Fishkill-on-the-Hudson was made, 
 so tenderly described by her friend, Miss 
 Monell: 
 
 "The last time Adelaide was with us 
 her illness and the death of her brother, 
 though happening some months before, 
 made her very sad. Added to this were 
 other anxieties, which made work a neces- 
 sity, so that our long talks were tinged 
 with sadness that seemed almost prophetic. 
 She was reluctant to leave us, and as she 
 stood in the hall waiting for the carriage, 
 her tears fell fast on the head of a great 
 dog she was very fond of, and who was 
 her constant companion when she was 
 here. She stood talking to him in her 
 peculiar way, while he eyed her wistfully, 
 and then she suddenly said, ' Oh, old fel- 
 low, you understand it all, don't you; but 
 you can't say it? Shall I sing it for you ? ' 
 Taking him by the ear, she went to the 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 1 39 
 
 piano, seated herself, with the dog stand- 
 ing by her, and sang that beautiful Spanish 
 'Lament' that all who knew her often 
 heard her sing. Her voice welled forth 
 and filled the house with its glorious rich- 
 ness, expressing all the indefinite sadness 
 we had felt so keenly, and something 
 stronger and deeper, that now seems a 
 foreshadowing of the long parting, for the 
 ' Lament ' was the last song she ever sang 
 for me; and when it was finished she 
 drove away through the sunlight, and 
 never came back again. The picture of 
 her as she sat at the piano, the deep feel- 
 ing and sorrow shining in her eyes, and 
 the great dog watching her with earnest, 
 questioning looks, is so deeply fixed in my 
 memory, it rises before me whenever I 
 enter the room." 
 
 A letter from my niece, Mrs. B. A. 
 Gould, contains a few words which, 
 although referring to an early period in 
 Adelaide's life, seem to follow fittingly 
 
140 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 the tender memories of a later date con- 
 tained in Miss Monell's letter: — 
 
 Cordoba, S. A., November 29, 1882. 
 I cannot tell you how much I have felt in 
 seeing a day or two ago the announcement of 
 the death of Adelaide Phillipps. It seems like 
 a part of my own life and youth gone into ever- 
 lasting silence. She is one of my earliest recol- 
 lections, when at eight or nine years of age I went 
 to see her at the old Museum. Then came the 
 days when she began to sing in " Aladdin " and 
 " Cinderella." Afterward we were taking les- 
 sons of Mme. Arnoult together. Oh, how the 
 old days rise up before me now ! The first time 
 she was to sing at a concert in Boston I remem- 
 ber the intense interest of Madame Arnoult in 
 her dress, down to the rosettes on her slippers. 
 There was a bunch of geraniums which had been 
 made for me, and I think it was for that even- 
 ing Mme. Arnoult asked for them to give the 
 one touch needed to her white dress. She sang 
 Fac ut partem admirably. In her long career 
 since we have met at intervals, and always, I 
 think, with a sense of sympathy. I was deeply 
 pained to see that she is gone. How was it 
 that she should lose her health in the very vigor 
 of life .' Though I saw her so seldom the world 
 seems poorer to me without her." 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. I41 
 
 The interest of Madame Arnoult in Ade- 
 laide only ceased with her own life. That 
 expression, so common, is a very inade- 
 quate one, for we should look upon life 
 and love as only entering into higher and 
 purer realities and growing immortally 
 truer and stronger. The lovely Claire 
 Arnoult passed out of this world early in 
 life, and her mother did not survive her 
 many years. Her last bequest to Ade- 
 laide was characteristic of that same 
 thoughtfulness for her appearance as in 
 the days of the " geraniums " — it was a 
 very beautiful lace veil. 
 
 In the winter of 1881 Adelaide was 
 again attacked by illness. It was plain to 
 see that " the sword was wearing out the 
 sheath." Yet, after several weeks of suffer- 
 ing, she rallied and returned to her work. 
 I was with her the day on which she 
 left Boston to join the company at Chicago. 
 The power of will carried her far beyond 
 her strength, and a sad foreboding was in 
 
142 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 the air as we parted. The foreboding was 
 soon confirmed. She made a brave strug- 
 gle to fulfil her engagements, but it was 
 not to be, and the winter of 1882 she spent 
 at the Tremont House in Boston, where 
 she received every attention. Miss Cow- 
 ing was her constant companion, and her 
 family and friends were near. Adelaide 
 frequently drove to see me, as, in conse- 
 quence of a fall on the ice, I was unable 
 to leave the house. She could stay, per- 
 haps, only a few minutes, but would say as 
 she did of the musical studies, " I must 
 take you in at my eyes." Later in the 
 season we were more together, and I took 
 tea one evening with her at her rooms. 
 She, indeed, was "given to hospitality." 
 Although she put a cheerful courage on, 
 yet the trial she had to bear was a hard 
 one. The arrangement with Miss Ober 
 was satisfactory, and every week she 
 was losing pecuniary reward. She had 
 undertaken to build a large addition to 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 1 43 
 
 the house, and make expensive improve- 
 ments at Marshfield, which added to her 
 anxieties. The results of these changes, 
 which included great conveniences for the 
 family, and more ample accommodations 
 for her friends, were anticipated by her 
 with an interest that never flagged. 
 
 Before she left town for New York, and 
 from thence to return to Marshfield, Ade- 
 laide and Matilde spent one evening with 
 us. Although much changed outwardly 
 by illness, Adelaide retained all her own 
 depth of affection and magnetic fascination. 
 Her descriptions of people and places 
 were as vivid as ever, and her conversation 
 never more brilliant. The evening had 
 none of the sadness of a coming separa- 
 tion: it was full of life and light. She 
 spoke of the pleasure she anticipated of 
 visiting us at our summer home among 
 the mountains, and once more her beauti- 
 ful voice thrilled through our library, 
 which had so often been filled by its 
 
144 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 melody. It lifted us beyond the clouds 
 that had seemed to obscure the present, 
 and gave us a glimpse of that future of 
 love and peace into which she w^as so 
 soon to enter. 
 
 On her return to Marshfield she found 
 the additions to the house, and all the 
 improvements she had planned, carried 
 out. She spoke of many happy years to 
 come, and visits from her friends — dreams 
 which were pleasant, though not to be 
 realized. Notwithstanding her extreme 
 weakness and suffering, her indomitable 
 spirit was not overcome; yet the fact that 
 she might not recover was really seldom 
 absent from her mind. Such fluctuations 
 are not unfrequent. The human heart 
 would sink indeed if it had not some 
 moments in which earthly hope mingled 
 with heavenly trust. One little anecdote 
 of these last days at Marshfield gives us 
 herself "fading in music." Arvilla being 
 occupied in another room, Adelaide was 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 1 45 
 
 left alone for some time. When her sis- 
 ter hurried back and expressed her regret 
 at being so long absent, the reply was, 
 "Oh, do not be troubled; I have had such 
 a nice sing all to myself, not loud enough 
 to be heard, but a nice sing. I went over 
 'Oh, rest in the Lord,' and something else, 
 and I had such a quiet, pleasant time." 
 
 A letter written in August is full 
 of hope and of trust. As we read the 
 words there is such teiiderness and pathos 
 running through them that we are re- 
 minded of "Bunyan's delightful dream," 
 and of the "sure token" the messenger 
 gave Christiana — " an arrow with a point 
 sharpened by love, let easily into her 
 heart, which by degrees wrought so effect- 
 ually with her that at the appointed time 
 she must be gone." 
 
 Marshfield, July 14, 1882. 
 
 Dear Mrs. Waterston, — I trust the air of 
 Whitefield has done Mr. Waterston good, and 
 that he has steadily improved. 
 
146 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 I am getting on slowly but surely ; but, oh 
 dear, I have been very ill. I do not think they 
 have told you how ill. They had to send for 
 Dr. Wesselhoeft. He came on Friday, and re- 
 turned and came again, staying over Sunday. I 
 thought the end had come. I wished to live ; 
 but I was able to say, " Thy will, not mine, be 
 done." 
 
 I have much to be thankful for, and I am 
 thankful. I think, what shall I render unto the 
 Lord for all his benefits to me ? 
 
 I wish you could have seen the devotion of 
 every one here, — such care, such nursing, and 
 everything so pleasant around me. I am in my 
 new room, and it has a charming view. Dear 
 Alfred laid out flower-beds so that I could en- 
 joy them at a distance. My bed was rolled each 
 day close to the window so that I could see 
 everything. Then the apple-trees were in bloom, 
 one large tree looking right into my room. I 
 cannot tell you how I enjoyed everything, though 
 burning up with fever, and then so weak after- 
 wards that I could do nothing for myself. I 
 would exclaim continually. How lovely every- 
 thing is ! how grateful I am ! I had felt sorry 
 sometimes this winter that I had gone to the ex- 
 pense of making changes in the house, as I was 
 under such heavy expenses, and had lost the 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. I47 
 
 whole winter. But I am glad now when I see 
 how comfortable everything is ; we have a real 
 home. Some four weeks ago I felt rather dis- 
 couraged that I did not get along as quickly as I 
 hoped. Dr. Wesselhoeft wrote to Matilde very 
 encouragingly, but said " everything disagreeable 
 must be kept from her ; she must make every 
 effort to cast off care ; in fact, she must be very, 
 very good." Well, I try to follow his directions, 
 but it is hard not to feel anxious. The losses 
 three years ago and this winter have been very 
 serious, just as I thought everything was getting 
 easy for me, so that sometimes I am a little low- 
 spirited, but it does not last long, for I think 
 how ungrateful I am, and then I pray, and great 
 peace and comfort comes to me. 
 
 I have been obliged to come to a decision, 
 and that is, it would be folly to think of singing 
 next winter. I have sent word to Miss Ober, 
 and I hope she may engage Matilde in my place, 
 but I cannot help feeling anxious. When I am 
 troubled it makes me ill, for I am not able to bear 
 even any little troubles. You see what I mean, 
 that I must get away at whatever cost. I must 
 have some one with me. Arvilla has offered to 
 go, but it is hard to separate her from Adrian. 
 I am sure leading a quiet life I shall be ready 
 for work next year. I shall try to sail in a 
 
148 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 French steamer, on the 9th of August, from 
 New York, go to Paris, where I shall rest a few 
 days, then to Gastien in Austria. I hope to pass 
 the winter in Nice or Mentone. Thafis what I 
 wish to do. I know I could not stand the win- 
 ter here doing nothing. 
 
 And now I have wearied you enough, but I 
 wanted to tell you all. 
 
 With much love, your 
 
 Adelaide Phillipps. 
 
 Under date of August 4th, 1882, I re- 
 ceived her last letter: — 
 
 Marshfield, August 4, 1882. 
 Dear Mrs. Waterston, — I hope to sail on 
 Wednesday, on the Amerique, French line. 
 My passage is secured. Arvilla goes with me. 
 I want to remain away a year, but it will depend 
 upon what my expenses are ; at all events I can 
 stay six months. I feel it is the only thing to 
 do. I cannot bear anything, and am very easily 
 put back. So although I am not strong the 
 doctor agrees with me it is best to leave at 
 once. Then I shall have a pleasanter passage 
 than later. I propose leaving here on Tuesday, 
 taking the night train to New York, resting a few 
 hours, and sail at two o'clock p. m. I will let 
 you hear from me on my arrival. I am going to 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 1 49 
 
 Carlsbad first, as the waters are the thing for 
 me to take. I trust Mr. Waterston is better. 
 With love to both, I am, 
 
 Yours ever, 
 
 Adelaide Phillipps. 
 
 The voyage seemed to recruit her 
 strength. She always enjoyed the sea, 
 and had made several voyages across the 
 Atlantic merely for rest and recuperation 
 after a fatiguing season. 
 
 Dr. Eckart of Marshfield crossed the 
 ocean and remained with them until they 
 left Paris. 
 
 After a few days rest Adelaide and Mrs. 
 Adrian Phillipps reached Carlsbad, and 
 took apartments at Konigs Villa, a -pension 
 for invalids. The situation of the house 
 pleased Adelaide, who was interested in 
 the views from her room. One day, 
 standing at the window looking at the 
 mountain opposite, up whose side wound 
 a pathway, she said to Arvilla, " I always 
 think of Linda di Chamouni here, and 
 
150 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 seem to see Pierotto climbing up that 
 path with his hurdy-gurdy on his back after 
 leaving Linda." Adelaide took the waters, 
 and was very much cheered by the hope 
 of recovery, but the anxious sister watch- 
 ing her saw there was very little real 
 improvement, yet no change so serious as 
 to authorize a telegram to be sent to 
 America. A few weeks thus passed, 
 until suddenly, on October 3, 1882, the 
 change came, and Adelaide Phillipps was 
 gone. The stab of the telegram struck 
 many hearts, and some were pierced as 
 with a sword. To many it was the loss 
 of a great singer, to others the parting 
 from a dear friend, with whom much of 
 their life went quite away. The press 
 teemed with notices of her gifts, and paid 
 every tribute to her noble character. 
 
 Meanwhile, alone in a far land, Mrs. 
 Adrian Phillipps, who, as the young Ar- 
 villa, cheered Adelaide in Italy and was 
 with her in her first professional triumphs, 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 151 
 
 now closed her eyes upon this world. 
 Like a guardian angel she smoothed the 
 bed of death until the greater angel re- 
 ceived the spirit. Those who know what 
 it is to meet bereavement in a foreign 
 land can sympathize in the trial Mrs. 
 Phillipps had to encounter. She was 
 placed in a very painful position, having 
 to make all the sad final arrangements for 
 removing the remains to America. 
 
 Friends, however, are always raised up 
 in our dire need, God never leaving us 
 without a witness of His care. Two 
 gentlemen at that time residing at Carls- 
 bad, Mr. Riley and Mr. Robert Johnson, 
 recognized the difficulties Mrs. Phillipps 
 had to encounter, came forward and as- 
 sisted her through painful duties, and 
 took the place of brothers. Such an 
 opportunity of extending kindness does 
 not often occur in life. Where it is so 
 faithfully fulfilled the act carries its own 
 reward, but the gratitude awakened is 
 
152 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 cordially acknowledged. Mr. Johnson 
 attended Mrs. Phillipps on the sad 
 journey to Bremen, from whence, after 
 some delay of the ship, she finally sailed 
 for America. And now Adelaide was 
 again on the ocean: — 
 
 " Calm on the seas, and silver sleep 
 
 The waves that sway themselves to rest, 
 And dead calm in that noble breast, 
 Which heaves but with the heaving deep." 
 
 At last the ship came to port and the 
 voyage was over. 
 
 The funeral services were held in King's 
 Chapel, where the Rev. Mr. Foote pre- 
 ceded the bier covered with flowers, 
 uttering the uplifting words of the burial 
 service. Solemn and appropriate music 
 was heard, heartfelt prayers offered, 
 the immortal words of the fifteenth chap- 
 ter of I Corinthians read, and then Mr. 
 Foote, returning to the desk, made a most 
 tender and impressive address. Music 
 again filled the chapel, and with the bene- 
 diction the crowd dispersed. 
 
ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 153 
 
 After the services were over, the casket, 
 which contained all that had been mortal 
 of Adelaide Phillipps, was carried to 
 Marshfield, and once more she rested in 
 the home she so much loved, surrounded 
 by her brothers and sisters. Once more 
 they met together. 
 
 The next day the weary form was laid 
 in the quiet " God's acre," at Marshfield, 
 but the soul that animated it had risen 
 upward and onward, where a new song 
 was put into her lips. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 It was the wish of the Phillipps family that the 
 services at their sister's funeral should be conducted 
 by the Rev. Mr. Waterston ; as it was impossible for 
 him to comply with their kind request, his friend, the 
 Rev. H. W. Foote, pastor of King's Chapel, fulfilled 
 the duty in the most tender and sympathetic manner. 
 The following letter expresses the feeling awakened 
 in his mind on the occasion : — 
 
 Boston, February i8, 1883. 
 
 My Dear Mrs. Waterston, — I am led by your 
 preparation of the Memoir of Miss Phillipps to wish 
 afresh that it had been in your power to be present 
 at the funeral services, which were held in King's 
 Chapel, so that you might have felt the atmosphere 
 of sympathy and sorrow which pervaded the great 
 throng to a very unusual degree. I have rarely seen 
 an assembly so moved by a common feeling, or so 
 evidently touched with a sense of personal loss. 
 Every variety of social condition was represented 
 there, and friends ranging from the closest kindred 
 to those who only knew Miss Phillipps as one who 
 has stirred their souls by her beautiful and noble gift. 
 
 157 
 
158 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 AH seemed to be there simply because they could 
 not stay away from the last opportunity to show that 
 they loved her. It was such a tribute of affection 
 as it is given to few either to deserve or to win. 
 Faithfully yours, 
 
 Henry W. Foote. 
 
 FUNERAL SERVICE. 
 
 At midday on October 25, 1882, the last rites 
 were observed at King's Chapel, which was thronged. 
 Beautiful flowers, gifts from personal and profes- 
 sional friends, profusely bestowed, were arranged 
 with great taste in the chancel. The pure white and 
 green so largely predominated that the decoration 
 seemed modest and retiring. Preceding the bier 
 strewed with blossoms, the Rev. Mr. Foote commenced 
 the solemn service. On entering the desk he read 
 the thirty-ninth and ninetieth psalms, with the alter- 
 nate verses given as responses by the choir. After 
 reading the regular church service, Mr. Foote spoke 
 as follows : — 
 
 " In this solemn presence we listen for a voice that 
 on earth is forever still, and out of the silence do we 
 not seem, my friends, to hear that voice bidding us 
 ' rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.' It is 
 well that here in this city, so associated with her 
 early and later life, — on this spot so close to that 
 where her pure genius first rose shining as a star, — 
 this great company of friends who knew and loved 
 
APPENDIX. 159 
 
 her should gather for this tender memorial rite ; and 
 with them are many others of that wider company 
 who knew and loved her in as true, though not in as 
 close a way, to whom she had spoken through her 
 divine gift, to comfort, to uplift, to console, — many 
 of whom probably associate some of the purest, 
 most uplifted moments of their lives with the tones 
 that revealed to them the divine meaning that may 
 be hidden in human hearts. It is well, I say, that 
 we should pause, and look to God, and be grateful for 
 what this life hath given. We do not here recount 
 the triumphs of an art, whose triumphs at such an 
 hour as this must turn to bitter ashes unless there is 
 character behind them ; but we may well rejoice that 
 art was interpreted to us by one who was pure, faith- 
 ful, true, noble, and womanly. Her love for her art 
 was of the highest sort, so that she became an inter- 
 preter, for those who listened, of the divine secret in 
 the centre of every human life, the purpose God has 
 for every human soul. 
 
 " Here was one who took God's gift as His own, 
 reverently, and used it in that spirit, appreciating 
 the great privilege of having this gift, through which 
 to speak to other human hearts and help them on 
 their way. Here is one who, though gone from us, 
 leaves the world the eternal lesson of an upright and 
 consecrated life. This is the simple truth, and be- 
 cause it is so, I repeat the written words of one who 
 knew her well, and who ought rather as her friend of 
 many years to express in my stead, in the presence 
 
l6o ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 to-day, the emotion of this great company. 'The 
 thought of her noble character rises before me. I 
 think of her devotion, her self-sacrifice, always faith- 
 ful and true. Her voice was a worthy expression of all 
 that was good, giving utterance to the sacred words 
 of truth and holy cheer. Do we not hear it even now 
 as she receives a crown from the Lord's hands in the 
 midst of heaven.' 
 
 " As here we lay upon the bier the wreath of re- 
 spect — of honor for one who has kept unstained the 
 pure type of American womanhood, — the wreath of 
 love and personal tenderness springing strongly and 
 deeply from many hearts, we hearken for the key- 
 note of her life ; and let her own words, written a few 
 months ago in the confidence of friendship, speaking 
 in the sacred privacy of this hushed and sorrowing 
 assembly, reveal to us what that keynote was. ' I 
 thought,' she says, ' the end was near. I wished to live, 
 but was able to say " Thy will, not mine, be done." I 
 am sometimes low-spirited, but it does not last long ; 
 I think how ungrateful I am, and then I pray, and great 
 peace and comfort come to me.' Great peace and 
 comfort ! Oh, sorrowing friends, think not that in 
 vain we wait here for that comfort and peace. This 
 life ended, as it would seem, prematurely, and, as a 
 broken harmony here below, is continued in the 
 higher mansion, where the Great Composer can call 
 forth at His will what note he pleases from the soul 
 of His child. Though the divine harmony may die 
 on earth it is only that the heavenly song may go on 
 forever and forever." 
 
APPENDIX. l6l 
 
 At the conclusion of his remarks prayer was again 
 oflEered by Mr. Foote, and then Mrs. E. C. Fenderson 
 sang Mendelssohn's " Oh, rest in the Lord." 
 
 Afterwards the quartette, "Their sun shall no 
 more go down " was sung by Mrs. West, Mrs. Butler, 
 Mrs. Barry, and Mrs. Sawyer. 
 
 LAST TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT ARTIST BY HER 
 MARSHFIELD FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. 
 
 [From the Marshfield Mail] 
 
 MARSHFIELD, October 28, 1882. 
 
 The remains of Adelaide Phillips arrived here last 
 Wednesday afternoon, after the services at King's 
 Chapel, Boston. The casket was tenderly conveyed 
 to her late residence, amid the tears of regret of her 
 Marshfield admirers and friends, to await the mor- 
 row, when they pay the last tribute of love and re- 
 spect to the great artist and kind friend of the Marsh- 
 field people. 
 
 Not since thirty years ago this same month have 
 the sympathies of the residents of the old historic 
 town of Marshfield been so awakened by the death 
 of one of its citizens. An hour previous to the 
 appointed time of service the friends assembled, 
 filling all available space in the house, to mingle 
 their tears with the tears of her immediate relatives. 
 
l62 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 After impressive services, conducted by the Rev. 
 E. Allen, of Marshfield, the remains were carried to 
 the old Winslow burying-ground, and interred in a 
 beautiful lot near the Webster monument. Thus has 
 Marshfield paid its last tribute of respect, friendship, 
 and love to one who will be missed from the circle of 
 public and private life. And deep are the sympathies 
 felt for the members of a household, who mourn the 
 loss of a kind friend and a much-beloved sister. 
 
 [From the Old Colony Memorial^ 
 IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 Oh, pleasant homestead in the dell. 
 My heart goes out to thee, 
 
 And seeks to lay upon thy hearth 
 A stranger's sympathy. 
 
 I mourn the links now rent in twain. 
 By death's relentless hand ; 
 
 Which makes a circle widely known, 
 A broken-hearted band. 
 
 Bend, larches, bend your lordly head 
 And drop your leaflets sere, 
 
 In sad and noiseless showers upon 
 The solemn, lowly bier. 
 
APPENDIX. 163 
 
 Of one to ■whom the whole wide world 
 
 Its choicest tribute pays 
 With tears and sighs and heartfelt grief, 
 
 And well-remembered lays. 
 
 Ye maples, sheltering the panes 
 
 Of that now hallowed room. 
 Where our sweet singer lies at rest, 
 
 Amidst earth's fragrant bloom. 
 
 Reach out your arms and keep within. 
 
 Stray echoes of some song. 
 Which will repeat themselves to us, 
 
 When life's strange days seem long. 
 
 Lift her, ye bearers, tenderly. 
 
 And move with reverend tread 
 Through the worn gates that shut within 
 
 The city of the dead. 
 
 'Tis but an humble burial, 
 
 Yet angels bend to see 
 The tear-wet eyes, the pale, bared brows. 
 
 And sob of sympathy. 
 
 Room, Mother Earth, make room for her, 
 
 Whose short fair reign is o'er, 
 We who go with her to the end. 
 
 Must leave her at thy door. 
 
164 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 The golden gates are just ajar, 
 
 The veil between how thin ; 
 But we can only stand without, 
 
 And watch her pass within. 
 
 God's ways are just ; our voices raise, 
 
 A Jubilate sweet. 
 For one who sits as Mary sat. 
 
 Close at the Master's feet. 
 
 At rest in heaven ! Oh precious boon. 
 
 To each and all the same ; 
 God gave, God took, God will restore. 
 
 Thrice blessed be His name. 
 
 Marie Oliver. 
 October 26, i382. 
 
 TRIBUTE FROM THE IDEAL OPERA COMPANY. 
 
 The death of Miss Phillipps is the first that has 
 occurred among the principals of the Boston Ideal 
 Opera Company since it was formed. The following 
 letter has been forwarded to her family : — 
 
 "Boston, Mass., Oct. Si 1882. 
 To the members of the family of the late 
 Adelaide Phillipps : 
 
 '' In the sudden and grievous loss which you have 
 sustained in the death of your sister Adelaide, we, 
 as members of the company of which she was one, 
 
APPENDIX. 165 
 
 desire to express our sincere sympathy with you, 
 and the keen sense of our own sorrow, at this, the 
 first irrevocable break of our original members. 
 By what she was, in her dignified, generous, genial, 
 and inspiring presence, her ever-ready aid, her 
 never-waning enthusiasm for her profession, her ex- 
 alted standard of art, her vital dramatic power, and 
 her glorious voice — by all these fine qualities, 
 blended with a pure, sympathetic and womanly spirit, 
 which shone so brightly in friendly intercourse and 
 daily association, we can estimate what she was to 
 you in the closer and dearer family relations, and 
 appreciate what an incalculable loss is that which 
 you have sustained. 
 
 With repeated expressions of heartfelt sympathy 
 in your affliction, we are. 
 
 Yours sincerely, 
 
 E. H. Ober. Marie Stone. 
 
 W. H. MacDonald. M. W. Whitney. 
 
 Tom Karl. George Frothingham. 
 
 Mary Beebe. Geraldine Ulmar. 
 
 H. C. BARNA3EE. W. H. FeSSENDEN. 
 
 Jesse Burton. S. L. Studley." 
 
 The following extracts are made from the tributes 
 to Miss Phillipps which appeared in the newspapers 
 of the day. They contained accounts of her profes- 
 sional career, many of which are given in the fore- 
 going pages, and are therefore omitted here : — 
 
l66 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 [Prom the Brooklyn Eagle^ 
 
 ..." She died early, for she was under fifty years 
 of age, the time of life called by Victor Hugo ' the 
 youth of old age,' and in the fulness of a noble 
 fame. For a quarter of a century she has delighted 
 audiences in the concert-room and opera. She was 
 a woman whose public success was a gratification to 
 her, but her life-work was not confined to her public 
 career, and the motive behind her was not self- 
 advancement. . . . This spirit which characterized 
 her influenced every audience that she appeared be- 
 fore, and the welcome accorded Miss Phillipps was 
 something more than applause — it was honest 
 friendship for the woman." 
 
 \_Prom the Boston Home Journal^ 
 
 "The death of Miss Phillipps has caused wide- 
 spread grief. For many a year a whole people have 
 learned to look upon her as exclusively their own. 
 Her fame was created by a life-work as varied as it 
 was brilliant, and it was conspicuous as the life of a 
 pure and noble woman. 
 
 She was a great vocalist, and she could not have 
 been this without ample and well directed culture of 
 mind. Listening to her rendering of oratorio music, 
 we were always impressed by the spirit which lived 
 in every sentence she uttered, for she was above vir- 
 tuosity, and her conception of art became clear and 
 elevated to the highest degree." 
 
APPENDIX. 167 
 
 [Prom the Boston Daily Advertiser^ 
 
 ..." The lyric stage loses one of its most bril- 
 liant luminaries by the death of Miss Phillipps. As 
 a contralto singer she ranked among the first. As an 
 oratorio singer she had few rivals in England or this 
 country. Although she has been before the public 
 for well nigh a quarter of a century, her voice re- 
 tained to a remarkable degree its original strength 
 and purity, and her artistic powers up to the last 
 showed no trace of abatement." 
 
 \From the Boston Evening Transcripti\ 
 
 ..." Adelaide Phillipps' career was not unlike 
 that of many other dramatic artists. But there was 
 so much in it that was a source of pride to those 
 who knew her, and, more than all, it included many 
 incidents that were at once examples and encourage- 
 ment to others in the profession. . . . The news 
 of her death will be received by thousands of people 
 who knew her only on the stage with a feeling akin 
 to that one experiences in learning the death of a 
 personal friend. . . . She fought the battle of life 
 nobly, and all her triumphs were won without a stain 
 on her womanly reputation. Though not born in 
 America, we still can claim her as one who repre- 
 sented in her career the best elements of independ- 
 ence and self-reliance, which are the genuine char- 
 acteristics of the women of America." 
 
1 68 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 [From the Boston CommoKwealtA.'] 
 
 ..." In the sweet and wholesome career of this 
 distinguished woman there is much to encourage all 
 young singers who are ambitious to attain the summit 
 of artistic heights. Her private life was as pure and 
 blameless as her works were grand and ennobling. 
 Her steady industry, high aspirations, devotion to 
 duty, and her unselfish efforts in behalf of struggling 
 brother and sister professionals — all attributes of a 
 noble nature — will be long remembered by all who 
 came within the sweet magnetism of her presence. 
 Although her song is forever stilled, its echoes will 
 long remain in the hearts of humanity." 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM PRIVATE LETTERS. 
 
 Many letters have been received while this record 
 was in preparation. Indeed the expressions quoted 
 from a few only embody the feeling manifested by 
 many. 
 
 Among the letters from her friends in New York, 
 are those from Mrs. Dr. Doremus, Mrs. Clarence 
 Seward, and Mrs. Minna Godwin Goddard, in whose 
 homes Adelaide was often a welcome guest. A few 
 words from Mrs. Goddard combine the thoughts of 
 those who loved her : " Adelaide came to us last 
 May, very weak from recent illness, but always 
 
APPENDIX. 169 
 
 charming, and so constantly interested in others, and 
 fearful of giving trouble, that it was a pleasure to 
 care for her, and delightful to have her in the house. 
 We were more than ever impressed during this visit 
 with the generosity and truth of her character. Her 
 death is a great bereavement to us, and we cannot 
 yet realize how it can be that we shall see her no 
 more." 
 
 From Mrs. Ford : " It grieves one to think of that 
 noble voice silent, and that loving heart no longer 
 beating its steady rhythms of devotion and con- 
 stancy. Yet her memory is very sweet to me, and I 
 am comforted to believe that she was loved while on 
 earth and mourned now that she has passed on. 
 She was taken away before infirmity changed her or 
 time had enfeebled her powers. Indeed, her life 
 and death seem fortunate to me, for though she had 
 much to contend with, and many disappointments, 
 she conquered circumstances and won many tri- 
 umphs." 
 
 From Miss Monell : " As I think of Adelaide and 
 her exquisite sense of duty, her justice and sweet 
 patience, her tender womanliness, and unwavering 
 loyalty, I wonder if there ever was a lovelier soul on 
 earth, or one more fitted for heaven." 
 
 The record of the public and private life of 
 Adelaide Phillipps cannot be closed more impres- 
 sively than by repeating these words of T. W. 
 Parsons : — 
 
170 ADELAIDE PHILLIPPS. 
 
 REALITY. 
 
 " Lift me, Lord Jesus, for the time is nigh. 
 When I must climb unto thy cross at last. 
 The world fades out, its lengthening shadows fly ; 
 Earth's pomp is passing, and the music's past ! 
 Phantoms flock round me, multiplying fast ; 
 Nothing seems tangible; the good I thought 
 Most permanent hath perished. Come away, 
 Oh sated spirit, from the vacant scene. 
 The curtain drops upon the spun-out play ; 
 The benches are deserted. Let us go. 
 Forget the foolish clown, the King, the Queen, 
 The idle story with its love and woe : 
 I seem to stand before a minster screen. 
 And hear faint organs in the distance blow."