Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/125

 THE WORLD OF WOMEN In this section will be included articles which will place in array before the reaaer women bom to fill thrones and great positions, and women who, through their own genius, have achieved fame. It will also deal with great societies that are working in the interests of women. The Queens of the World Famous Women of the Past Women s Societies Great Writers, Artists, and Actresses Women of Wealth Women's Clubs Wives of Great Men Mothers of Great Men Woman's Who's Who Et:., etc. woMAM's wsio^s weo LADY HALLE doubtful about taking the step," she once jV/JANY honours have been secured by Lady told the writer, "and eventually decided ^^^ Halle, the famous violinist, since she made to trust to luck bv soinnin? a coin c,n her London debut sixty years ago. But that of which she is most proud is the distinctive title of " Violinist to the Queen," which Queen Alexandra conferred upon her eight years ago. Lady Halle was about five years of age when she first be- gan to study the violin, and in 1848 she made her first English, ap- pearance at the old Princess's Theatre, though at the time she was only ten years of age. The reception accorded to her on that occasion, she says, " was so warm and so kindly sympathetic that I have ever since felt at home and at ease with English audiences." As a matter of fact. Lady Halle has for the last two years practically settled in London. For many years she resided in Berlin, but after the death of Joachim she decided to come to Lady Hal Elliot & Fry by spinning a coin on the question — heads to go to London and tails to remain in Australia. It came down heads, and I started on one of the luckiest ven- tures of my life." Her debut in the metro- polis, however, was characteristic ally modest. There were no flaring advertise- ments or newspaper puffs, but one or two critics were invited to be present to hear a " promising " artiste. Imagine their surprise when they found they were listening to one of the most beautiful voices ever heard. That was her first footing on the ladder of fame. " Who is this girl ? " asked Queen Victoria. And added, " She has a beautiful voice, and is a true artiste." MISS VIOLET VANBRUGH Madame Ada Crossley IValUr Sanut London, her decision being somewhat hastened HThe father of Miss Violet Vanbrugh (who in on account of a very gracious letter she received from Queen Alexandra, who assured her that she would be very welcome in Lon- don. It is an interesting fact that, although Lady Halle possesses several rare violins, she never plays in public on any but the Stradivarius which was presented to her as a joint gift from the Duke of Edinburgh and the Earls of Dudley and Hardwicke. MADAME ADA CROSSLEY jyiADAME Ada Grosslev, the famous contralto, only won success after a grim struggle. Like Madame Melba, she was born in Australia, and the turning-point came when the question of trying her luck in London presented it- .self for consideration. " I was very private life is Mrs. Arthur Bourchier) was an Exeter clergyman. He was notable, however, for his broad-mindedness, and when his eldest daughter said she would like to go on the stage, he said that if she felt acting to be her vocation, he would raise no objection. Thus it came about that, with a small legacy of £$0, which had been left to her, in her pocket. Miss Vanbrugh came to London. At the end of three months her money had gone, and she failed to secure an engagement. It was then that she met Miss Ellen Terr>', with whom she stayed for a whole year. But even she would not help her to an engagement, saying firmly that she must make her own way. It was Miss Violet Vanbrugh J;. L. Toole who ultimately gave Rotary Photo EX. Miss Vanbrugh her first chance.