PATTI'S ETERNAL YOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 108, 25 April 1908, Page 3

PATTI'S ETERNAL YOUTH.

It is difficult to realise, looking at her to-day, that Madame Adeliua Patti has just celebrated her sixty-lifth birthday. The famous prima donna has astonished the world almost as much by her remarkable vitality as she has by her gift of song. But her recipe for eternal youth is very simple; it is, never worry, and take plenty of fresh air. l'atli's optimism, indeed, is the envy of ail her friends. "If there is the tiniest speck of blue in the sky, she once remarked, "and there always is, I look for it, and that makes the'whole lieaven blue for me.'' Unlike most singers, she doc* not (ear the rigors of the weather, and always make a point of going out winter aud summer alike.

At tin' ago of seven Madame Patti made her debut in public, and for :i lime was very successful on (lie concert platfonn. In 183!) she appeared in opera in Now York, and two years later she cainc, cpiite unknown, to Loudon. When she appealed to the manager of Covoul Harden for an engagement, she was allowed to appear, only on condition that she sung for nothing. Her success was instantaneous, and in after years she was able to command the lihge sum of .110011 a night from the management of the same theatre, il'robably the biggest, salary ever paid to any operatic artist was £I2OO for each performance, which she received while singing in Monte Video.

When she was a girl in America she once iitended a supper at which a certain famous judge was present. In the cimrse of the evening, little Add inn was asked to sing, but at lirst she declined to do so. "Oil, coinc now," said the judge, "sing lis song, and I'll do anything you like." "Anything?" asked 'l'atti. "Anything," replied the lewyer gravely. So the little girl sang '•Home, Sweet Home," and was loudly applauded by tHe company. "Sow," said she, |o the delighted judge, "please stand on your head." "Why, nonsense, child, you're joking!" gasped the unfortunate man. But little Adelina was not joking, and with a muttered ''Here goes," the dispenser of justice did as he was bid. On oiK' occasion, Pa Ill's wonderful voice was the means of saving a human life. .Many years ago. in San Francisco, a young American became seriously ill, and it was thought lie. was going out of his mind. Uitniing that Madame Palli was to sing in the city, he vxpt'essod a wish lo go and hear her/and lo humor him his doctor gave him permission. When be arrived at the theatre, however, he carried, unknown to anyone, a. small revolver in his pocket. While waiting for the performance lo begin, the demented fellow singled out a lady member of the audience and made up bis mind to kill her. .lust as he was on the point of committing the dreadful deed, -Madame I'atti came jhpnn the stage. The magic of her voice stayed the hand of the' madman, and. befon' the singer had miulo her exit, he had given up the idea of using his revolver.