MADAME RISTORI AS A SECRET POLITICAL AGENT.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5073, 18 April 1885, Page 3

MADAME RISTORI AS A SECRET POLITICAL AGENT.

Most people in .Kn«J;land and Australia are familiar wM «!'* ™™« oi M t ßd*ml Eistori; very'man.r hare been enthralled by her marvellous powers, as one of the •reatent, if not the "greatest, of modern tragediennes. But it wonld be a revelation to all to learn the important part shp has played on the political stage of Europe as a secret diplomatist. This curious fact results from the recently published corresuondence of Count Cavour, who, it seems, made great .use of lady diplomatists As early *■ the Congress of Pans in 1856, he added to his official representatives tbe famous Contessa C , who played nounimportant part in the Congress. A few 7 «ars later his agent was Adelaide Jiwtori, then playing on the beard of the Theatre Francaiae, to whom he wrote on April 24th, 1861: "If yonhave not converted Prince Gortschakoff, I must say that he is an jmpenitent sinner, for the &f BUinents which you have employed witn go much ability to sustain our cause appear ia me irresistible. . . . Continue ib Paris yonr patnotic.apostolate. I congratulate, myself on the *plendid success which you have obtained on the French stage., Make use of this authority for our Italy, and I will applaud m you not only the first artiste in Europe, but still more the efficacious ally in diplomatic l^fTntifltionS."