Mrs. Fonda's childhood was most fortunate. Her parents were surrounded by literary people. Mrs. Fonda's early taste tended toward literature. In 1865 she became the wife of Rev. William Wood Seymour, at one time connected with Trinity Parish. New York. In 18S6 her books on the festivals of the church, known as the "Cedar drove Series," were published in New York, and have become standard. After Mr. Seymour's death his widow returned to her father's house, but his loss of property during the Civil War and his feeble health led her to go to Europe for study to become a vocal teacher. She never appeared on the stage, except for charitable objects, as her relatives were opposed to a professional life. Before she went to Europe, her "Life of Gottschalk" (Boston, 1870) was published. During her residence in Europe she corresponded for several journals, the "Home Journal" of New York, the San Francisco "Chronicle" and the St. Paul "Pioneer Press" of Minnesota. She held the position of musical instructor and English companion to the Archdukes and Archduchesses, children of the Archduke of Austria, Carl Salvator of Tuscany, and his wife, Princess Marie Immaculate of Naples. After the death of her father she returned to her home in the United Slates and taught music in New York and Philadelphia. In 1884 she brought out her papers on "The Rhinegold Trilogy" (Boston), which had been written in Vienna under the supervision of Liszt and Richard Wagner. After the death of her grandmother, in 1885, she opened a school of vocal music in Nashville, Tenn. She removed to Louisville, Ky., in 1887, where she now resides. In the summer of 1888 she became the wife of Abraham G. Fonda, a descendant of the New York Fonda family, whose ancestor, Major Jelles Fonda, had purchased the Mohawk Valley and from the Phelps and Gorham estate, where the town of Fonda now stands. Mrs. Fonda is one of the most Cultivated women in America. She speaks seven languages fluently, German, French. Spanish, Italian. Portuguese, Roumanian and Magyar dialects, while her musical abilities are marked. She plays the piano, harp, guitar and organ, and is the possessor of a fine voice. She has studied under the best European teachers. Her rare musical accomplishments have won the commendation of Liszt, Rubenstein and other masters. As a critic Mrs. Fonda has won renown. Her musical nature, her superior education, her thorough knowledge of the laws of theory and familiarity with the works of the great composers of the classic, romantic and Wagnerian schools, and the newer schools of harmony, give her a point of vantage above the ordinary. She is prominent among the Daughters of the American Revolution and has in her possession many rare Revolutionary relics. Her novel, "Imperia" (Buffalo, 1892), is a success.
FOOTE, Mrs. Mary Hallock, author and artist, born in Milton, N. Y.. 19th November, 1847. Her maiden name was Hallock. She became the wife of Arthur D. Foote, a mining engineer, in 1876, and lived some years in the mining districts of Colorado and California, and afterwards in Boise City, Idaho. She studied art in the Cooper Institute. New York City, working there four winters under the instruction of Dr. Rimmer. She afterward studied with Frost Johnson and William J. Linton. Her artistic training ended with blockwork with Linton. She has illustrated many books in black and white, and done much work for magazines. She has been particularly successful in her drawings of western and Mexican life and scenery. Many of her best detached illustrations have appeared in the "Century," "Scribner's Magazine," "St. Nicholas ' and utner periodicals. She is the author of "The Led Horse Claim " (Boston, 1883). "John Bodewin's Testimony " (Boston. 1886), and "The Last Assembly Ball" (1888). Her home is now in New York City.
FORD, Mrs. Miriam Chase, musician and journalist, born in Boston. Mass., 20th September, 1866. Her parents are S. Warren Chase and Sarah Virginia Hunt When she was three years old, her parents moved to Omaha, Neb. Until her eleventh year she received instruction from her mother and private teachers. On the removal of her parents to Milwaukee, Wis., she entered the Milwaukee College, where the artistic element in her soon found expression in some admirable crayons and free-hand sketches. French was one of the studies in which she excelled. When fourteen years of age, she accompanied her grandmother, of Omaha, Neb., to Europe. With eighteen months of travel
MIRIAM CHASE FORD.
and study on the Continent, with six months divided between Egypt, Palestine. Turkey and Greece, she gained knowledge and experience,
perfected her French and learned some Italian, German and Spanish. The next two years she spent in Milwaukee College, during which time she began her vocal training under a German master The family then returned to Omaha, and the next two winters she spent in New York City, studying under Errani. At that time she entered the literary field as special correspondent of the Omaha "World." The year 1886 found her again in Europe. She studied a year in Milan, under San Giovanni and Giovannini, and was a student for some time in the Paris Conservatory. Afterwards she went to London to become a pupil of Randegger. There she remained but a short time. Having suffered in Milan from an attack of Roman fever, a severe illness necessitated her return home for rest. On leaving England she became engaged
