Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-02-07

BODY eer arranged the iolds III ny tiaih = hi''
really. Somebody's fingers gathered into thtif
= ace a fe7y stray ours. The stage manager CAV
the or Ter Of clear the stage.lades and gentlemen
and heard sound the little bell for the raising Of
the curtain.
Until fhnt moment do not think pulse IN m,
frame had .taiekeBed it, heating. Bat then wa.
seized with sitting sensation, as though were
choking. ! could only gasp out. Mot yet
cannot.'
of course, there was general confusion. Man
ayers. actors, prompters all rushed an the stage;
some offered water some scent bottles, sOmc fan
ned me. Eyerybo seemed prepared 10 witness
a fainting fit, or an attack IF histories or some
thing equally ridiculous. ] arguing with
myself against the absurdity Of this ungoyerna.
BILE emotion--ihis humiliating eAhibiton-and
making desperate endea,or 10 regain my sell
possession, when Mr.. Skerett thrust his comic
face over somebody's shoulder. He looked at me
with an expression of quizzical exultaon, and ex-
claimed
..Didn't tell you so Where's all the cour-
age eh'
The words recalled my boast of the morning,or
rather they recalled the recolleciions upon which
that boast founded. Ny eomposure return
ed a. rapidly a. it had departed. laughed at
my own weakness.
Are you getting better!" kindly inquired the
stnge IN Hnager."
II et the curtain rise !" was the satisfactory
answer.
Mr. Barry clapped his hands, a signal for the
stage 10 be yacatcd,--the crowd at once dlsap-
peared. Madame Deschapelles an Pauline sat
alone, as before. The tinklng bell of warning
rung, and the curtain slowly ascended, disclos-
ing first the foot lights, then the ocean of heads
beyond them in the pit then the brilliant array
Of ladies in the boxes tier after tier, and finally
the ihi onged galleries. found those foot lights
an invaluable aid tn the necessary Illusion
They formed n dazzling barrier, that separated
the spectator from the ideal world in which the
actor dwelt. Their glare prevented the eye from
being distracted by objects without the precincts
of that luminous semicrcle. They were friend
ly protection, warm comfort an ldeaiizing
auxiliary
The debntante was greeted warmly. This
was but matter-of course compliment paid by
New York audience to the daughter of we'll
known citizen.
bow bow" whispered voice from between
the intervals of applause bowed to the right.
"Bow to the left" bowed to the left.
bow agnn!" bowed again and again while
the noisy welcome lasted
The play commenced. and, with the first words
| uttered, concentrated my thoughts, and tried
to forget that | had any existence save that of the
scorntul lady of Lyons. When we rose from our
seats and approached the foot-hghts, Mrs. Yer
non gave my hand n reassuring pressure. 1t was
a Kindness scarcely needed. ! hnd lost all sen
sation OF alarm. The play progressed as smooth
ly as it had commenced. In the third act, where
Pauline frat discovers the treaehery of Claude,
the powers of an actress begin to be tested
Every point told, and was rewarded with an in
spring burst of applause. The audience had
determined to blow into flame the faintest spark
OF merit.
In the fourth act, became greatly exhausted
with the unusual excitement aud exertion. There
seemed probability that would not have ply 81
cal strength to enable me to finish the perform
AN e. Mrs. Vernon has often laughingly remind
ed me how she shook and pinehed ne when was
lying, to all appearances, tcndery cIasped in her
arms. She maintains that, by these means. she
constantly reused me to consciousness. ! a,n her
debtor for the friendly pinches and opportune
shakes.
In the fifth act, Paulines emotions are all of
calm and abject grcf-the faint, hopeless strIg-
glings OF broken heart. Ny very WEAKNESS
aided the personation. The pallor uf excessive
fatigue, the out look, lettering walk, and
feeble voice suited Pauline's deep despair. The
audience attributed to actors conSummate
skill that which merely painful and accl-
dental reality. The play ended, the curtain fell.
Ii would be impossible tn describe my sensations
of relief ns | watched thet welcome screen OF
coarse, green baize slowly unrolling itself and
dropping between the audience and the stage
Then came the call before the curtain-the cross
ing the stage in front of the footibhts Mr.. c.
led me out. The whole house rose, even the la
des--a compliment seldom paid. ! think il
rdined flowers for bouquets, wreaths of silver
and wreaihs of laurel fell in showers around us
Cheer followed cheer they were gathered NJ
and laid in my arms. The hats of gentlemen and
handkerehiefs of ladies we'd on every side.
courtesed my thanks, aud the welcome greer
curtain once moe shut out the brilliant assem-.
blage. Then came the deeper, truer sense OF
thankfulness. The trial was over; the debutant,
had stood the test; she had not mistaken tn,
course which had been clearly pointed out as tho
one for which She was destined.