Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-20
G0m mnnitatf6.
Translated for the Washington Sentinel.
nIademoiseIIe Rachel.


Ezayaci from The Inpubiished memoirs Of The Ar
polnnse Of DR.. Tron's lrork-" LIE bourgeois de
PARIS"
lcoNrNUED.
In one of the literary mornings often held at
FAbbage-aur- Tois Mademoiselle Rachel was
requested by Nine Reeamier to repeat in pre-
sence of M. de Chateaubriand a few scenes OF
the part Of Pauline in Polyeucte;
" My dying husband has bequeathed me his knowl-
His blood, shed by the toriurer, oozng upon me
Has torn the veil from my eyes, now open 10
truth,
That scene was interrupted by an unexpected
visit: the Archbishop E. was announced.
"My lord" said Nine Recamier, with GER
tain perplexity in her eye, beg leave to in
troduce to you Madamoiselle Rachel who had
lust the kindness to rehearse before us scene
in Polyeucte." ~ should be sorry" said the
new conner, "to interrupt the fine verses of
Corneale." The scruples entertained by Miss
Rachel prevented her from progressing with
the part of Pauline in the presence of the bish-
OPP. She did not want to exclaim, like con-
verted christian Il see, know, believe I"
thus tell lie before minister of the Catholic
church.
With my Lord consent said she, with themost
respectful good grace. will rehearse the verses
of Esther. Thanks to the work written by
Racine for the ladies Of Saint Cyr, she thus re.
manned faithful to the Jewish religion.
Once Miss Rachel's part over, the Archbishop
addressed her with the most deserved praises.
We priests Of the Lord" added he, aseldom
have the pleasure of approaching great artistes.
Twice in my life, however, have had that good
luck. heard Nine Adlibran at Florence and
/ owe Nine Recamier to have listened to Mile.
Rachel One who recites so well so fine po-
etry, truly needs experiencing the feelings they
are calculated to express"
Mile Rachel bowling with charming grace
answered, with eyes cast down, and in firm
voice; "My lord, believe"
The young tragedienne showed in this unfore-
seen situation, wit and decency to ravish an
Archbishop.
In public, her presence always produced a
sensation. When attending the meeting OF
the Chamber of Deputies-and as great lady
who has taste for politics, she used to go often
there-she attracted all the chances of that
assembly of sages, and even caused distraction
to the speaker she came to hear and study.
Though very young, Mile Rachel was an old
tragedienne when she entered the Theatre
Francois. She first attempted to learn music
at Choron's school. Her intelligence pointed
her to the attention of the master. "What is
your name, my dear little oue?' inquired Cho-
ron, whose religious music was supported by
the restauration. Elizabeth Rachel "That
name of Rachel would not agree with our ex-
ercises of Christian piety. You will be called
Eliza"
The future tragedienne had already voice
of contralto. "You cannot find, but in Italian
partitions, parts for your voice, my dear child,
added Choron. She soon ceased studying
singing. An actor who had left the Theatre
Froncais without ever shedding great lustre,
M. Saint Aulaire, kept school Of defamation,
he took Mile Rachel when she was quite child.
He used to call her his little she devil.
Before appearing in public, the pupils of the
conservative, and those Of the private schools,
are used to play before select audiences, in
their costumes and usual scenery the part they
have chosen; they call that to set up party.
The other parts of the work are entrusted to
their fellow comrades, who have the right, if
required, to receive for their service triairg
remuneration of forty cents.
Pressed by poverty Mile Rachel was always
ready for those parties, often renewed; and
she was playing, for forty cents compensation,
disguised parts of men and women, first sub
jects, soubrettes or great priests. Like Id
the habits of the stage If / am well advised,
she was engaged and had great success at
Motiere's theatre under the name Of the little
Eliza M. Poirson, who gave for her debut
upon the GymndSe the piece called the Ven
deennc, said to her /: "That name of Eliza will
not produce great effect upon the handbill I;
have you not another name 2" II am called
Elizabeth Rachel" 1sfhis is certainly great
deal better. Rachel that is, a name which
sticks 10 the mind, and that very few persons
have. Henceforward call yourself Rachel. The
choice of that name is more important than
people usually think, especially on the stage"
He soon advised to devote her time to serious
studies and predicted her success in the TRACE
dy. The young artistic placed herselfunde the
exclusive direction Of N. Samson, teacher
Of the French comedy. Tragedieunes and
Commediennes have always claimed or ac-
cepted lessons and advices from celebrated
dramatists or literary men.
Are the great qualities Of Mile Rachel, ] am
about to analyse, the result Of art and study, or
the happy privilege or natural gifts Of inspi
ration or superior intelligence?
certify that Mile Rachel seriously studies
her parts. She first copies the whole Of them
from her own hand, she then notices the effects
Of situation, the Trades containing the charac-
tiers; after that she composes, prepares, and
perfects each part in its whole.
M. Samson often comes pointing out the
effects she had forgotten, shadows which she
neglected, stages, articles she was missing
comments on her part and teaches her to give
accent, color, and power to the performance.
The good advices Of the master are never lost
to the quick and penetrating intelligence Of
the pupil.
Mile Rachel has been gifted by nature with
all that is required for a good execution. Her
voice, extended and powerful, can take various
Infections; Juror is one of her finest chords
she can express il without squeaking or yell.
ing. Her pronunciation is perfect; lips and
mouth are happily formed for fine and unap-
proachable articulation. There exists between
the tip Of her ear--gracefully folded, small and
charming-and the protrudent shoulder, an har.
monious interval all the movements Of her
head are gaining thereby in elegance and dig.
nifty. Her waist is supple, her body nimble,
and little above ordinary size. IT has been
observed that since her debuts--since her
happy existence-M'lle Rachel has become