Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-22
Communicate.
Translated for the Washington Sentinel.
Mademoiselle Rachel.

Madem0iselle Rachel.
Eatract from The unpublished memoirs of The Alb
volume of DR.. Yer0n's icork-" LIE Bourgeois de
Paris"
CoNCLUDED.]
Suppose TdlmG q contemporary of Mile Ra-
chel-how much his lessons and examples
would have benefited the young actress! Tai
ma was not tormented by envy; he would have
rejoiced at the success and triumph of her
rival. Mile Rachel possesses all the great
qualities of Talma; she has not, however, that
one which rendered Talma a favorite OF the
pubic-the unexpected and explosive nantes
tation of genius. The great tragedian was
also studying the minutest details OF his parts
but he surprised his audience by unexpected
Infections of voice, affecting and springing up
from the heart, the effect OF which transported
the audience. 1t was like the electrical cur
rent, striking at once, in its uninterrupted
course, the spectators, pressed one against
the other, from the boxes to the pit. Besides,
Talma was distinguished from Mile Rachel by
another peculiarly of his talent Being liter
airy man, he used to give happy advices II
every one, and to authors above all his long
experience of the stage inspired him with
more than one idea which authors availed
themselves. Talma greatly assisted M. Lee
brun for his tragedy Of Marie Stuart. With
charming and witty ignorance, Mile Rachel
receives, accepts advices and ideas from every
one but endowed with an exquisite discern
ment, she knows how to appreciate and use
them afterwards.
In order to diversity their repertory, actors
and actresses have at all times attempted to
play comedy. Like her predecessor 4drienne
Lecourreur, Mile Rachel has had more than
once the fancy of handling the great part of
Celimene, that bright and fugitive triumph Of
hearts truths. Adrienne Lecoucre,w failed in
it, Mile Rachel would have failed also; quail
ties, required by tragedy, do not comply with
the shrewd and humorous combinations of
comedy. The heroines of .Co,neile or Racine
are the living images of great passions. In
Moliere, every parsonage reveals and betrays
the eternal weaknesses of humanity and the
fugitive ridicules of the times. The attempts
of Mile Rachel in the drama or comedy never
were, to my knowledge, of very happy char
acter; she always shows spirit and distinction,
but similar enterprises are rather profitable as
studies, giving certain supleness togestures and
voice, than success calculated to add another
crown to the artists glory.
/ am often surprised to see the health Of
that frail young girl struggling against SO many
fatigues and emotions, against so many pro-
aoe'eu oho iuoo u"'eiiiS. a. sno neou Va q
nomadic company supported by her, our great
tragedian has made England, Germany, Rus
STA and France, applaud and recognize the ge
MUS of Racine and Corneille. She has even
visited the smallest towns of the provinces Of
France, and played before the poor peasants
astonished at so much poetry and honor.
In her long excursions, Mile Rachel sleeps
in bed fixed up in her carriage. i was as
tonished to see her health resist so much
fatigue. travelling, said she, is a great
reilef 10 reinforcement and agitation drive
away restiessness and bad thoughts, and silence
bad lnehnations.
often mad the honor to have M lie Rachel
seated at my table In company with the distn.
guished men OF the age l have seen around
her Count Mole General Chdngdrnier, M.
Ach1e fou'd the NIKE q Soto Mayor, then
ambassador Oh opain, at farls, ~. Sdinte ne
ace, AZ. EagenS Detacrois, nj, Meyeroeer, M.
Hdtepy, ~. Anoerl, &c, &c. Inc young ac-
tress showed herself In the most natural air, as
great LADY does, giving proof OF that skill OF
MIND proper 70 sub]ugate even superior men, a
rare quality possessed by certain women OF the
last century whose drawing-rooms were Illus
trated py the asslduity OF the most celebrated
names.
lie hacnei mas for Poncy that OF Ceilmene;
pleasing 70 al; ner gracious a,'ention, anna
Die coquefry, DO not acknowledge any differ
ence IN position, fortune, or Importance. IL
tnrongh modesty or nmidity, disdained indi-
vlduai coneeais himself In some remote corner
OF the room, the tragedienne Will bestow upon
tnat one all her attention, care. and earnest
ness. one wouio say, tnat similar IN that re-
speet 10 tne fnnce OF comfy, spoken OF by st
Simon, one strives 10 please the shoemaker,
tne iootman, the chalr'carner, the same as the
,ha arn,r. I'd !; 90 ,o, sIe sene'a ~ y.
he, snaoas. = car,a;nr ~ $3.50, "ay, nas
,ha, h.. da.;s - rIan ., -. 10 !" Gu y , sp
Rachel lie nsca p - 1870 Sho n ~ ae
The annlanses IF The gaIlar;ss ond amuh;,heo'
ire. az well no Tho annIanseo &C ,ha raao-'aa
sea,s and howos '"o '''o''''
h. ar;oI 81 h-ah, -. L -,
and harmless rsnartae. az ~, I Isn'
sbowered in nrofns;on and without measnre
/ never saw so mncb art concealed nnder so
artless simplicity and tasteful reserve.
NJ. the Count Mole. meeting Mile Rachel a,
nv house. said TO her with his usual lordsb;n
grace: Madame. YOU have saved The French
language" Mile Rachel answered. with the
-. -eos-.o.c,I x........- =: 60: ar. ;.