Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-25
Rachel, the French Traxedienno.


the Pacific off Sandy Hook was received at five
o'clock at the St. Nicholas Hotel, where seven
elegant rooms had been previously engaged for
Mile. Rachel and suite. The announcement Of
the steamer was some hours earlier than antici-
pated, and more especially at such an early hour
Of the morning, greatly disappointed those who
had engaged band of music and chartered
steamboat to proceed to Sandy Hook to escort
her to the city. The Times Of Thursday says
An elegant carriage had been provided to await
her landing, to be drawn by four magnificent
cream-colored horses numerous escort were
also to be in attendance, Very extensive prepa-
rations indeed, as is well known, had been made
to signalize her arrival with great "pomp and
circumstance" of parade; aid but for the inter-
vention of the steamers landing at the hour she
did, her reception would PROFESSIONALLY have
been unprecedented in munificent outlay, if not
marked by most extended and hearty enthusiasm.
AS il was, plain carriage and two horses await
ed her at the wharf. Meanwhile the steamer
rounded the Battery and neared her dock foot of
Canal street, with no other than the usual mani
festations evident upon steamer arrivals. II any
thing, a less crowd than ordinarily gather were
in attendance, and these mainly were entirely I'M
conscious of the mortal freight about to be con-
Quoted through their midst Accompanying Mile.
Rachel in her carriage were her father and M.
Rachel Felix, her brother and manager of her
present engagement.
During her exit from the steamer and ride to the
hotel, she showed very much curiosity as to the
character and appearance of the people among
whom she was about to be introduced She raised
several times her veil, and with her large eyes,
deep-sel but penetrating in their gaze, sought, it
seemed, to scan the measure Of American appre-
citation of tragic passion. Her attire was wholly
of black-pan black silk dress with founces-
over her shoulders thrown a simple black man
tilla; black Grape bonnet, and richly embroidered
veil forming the protection and adornment Of the
head. She wore dark kids, and her left arm
supported heavy and gorgeous serpentine brace
let. Add to this moderate stature, rather slender
form, and lively though graceful carriage, and
you have the distinguished tragedienne whose
dramatic genius has so long electrified the Euro
pean world, as she appeared during her transit
from the Pacific yesterday to the wharf.
During yesterday forenoon large number of
vsiters called on Mile. Rachel at the Hotel. She
did not express herself much fatigued with her
voyage. In the afternoon she rode in carriage
to Fourteenth street to look at the house, No
Ill, East Fourteenth street, occupied by Grisi
and Mario during their stay in New York. She
designs in a day or two to take a private resi-
dence for her occupancy during her sojoum in
the city, is her invariable custom in all places
where she has prolonged engagement.
While out riding, she visited the Metropolitan
theatre, where she is to perform her engagement
here. She appeared very well pleased with its
interior arrangements and general acoustic eff
cheney.
An invitation was received by Md lie. Rachel
to attend the representation given last evening by
the French theatrical troupe at Walack' thea
tire, for the benefit of their manager. Mons. An
thony, and stating that private box was re-
served for her. Md'lle Rachel replied to the in
vitation, and announced a compliance with it to
be impracticable under the circumstances She
inclosed $40 in her reply as a present to Mons
Anthony for his efforts to establish the French
Drama in New York
On the steamer Pacific Md lie. Rachel gene
rously subscribed 800 to the fund for the relief
of the widows and orphans Of seamen. She was
sea-sick during portion of the trip. She brings
with her three sisters, Dinah, Larah, and Liza A
very strong family resemblance is diseernible be-
tween them. Liza, the youngest, not yet twenty,
possesses uncommon beauty of features and out
line.
The following artists also came with Nj lie
Rachel, and are to accompany her in her engage
ments: Nj lie Briaia, M lie Dutet NJ Latouchs
M. Beauvollet, M. Dieudonne, Nj. Randox, M
Belevear, Nj. NJ. Cheri, NJ. G.. Cher. The first
appearance Of M lie Rachel will take place on
the first of September.
Mile Rachel gave six performances in London
prior to her departure for New York, and drew
greater houses than ever. The London SUNDAY
Times devotes great deal of space TO her, and
makes some cheerful remarks about her Ameri-
can tour. We quote:
We have supposed that the expectations Of the
American spectators will be realized, but il
seems TO us by means certain that such will be
the case. The citizens Of the United States-ex-
e h. .wlx. 60
are notorious for their ignorance of the French
language, and, therefore, when they witness one
of the tragedies Of Racine or Corneille they will
be precisely in the condition of the ladies who
attend the Latin plays at Westminster school.
In this country, il is true, the number of persons
who can follow French drama like an English
one-especially drama in VERSES compare
lively small but at any rate all the persons who 90
to see M lie Rachel can prime themselves for the
occasion with the work Of the evening, and can
watch the progress Of the actors book in hand,
Just as the jealous Shaksperians Of Sader's
Wells receive through eye and ear at once the
words of the national poet.
Now, unless they are strangely belied, book
or no book will be precisely the same thing 10 our
Cousins over the water. And here they have TO
deal with an artist whose principal merit is the
discrimination with which she gives each line its
peculiar value, and who can only be appreciated
by an almost painful study of her wonderful de-
tails. rafting, noisy ranter, like Hamlet's
"perriwig-pated fellow" might, perhaps, crown
himself with popularity, even if he talked nothing
but Polish; for noise, ike music is Of no country;
but the refined Rachel among an audience who
know nothing beyond their own vernacular, seems
to us figure curiously placed. However, fashion
can do a great deal; and if the Americans can't
appreciate NJ lie Rache's acting, they may, per
haps, pretend TO be delighted, in order to look
well in the eyes of Europe, and this will answer
the Spectators purpose as well genuine adj
miration. We look forward with much curiosity
to the FIRST news respecting the French drama in
the United States
Elizabeth Rachel Felix is the daughter Of
German Swiss, named Felix, and his wife Esther
Haya, and was born on the gath day Of March,
1890, in wrctched Swiss tavern. For the first
ten years Of her existence she along with her
parents and sisters, led sort Of gypsy life, ira
yelling through Germany and Switzerland, her
eldest sister singing in the streets, and Rachel
taking up collections. In 1890, when the latter
was ten years Of age, they reached Paris, where
they supported themselves by singing in the
streets, until the founder Of the Royal Institute,
struck with her musical powers, took charge Of
her, and placed her as pupil in his class. From
this time she rapidly improved. Her debut in
Paris was highly successful and her subsequent