The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-09-15

As her name is only known in her thea
trcai profession, is Of Jewish parentagc, her
father, NJ. Felix, being among the poorest Of
his tribe. Rachel Felix was the eldest of
seven children, and early began to aid her
parents in their severe efforts to gain sub
sistence for their family. Her career open
ed as a street singer; with an old guitar on
which she played the accompaniment, the
little Rachel went forth to win by her songs
the bread she was unable to earn with her
hands.
On a cold evening in January, about the
year 1880, Choron, the founder Of an accad-
emy for music in Paris, was charmed by the
silver voice Of a child singing out the most
delightful cadenccs upon the keen wintry
air. 1t was little Rachel Singing for her
supper. Choron pressed through the crowd
who were gathered around her, and in utter
famazemeht Gazcd UPON delicate little giri
OF ten or twelve Summers, thnly clad, and
standing in the snow, the very image Of dcs.
| olatlon. With ler bcnnmbcd fingers she
held out a wooden bowl for a son. and in it
Choron dropped silver coin. His heart
was touched, and the deepest feelings Of in
tercst for the little warbler were awakened.
my child, " he asked, "whO taught you to
/ sing 50 WELL"
Nobody, sir" said the little girl, while
her teeth chattered 81 have learnt just as
| could
But where did you learn those beautiful
airs which you sing, and which do not
/ knowfp
"lndecd, sir, have learnt Little Of them
everywhere. When | 60 about the streets |
listen under the windows to thosc ladies and
gentlemen who sing. | try to catch the
airs and the words, and afterwards arrange
them the best way can"
"You are cold and hungry; come with
me, and will give you food and clothing,
1 said the good Choron; and the crowd clap.
ped their hands But they lost their little
Rachel-She never sang again on the BouIc-
wards. ChorOn obtained permission OF her
parents to give her musical education, and
under his tuition her wonderful vocal pow.
ers rapidly developed. Death took away
her bcnciactor, and she returned awhile /.
her miserable parents.
The little girl was then just budding into
the bloom Oft graceful aud iaScina,n wo
man. She looked to the stage as the mean,
Of obtaining bread, and succeeded in max ing
an engagement at the Gymuasc, one of the
minor theatres Of Paris. She made no i'm
precision; the audience refused to applaud
She was disappointed, but not discomitted
srom an Old clothes merchant Of her Owr
race she borrowed an old Aolume Of Racine
and was charmed with the tragedy Of An
dromachc. She recitci the part Of The
daughter oi Helene; her eyes filed will
the tears Of deep emotion, and She said I,
her mother, 81 know my destiny--l vii
perform tragedy"
Through the influence ola tired acto
She obtained an engagement at the Thcatr
FranclNc, and her appearance in the charac
tcrs OF Racine was greeted with immense ap
yiausc. The parlsians were in necstacies.-
The singing.girI of the BouleyMds wa
apOthCoSiZed as the Tragic Muse lie
7aia, nis. nAGa at 1000 irauits, IL,
second season it was raised to loo, 600 francs
The courts Of France and England soon dc
lighted 10 pay her homage; and within Tel
years i,om the hour when Choron took he
half frozen from the streets Of Paris, sh
wore gorgeous diamond necklace, with tn
words Victoria to Rachel" cmblaloHe
uponit,
Mademoiscle Rachel is at the head Of he
profession as a tragic actress, and her annn
, al income is not far from thrty-fyc thou,
and dollars Like Jenny Lind H. anothc
public sphere, She has no peer in her profc.
son, or the admiration OF the yotaricS {
the drama. Snc might have becnlonc Of th
5 greatest OF living singers but She pret.rrc
to aim at the highest tragic emincncc. Tha
. y hos a.l |