Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-28

WAS lucky madness; for in the course
Of the following year had paid off my
debt and was master OF $4,000 more"
Sardou showed me over the house--I
should say chateau. Built on the ruins
of the Montmorency's manor, it is gay,
spacious, commodious, well.arranged
mansion. On the walls are few paintings,
but magnificent engravings, which form
valuable collection, of which Sardou is
justly proud. The rooms are filled with
/ objects of curiosity:
determined to ascertain the truth
about the famous drama, Les Trieo-
tauses," about which SO much noise was
made some months ago.
Sardou replied: :" In the first place, it
was never styled Les Tricoteuses; its
title was LIE Thermidor.'
"And did you hope the ceusors would
accept this title ?"
my principle is, dare always. But
on this occasion my expenditure of au-
dacity was all in vain. was putting
out feelers before entering upon negotia-
tions, when NJ Camille Deucett the su-
perintendent of theaters, visited me
unoflicially and persuaded me was los
ing valuable time in writing q drama
whose performance would never be per
mitted / laid down my pen, but the
play is arranged and three. quarters writ
ten, and rest assured it will see the foot
lights one of these days" Sardou began
to hum an air from g lie Prophete."
Iasked-"Do you like Meyerbeer
Sardou answered." / idolize him."
Are you musician 2"
By instinct, like the lazzarone, who,
after once hearing an opera, huns it over
from the first to the last note."
"What do you think of lie
Prophete 2" '-
"The score is thorough masterpiece.
The book is one of Scribes mistakes,
who could not help himself. Instead of
hunting the elements of his drama in
history, he built it on three lines of Vol
taire, which are absolutely contrary to
truth. But Scribe knew the revival, the
18th and 18th, as he knew his own CEN
tury-only by hearsay. And yet what
period of time is more fascinating, is
more capable of interesting a dramatic
author than the Reform have delved,
investigated, dssected, turned inside out
this period of history. / have upstairs
room full of papers connected with it
By dint Of reading Luther, ZwiDglius and
Calvin, and of translsting Erasmus col
loquies, / became passionately enamored
of it; and, assure you, there was some
thing else to be done with 1t than to write
an insipid book on that episode OF the
Anabsptists, or that city of Munster,
which, during whole year, was the prey
of religious madness, when Jean de
Leyde, Mathisen and the others honestly
attempted to revive the fabulous times
and the heroic phrenzy Of the Bible"
The dinner bell rang, and we sat down
at the table. could not conceal my
stupefaction at the sight of Sardou's
prodigious appetite. He said, smiling,
to me- -ll4tl ~
"You think, do you not, play knife
and-ferk well2 1t is necessary. A fel-
low must give the body strength that it
may support the mind"
"If your work is in proportion to your
food, you must not have minutes rest
during the day."
"You are mistaken. rarely work
more than from ten to two clock, and |
devote portion of this time to break
fast"
"Whatl you do not wait for digestion
to take place before sitting down to work
again ?"
bah digestion aids work and work
aida Digestion
my visit will have given you few
hours repese."
"Ohl take my time just now. have
not yet the least idea of the play am to
give to the Gymnase this winter"
Besides, the success of the Patrie
is enough to fill one year-to say nothing
of the lit of ribbon which will doubtless
be transformed into a rosette on the 18th
Of August"
"Chi 10 sas The Minister has for the
last three years pnt me on his list of per
sons to be promoted to the rank of officer;
and for three years ! shogld have been
disappointed had taken the least step
to obtain the distinction"
"Have you enemies in high plsces2"
at know none. / have never had any
relations with their Majesties, except at
the epoch when La Fdmile BeRoiton
vas played ct Compeigne l dined, ac-
cording to usage, at the Imperial table.
The Emperor was very gay, the Empress
was very courteous. After dinner, Mar
shal Valiant said to me :
Everything is going on well. They
are very much pleased with you; during
the performance you must stand in the |
state bog.
. replied: rE. ilIIla
"That is not my place. 1t is on the |
stage with my actors if
Invent on the stage"
"Are you not afraid this breach Of eti-
quette initiated against you in their
Msjestiss minds p .sr.f.
Think not, for soon afterwards they
both came to the first performance OF
Maison NeuUe, and the Empress said she
had never been 50 much amased.H
"Has the Empress always shown the
same sympathy for you
"Certainly not. She at first thought
the pieces immoral. and for a losE time
abstained from appearing at their per.
fogusnee. hoVefer, one esening While
they we're playing Les Diables Noirs at
the Vaudeville, she came 10 the theaIeF