Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-03-17


in Her Sickness-Her Faithful
servants attachment 10 Her
ROuged Cheeksin the Presence of
Death.
Correspondence of New York Tribune.l
Your very friendly review on my arti.
Gle Cannes" which appears in this
months Lippincott encourages me to
give a few additional details respecting
the death of Mile. Rachel, which may be
of interest to your readers, and which l
had not thought to include in my paper.
The authorities for my statements are
principally DR.. Maure, the celebrated
physician who attended the great actress
during her last sickness; NJ. Henri
Mature, his son, very eminent lawyer,
who transacted the legel affairs both of
Rachel and Lord Brougham; and lastly,
Mrs. S., an Irish lady who visited
Mile. Felix several times while she was
at the Cannes. All these persons have
known intimately for many years, so
that / have had frequent occasions to
hear them speak 90 this interesting sub
ject. / was at Nice also when the death
occurred and cah safely assert that
the interest felt for the poor invalid was
really very remarkable. The entire
society was eager to do something
whereby to express respect and sympa-
thy. remember one day being taken
in a carriage by some ladies' to leave
her a bouquet of flowers. l was
mere lad at the time, and as is
often the case with youngsters, per-
formed my journey perched up on the
coach.box, alongside of the coachman.
When we reached the Villa Sardou, to
my Joy Rachel was in the garden, walk
ing arm-in-ar with her sister, She was
dressed in kind of white peignoir, or
morning gown, with thick shawl over
her shoulders, and straw.hat on her
head. She was certainly not pretty;
thin, by no means tall, and her complex
ion was very sallow. The features were
small and insignificant, but her eyes
we're very brilliant, though small. She
came to the carriage side to receive her
present, and stood there for some time
in conversational can hear her now,
expressing her thanks. | have never
since heard voice like unto hers. 1t
was low, deep, and she spoke very dis
tinctly. | think had she been a singer
she would have sung contralto. She
said: Je vous remercie bien mes
danes d etre venues de 81 lion porter ces
charmantes tieues une pauvre malade.
{" ] thank you much ladies, for coming so
Ear to bring flowers to a poor, sick wo-
man" A few compliments we're ex-
changed, and the ladies, who were not
personally acquainted with the actress,
drove away. Scarcely, however, had
our carriage reachad the garden gate,
ere a servant came running to us with
handkerchief or a paper full Of cakes
nuts and French bons-bons. Made
moiselle envoie ceci au petit garcon,
{" Mademoiselle sends these to the little
boy.") And the little boy on the box
set to and munched, and munched, and
munched with all the zest of the witch
who had chesnuts in her lap" the
whole way home. The Christian senti-
ments awakened in the heart of this ex-
traordinary woman were doubtless en-
kindled by the frequent conversations
she had with several pious ladies who
visited the Cannes during her last days
with view Of converting her. One day
she remarked to Mrs. S.: 81 believe
Ristori succeeds so we'll as Marie
Stuart because she is good Christian.
l wish | had been one" 1t is impossi-
BILE, however, to say in what religion she
died; but it is certain that the closing
scenes Of her existence were marked by
deep and settled spirit Of faith and
hope in future and better life. With
her at the hour of death was, besides her
sister Sarah, her faithful nurse and
friend Rose; and there is no greater
proof Of the strong affection she could
inspire in others than the fidelity and
attachment Of this poor servant. She
had been with her for twenty-five years,
had nursed her in sickness, had ap-
plauded her in her triumphs, and now
that the spirit had fed it was her hand
that smoothed the winding sheets and
decked them with flowers. After her
mistress death poor Rose pined away
and died too, at least was told so.
There was an act of delcacy dis
played by NJ Legouve toward the dying
artistic which deserves mention. 1t was
this clever dramatist who had been Sc