Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-09-23
TaIma and KembIe.


Translated for Appleton's Journal.l
Talma was announced to play, for the
first time, the chief priest in Racine's
"Athalie" The intelligence, however,
reached Kemble, in London. so late that,
by the time he had made up his mind to
60 over to see his great French col
league, he was in doubt whether he had
time to reach Paris by the evening of
the performance. He set out, neverthe-
less, and on arriving on the French side
of the channel, he took postcoach,
paying treble fare in order to treble the
speed. 1t was already nightfall when he
reached Paris. In all the uncombed
and unwashed disorder incident to his
Journey he had himself set down before
the door of the then (as now famous
Theatre Francois, and hastened to the
ticket office. Not a seat was to De had
in any part of the house; he was COM
pelled, therefore, to take simple ad.
mission ticket. But now he was so far
from the stage and in such crowd that
he heard very little and could see less.
Familiar as he was with the French Ian
guage, be was not sufficiently accus-
toned to hearing it spoken to be able to
understand it satisfactorily under such
untoward circumstances. After so long
a Journey to miss a syllable or gesture
was enough to almost drive him to de-
spair.
And now near to him there was a box
containing seats for six people, only two
of which we're occupied and from which
one could see and hear so admirably.
He did not consider long, but went in
the lobby, had the owner of the box
called out, and told him how he had
come all the way from London to see
Talma that evening. and now, being
unable to get an eligible place, would
fail in the object of his journey unless
he would give him seat in his box.
In Kembe's manner of preferring his
request there was something so distingue
and earnest that the gentleman, who was
no osher than the Duke de Rochefou-
cauld. unmindful of the strangers extra
ordinary appearance, opened the door
of his box and babe him enter The
case was explained to the duchess, who,
of course, could not demonstrate; but,
after glancing at the intruder, she moved
as far away from him as possible toward
the duke.
The performance begun, and from act
to act the enthusiasm with which the
Paris public were wont to receive their
favorite increased. Kemble sat during
the whole time without moving hand
or saying a word; the satisfaction, how
ever. that was pictured in his face
seemed to reconcile the national pride OF
the duke and duchess to the strangers
outlandish appearance.
The enthusiasm rose to the culminat-
ing point in the fourth act, when the
high priest utters his prophecy concern
ing Jerusalem. The effect produced on
the Englishman was equally as great as
it was on the other auditors. Little by
little he rose from his seat, and at an
inopportune moment, he Involuntary
cried out, Beautiful most beautiful
In an instant all eyes turned toward
the Duke de Rochefoucauld's box, and
as the curtain fell nothing was heard
throughout the house but the cry, Put
him outl Put him outl" The duke
and duchess were naturally exceedingly
mortified land the duke was debating
with himself whether he had not better
request the stranger to retire, when sud-
denly the mood of the audience under
went a radical change.
An Eaglishmsn had recognized his
distinguished countryman, and had in.
formed the audience who he was and
what he had said. The mercurial
Frenchmsn now applauded Kemble
louder than they had applauded Talma,
and when Kemble finally rose and bowed
his thanks and pointed to the stage, in
timating that all their plaudits we're due
to their gifted countryman, the enthusi-
asm became unbounded.
How differently the ducal pair looked
upon the stranger nowl After the play
was over they insisted on his driving
home with them, and refused to accept
his excuses only on condition that he
would dine with them on the following
day. Kemble promised what they asked,
and fastened round to the stage of the
theater to congratulate his distinguished
friend and colleague.