Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-20
VIRGINIE DEJAZET.
A French woman Whose Name Will
Live Long in History.


Live Long in History.
There are a few women, privil-
eyed beings, by the side of whose
cradle some fairy must have watch
ed endowing them with the noblest
qualities of the heart, with the
most exquisite brilliancy of wit,
and with the richest gifts of grace.
They seem born only for happiness,
these charming creatures, and be-
stow happiness on all who know
them. Their existence is like some
brilliant star shining in a firma-
ment of eternal azure. Never does
shade of sadness cloud their
brow-never are they forced to ira
verse the bitter country Of tears.
At the evening of life they remain
as they were at its dawning-gay,
smiling, adorable creations, capti-
waiting even old Saturnus himself,
who for their sake is sparing of his
wrinkles or who changes their
place and puts them under the
heel, as he did of old for the Ninon
de Senclos. Such a woman have
we to mourn, Virginie Dejazet.
Dejazet! it is a name which has
MANY an echo. and which in itself
suggests many ideas of wit, OF
gaiety, and Of genius. At this
name how many anecdotes, how
many wittieisms, how many strange
adventures throng upon the mind,
and hang impatiently upon our
lips and upon our pens! Such
spirits as hers come up like the vio-
let, we know not when or where ;
we have only to cherish, to protect
and thank God for having them.
Had Mile Dejazet been asked at
what age and in what year she
made her debut, perhaps she would
not have known how to answer, for
she was born one evening at the
theater during the representation of
a vaudeville. She first opened her
eyes to the light of the footlamps,
her cheeks were rouged on the day
of her baptism, and her "tirst ap-
pearanceo followed very closely
upon her birth her first steps were
essayed upon the stage which she
afteFward tread, one of its greatest
glories, aud her first childish stam-
merings were received by the brayos
Of the pit. The muse Of the Vau-
deyille Graded her in its lap and
gave her popularity for plaything.
Her dramatic career had long
since commenced when, still q child,
she appeared upon the boards of
the @Gymnase" to perform in a
series of child plays written to in
troduce to the public LeOntine
Fay, who was at that time o little
prodigy and miniature actress, a
Mademoiselle Mars in pantalets
Leontine, like Virginie, had passed
from the arms of her nurse to the
theater, choosing it apparently fol
her nursery. Her first steps were
thus lighted by the footlights and
the public received her first smile
But this gracious pigmy in the
midst Of giant actors rendered the
composition of suitable pieces a
matter Of difficulty, and the man.
ager felt the necessity Of obtaining
companion whose size was more
in keeping with her own. His
choice fell upon Virginie, and now
began the heyday Of the fortunes
Of the Gympase. The pen of the
Scribe, who was then strewing flow-
ers along the route which was to
lead him to the Academic, wqt
devoted to the service, and its roles
were filled by such artists as Gou
tiere, Madame Penisse and Mile
Flowville, who both died at the
early age Of twenty Nine Theo-
dore, who almost consoied the pub
lie for their loss; the comical Clio,
zet, and Pulet, that proud and
sensitive genius, who exiled himseli
from Paris, TO avoid the mortifica'
ton Of playing st the Theatel
Francaise, against his viii.
1t was in the midst Of such art
lists SO brilliant and SO loved by tn,
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