The New York herald., 1878-11-25

Mrs. Weldon, anu the attraction was to be
NJ. Charles Gounod 1t about Christmas Day,
1871. that Gounod FIRST went to take up definite
abode there, and his sojourn lasted than three
years. Gounod's life at Tayistock House at first
very simple The week was spent in business
and in privacy. The composer worked all day and at
night went to the theatre, enjoyed family life with
the Wedons or entertained very few of his most
intimate friends On Sunday NJ. Gounod and Mrs.
Weldon received" Captain Weldon now seemed to
be left altogether ont of the matter and although he
was generally present when stately visitors camc by
appointment, he appeared content to allow Gounod
to be tho lion Of the house, with Mrs.
Georgina Weldon as managing directress. The
restless ambition OF the lady would not. however, per.
init the hardly worked composer the rest his health
much needed. In his business she assisted him.
it true. She wrote and signed the Of Gounod
to all the composers letters and she gradually took
tho whole of Gounod's business affairs into her
hands.
Msfg. GouSop JEALOUS.
This situation gave Mime. Gounod. the wife Of the
composer. that what is called in mundane parlance
reasonable cause for alarm" Nine. Gounod did not
at all appreciate tho purely disnterested friendship
of the Weldons. and she expressed her opinion her.
self and through her friends Some Of Gounods best
acquaintances demonstrated with him. and to OF
them. Dr. Blanche, Gounod replied under date of
my wife should take a formal and written
engagement to renounce the wicked and hostile
attitude she has assumed against my friends and
myself and the day that she gives me this security
will find me happy in her house. believe there is
nothing either in my nature or my character which
should trouble her. The public say what it will
neither my friends nor shall pay tho smallest at
tention. But to find it in my own house No. This
injustice, which shows feebleness IN those who com
nit 1t, is injury TO those whom it affects To
cept system Of aversion and exclusion from all my
lady friends is to accept for them scorn and to
der myself scornful. My wife has too much dignity
not to understand this. SO much for moral imputa-
tons" Curious to relate. however. Nine. Gounod
had not "too much dignity to accept the position in
the house OF Mrs. Weldon. in which NJ. Gounod wss
placed, and she interested the famous librettist, NJ
Jules Barber. in her favor
NJ BARBER
To an appeal from NJ. Barber NJ Gounod replied
from Tavistock House March 10. He complained that
says:-"My friends in France do not ignore that my
household is an unhappy one They know the suf-
o the scvy va as1 Of my They call s
critic because, while preserve profound and sin
cere attachment to the mother Of my. children,
artistic nature nature which hih regards itself as mine"
He says at Tavistock House no has peace;
@ better than that Of Paris had done; that he
is working for his family and that he fulfls
remains rem % OF his strength To NJ. Pigny. the
brother-inlaw Of his wife, he writes in similar
strain. and asks that his son Jean may come to
sleep in my own bedroom. SO that nothing could
be fairer or more openly yirtuous. Last Of all on
under date Of March 1s. He addresses his wife as
''dcar friend and ays:-"The state of my mental
and physical health forbds me to return to Paris.
am placed between two duties-a wife whom re-
spect and honor and love- and who holds the first
place in my affections and my admirable friends;
never abandon. The situation has become intoler-
able Let the public think and say what it WILL will
return to my home and my drawing room never
more. have had. like others have had my hours Of
infdelity; they have cost me dearly, and have
ms have been Of
most infamous things which tongues could
invent or ears @ listen M to; Blu. sublime
a room largo enough for two. II you will consent
to come here to find your husband and to fix your
life near his you will find friend-sure, devoted and
inseparable.' which offer Mime. Gounod at once de-
clined
GoUxoD INSANE AGAIN.
Gounod soon after this suffered attack Of mental
alteration and confined in private lunatic nsy-
lum at Brighton. Away from the weidons he how.
ever, coon recovered, and in August we find him at
Spa. He writes to Mrs. Weldon from there the
26th Of September addressing her MY dear little
second person singular which in France is used but
to a wife, relative most close and intimate
friend; He says:-"It seemed very sad to me ycster
to thee. Good night and rise in the
day without wishing thee Good morningP" Ho
hearth On the 26th OF October Gounod writes to
Mrs. Weldon in English:-"My blessed soul hope
J.
registered all my aud blessings ut the head of
yonr train God bless you. Your old man. Gounod."
In . foot note to her letter Mrs. Weldon says.
apropos of the expression my blessed soul that it
is ''lntranslatable Gounod only called me that to
please me-
eouyoD RETURNS TO LONDON
Gounod then returned to London, but his cteyc
ome was ut the seaside. SO he writes her in Enghsh
II feel sad like nightcap; is the season:-
Tho heaven hath It's stars.
But London. London. London hath its FOG!
49,
old man. On the 2oth OF October Gounod writes to
Mrs. Weldon in English Get your own health,
which Is part OF my own health a. mine i Of yours
enough Captain Weldon. the husband, writes at the
foot and on the same sheet OF paper. The old man.
since the morning after you went away, has hourly
got better, 50 what you are fussing about don't
know
On the return of Mrs. Weldon the family msnoae
progressed satisfactorily. Toward the end Of 1874
and early in 1879 NJ. Go1nod had very bad health.
However, he recovered and became more attentive
than ever. He invented fresh pet names for Mrs.
Weldon. and on the 3d of March he calls her
Mon gros chat, and says. Il wrte thee this
wish to let day pass without saluting
thee The air of the country must have done
Mrs Weldon good. Tor "n the next day. May 3
He concludes his letter with the words. II embrace
thee with all my soul and all my heart Ton vieux
gros minet. chaton. old man. Ch. Gounod.' In
another letter hc concludes Forever the Oldest of
your kcatttts, and a very old man at distance"
dn chat. est un des petits noms droes que ie
donnc depus des nnnees mon mari" All this time
while Mrs: Weldon was away Gounod wrote her twice
and sometimes oftener day. but the 26th of
March. after lapse Of three months, he found time
to write to Nine. Gounod his wife. again protesting
against the scandals which were frequently raised
and excusing his proceedings.
NEW ACTOR ON SCENE
Jean Gounod. the composers son. arrived in Lon
don in the middle OF April after brief visit to his
mother, in Paris. Tho brilliant example the father
had set the son is evidenced bya letter written April
~ by the Professor of the College Of Jesuits where
young Jean had been educated. giving the youth
strong reprimand for the wickcdncss he had com
mtted in thrashing his own mother. Tho Jesuit
pater states he has seen with his own eyes that
wounded hand of his mother and he predicts that
child who strikes his mother is condemned by God
and man. To this Gounod himself replied stating
young Jeans version of the affair TO the effect that
his mother had tbrashcd him and had caused her
wounds herself. That tho moral character of the
young not all that could he desired was,
however soon shown. Young Gounod. 70 seems, also
became fond of Georgina. But Mrs. Weldon writes