New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-25

solved The other day referred to the possihil-
ity 0fan Arrangement under which she might remain
SOcI6tare, and go to America leave iof absence.
But there seems little or no chance of that. She
cannot resign, as has been explained before. She
cannot obtain the consent of her comrades 10 with
draw. They have no power, suspect, 10 release
her from her engagements, and would not if they
could. The jealousy raging against her does not
blind them to the fact that it is she who fills the
theatre four nights week and mat there is no one
to replace her when she gees. She viii have to en-
dure some sort of process or lawsuit by which
the Comedie will attempt to enforce its legal
claims on its most valuable member. The
State itself may intervene and not only the law
courts but some kind of administrative power may
be brought TO bear on her resolution. 1t is safe 20
say that all violence Of that sort will strengthen her
purpose. Her enemies-and she has enemies enough
never accused her of being wanting in spirit.
They have accused her of having too much.
Very different influences viii make themselves
felt, however, when Nile. Bernhardt returns to
Paris. The public of the Theatre Francois will
not part with its idol if persuasion, en-
treaty, coaxng and fattery can keep
her. She Will find herself besIeged by
admirers, and day after day implored to abandon
her present plans. 1t would be too much TO say
that she will prove obdurate with all Paris at her
solve to quit the Coincide the belief that Paris
OF section of 1t. had been aenated FROM her by
the calumues and odious scandals which some OF
the Paris papers have permitted themselves TO print
during her absence. When she finds that this Is
otherwise, that Paris is as loyal to her as ever
a IevulsOn of feeling would not be unnatural.
| don't that she will think il right to
cancel her contracts with Mr. Jarrett; though that
would be for him and for her question of money,
and might be arranged. ! only mean to say that
there is still possibility of seeing this ncompar
able artist once more in her proper sphere at the
Theatre FRANCHISE. For myself | am unpatriotic
enough TO wish that it might be so; though in
your interests l am willing her return should be
postponed a little.
Mr.. Hollingshead, l may add, has offered Mile
Bernhardt $4,000 10 remain in London after the
departure Of the Coincide, and play for four
weeks. The sum is about two-thirds of what
she receives from her own theatre during the whole
year. but she has declined the offer. To appear after
the departure OF her comrades would be, in her
view, an ungraciOus act. and sort OF declaration
of hostility which she has no desire 10 make. Her
refusal to play in NJ. Acard's piece,-the title
Of which has now been changed from Shake
speare fills y to "Davenant, has been much com
mented on. But the reason is simple enough. As
VI. Perrin declined 10 produce the piece until the
last evening of the London season, Mile. Bern hardt
did not think herself bound to 90 through the great
labor Of study and rehearsal, which the part re-
quired, in order to appear IN a single perform
ance. As "Davenant" viii certainly be brought
ont in Paris. this refusal shows once more
how fixed is Nile. Bernhardts purpose 20
act no more with the Coincide Frlncaise.
She had read VI. AcaTd's play month ago. and was
delighted, as 1 then wrote You, with the Op1or-
tuuty it gave her for Shakespearean deliueatiOns.
l am sorry for NJ Aicard Nile. BernhardP' sub
stitute is Nile Dudlay, actress who has ability,
but whose reputation is set to make. and much Of
the interest which the piece would have reused is
lost when Nile. Bernhardt disappears from the cast.
I see that In a letter OF last month l spoke of this
Davenant part as probably her first appearance in
public In male costume. I was quite wrong. II
was she who created the Zdaetto of " lie
| Pas-ant," at the Odeon ten years ago-the
/ same piece in which, as 1 SAID, she has
/ been appearing IN private houses IN London.
! ZrneHo is a strollinc minstrel attired in doublet
and hose If Nile Bcrnhardt plays Romeo and Hamlet
10 American audiences, the costume viii not be
very unlike that she has in the part which
was among her early successes the French stage.