Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-03

EH ~ AHHA
not expose himself to be Kissed with
out being sure he is TO be we'll psiC
ior, IL Quite right, Potter; quit
right
81 say, Potter, affably continued
the pseudo-pripce how long have
you been on the stage? 2"
Your pardon, SIR replied Talley.
rand, but | have no memory fol
dates; but, since your c~xcellency
thinks that we are all actors, does
your excellency recall your debuts p
Well, yes, answered Potter sum
moning up all his history. II. began
in a little piece called The Seminary,
in which | took the role of the Able
de Pergord.' Later | acted in comedy
with my friend the Count of Choiseul-
Coulter, general agent of the French
clergy | equipped a e~orsair? But
what would you? AT that time every
body was playing in comedy or farce (;
the pope accepted a d~edicatory epistle
from Voltaire generals were embroid-
ering abbes celebrated mass in bou-
doris, and mobiles amused themselves
with the democratic insolences of
Beaumarchais Figaro. | played my
part. An aristocrat, | demanded the
equality of classes Bishop of Autun,
| went in for the liberty of conscience;
brought up in the church, | brought
about the sale Of ecclesiastical pro
perty for the national benefit; the
head Of my house, | helped on a reve-
luton to prescribe titles AID priv
leges. All, my dear fellow, what
comedies have | nottaken part in ~
And since then, your e~xcelleacy?'
questioned Talleyrand.
Since then" continued Potter,
the Importance of my parts has in
creased with the growth of my fame.
| figured on the stage of the Luxem-
bourg at Bonaparte's first ovation
also in the laughable interlude Of the
18th Brumaire. | have been the cou.
lid mt Of a terrible parsonage known
as the first consul and the emperor. |
am old and my memory is somewhat
clOtged, but | fancy that | took part
in a tragedy once, though | only had
to say a few words of appreciation or
cruel indifference"
VIA tragedy was that, your ex
cellency?' asked Talleyrand.
81 think, if | remember rightly. it
was called The Duke of Enghien. y re-
piled Potter, playing with one Of his
orders.
Sir cried Talleyrand, half starting
up; but controlling himself he re-
sumed his seat, saying, pray go on,
your excellency."
What more shall I say, Monsieur
Potter went on the actor, my
play is so conilscd. SO
dark, SO complicated. i have had to
do with SO many audiences, actors and
Nevertheless | may say that |
nave always acted by taste or By voca-
ton, without bothering myself much
the name of the dramatist or
the real merit Of the piece, or lis
morality. | have made it my aim to
accept every part | was cast for. and
to play it like a conscientious actor
who desires, first of all, to protect and
advance the interests Of his theater.
In politics, perhaps, | have been only
a great artist. | have made art for
art sake"
Talleyrand took up his parable in
turn, wishing, perhaps, that history
would be as lenient in its summing up
Of his career as had been his double.
Your excellency, he said u
Potter, your play applied to the
realities of high places in this world
f-ightens me for you. | find myself.
more fortunate than you and envy
your excellency neither your wit, yeur
grandeur, nor your "reminiscences the
successes of an actor like myself are
ephemeral. but they cause no one to
weep my memories of populaces
laughing with merriment; | have had
but to deal with charming illusions.
Frankly ! say, hurrah for Potier's
wand Mine is a scepter that has
weighed heavily on none of my sub.
iects. am a king neither tyrainical
nor jealous nor ambitious, but sharing
willingly my glory and my power with
other kings, such as 0dry, Arnal and
Brunei"