The New York herald., 1879-03-16
woman who wore the tight fitting dresses, the charm
ing style of which has become so general
ExISTENCE.


evening she had half hour to spare i Was passed
in a restaurant in the neghborhood OF the theatre
with the rireurs of the Quarter La.in: nhose ~no
Bohemian instincts. One day Genroy' the emnen'
comedian and ex-societaire of the Comedie iran
caise. who then fulhlling an engagement at tue
Odeon. said to her in paternal tone. what de-
plorable sort of life you are leading you VINO are an
before YOU" '.Haias, mon cher ann" she replied;
mo one is more keeny alive to the Iac'
Tha tnao,ra am o na, am aslng l INV existence
What l to do ?' "Work more and employ your
leisure in manner worthy of you; read good books;
case. l have always painted. That has sustained.
aided and at times often consoled me-" 'You are
scended to the foyer of the artists There she found
a SCULPTOR friend of the establishment q man Of
speaking enthusiastically of his art. Sarah listened
him atentivey, then she suddenly left the foyer
and returned to her dressing room "Clemencei"
tered the room Quick! Go and buy me
some modelling clay!" And during the whole
evening she applied herself to kneading and model
ling the clay with much earnestness as inexpe-
rence. From that time out she modelled inces-
santly-at FIRST of course. very badly. then better
and better thanks to the advice Of the artists who
came to see her. And now she exhibits ut the Salon
groups statues and busts. before which there is al
pERNHARDr's INTELLECTUAL COURT
Mlle Bernhardt quilted the Odeon in pretty much
the same manner she had lett the Gymnase, sud-
denly and without notice, to return 10 the Comeuie
FRANCHISE. no longer as the young laureate OF the
Conservatolre, bus as an artist upon Wnom Cno
direction justified i'll founding great hopes
These hopes she has realized. Her success at the
FranCaise has been affair of progressive stages but
1t is complete as 1t is possible for IT 10 BE-
Since Rachel whom her admirers, blinded by their
enthusiasm, too often compare her. no female artist
has ever occupied at that theatre q position to be
compared to hers. There his consequently been
formed around her q veritable court, composed or
men, young and old, handsome and plain. but every
one OF them intellectual, for Sarah has an insur-
mountable horror OF FOOLS and no consideration. no
question Of interest induce her to tolerate the
cile, no matter what may be his rank.
Around her to be found assembled peo-
writers. vaudeviliists. artists. politicians. Even
diplomacy is represented in this little cenace OF
friends admirers and lovers. Nile Bernhardt in
habits in OF the new quarters OF Paris the Ave-
nue. dc vlliers at short distance from the Pare de
Neuilly beautiful little hotel which she had built
tor her. Her time for reception Is generally in the
afternoon. In the morning when the weather Is fine
she rides horseback, after which she attends
the rehearsals at the theatre When the rehearsals
do not necessitae her presence she atircs herself
in male costume of white flannel which hts her to
perfection. and without interrupting her work OF
modelling she herself opens the door OF her studio to
visitors. This studio is one Of the handsomest in
Paris. 1t is not merely the largest apartment OF hel
house but it may be called the hotel ITSELF for all
the other rooms boudoir. dining room. petit salon.
bedrooms, merely radiate from it, and are Ill meas
sacrificed to It, There the mistress of the house
accumuates Oriental stufs, costly carpets, Chinese
and Japanese curiosites old bbetos and rare books
A superb palm tree is planted in monu
mental cioisonne vase. Over o vast chimney
piece Of carved oak is to be seen
q portrait of Mlle Bernhardt, life size. On every
side the attention of the visitor attracted by marble
satuetes and clay busts under glass shades. wide
staircase, with bausters ascends to within couple
of metres OF the ceiling. 1t leads to small door,
over which grmaces the antique tragic mask. Occa-
sionaliy, when indisposed fatigued, Mile. Bern
hardt her visitors in bed Therefore, all her
friends are familiar with the bedroom, where the
artists eccen .rictes have allowed themselves full
fling. The walls are covered with black damask the
bed is black the furniture is all b ack. 1t wants only
few church tapers to convert tho room into
chapcue drdcnte.
A woMAN's STRANGE FASc1Es.
In one corner, close to an enormous Psyche draped
with black velvet stands magnificent male skele-
ton. This skeleton, which leans toward the glass
il admring itself IN It, is not exactly calculated 70
point Mile. Bernhardt has her own peculiar ideas.
The sight of Lazarus-that is the name she gives to
the skeleton-suggests to her no gloomy thoughts.
for the idea of death has terrors for her. Quite
the contrary. good deal has been said about q
occasionally passes the night This coffin
really exists. and only few days ago
Mile. Bernhardt actually posed in it to
trestles for the occasion and surrounded by lighted
tapers Ranged round it stood tine family-the little
sisters and little cousins of the pseudo deceased.
photographed in attitude of grief. as also few
friends who affected to be sobbing. The proofs Of
mate friends only It IS certain that these strange
fancies not all due to desire on the part OF Mue
Bernhardt to keep public curiosity on the stretch.
Some OF them are attributable to serious inirmity
of health At times the energy Of the artist is domi
mated by this The fanting fits of Sarah Bern
always an uncertainty her being able to play out
role 1t happens to her but too frequently to faint
in the middle OF aas' .d Year 5, -.
that she received less applause than usual In tho
third act in which her great monologue Is spoken.
got vexed lost her head got confused in her re-
citation and ended by having n nervous attack She
returned her dressing room and insisted upon re-
turning home, which she did. 1t became necessary
to send for the Commissary of Police. who made
formal note of the departure OF Mle Bernhardt and
heavy fine was imposed on her. which she
tIpafr
that feeling which she inspires IL that OF fear
Aggressive by nature and tree in her language.
she is not o woman to shrink from publicity OF any
kind. She arrives ut the rehearsals armed with
small walking cane, the hourshes OF which become
more or less 20 @ .ne sa &C s
the director The latter could never habituste him.
self the menacng adjunct OF the fair actress she
is usually escorted to the performances by her full
stan of friends. The carries her gloves, tho
other her FAM third raises the train Of her costume.
q fourth presents her with small pocket mirror.
Before making her appearance the stage she takes
with her few pieces OF ice which she allows to melt
in her mouth This Is intended : as precs%non ,n,
She attributes the same virtue to champagne, and
never drinks any other wino
A CHAnAcTEnIsrIC ADVENTURE.
The columns OF the NEW YORK HERALD would not
suffice in space to recount in detail the life,
the caprice the assions and the weaknesses OF this
strange creature who Is ut times great tragedienne,
always a great artist and woman of Incompatible
seductveness. must not omit to relate to you in
this connection Characteristic adventure of which
Mile. Bernhardt the heroine and which will servo
to complete her portrait. In occurred In the Pyre
nees. Sarah had gone to pass season ut Bagnerros
de Bgorre. She saw but few people. In one OF her
excursions she met superb looking monk. still
young, whom she managed to engage in CONVERSE
ton under the pretext of asking her way. The monk
was not merely holy man, but man distinguished
in manners highly informed aud eloquent in his
mode expressing himself. He pleased the actress,
who, on her sidc Interested him by her wit and
originality of bearing. The two often met in tho
picturesque places which they mutually frcquented.
They abandoned themselves to long CONVERSATIONS in
which science, art. literature and philosophy were
alternately discussed But day they spoke of the
dangers of the theatre Mile Bernhardt was surprised
to hnd that the monk had undertaken to convert
her. In an instant diabolical but feminine idea
struck her. Sine determined In turn to evil this
monk who sought to turn her to good. And she OPP
posed TO all the exhortatons Of the holy man all tho
resources of her coquetry and scductiveness ne
resisted for long time, but finally succumbed and
asked her u rendezvous anywhere but In the open
air. This rendezvous was hxed to take place In an
isolated hut perched on mountain peak o. six
O'Clock In the morning. When Sarah arrived there
the hut was unoccupied. The monk had not made
his appearance and the people who had let the cabin