New-York tribune., 1879-02-25
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

which large NUMBER or IeauelS HdNc "lV""N
como familiar through their publication IN inc
atlantic Monthly, the present volume comprises Il
considerable amount of new matter which forms an
Interesting supplement to the details of the original
serial issue. Mrs. Kemblc tells her story with the
frankness and freedom characteristic OF her nature
Her narrative shows no diplomatic reserve, and she
evidently adheres to the good habit of calling things
bv their right Names She loves to speak plainly
on points in regard 10 which she deems 1t worth
while 10 speak at all and one is never at loss 10
know her impressions and feelings on snnJec's w
which she has given her mind. Indeed she is ol'cii
pcrhaps too confidential with her readciS' anu poS
ont a stream of personal "reminiscences laihiiS MS
tory theatrical gossip and trivial anecdotes' III
which she takes il for granted that their interest ~
no less profound than her Own. The consequence IL
that her narrative frequently hangs hre' ana laiS
of tbe effect she aims to produce Still 1t abounds
with brilliant and powerful passages, which relieves
tbc attention Of the reader after long journey
through insignificant details. Many OF the sketches
of character betray the habit not only OF nice oD-
sorvation but of impressive description Her pc
tnrcs of English life in the earlier part OF the cen
tury are full of natural touches painted IN bold ana
felcitone cOlors hut for the most part without tne
stroug dash of humor, which might have been
looked for from her surroundings and experience
Her connection with the stage seems 10 nave pee'I
distasteful from the first, and her rare theatIica
aptitudes we're called forth by sense oi maj uuy
rather than by personal inclination. nspite ol neI
descent from family of actors she never colulalS
took 70 the vocation, and was always more nj home
with her books and her friends, than IN minstcrihK
10 the recreation and delight of the pubic.
One of the most effective portraits, Of which SO
many tempting specimens are given in the volume
is that of the mother of Mrs. Kemble. She was OF
10 9Th .rf!
daughter of Captain Decamp, an officer In
ono of the Revolutionary armies that were
sent 10 invade republican Switzerland. He
married the daughter of farmer in the neigh
borhood of Berne, within sight of the Junglrau
range of the Alps, from whose blood the writer
tanclcs she may have inherited the love for
those beautiful mountains which has been passion
Of her life. After temporary residence IN vienna
Captain Decamp was persuaded TO settle IN London
where his talents as a draughtsman and muslcian
which were much above those of n mere amateur
promised the means II support for himself and his
youug wife and child. 1t was the time when the
emigration Of the French nobility had filled London
with objects OF sympathy. Among other means
devised for their assistance was the representation
of iuycuile dramas in the French language by
voung French children, which soon became one OF
the fashionable frcnzes of the dav Among the
Il
Drcamp attracted tho greatest attention by her
beauty and grace, and the truth and spirit Of her
performances The little French fairy was eagerly
seized upon by the admiring fine gentlemen and
ladies' and made the pet of their social circles. But
while the homes of the great and gay was her con-
stant resort her own home was becoming sadder
and sadder every day, and her existence and that
Of her parents more and moro uncertain and
penurious. Her father had suffered from the
climate SINCE his first arrival in London, and il was
not long before he prevented by disease of the
lungs from giving instruction on the flute. lie at
tempted TO supply its place by lessons in French
and drawing but his life was a constant struggle,
under the dark London sky, and in the damp
foggy atmosphere, while the poor foreign
wife bore aud nursed four children. The
only bright spot in the sad spectacle was
the "ono little human jewel sent forth from its
drgv case to sparkle and glitter" in the growing
gloom Of daily existence. After six years spent in
bitter struggle with disease and poverty. Captain
Dccamp died of consumption, while still young
man. leaving a widow and five little children, of
whom the eldest, Mrs. Kcmbles mother. not vet in
her teens became from that time the sole support
She invented peculiar kind Of dramatic repTcsen-
taton which met with great success, and estab-
h,hed her claim TO the favor Of the public. Among
other gifts she possessed fine and powerful voice
ana an unCOnm0nlS accurate Nlu1lCdl car BIC
moved so gracefully that people went TO certain
promcnadcs which she frequentcd only 70 see her
walk she was capital hoScwoman her figure
was beautiful, and her face singularly handsome
and expressive; while no English woman eGualled
her in the hle and originality of her talk Over and
above these adornmentS she had 4 talent for cook
mg, which amounted TO positive genius Mrs. kem-
bic recalls. with fond remembrance, " tho endless
supplies OF potted gIaves sauces, meat ices, game
jrcs fish jclics, the white ranges of which fitted
the shelves of her rstore-room-w which she laughingly
rallied her boudoir-almost to the exclusion Of the
usual curant ielies and raspberry jams Of such re-
ccptaclcs." The moderate professional means of
her husband were Slulfully turned to account in
the arrangements for his modest table, that he was
accused 10y ill-n0tured people of indulging i'll the
expensive luxury of French cook. Mrs Kemble
aScribes whatever success che has enjoyed on the
stage to the genius of her mother, whose name has
been oyershadowed by the celebrity of the great
actors of her fathers family.
The incidental notices to which large part of the
volume is devoted, relate to many prominent per
sonagcs IN the literary and social lie of England
while good deal of space is also taken MP with
"reminiscences of people who are not remembered
elsewhere and descriptions of characters of which
the originals are now hut the shadow of a shade
Among the early friendships Of the author tina
with Mrs. Jameson, whom she met for the first time
at an evening party in London, which was the com
lncncement of an intimacy that lasted many years
She was not a little chagrined to find the Ennuy6c,
whose death was announced at the close of that
romantic memoir, sitting comfortably yOn sofa, in the
fun luxuriance of blooming "plumpntude." with NJ
sign that a sorrow or disappointment had ever dark
oncd her path. At that time Mrs. Jameson al
attgactiye.looking young woman with n skin Of
dazzling whitcness, to match her mildly reddish
hair, and he7 face which was radiant with express
.ion and refinement, capable of a marvellous power