New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-16
M1D4ME De STIEES LIFE.

\ LECTURE or TIE BRILLIANT WRITER BY JOHN
FOSTER KIRK.
John Foster Kirk, the historian and the
present Editor Of LippiHcOHs MdgaztRe, delivered a
lecture Madame de SaGl yesterday afternoon before
an audience mainly Of ladies' in the lectureIoOn Of the
Young Mems Christian Association at FOurth-aye and
Twenty -tIrd-st. The lecture comprised sketch of
Madame de staGs life. estimate OF her character and
many anecdotes illustrative OF her gifts OF
ton and elOqueuce. Her contest with BOnaparte and
her influence in shaping the course or Jae French Ma
tiOn were dWet on at some length.
The eighteenth century, said the speaker, the
child OF history. There then renaissance, not OF
but Of morals and manners, when simplicity, fru-
gaity and fraternity admired. such the time
in which Madame lie SJaG lived. She Of an ardent
temperament, vvaci0Us, brilliant and SYN pathetic. Her
father Jacques Necker, occupied conspicuous position
the public eye. subsequently, the leaders Of society,
the politicians OF the times ana those prominent IN liter
AZURE met in the salon of Madame de StaG, where her
rare talents were displayed 10 great advantage She
Was impe tuous, vehement and imaginative yet candid
and frank "A remarkable degree. with mind strong
enough to grasp the closest reasoning. she was OF
deeply sensitive nature. The wachwOrd OF her life
liberty Forced 10 quit Paris IN the Reign OF Terror,
she ei TO COppe Geneva. On her return tOiParls
during the Directory an enmiy between her and Bona
parte arose. lie made every effort to annui " her,
As he expressed il, ana pris0n her soul,' she
III.
was an ideal She surrounded by the greatest
men OF the time whom she charmed and fascinated by
her wonderful talents. In her conversation she lost
herself in her theme, and her face became remarkably
expressive. Her large. black flushed With bril-
Iaucy one moment and were wet with sympathetic
tears the next. She "A large woman and yet was "A
model OF grace. She always intensely in earnest.
her object being to dazzle but % convince her hear
ers. So she never INDUCED IN paradoxes. Sometimes,
Iv her yala IN.
Generally however she spoke calmly ana closed by
asking for her listeners opinions
10 this queen tine palace at Coppet, TO which every
one turned, was prison. ohe apphed Tor pernl5-
sion 10 visit America and ut one time 10 Thought
that would sail. But the frgate that was promised
she he'd to Vienna and thence to ST. Petersburg
and 5SeSnC ana ~ fe " u her %ei 70
occurred in 1915 and then she resumed 70 Paris and
sumcd her life with great splendOr. Her salon
TequenIed by the distinguished men OF the day In
Madame de sts6l was politician but she was every
linen woman. sne was feminine Dy the force OF print
i've womanhoOd, by her snglencss Of purpose and by
the ardor OF htr generosity. cue wa nAs h0hess a.
Tending her young. Her nrst marriage VITA Baron de
StaG-IIOistein was one or convenience. Her second
marriage with French officer, De Roccs, was one of
compassion ana tenderness. sue had her YOulh!ul
loves and her grand passion IN maurei years one Or
her most marked traits was her intense sympa'hy win
humanity. those in high station sac had words Of
warning Her ASSISTANTS rad the hostility All 10 them
selves. There was viuiol in her words. Her TT
proaches even OF NAPOLEON seemed more IKE not barn
ING tears. ,... .,,.o,,t,,,t, .o
presidency with which she maintained htr frlenusLlps
was greater size passed her life under blaze OF light
courted admired by all. Her great genius anu her
with Napoleon made Der me centre or interest
Taking a. much rs she did she must ut times have
talked foOshy. But II Is never said that she I'D an
ungratefu act Her eiOqnchce' h-r social alF3htdst
made 10 be means uy which she bound MP wounds
ana healed distress In her last years sue ad ASIDE hr
yanities and became even iieeI ana more CANDID IN her
talks Her utcl lcct remained unImpatrCd. Other NO.
Their costumes but look AT Madame dc stae there
IL no break, DO discord from nrst To last'