The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-22

OF catastrophe in the air than even young
courter's imperlnence But before elancing
at the scenes Of 80. which Nine. 10 Brun wit
messed. let us pause for moment, to note
what she says OF another famous beauty. whose
reign summarily ended when Marie Antoi-
netto's began-a woman sprung from the low
est ranks Of society who. like the consort OF
Justiuian. passed through tho most dsreputa-
bic stages OF vice into a Kings palace. and
whose end touched with q spurious dignity the
scandal OF her life.
1t was three years before the meeting OF the
States General that Nine. 10 Brun went for the
first time to Louvecennes. whore she had
promised TO take the portrait OF Nine du Barri
She was naturally extremely curious to see this
royal favorite OF whom. in her own girlhood
she had so often heard. Nine du Barri must
then have been about forty five, she was tall
but not too much so stout. with n full but beau
tifu figure; her face was still charming. with
regular and pleasing features. her hair fair and
curly like chid's. her complexion the only
part which was becoming withered." She re-
ceived the artist very gracefully. and seemed TO
her guest to have good manners. but the latter
found her mind more natural than her do
meanor; her Chances we're those OF q couuette
for her long eyes. It seems. were never opened
wide. and her pronunciation was childish and
did not ngree well with her age. The store Of
precious aud magnificent objects which filed
the chateau contracted strangely with the
simplicity adopted By the mistress OF the
house. both in her toilet and manner Of
living. Our author tells us that Nine. du
Barr never wore any rouge. and that one
OF her portraits caumniates her In this
regard. In tho evenings when they were alone
seated by the fire. tho hostess often talked about
Louis XIV. and his court. but she showed her
good sense aud circumspection by speaking
always with the greatest aspect for the one and
very cautiously about tho other. She WAS
very good natured woman. we are told, both In
words and action. very benevolent TO all the poor
about her mansion. II seems that she and the
Due de Brissac lived together at Louveciennes
but nothing. either In his manners or those Of
Nine. du Bari. would have caused any one to
suppose that ho was more than the friend OF the
mistress OF the house. Il Is well known how
ever. that these two were united by n passion
alto affection. and there is no doubt that this
attachment cost them their lives. When. before
the Terror. Nine. du Barrl went 10 England to
seek for her stolen diamonds. which she
found thcre. her friends did their utmost
TO prevent her returning to France. and
went so far as 10 unharness her post
horses to make her stay; It was only her
desire to Join the Due de Brissac. whom she had
left concealed in her chateau. which made her
persist In quitting London. Soon aiterward the
Due was arrested before her eyes and presently
his bleeding head was carried to his mistress
II WIS not long before she herself was betrayed
and denounced by little negro called Zamore
Of whom mention ia made in the memoirs Of
those times IA having been most kindly treated
both by her and by Louis XIV. 1t Is a curious
fact that Nine. Du Barri was tho only woman
among the numbers that perished In those days
who was unable to face the scaffold che went
she implored mercy from the crowd which sur
rounded her. and the mob was so affected by
her entrcaties that the oxccutioner was obliged
to hasten his task. Here Nine. lie Brun makes
a suggestion which we'll illustrates the
penetration Of her mind. Il am convinced"
she says. that had not the victims OF that awful
time. Ms q rulo died 50 courageously. the Terror
would have ceased much sooner. Men. whose
ntsllects are not fully developed. have too little
Imagination TO feel touched by internal suffer
ing, and the pity OF the populace Il more sensi-
tive and easily aroused than its admiration"
We may look too. for . moment before leav-
ing the Paris OF the old regime. nj some sketches
Of the noted actors who then adorned the stage.
Nine lie Brun could woll remember for exam
pie. the celebrated La Kahn. whose astonishing
tune; whereas in the role OF Orosmdne. the
turbnn made him 40 hideous that he positively
terrified tho women. or Mile Dumesnll. n
small and very plain woman. who excited so
much enthusiasm in tragic parts. We are In
formed that she always drank bottle Of wine
before appearing on the stage. and had one in
reserve behind the scenes. Or Monvol. whose
carriage and spirit In high comedy were ad-
mirable. we learn hat he was 40 perfectly natu-
raj that once, on his leaving the scene and bow
ing TO tho actors OF the piece. Nine. lie
Brun instinctvcly rose and returned the
saluiAtlon. On one occasion our author met
at dinner Mile. Clarion. the great tragedienne.
The Inter was short and very thin. but held her
head very erect. which gave her a dignined air.
never hoard any one" says our chroniclor.
speak with so much emphasis. for she retained
in private chat her trag c tone and airs Of prn-
cess but she struck mo rs being clever an vol
informed" Az to Ialma. when he made his first
essay In private theatrlcals, hs was awkward
and embarrassed. and no one could have fore
seen that ho would become an inimitable actor.
It did. indeed. require n long time and the Ut
most nssiduity 10 work this mctamorphosis
AS Is well known. Talma was tho first 10 make a
realistic innovation in the costumes OF French
tragedy. nttiring himself as Greek or Roman
to play Ac',iNes or Brlaus In the course VI
Nine lie Bruins life she saw such famous act
resses as Miles. Rancourt. DOlignY. and Contat
grow up and grow old. and she witnessed from
it, dawn TO It's zenith the magnificent career OF
Mile Mars. II was in this last decade OF the
monarchy. when men sang and danced on a
volcano. and when ladies regulations were more
lightly treated than they are now. that an un-
pleasant story got abroad about our authors
relations to the Prime Minister. Calonne
Tho most surprising part OF this affair.
writes Nine. Le Brun. with indignation. " was
that there had never been u shadow OF truth In
the calumny; scarcely knew ~ de CAonne--
besides. he had no attractions for me. for he
wore a lawyers wig" II is true that she had
painted his portrait. but in 50 much haste that
she neglected to COPY his hands. and once only
in her life Ind she been In his house on the &C.
casion Of his giving a grand soir6e TO Prince
Henry Of Prussia. Long afterward she traced
these malignant reports 10 a " perndious action
worthy Of the lower regions" II seems thai
tho Minister was much in love with certain
Mmo. de g.. who had a charming. sweet
face. though one might perceive something de-
ceitiul in her expression. At the time OF which
speak" continues our author. :" she had beg.
| ged me to take her portrait. and one day. when
she was having q sitting. she asked me. In her
| al I