St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1879-04-19
FRANCES ANNE KEMBLE.
Adelaide II emblc) Snrforfs and fiae Great
HidGoms

Rarely gifted was the family Of the
| Kembles. The "great" Mrs. Siddons
an actress who we'll deserved that the
word "great " should be applied to hel
delineation ofsdramatic roles, was the
| first to evince histricnic talent. She il
WAS who, when she studied "Lady Mac.
beth," heard the wind signing in hel
dresms around those battements under
| which good "Duncan " met his doom.
She it was who, when studying char.
acter, secluded herself for weeks, at
times even for months, until, her beauti.
full and noble or somber and majestical
ideal being evolved from her inner con.
seriousness, she then thought herself
worthy to give it to the public. Such is
the consciousness of the true aatist.
1t is related CT this great actress and
superbly graceful and noble looking
woman, that, under the stress OF her
mental preparation for the sleep~walking
scene, she became somnambulistic, and
was met by her female attendant walking
with lamp in her hand, and wearing a
countenance SO expressive Of horror and
remorse that the worthy maiden almost
swoGned at sight of the actress. This
effect, it appears, was afterward equaled
by that of her perlormance-at least as
regarded portion of the public-for a
lady tainted at sight OF the tragedienne's
anguish-stricken face, and had to be
carried out of the theatre.
The story of the CONSERVATION which
filled the manly breast of dry goods
merchant Of whom, when purchasing of
him calico print, Mrs. siddons de-
manded, in tones suited to the blacklist
of tragedies, Will it wash ?" is not
unknown; but that of the effect of her
"Queen Katharine upon the minds of
some prominent personages of her time
is comparatively new and very interest
ing. One lady who was studying for the
stage-snd with great encouragement to
appear-renourced forever her intention
on seeing the queen of the Eighth Henry
as played by this queen of tragediennes,
saying:
II can never equal this acting, and it
would kill me to do less before public
that has seen this representation"
A real actor, who had travelled far to
see the performance, remarked that cup
to that time it had never been dreamt
Of"
Poets, public and actors were alike
exceptionally impressed by her novel
and astounding conception OF the part.
Charles Kemble, like Mrs. Siddons,
wss fitted by nature to depict tragedy,
In Mrs. Siddons all the features were
especially suited to tragic expression.
The nose, though bold, was delicately
cut; the lips somewhat thin, though not
deficient in fullness; the eyes, superb in
the character Of their regard, if not very
large and the figure of rare and noble
symmetry. Mrs. siddons was, howe yer,
little less tall than she liked to be
though of medium height--for tragedy,
and wore high but fat heels to her shoes.
In Charles Kemble nature had given
large eyes, high, broad brow, fine
figure, cassically curling head of hair,
and singularly exp ressive mouth. The
chin, too, was noble as that of a Greek
statue. Ali the features were grave in
character and expression.
Some one who welded the pen of the
critic in those days said of Charles Kem-
ble's /" Hamlet"
"He did not play Hamlet he was
Hamlet
This talented gentleman and fine artist
was father of the famous Frances Anne
Kemble, who has 50 singular q career and
history.
But before relating that history, let lis
speak of Adelaide Kemble-Mrs. Sarto-
ris-the mother of the husband of Nellie
Grant.
Mrs. Kemble Sartoris was probably as
fine Norma" as ever graced the ope'
ratio stage. Her majestic profile, fine
arms, splendid carriage and her voice
were all in her favor. It was certainly
not any want of success that caused her
to retire into private life. Mrs. Sartoris
is the aunt of Fanny Kemble.
Fanny Kemble, who retired from the
dramatic stage at the time of her mar
rage with Mr.. Pierce Butler, of Phila-
delphia, was at one time one of the
most remarkable of actresses and OF
women.
1t is probable that she prided hersel!
upon a certain reckless eccentricity
which she considered excused by her
exceptional talent. She was great In
every role that she acknowledgement as
Juliet" great as "Julia," in "The
Huncnback," and, in a word, failed III
nothing that she attempted.
A lady who had called upon Fanny
Kemble when she--the lady--was littls
girl vas shocked to find the actress
drinking beer; but this she did merely
| to sustain her strength while acting, no
being in any way addicted to the fire.,
use OF stimulants. Asa horsewoman sh,
was perfectly fearless, and would rid
mapy miles on horseback when living O,