The New York herald., 1879-09-28
SARAH BERNHARDT.
The Projected Visit of the Great French
Coincidence to America.
CAUSE OF ITS PRESENT ABANDONMENT.
The Divine Sarah Too Sharp for
Her Would-Be Captors.
PARIS. Sept. IA. 1879.

failure OF the negotiations for Mile. Sarah Bern
hardts projected trip to the United States. regard
ing which many contradictory stories have been
published. 1 determined to call upon Mr.. Ullman.
who had been mixed up with the affair from the
commencement. and then to Mile. Bernhardt
herself. as to compare their statements and thus
establish the truth as to the matter. found the
veteran impresario in his pretty apartment in the
kue dc Provence. deluding himself with the notion
that he enjoying fine rural prospect from his
sitting room windows. the deception being produced
by few stunted olm trees growing in small gar
den ut the back OF the house. and whose whole ad-
vantage. to my mind. their serving to conceal
the secrets of the adjoining dwellings, which Will
not bear to be- too closely overlooked. He was evil
IDENTIFY absorbed In Of those abstruse cacula-
tons by which he Is always either making his own
fortune the fortunes of others. for he did not
hear me entering tho room. and startled
when I placed my hand his shoulder. l
entered ut once upon the subject Of my visit:-
''You are acquainted with all the facts connected
with Sarah Bernhardts projected visit to America"
asked.
"Of course am. was party to the affair"
"Then be kind enough to tell ne how the idea
arst originated"
HOW THE IDEA ORIGINATED.
'In this way. When the Comedie FRANCHISE was
about to visit London Mile. Sarah Bernhardt sent
to ask me IL ! would undertake the management Of
her private matinees and solrees in that city, in
quirng at the same time my terms. consented to
manage them for her. and an understanding was ar
rived at regarding the conditions. The day after
my interview with her and the conclusion of the
affair NJ. Boucher. who had managed her business
in France. came to me aud wanted me to sign
formal contract This I declined to do the
ground that the business was not important enough
to render it desirable for me to connect
my name with it. but I proposed that
the contract should be signed by Mr..
Jarrett ss my agent. This. stated. would be
equally binding upon me. and would be Of more ad-
vantage to Mile Bernhardt as Mr.. Jarrett lived in
London. and would thus constantly attend to her
affairs. which it would be impossible for me to do.
owing to my residence in Paris. agreed to allow
Jarrett half of my share of the profits. and gave
him instructions how to organize the exhibition of
Mile. Bernhardts pictures and statuary. Ny prin-
cipai motive for placing in the hands OF Jarrett
was because he hal been the agent of Sir julius
Benedict. who has almost the entire management OF
the musical entertainments given by the members
OF the English arstocracy. After these arrange
ments for London had been perfected entered into
another agreement with Mile. Bernhardt to manage
s her professional tours in Europe and then to so
with her, year later, to America. She at this
time the eve OF her departure for London and it
arranged that should settle all the details
her return to Paris"
'Then. how did it come to pass that sho made .
similar arrangement with Jarrett?'
TUE JARRETT ARRANGEMENT
'whcn made tho sensation in London Of
which the papers full. and got into difficult
Ties with her fellow artists aud manager. she sent
In her resignation to the Comedio Franchise and
sisnihed her inteation of fulfilling her engagement
with me for n tour round the world, ending with
America. I wrote to her to dissuade her from
taking such grave step without rejecting carefully
over it. This letter was intercepted by person in
business relations with her. who told her that ap.
proved OF her signing contract with Jarrett for
Europe aud America as my agent. just she had
signed the nrst arrangement. aud that IL would be
equally binding upon me. She accordingly signed q
sort OF preliminary contract. as the French call
II. pret de coafrat. having full reliance these.
my supposed recommendations. There was pen
atty of 100000 francs attached to this provisional
contract. and when she asked explanation of il
she was told that 1t inserted simply exercise
upon NJ Perrin the director OF the Coincide
Francaise. 30 - TO induce him to lot her 70 more
easily.
"Do you consider that contract morally and legally
binding upon Mile. Bernlardtr'
'In neither sense. for she under the i'm
preston that the contract virtually being made
with me. aud do how she be legally
held to 1t. for 1t be proved that her signature
obtained under incorrect representations"
'what was the object OF the parties W those pro-
ceedingsr'
'To secure . contract which could be sold TO
'peculator for bonus. as they had no money 10
sarry IL out themselves to force Mile. BerahArdt
10 psy sum Of money 20 annul L."
would she bo likely TO consent TO compromise
" this kindg"
"Up to tho present time she has resoiutsiy refused
pay cent TO Mr.. Jarrett. and she s not person
likely to recode from determination once taken"
"what course do you think Mr.. Jarrett viii ulti-
mately pursuer'
"Oh he will make show OF proceeding al Law.
but nndina Mile. Bcrnhardt hrrn will rcnonnco
the indemnity. What he dor have written 10
all the managers In the European cities to notify
them that Mile. Bcrnhardt rcpudiascs thu contract
and the fact will be made equally hno~n I'm America.
Besides. suit stand In presence OF the fats
have stated to you. Mr.. Jarrett is well aware OF
this. aud is not man likely to engage in proaslss.
litigation"
INTERVIEW WITH NILE. SARAH nEnSuARpr.
On calling upon Mile. Dernhardt was ct once re-
seved. She lives In beautiful little hotel In the
Avenue do vliicrs. large portion of the house be-
Ing absorbed by her studio. which H. of nouie pro-
portions and decorated with admirable taste. hcie
are to be In progress tho easel portraits and
sketches by the great that would do credit
any professional painter and busts IN clay aud mar.
BILE that would command notice In any exhibition.
Mile. Bcrnhardt much more feminine aud ds',eats
ip appearance than the hkenesscs published of her
would lead ono TO suppose shc had . palette and
number OF paint brushes In her hands when en-.
tered. and retained them. artist like. during the
whole OF our convcrsation.
'Is II true that you have signed treaty with Mr..
Jarrott Iasked, "and is ~ your iniention 30 10
The United states the LIST OF November. stated
by some OF tho ncwspapersr'
.'No. shall not go 60 the United States the
lst OF November. am bound To the Coincide Fran
c,isc by contract which absolutely prevents me
from quitting tho position which occupy at my
theatre. Besides have signed treaty with Mr..
Jarrett. All that did In moment Of vexaiion and
e,,.r ,.as to siun n syo,,f Al, fra,f.