The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-08-06

pseudo diplomatist. "So3great~a man as
I am, have had my experience of misses.
There is where you folk upon theSstage
have the advantage. N To hiss you, the 4
people must pay at the door, Whereas we
poor devils OF ministers, diplomatists and
statesmen can be mobbed gratis yX\sNb
''This is hardly just, monseigneur,"
said Talleyrand, after a moments pause;
"people should not thus treat the stal
actors who govern the world.n.
"Ah," answered the comedian prince,
'sthen you think one. should not expose
himself to be Kissed without being sure
he is to be we'll paid for it. Quite right
Potler; quite rightr T,f09AW >hIIf{1
V. ....-.
II say, Potter" afably continued the
pscudo-prince; show long have YOU, been
on the stage?' .N> - 1870 $50 '.' -
"Your pardon, sir, ''replied Talleyrana,
''but have no memory Tor dates, but,
since your excellency thinks that tive are
all actors, does your excellency glecall
your debut?"
swell, yes" answered Potter, summon
| ing up all his history. II began in a lit
tie piece called The Seminary in which
l took the role Of the Able de Perigord.
Later acted in comedy with the count OF
oiseul-Goutfier, agent of the French
clergy: I equipped q corsair. But what
would you? At that time everybody was
Playing in comedy or farce the pope &C
ceptcd dedecatory cpistlc from Voltairc;
generals were embroiderlng; .abbes cele
DRAFTED mass in boudoirs and mobiles
amused themselves with the democratic
insolences of Beaumarchais7 Figaro /
played my part. An aristocrat, demand
ed the equality Of classes; bishop of Au-
tun, went in for the liberty of con-
science; brought up in the church, l
brought about the sale of ecclesiastical
property for the national benefit; the head
of my house, helped on revolution to
prescribe titles and priviledges. All, my
dear fellow, what comedies have not ta-
ken part i'm
"And since then, your excellency2"
questioned Talleyrand. -: ..3IN
"Since then,' continued potter, ''the
importance OF my parts has increased
with the growth Of my fame. figured
on the stage of the Luxembourg at Bona
parties first ovation; also, in the laugh
able intcrlude of the 18th Brumaire.
have been the confidant of terrible per-
sonage known as the first consul and the
emperor. I am old and my memory is
somewhat clogged, but l fancy that J
took part in tragedy once, though on
ly had 20 say a few words of appreciation
or cruel Indifference" "
"What tragedy was that, your exellen-
cy?" asked Talleyrand. @t
II think, if remember rightly, it was
called The Duke OF Enghelm, 'replied
Potter, playing with one Of his orders.
vi. ... .5.fsr :,
''Sir.' cried Tallcyrand, half starting
up; but controlling himself he resumed
his seat, "Pray go on, your excellency."
"What more shall say, Monsieur Po
tier" went on the actor; my hundred
act play is so confused, so dark, so com
plicated. I have to do with SO many au
dicnces, actors and plays. Nevertheless:
| may say that have always acted by
| taste or by vocation without. botherin&
myself much about the name of the dra
; matist or the real merit of the piece O.
> its morality. / have. made it my aim t
accept every part I was cast for and t
A play it like a conscientious actor who dc
4 sires first of all to protect and advanc
s the interests of his theatre In polite
s perhaps have been only a great artist
t I have made art for arts sake."I
Talieyrand took up his parable i
turn, wishing perhaps that history Nigh
: be as lcnient( in its summing up Of his ca
: rcer as had been his double. il E8sgs<
g "Your excellency,''@ he said to Potie1
! 'syour play applied to the realities OF nag
Il places in this world frightens me for YOU
It find myself more fortunate than 20
I and envy your excellency neither YOU
If wit, your granduer nor your reminisce1
ces; the successes of an actor like myse
are ephemeral, but they cause no one
E. weep; my memories are Of -populact
IT laughing with merlment; I have butt
Y deal will, charming illusions. Frankly
t. say, hurrah for Potier's wand! (; Mine, is
N sceptre that has weighed heavily on nor
it of my subjects. am king neither t.
l. ranical, nor jealous, nor ambitious, b,
ID sharing willingly my glory and my po1
a er. with other kings, such as Odry, Arm
ty and Brunei" - - -. - o. -
g, In his turn the actor could not fall
k feel fattered with the ,delicacy and got
a taste of M. de Talleyrand's complimer
a but he could not resist the temptation
lie launching Parthian arrow at his riv
er. in this game Of comedy, +.,. ..,.na,
n T Mons. Potter" he said to Talleyran
i'd II have frequently noticed you actil
ne and recall many of the characters "
Id have played, but am a little surprls
or when reflect that once you figured in
&C., ragi-comedy-a very sorrowful one
of played in Paris some2years ago.'a '&sSs
as NeWhen was that? What was it, sa
of Talleyrand.. j IL ~"
ito at was in 1S14-the place was call
in sL'Hotel dc ia Rue Saint Florentln.'"
M Tallcyrand WINGED visibly, and ]
INT witty double went on: lH}1h aaiIiH<a
Il hate the play, and to my mind ye
,s performance in it has hurt you in t
the public estimation. The part, Il confe
'py was not an agreeable one. believe tt
ing in that play a great conqueror is sink
ne. anda clever negotiator abandons h
Of after having adored him; in it, rene
oul Der rightly the action sacrifices aduty
@1 a fact, a princip pie to an event, the int