Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-22
THE GREAT DANSEUsE.
Chevalter WikOff,s RecOlIcct,ons Of
FANNY


nas ally hlsSer-who is still living and who has
g aSssN ner three score years and ten-was in
TINS deScrsS sas , .nis country by Mr. wikon. who
enuS ueoStlotS MS Introduction 10 her I'm Vienna
an9 ,ne beginning OF their friendship:
IN, Nit, hssler occupied the CHIEF part OF man.
the premie ts v We position: and mountlngt 10
iurnlshed rooms and were usherei into her
soudolr, where we found the Maruuis I'm earnsst
parley with the diva OF the dance
she received us with exceeding courtesy ana
the conversation forthwith began. The MARQUIS
spoke English perfectly and translated AT inner
S va 10 the lazy what passed between him and
posed. the time and the terms We're all fully dis
cuSsed, and whilst this was going on had
brated woman. was struck by her quiet. lady
like appearance. She was above the medium
height and divinely formed, as had often seen
on the stage. Her features were well shaped.
and the eyes, OF dark gray, wonderfully soft and
gentle. Her head was beautifully shaped. the
counlenance Singularly sweet and winning. The
voice, TOO. was low and musical Every move
ment was the incarnation or grace. What puZ-
Zled me was that so meek and placid a
creature should have made such a furoIe
IN Ino,,i Europe, on and on the stage. one
would have supposed from her retiring
air and modest department that she had been
reared In a convent or had budded I'm SOM
cool sequestered vale" far away from the
nauntS OF men ana the purlieus OF the opera
Louise. Could she be as Innocent and confdtng
as she looked? Had the admiration OF suitors.
me enthusiasm OF multitudes. the homage or
she nave walked, or rather danced over so
many hot ploughshares without scorching ne
uhy Ieet? Was tt possible TO live IN the m llari-
Gus atmosphere in which she had been brei and
preserve purity or mind, goodness OF heart aad
sincerity OF character? IL seemed tc me We'll
nigh incredible? During the colloquy or the
MARQUIS ana my friend Price she rarely smoke
simply nodding her head as the main points
We're Interpreted. while | busted myself with
the reflectlons Just expressed. AT the close NJ
Rice said he must return forthwith 10 Londol
no a.
Nile ElsSler accepted the engagement
called occasionally on the famous dansuese
anu anu MAS ihsariaply charmed by her affability
ana elegance. could not question her natural
intelligence. but II was blended with an ingeni-
BUSINESS very rare In the world and still more
on The stage. Ii was long before could be con-
WINGED mat this was all genuine and not merely
the skillful Discrimination OF a consummate ac-
lreSS. L r1diculed the amusing fabrfcations of
heI Visllofs respecting the saurdger1e OF the
1hlted states, and guaranteed her reception
mat would throw the enthusiasm OF other coun-
tries she had yanquished into the shade Such
ART as hers, assured her, had never been seen
there and, united with so much beauty and
grace. would be quite a revelation that would
Yield results In fame and profit beyond her
NEST sangulne calculations. BY degrees she
seemed to give me her confidence for though
artless by disposition, her experience had taught
her caution, and she felt doubt more than sus-
picion OF the motives OF men.
had often applauded the marvellous skill
ana expressive pantomime OF this great artist
In the opera house. but once out OF ii had never
tnought any more about her. Now, however
That had Unexpectedly met her found her
unlike any one connected with the stage had
known.
oddly enough IL was Mrs Grote the stately
ana brilliant wife OF the great historian OF
greece, who brought about the business con-
nectlon or the ''div1ne Fanny" with Mr. WikoH
ana urged the latter TO undertake the manage
meht In America OF the fortunes OF the fair
Niennese; and the delightful way i'm which the
prologue OF this closing episode OF his first vol
ume is told will leave every reader or ft anxious
Tor the sequel, which we are promised In a sec
ond volume, TO cover the period from 1870 10 the
outbreak OF the great civil war.