New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-18
ADRIENNE LECOUVREUR.
Erom The Pan Mae Gasette.


Scribe's departure from the truth Of history is
not perhaps above the average in such cases; but
his play is unsatisfactory and even somewhat re-
pulsve to any who knows the true Adrienne-
her whose great merit, both on the stage and IN
life was that she was truth nature; and simplicity
itself" She was born III 1890, at fismes, between
Rheims and scissors. Her real name was Couvreur
to which the " Lee subsequently added for
euphonic reasons. Born in relatively low station
cher father was a halter i'll small town. she had
one of those rich, spontaneous natures which do
not seem TO need education. From her earliest
youth she showed great talent in reciting verse,
and ut fifteen took the part of Pauline in Comedies
Polyeucte" in private theatricals. for which
grocer lin the Rue Fenn lent his premises. Her
real apprenticeship on the stage took place IN tho
provinces and it only in lTl7, when she was
twentyseyen years old, that she app cared in Paris
a consummate and original actrtce. No words We
are told, can describe the ecat and briliancy of
her debut and it was said that she began where
others ended An extraordinary yet natural dignity
of carriage which gave her the appearance OF real
queen amid the vulgar pOpuace OF the stage.
voice of exquisite harmony, handsome form and
face, with eyes :" full Of fire" were some of the
qualities by which she uvlted her audience. But
she showed her originality by two innovations IN
the histriOnc art. Up 10 her time II had been the
custom on the French stage TO declaim voice in
sort of recative chant She replaced this stilted
style by natural and impressive speech doing
at the same time. full justice to the metre.
greater achievement was the expressive intelligence
and delicacy OF her by-play-the art of listening
and acting while saying nothing For thirteen
years she filled the Paris stage with radiance and
charm which surprised the public as something
novel and extraordinary. She most con-
scientous artist never allowing languOr or i'll
health from which she suffered much TO interfere
with her engagements and ended by being sur
rounded with respect and homage such as had
never before been accorded TO any dctyice.
1t is, indeed, of the stage that the romance and
ndefinabe charm of Adricnne Iecouvreur properly
begin to emaDate. and have lent that grace and
perfume TO her harmonious name which still reach
us across hundred and fifty years She was
not only great actress, she was good tender
hearted highnlnded woman. Before her those OF
her profession. and especially of her sex. were .
class of tolerated outcasts from whom Pharisalcal
world was content to derive its pleasure but which
it desplscd unworthy To touch the hem of ITS
garment. Adrienne. by her lofty simplicity OF bio
and manners brought down this nSocnce till at
last rs is usual with insOlence 1t grOyeed at her
feet. Not only men, but the highest danes i'll
Paris, crowded TO her salon. 1t is now tho
fashion" she writes 10 friend, to dine sup at
my house because a few ducnesses have thought
fit TO confer me this honor" Ii is regrettable,
but will be ia no way surprising to those who
have studied the history of manners, TO learn that
the ducheSses showed themselves on these occasions
very ll-bred and passed remarks on their graceful
hostess which she too quick not 10 hear and too
proud to notice. She lived in u small house
which had once been inhabited by the poet Racine,
in the Rue DIES Marais Sant-Gemain. There 10
was her pleasure and relaxation, after the fashion
able ladies had retired, to receive choice circle
of intimate and tried friends, with whom she
could converse with ease and frankness do not
find that numbers make up for the want of personal
worth. ] do not care To shine, and | have
hundred times more pleasure IN saying nothing and
hearing good conversation in being surrounded by
good and sensible people. than IN being bewiiderej
by all the mawkiSh batteries which are shOWered
upon me-" FOntenello and No.taire among
her guests. In spite of her liberal mode OF life,
Adrienne amassed large fortune for those days
and died worth 100000 francs when fact th0Se
who estimate at their true value the qualities lnl-
piled by judiciOus expenditure may be inclined 10
consider the most striking evidence OF her sterling
and self-cOntained character