The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-09-07
A. 'rriunnph OF Art.

On the Peacock Island In Potsdam we
find among the white marble statues an i'm
age of Rachel, the celebrated French trage-
dienne, placed there in memory Of her tri
umph over monarch who had been by no
means friendly disposed toward her. We
mean Nicholas, Emperor Of Russia, whose
dislike to her had been caused by her Re.
publican sympathies and turbulent senti-
ments, which he abhorred. ard on, account
ofwhich lie had prohibited her entrance in.
to Russia; he is even known to have said
that he wished never to set eyes on her.
This inclement verdict Of the powerful
morarch was no small stumbling block In
the great tragedienne's way, for Russia is a
mine Of gold, foreign artists and many
Rachel and Patti Of our days might relate
wonderful, almost fabulous tales of costly
gems raining down upon them Oh the stage
amid the enthusiastic cheers Of Al cnchant-
ed audience.
Therefore, Mademoiselle Rachel was
highly pleased when, in the summer of
1852, she received an invitation to act be-
fore the court at Potsdam, where the Empe-
r0r Nicholas was just then staying as the
King IF Prussia's guest. The famous act
ress had been desired to recite several scenes
from French plays, but neither in costume
nor in company of other actors. She there
fore arrived attircd in black, the most cost
ly lace covering her beautiful arms and
shoulders; but the gentleman who, by the
Kings ORDERS was at the station to receive
her, expressed his doubts whether the royal
aud imperial party would not object to so
melancholy and mournful an apparel: and
on reaching the palace, the artist was kindly
invited by the late Princess Charles (slster
to the Empress Augusta, and wife of the
Emperor's br0ther) to wear few gayer-
looking things of her own. Such an offer
could not be refused, and Mademoiselle
Rachel appeared in the gardens adorned
with roses. On lnquiring for the stage she
was told that there was none erected, and
that she was expected to stand on grass
plot in front OF the seats of her noble audi
ence. This demand reused her quick tenn
per, 80 that she was on the point of return
ing to Berlin, when her official attendant,
the above mentioned gentleman, pacificd
her by remarking that she would be on the
same level with the audience, that her art
would prove thegreater for the want of any
stage apparatus and that Qast but not
least) he reminded her OF how much was at
stakc--an enormous honerarium and per-
haps the repeal of that fatal introduction.
After moments hesitation and a struggle
with hei self, Mademoselle Rachel took her
C ce. oae's arm, and suffered him to lead her
10 the spot destined for her performance
The evening was lovely the moon, half
hidden behind group of poplars, threw
her silvery light on the pond and the gentle
murmuring fountain. A few torches and
lights Illuminated the face of tho artist,
while the court sat in the shadow. Deep
silence ensued upon her appearance-one
could hear the crlckets chirp--and then she
began her orations. The listeners seemed
spell bound that was not human spcecn,
it was music dropping from her lips. She
was determined to be irresistible; and she
succeeded SO well, that oven the hitherto
unfriendly Emperor himself, Won by her
art, rose from his seat when she had ended,
and meeting her half way, kissed her hand
III presence of the assembled court, assur-
ing her that hencefurth she would be wei
come in Russia.
What were the praises, flatteries and
congratulations OF the others who 'weie
crowding around the happy artist, COM
pared to the homage rendered to her by
the mighty ruler OF Europe's vastest coun-
try, the monarch from whom sign ordered
thousands of his subjects to be or not to be.
p Thus was one of the greatest autocrats
in Europe won over Dy tho acting and elo-
cuti0n of-a woman!