The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-11-21

The most amusing thing we have seen
written about the Bernhardt Is the production OF
French critic on the American reception OF the idol of
Paris. Somewhat condensed, this writer for n New
York Sunday journal, who signs himself Jehan Soudan,
and who seems to be member Of Sarah's retnuc,
ougves as follows:
Very we'll then, let us take the Judgment actually
pronounced by the directors OF American opinion ON
the great artistic OF the Comedie FrancaIse. We nd
that this opinion can bc summed up In the following
sentence: 'Mllc. Bernhardt Is q great actress IN
Europe, perhaps she is one OF the first, but for
Americans there are several who surpass her.
In order to clearly explain my thought It would,
OF tho fundamental differences which create an abyss
between the social life of tho Ango-Saxon peoples and
the life Of French society. But I can at leastsin up
these differences in saying that this French society
dates from thousand years, 'cie does not hare
TO remount very high IN the centuries 10 find the day
Dhen the ancestors of the NetD Torkers stW
ceoriag feathers and corrging tomaha,cts. Hence,
points Of view widely different, born OF the two
very dssmilar ideals which the necessity of the
engenders. The man who possesses only canvas tent
thinks only of building solid house wherein to shelter
his family; the man who has the marble palace
dream at MS ease of methods OF ornamenting the n
terror. Art is the ripe fruit of societies.
The reason given by many critics for their inability to
conceal from themselves that Sarah Bernard Isl long
way from perfection Is, they say her lack Of physical
force. Nothing more natural. In country where u
half century at most after the ecrgence of the nation
from its heroic period, tho ideal Is great strength,
capable of vanquishng the obstacles which still re-
going to hunt the buGuL, and TO SCALP the Indians
What wonder these charitable souls wish Sarah Bern
hardt possessed little avOirupois, wherewith
to cover the of which she is made In France
on the contrary, all the children dream of becoming
poets orators painters Here we sec the whole differ
ence. This Is why the sensational drama, In which the
heroes wear huge riding boots, rescue lmperilcd
ladies', cut the villains pieces weigh 300 pounds AMI
the French stage. All the lovers OF this sort Of
play arc rapidly disappearing and the antiquated
dramatic author who should be tempted In these days
n A mn ha nI.I
creating the roles.
pie want are these very heroes, who by all their
actions by the emphasis OF their language, by the
eclat of their costumes chant the poem OF physical
force, which Is the virtue most In honor here because
the most necessary This Is the reason why Amerl
can audience, as 1t goes away after hearing Sarah
Bernhardt, whose art Is wholly made up OF Infinite
ndunces, cannot refrain from recalling In memory
theartistes who have appeared to 1t strong, so
eigeiic so full OF health Hence these comparisons,
which make one smile, between this actress and cer
tain favOrites Of the American public Seeing the deli
cate archncsses OF this fine nature, they charmed
because the art Is perfect, but there Is In them
| thing which protests and says: ''That is not so. ~
With them certainly not but elsewhere that is abso
lntely true. In France. to which Sarah belongs, all
these sentiments, this rhythm In speech and action this
fine grace this chic as they say I'm Paristlese
on the contrary, the qualities that artists dream Of
cation. Sarah l,ernhardt is the ideal OF all that and
this Is why In France sle Is an artistic without u
| rival.
Is 1t at all astonishing TO people accustomed to Sec
theatrical enterprises organized by grocers who have
an understanding with an agent OF sewing machines
and reporter, this style Of thing should usits-
actoyI Put upon the stage tho life OF that society;
the audience cannot honestly be much Interested.
What Is needed to interest 1t Is keg OF powder and
two Bengal lights, with nineteen actors speaking
Sioux On the other slide Of the ocean, at Sarah
home; people drink Bor,leaux, here whisky; itisa
question Of latitude. know well that people drink
champagne here but besides the fact that the greater
part OF 1t comes from California this IL nothing to the
point. Moreoverit 10 necessary say people
owes to Its mixed blood. is intermngling Of races
and Its wealth aptitude and enormous good will
for everything which touches art fact which
to Justify the remark OF an American who said to
| recently; 81 have always believed that for people
not OF the Latin stock the Americans are going to
most resemble the Latns. ~ do not wish any other
proof # the truth OF this than the IS, Americans,
mon and women, who are studying music at Milan, AT
Florence, ut Paris and The 900 others who copy
Ing tho masters In the European museums 1t Is this
powerful sentiment on the OF becoming national
sentiment, which will one day bring Americans to tho
taste Of the natural In art. When that day shall
| an American drama will he born, and with II artist.
to Interpret It, That day, Sarah Bernlardt come,
across the ocean to visit America the Journals Will
prefer to her some Fanny Davenport or som,
Clara Morris OF the epoch Until them the critics O
the critics will not be able to retain from repeating
"FoIgive them, they know not what they say"
| Comment on this Is superHuous. We are used (,
finding such curious ideas about America In ParisaI
Journals, but for n Frenchman to come across III,
Atlantic, and gravely account for what he deems TIN
lack OF taste In American theatrical audiences, By
telling Now Workers that their not remote ancestor
wore feathers and carried tomakawks Is decided,
| augh-proyoking.