Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1880-12-11
Bernhardt,s Practical IokA-

A friend Of mine was ut dinner party
in London where Sarah Bernhardt play
ed the audacious prank when she first
visited that city which caused her to be
sent to social Coventry, For it is we'll
known that while her professional sue
cess this year was good, "the best peo-
pie as English say did not take her
up" SO eagerly as formerly. On the
morning of the dinner she wrote to her
hostess request to bring gentleman
friend with her in the evening. Every
one knows how difficult such a request
is To grant A dinner-givsr asserts the
guests, and has always certain fixed
number. We remember the counsel Of
the most learned ofthe imperial Romans,
Narron. The number of guests should
vary between that of the graces and
muses., and never go beyond the latter.
(Anlus Gelius, xiii, 24) The hostess of
Miss Bernliardt, however, was amiable,
and wrote that she would be happy to
receive the friend. The dinner hour ar
rived, but not Miss Bernhard Nine
o'clock-ten struck! The guests were
furnished Just on the stroke Of eleven
the servant threw open the drawing
room door, and announced in loud
voice, to the horror ofrespectable Vanity
.Fair-Miss Berndardt and her son The
CONSERVATION was something that could
not be described. 1t is probable that
every one present knew that the French
actress was not and never had been as
! chastc as Diana, still they had tacNaa
resolved to ignore her lapses offetv had
because the heads of Engldf1,y but they
taken her up" so ,ffhis brazen thrust
were NOV pseeefhpon them.
ing s,,. ~ lbAsirlon me for beinga little late,"
said the audacious woman in her most
tranante nsolent tone, rs the hostess
advanced to receive her tardy guests.
"The prince Of Wales called to see me.
and | made him stay to drink tea with
me-"
Of course this was sufficient excuse
for loyal Vanity Fair. The presence Of
their future sovereign at the actress
rooms made them accept hurnbly their
spoiled dinner But "the son" business
was quite another matter, and could not
be overlooked or pardoned. My friend
says the dinner was very stiff and con-
strai led, but neither Miss Bernhardt
nor her son seemed conscious Of the
restraint. They chatted and prattled III
the most unabashed manner. After
dinner one Of the highest nosed and
most respectable Of English danes ap-
preached the actress and said in freez-
ing voice:
II did not know, madame, that you
were married"
mot the least in the world" sang out
the bold Frenchwoman in reply, half
closing her eyes and smiling imperti-
nently at her adversary.
"But, madame" gasped our England's
uoatron. "vonr son 2" -. - ..@.-... .
"Ah,' replied Sarah, with cool shrug
of the shoulder, and turning away "etait
un petit accident d'amour."
Vanity Fair is 'ery loyal and sub
missive. No flock Of sheep could follow
their leader more blindly than the Eng
lish do their queen, and especially the
prince Of Wales, whose ways are more
easy to follow, a. all sinful ways are.
But Sarah Bernhardt, with her auda-
cious parade ofbad morals, was more than
virtuous Vanity Fair could stand, thus
ellie fait four, as the French say, So
cially, this last season. 1t is to be hoped
that when this bold actress Of eccentric
morality goes to the United States this
winter, she may not be fstes and gatee
! by our SILLY fools Of quality" !"