The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1880-02-18
5alraiian 6azette.
WEDNESDAY,, FEBRUARY is. 1850.
sarah Bernhardt az the French Fair I'm Lon.
don.


At the extreme end were three stalls which
displayed no individual nane, but were all
labelled alike Comedio Franchise. Whether
Won wanted to go 10 there or not, you were
borne irresistibly thiiher by the tide of hu-
mainly which sets steadily from the entrance
of the hall onward past the booths of ariste-
cratic blazonry, and straight to the central
stall of the French Company You know al
ready who was in ii. You have read enough
of the passion of London for one woman during
these last few weeks TO guess that the priestess
Of this altar can lie no other than Nile. Sarah
Bernhardt. Early as it is, you must hide your
time before YOU can get near enough to the
shrine 10 make any personal offering in your
own behalf. There are men and women in the
crowd, but the women far outnumber the men
and this is not the first time that female curl
osity has shown itself keen 10 make close ac-
quaintance with the great actress and extra
ordinary woman whose name fills everybody S
mouth. Her costume alone is enough to excite
feminine enthusiasm All creamy white, from
the hat which You can see 10 the diminutive
satin slippers which are visible to the eve OF
the Imagination; with clouds of priceless lace
about her throat, and sheen Of silk over her
shoulders and waist, fitting like skin. l don't
presume to offer my own opinion on such mys-
sober way, some of the eulogies heard passed
on the triumph of the dressmaker's art by
ladies who are themselves the living witnesses
Of a skill not much inferior, and so presumably
good judges. On the left shoulder the creamy
white deepened into the pale yellow of rare
roses, and over the hands and arms were
drawn gloves Of the same hue wrinkled above
the wrist in limp folds of yellow kid hanging
as loosely as cavaliers boots in the olden
times, before SPANS chivalry was laughed
away. The ashen-blond hair seemed only a
deeper shade of the tone which made the
whole figure harmony of pure color, TO which
the only contrasts were the pink cheeks. which
flushed and faded from minute TO minute, and
eyes of steel-blue which flashed fire beneath
deeply shaded lashes- Mile Sarah Bernhardt
possesses the art Of conversing with a dozen
people al once, and none the less keeping q
sharp lookout for business as the talk goes on.
" She is acting all tie time" said one fair
critic with spice of bitterness. If she had
said actress all the time, she would not have
been far wrong, for Nile. Bernhard never for
got that she was there TO entrance and caiole
her customers just as on the stage she is there
TO beguile them into wonder and unwonted
emotion. She had wares of many kinds TO sell :
fans painted by herself to be bought for fabu-
lous prices; reduced copy Of her own bust
or NJ. de Girardin; japanese bronzes and por-
celain /: photographs Of herself from life and
from NJ. Basuen LIE Pages portrait, lately the
most admired picture of the Saloon in Paris
masterpiece Of portraiture and likeness of
feature and form. Ii did not much matter
what she sold; people were ready 10 buy be-
cause she was the seller, and when she de-
signed 10 add her autograph 10 a fan, or a
photograph, the gracious air with which she
handled the pen doubled the price of the COM
modify, and the dazed Briton paid his guinea
instead of 10 shillings for bit of cardboard
possessing an intrinsic value of two pence ::
then marching of proudly with his treasure
and melting others to go and do likewise. All
the afternoon till long past 6, the nominal hour
for closing, this merchandise went on. To the
last, Nile. Bernhardt-or, as her comrades,
who bear her none too much love, called her,
Mile. Sarah-continued dispensing smiles and
subtle gestures and all the infinite variety of
destinations belonging to gifted and beautiful
woman which might-and which always did
ensnare the wary and unwary buyer alike.
Ii certainly was hard work, but YOU never saw
trace of WEAKNESS or languor. "You must
be more than tired, said friend to her at
last, perhaps with touch of admiring sympa-
thy In his voice. " Yes, answered she, "mais
nest &c pas que al bien travaileo ?" in tone
OF fresh triumph which was not the least sur
prising of her feats When the money in the
till came 10 be counted up. it was close upon
81 800; Of which l suppose nineteen-twen-
ueths was clear profit for the charity for which
she tOiled. Pretty Nile Barretta stood by her
side and helped. Nine. Therard was there
also, and Mile. Martin and Bernhardt Ills from
time to time smiled approval upon his NAM
mas performance