The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-15

of Her Life-BuriaI at Hollywood; Funeral
Services.
The fact that this gifted and most estima-
BILE lady. known and admired by so many
OF our best people, had two weeks since
become q victim 10 that dreaded and loath-
some iniliction smallpox, was only known
TO few Of her immediate friends till Thurs
day, when the first public announcement
was made. II is needless to say that this
unexpected, and, therefore, unlooked-for
intelligence. was received with feeling Of
profound sorrow and regret, for the news
was accompanied by the intimaiion that the
disease had made such progress that the
sufferer but fingered on the confines Of
the border-land which separates life from
death, and exhausted nature must soon
cease the struggle. Though receiving the
best medical attention and nursing, none
OF the reports of the case made since
Thursday have afforded more than the
slightest hope that the patient would sur
yiyc. Her friends have all along hoped for
the best. but dreaded the worst; and the
latter for the reason that the attack in her
ease was said to have been distinguished
for its violence. Reports were current
several times Friday and the day before
Of her demise, but they proved unfounded,
the sweet singer lingering in an uncon-
Scious condition till 12:3j A. VI. yes
day, when the golden thread OF life was
snapped in twain and the soul returned
to the God who gave it. She passed away
i'm the full maturity Of her powers, and will
long be remembered both for her modest
worth and artistic requirements. Peace TO
her ashes.
SHETCH OF HER LIFE.
Caroline Mary RichingS was the adopted
daughter of Peter Richings, veteran Of
the drama. who was born at kensington,
London, May 10. 1897. She herself was
also a native Of the same city, but, being
brought TO America when an infant by her
parents, both Of whom were lyric artists of
a high order of merit. her formal adoption
as the daughter Of the veteran actor and
his wife followed with her parents free
consent. II is needless TO say that there
after till their death (both have long since
passed to rest she was the child no less of
their idOlatrouS affection than adoption, that
every expense and care was layished on her
bringing up. as well as in the requirement
by her OF a generous education. II goes
without the saving that she repaid the
world Of affection lavished on her by most
devoted love, and was all daughter should
be. She early displayed taste for lyric
endeaVor which was fostered by her adopt
ed parents by all the adiuncts of art at their
command, and they were not few. In
addition to her singing requirements her
strong musical intuitions We're developed
with the aid OF skilful musicians. 1t was
no surprise, therefore. to her friends to see
her adopt the stage and music rs a profess
sion on the completion OF her education.
EARLY LIFE AND MARRIAGE.
Her first appearance before the public
was n pianist, pupil OF Professor j.
Pitch, November 90, 1Sl7, at the first con-
cert OF the Philharmonic Society, at Mu-
sical-Fund Hall, Philadelphia. Her second
appearance was December 18th OF the same
wear. She made her first appearance on
the stage February 9, 1862, i'm the opera OF
"The Child OF the Regiment" at the Wal
nut-Street Theatre, Philadelphia. Her first
appearance as Il comedienne was made
March 81, 1858, at the Walnut, as Stella in
the comedy OF "The Prima Donna," then
produced for the first time in America for
the benefit of Peter Richings. She first
appeared in Italian opera March Z,
1857. at the Academy OF Music,
Philadelphia, as Adalgisa in "NOrma."
Al the opening of the dramatic season OF
the Walnut for 1S57-'jS she became per-
manent member OF the company, and con-
tinued there until January II, 1859. After
that time for several years she travelled rs
a star. This was succeeded by her venture
as managereSs Of the Richngs English
Opera Troupe. The latter attained an en-
yiable and deserved success financially and
otherwise in all parts OF the country, till
finally i'm the mutation OF time and circum-
stance it fell victim TO one or more bad
seasons and was disbanded. On Christmas
dav, 1864, Miss Richings was married in
Boston to Pierre Bernard, member OF
her troupe.
REMOVAL TO RICHMOND.
Since her marriage in 1864 she has ap-
peared in various cities Of the country in
some OF her former favorite impersona-
tions. but had attempted no large venture
in opera since the disbanding OF her
troupe. 4 few years since Madame Ber-
nard and her husband settled in Baltimore,
and devoted themselves TO instruction III
the art of music and singing and preparing
pupils for the stage. They were induced
bv the representation Of the officers OF the
Mozart Association aud citizens OF Rich
mond some two years since to make their re-
sidcnee here, where they had successfully
engaged in the same line OF endeayor
which occupied thvir attention i'm Balti-
more. The nights on which the announce
ment was made that she would appear at
Mozart Hall were always signal for the
crowding Of that cdifice with the friends
OF the gifted songstress. Before the or
eanizatien of the Richings Opera Troupe
She had often appeared in this city in'op-
era i'm conjunction with Peter Rlchings,
and always with success. She had retired
from the stage permanently when "Pina-
iorev was first brought out, but then living
in baltimore she yielded to the earnest per-
suasions Of Manager John II. Ford and
achieved triumph as "Buttercup" In
that opera.
AGE, &C.
Mrs. Bernard was in all respects n most
thorough artist, and was popular both as
singer and teacher. She had large ciass
at the time she was taken Ill.
The burial certificate OF deceased stated
that she was born in London, England,
was forty-nine years OF age, ana came 10
America at the age Of one year.
Her death occurred at l2:35 on Saturday
morning, January IA, 1882, in the presence
OF two faithful attendants. The sufferer
had been in state Of coma for some time
prior TO the decisive moment.
The statement 10 the effect that Mrs.
Bernard lived outside Of the city OF Balti-
more was an error, rs her residence was In
that city. She did, however, reside out
side Of Philadelphia prior TO taking up her
residence in Baltimore.
The first time she ever appeared on the
lyric stage, as Mrs. Bernard informed a
gentleman Of this city recently, was in
t.sfI