The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-16
DEATH OF MIR. PIERRE BERNARD.
Particulars OF His Last Tilness-Some Re.
marks About His L,fe and HiMory-Re-
mains to be Brought to Richmond for
Burial.

this office. IL contained brief announce
ment to the effect that Mr.. Pierre Bernard
/ died at that place at $3.50 O'Clock yesterday
morning from an attack OF congestion OF
the heart and lungs.
| Some ten or fifteen days ago Mr.. Bernard
was confined 10 his residence, on Fourth
street, by an Illness that carried no alarm
| to himself or friends, but which was suffi-
cient to create a desire for rest and the
| beneficial effects OF the health-giving
waters and cool breeZes OF the mountains
OF Virginia. Accordingly, three or four
days ago Mr.. Bernard set forth for the
White Sulphur Springs with Companies
Z and + for their cncampment. There
was nothing in either his appearance or
| feelings TO indicate the sure and swift
approach OF the destroyer Death. On the
contrary, the usual yivacity OF spirit for
which he was noted was as marked as ever,
and upon his arrival at the springs he
doubtless settled himself for season Of
comfort, rest, and pleasure.
His hopes, like those OF thousands Of
others, were doomed to early destruction,
for in few days Mr.. Bernard was no
more. His death must have been very
sudden, as no intimation OF his illness had
been received here. The first news about
him was the telegram announcing his
death.
AN OLD TROUBLE.
Mr.. Bernard, while apparently q most
healthy man, was a sufferer from heart-dis-
ease, and no doubt knew well the uncertain
and irail tenure he held upon life. Since he
resided in Richmond he had two very
severe attacks OF this disease, the first
during the lifetime OF his wife, the gifted
Caroline Richings- Bernard, and the second
last spring, when he fell while walking
along Broad street. He was picked up in
an inscnsIble condition and cared for i'm
mediately, his situation being such as to
excite grave apprehension on the part OF
his friends. lie recovered quickly from
this attack, but spoke of his situation as
an alarming one, and intimated the dread
he entertained OF another attack.
THE EFFECT OF A BEREAVEMENT.
On the 14th OF January, 1882, Mr.. Ber-
nard suffered the saddest bereavement OF
his life in the death OF his wife, Madame
Caroline Richings-B Bernard The sorrow
was made more poignant, the sting OF grief
sharper, and the weight Of woe heavier by
the reflection that he could not be near her
in her last moments, could not say one
word OF sympathy, nor hear the voice OF
her he loved so well say goodbye for the
last time upon this earth. The dread pes
thence that had seized upon this lamented
lady precluded the possibility OF all this.
Separated from her, left to brood over his
irreparabe loss, and perfectly conscious OF
his inability 10 render aid in wardlng of
the sure and steady approach Of the mon
ster Death, it is small wonder that Mr.. Ber-
nard's nervous system received shock
from which il never recovered. At the
time Of the wife's death the two were liy-
Ing happily, and the prospects OF life never
seemed more inviting. Mrs. Bernard was
sincerely beloved by the people, and her
influence and the merit OF Mr.. Bernard
drew as many pupils rs they could well
attend to in the art OF teaching music and
in preparing them for the stage.
Mrs. Bernard's death changed this state
OF affairs.
Mr.. Bernard was incOnsolable in his
grief, but after awhile he nerved himself
for the duties OF life that laid before him,
and commenced with his accustomed zeal
to ply bis profession. He resumed bis pO-
sticn as trainer and director OF the Mozart
chorus. He labored increasingly in bring
ing out each month pleasant and unique
faithfully and efficiently continued to miu-
lister to the wants and pleasures OF Mozart
contributors, displaying while so doing all
the zeal in his power.
Husband and wife are now both gone,
only a short space OF separation having
passed. In their lives they were united;
in death they will not be divided.
EARLY LIFE.
The deceased was born in New York city.
His father was a wel-to-dO merchant Of
that place. At an early age Mr.. Bernard
exhibited great iondness for music. His
father ut first endcavored 10 discourage
him in his wishes to adopt the musical pro-
fession, but the Young man was bent on
the study OF the art for which he had such
prediction. and was frequently in the
habit Of leaving the store and creeping in
the theatres TO hear the orchestra rehear-
sails. Finally his father one morning told
him: - have a surprise for you. | have
decided to let you 90 to Europe and study
music, and here is your ticket on the next
ocean steamer"
Mr.. Bernard often mentioned the plea
SAINT shock this intelligence gave him. He
went to Europe and began the study at the
Italian school at Milan, and remained there
three years.
MANHOOD.
The last year OF his musical educa-
ton was spent under the careful and
skilful training OF the celebrated Mey-
erbeer. He received such an education
as fitted him to take Il high position on the
dramatic stage. His success as tenor in
the various roles OF Italian lyric drama
was pronounced from the time Of his first
appearance. 1t was on the stage that he
met the charming Caroline Richings, the
adopted daughter of Peter Richings. He
became member OF her Grand English
Opcra Troupe, the first really Legitimate
grand opera troupe that played in this
country. He fell in love with Caroline
Richngs and married her In Boston on
Christmas morning, 1867.
The troupe was finally disbanded, and
Mr.. and Mrs. Bernard retired from the
stage.
Mr.. Bernard had many warm friends in
our community, and his death will be SIN
cerelY regretted, and 10y none more acutely
than his pupils. He did a great deal in
pushing TO its height a taste for music and
drama, and his efforts will be missed in
this direction. He was cut down in the
prime Of life and the midst OF usefulness.
The remains will be brought to Rich
mond this morning on the O'Clock train
over the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad.
and will no doubt be laid to rest by the
side OF his wife in Hollywood cemetery.
The friends and acquaintance are re-
ouested to meet the body at the railroad
depot.
GntsIi.,,r an Gr.tt