Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-05-07
sarah Bernhar,It.s Home.

Winding through TIE tkinly popu-
lated districts Of Havre. past the beau
tiful public garden. which In the rose
season is perfect bower of bloom, W.
| get at last into the suburbs, and WIND
, up the hills, catching little peeps of
the blue water of the channel in the
distance. Here We enter the town of
st. Addresse, where there is a garrison
on the side of one of the slopes. The
earthworks are most carefully trimmed
and beautifully green this day in June,
and white goat grazes peacefully in
the sunlight, while now and then the
red trousers of the soldier of France
CLEAN on the heights. We were put
down at the nearest point to Madame
Bernhardt's villa, which is but a short
walk up rather steep road for about
an eighth of mile. On either side of
the roadway are high walls enclosing
gardens. Over the tops of the walls
peep the green of the trees within, Civ
ing most pleasant suggestions of shade,
which, with the June sun shining down
upon our backs, we would have been
grateful for. Here at last was the gate,
with its brass bell-pull, which asked the
open sesame to Madame Bernhardt' s
villa for two pilgrims who had
travelled far to reach this shrine of
genius.s Alas! it was out-the shrine
for the genius was in Paris, attending
to some domestic affairs. Nothing
could better suggest La Solitude"
than the charming atmosphere of this
seaside villa, with its beautiful sea view,
its charming garden. the furnishing of
bric-a-brac and antiques in art, and all
the luxury in the dainty, cool salon.
When weary and depressed by vexa-
tions of spirit or worn out by overwork,
here fits this wayward creature of
genius to drink in health and peace
from this beautiful and restful quiet of
nature. "La Solitude is the home of
Madame Bernhardt-her haven when
cnnui overtakes her, her atelier when
she works at her art with palette and
brush. Her best inspiration in the con-
ception of new character in Sardou's
masterpiece is found in this charming
and sequestered nook. No one could
leave the exquisite charm of this beau
tiful spot without feeling that it is a
fortunate woman indeed who calls her
self mistress of a LA Solitude"
More than all the praise and blame of
the Paris critics upon the methods and
means of this inexorable woman, is the
testimony of those who live near the
great actress, and who have felt the
power of her liberalty and sympathy
with the sufferings of the poor whom
she knows. The people round about
seem to worship Madame Bernhardt,
and they are not alone the poor and
needy; neither are they those who have
power to appreciate the genius of the
woman they adore, but they belong to
the great class who feel and know
sympathy and large-hearted kindness.
We did not wonder that she loved this
little home, with its beautiful surround
ings and restful atmosphere, so widely
different from the fitful, feverish life in
Paris. where she is admired and
appauded by the great world, until she
wearies for the affection of her humble
neighbors at St. Addresse. Everything
the world knows of Madame Bernhardt
is of her eccentricities, until every one
feels she is of different species from
womankind. One can get quite diff
ferent idea of the great actress from
glimpse at her home On the Norman
COAST Henry Connar,Sn Boston Jour-
ndL)