The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-03
SARAH BERNHARDT's HOME.
lHenri Connar, in Boston Journal. 1

Henri Connar, in Boston Journal.
 Winding through the thinly populated districts of Havre, past the beautiful pub lie garden, which in the rose season is a perfect bower of bloom, we 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 grszes peacefully in the sunlight, while now and then the red trousers of the soldier of France gleam 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 gar dens. Over the tops of the walls peep the green of tue trees within, giving 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 opea sesame to Madame Bernhardt's villa for two pilgrims who had travelled far to reach this shrine of genius. Alssl 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 atmos- phere of this seaside villa, with its bea, |. tiful sea view, its charming garden, the furnishing of brio .a-brac and antiques ;n art, and all the luxury in the dainty, cool salon. When weary and depressed by vexations of spirit or worn out by over work, here fits this wayward creature of genius to drink in health and peace from this beautiful and restful quiet ot nature. La Solitude" is the home of Madame Bernhardt-her haven when ennui over takes her, her atelier when she works at her ant with palette and brush. Her best inspiration in the conception of a new character in Sardou's masterpiece is found in this charming and sequestered nook. No one could leave the exquisite charm of this beautiful spot without feel ing that it is fortunate woman indeed who calls herself mistress of La Soli- tude." 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 lioerality and sympathy with the sufferings of the poor whom she knows. The people round about seem to wor- ship Madame Bernhardt, and they are not alone the poor and needy; neither are they those who have power to ap- preciate 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 surroundings and restfuk at- mosphere, so widely different from the 6tful, feverish life in Paris. where she is admired and applauded by the great world, until she wearies for the affection of her humble neighbors at St. Ad- dresse. Everything the world knows of Madame Bernhardt is of her eccentrici- ties, until every one feels she is of a diff ferent species from womankind. One can get quite different idea of the great actress from a glimpse at her home on the Norman coast.