Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-17

She Tells In Paris Some Of Her Early
Experiences on the stage.

ARCHseuCSo ON t0O St8xe.
Lucy ii. Hooper has interviewed Mrs. Lander in
Paris She writes: "Mrs General Lander she that
was Miss Jean Davenport, the gifted tragic &C.
tress, Is now in Parts and occasionally gratines
her friends and the lovers Of the highest form OF
dramatic art by giving some specimens OF the great
talent that used to charm our audiences In bygone
years. The other evening, after dining ut the
mouse u French lady, she recited The Death Of
Queen Elizabeth scene most ably arranged by
MIS- Camilla Grassland from the last act Of Gia-
comettis tragedy. There, In modern evening
dress seated on prosaic nineteenth century sofa,
tne talented actress brought before US in most
vivid fashion. without the aids OF scenery, cos
TUNES, or electric lights, the remorse and the
grets ana tne dead struggle against death OF the
sonat1on, and was highly enjoyed ana appreciated
ny the select few who had the privilege OF Witness
together, guided the conversation to the theme
OF tne tragedienne's early experiences and was
rewaroeo oy nearing numerous interesting remin-
cencea amongst other things she told me how, at
the outset OF her career, her father sent her to
rars 70 witness series Of the presentations
ness 'She never showed any CONSCIOUSNESS OF
the existence OF an audience" said Mrs. Lander,
tar ss mrEng her own identity in the charac
hachei playing TO an audience, but Phedre or
Cdnate or Andrtenne Lecoutreur with q blank
depart from this artistic INCONSISTENCIES. It was
at oenent performance In London, and Rachel
was playing In the one-act comedy Of "Lesbia's
boys OF the ages possibly OF eight and ten years
the young sons OF the actress. And 1t was to them
tnat she played and for them all her nnest points
were elaborated, and when, at the close Of the
performances. they threw her very little wreath
OF ordinary Movers she would suffer no one to
time that ever saw Rachel acknowledge the pres
ence OF spectator, or witnessed any demonstra-
sion Of the passionate maternal love that formed
20 powerful an element In her nature.
"A very Interesting experience In my profess
slonal career" continued Mrs. Lander. "was an
The leading man Of the stock company that sup
ported me was boy. not yet twenty -one, and be-
fore the performances were begun was rather IN
speedily found that had no cause for alarm.
Whatever he did was stamped vii b the imprint of
b. an thai 10 saXe BUSINESS were
stance, one day when we were rehearsing the
translation OF "La Dame aux Camelias,S the
young actor asked me what attitude wished him
to assume during the death scene Of the last act.
kneel before me or at my side,' was my response,
so mat can look down at YOU But on The night
OF The scene. he forgot my directions and instead
OF kneeling before me he knet on the back Of the
down at him, as had intended. But it did not
make particle OF difference. 1t was not young
actor PLAYING the part, but by the magic Of genius
II was Armand Duval himself that filled the scene
with his presence. And 1t was no wonder, for the
young actor was Edwin Booth.
"Gltted as he was on the stage, he was q real
BOY on OF II, with all boys love OF fun and ad-
venture. One day be kept US all waiting fully an
nour Tor rehearsal When he arrived, flushed,
painting and out Of breath, he came up to me and
stopped my intended repruof by saying: please
don't scold me, Miss Davenport. Here's an egg
lori you, and from one OF his pockets he produced
seagulrs egg. And here's another he continued
drawing second from another pocket. And SO
ne went on I'LL he had presented ME with six sea-
bros eggs The naughty boy had been birds
nesting ON the coast Instead Of attending to his
business.
'Oh the day that left San Francisco he came
down TO the train TO see Lne on. He had on a pa1r
OF perfectly hitting pale yellow gloves, such as
were Then fashionable, and spoke to him OF his
new adornmenL 'Well,' said he bashrully. i
thought ought to get myself up little more
imam usual To-day, for IT is my twenty-first
birthday.