Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-29
SOCIETY AND DEL sARTE

tnSIy Entertain he Frencbwomzn at
Her Home-Srw ,klsy Valley Club Out
rivals Its..L
Madame Marie e raldy Del Ssrte is in
Pittsburg and has emphasized her New
York success. She appeared for the first
time yesterday afternoon in Mrs. Schoon-
makers house, and using the grand stair
way as dais for an hour and a half spoke
in her native tongue to an audience which
included almost every important name to
be found between tho covers of the Pitts
burg Blue Book. All who could, had
brought with them their French polisher to
the highest degree of excellence, while the
few who couldn't looked as if they had; so
that thoroughly Par;sian atmosphere in
vaded Mrs. Schoonmaker's house and set
tied everywhere with as much persistence
as does the Pitssburg dust.
The l50 rente chairs did not suffice for the
company. and it was necessary before all
were seated to borrow from other apart
ments. Even then the stray late arrivals
were obliged to stand and use the walls Tor
o support.
The reception hall is room in keeping with
the restof the house said to have the hand
soonest interior in Pittsburg. 1t represents
the stvle of old English days; deep recesses.
broad, cushioned seats, an oaken-raftered
and beamed ceiling and a huge ivory-white
fireplace, where the era is at cross purposes,
for the most modern of gas fires burns in it.
1t is perfect apartment.
A ThumbnaiI Sketch of the Scene.
Make lightning sketch OF it in your
mind. Put Madame Del Sarte in her sweep
ing, velvet gown on the lower steps of the
stairway. Surround her with company OF
Pittsburg's best dressed, most intelligent,
most cultivated women. Have Colonel
Schoonmaker somewhere in the back
ground. looking quietly after the comfort
OF every guest that came in. Insert the
hostess well in the foreground, keeping an
eye on her distinguished visitor that her
needs were supplied before they almost
were expressed, and you have picture we'll
worth a frame and good place in your art
gallery.
She was introduced by her fellow country
man, Prof. Henri Rollin Parker, the Secre-
tary of the French Mission, under whose
auspices the lectures are being being deliv-
cred Prof. Parker gave a neat turn to his
speech, and got in pretty compliment for
Pittsburg that was well appreciated.
Madame Del sarte began by paying her re-
spects to the apostles of Delsartism in
America. She decried, though very gently,
since people are only recovering from an at
tack of the fad, the dress reform movement,
as confounded with Delsartism. Her father
said Madame Del Sarte, did not comprehend
anything about what people put on their
back, or how they put it on. Francois Del
Sarte studied the body, as it expressed pas
by induction taught it again. Delsartism, in
short, was not discovered science, but
simply applied nature. Madames apologize
for coming to America at all was deep
seated desire to set her fathers memory
right in the minds Of American people.
Illustrations of Her Fathers System.
They were beginning to think of him as
man who had systematized sentiment into
table or recommended bronze
belts as an exposition of body expression.
Del Sarte was intellectual to a degree. He
believed that the voice was an insufficient
method of expression, and after wears of
earnest study had mastered the intellectual
secrets of the anatomical structure.
Then followed the illustrations. Del Sarte
was a trinitarian. Madame, his daughter,
explained in what. All the features have
centric These multiplied in each other
give an unending variety of modes
by which the feelings can be
expressed. We have heard of those spark
ling eyes, the poets always loved, and of
the "elbows that people came miles to see,"
but no one has yet immortalized Mime. Del
Sarte's eyebrows
to tell the story of their capabilities, for Z
they did more than speak, they chattered;
nay, they even gossiped. When her eye
brows were drawn together until they were
Madame was indicating contention de
resprit. Lightning effects were produced,
and Madames eyebrows went through a
serpentine motion. describing every emo
tion from languid indifference to the high
est degree OF wrath.
DeIsartism Protection to Maidens.
Once upon'a time, Monsieur Del Sarte saw
q dead mans hand with the thumb falling
Imply toward the middle of the palm.
"Ah," said he, "that is DEATH" and, throw
ing his thumb upright SO that the ball was
made prominent the philosopher reasoned,
''This is life." And he was right.
DelsartiSm Is a protection to the un-
maiden who makes its teach
ings her guide. When man tells her that
he loves her, let her not look for the verifi-
cation of his words in his eyes, which, we
know, can be as untruthful as Ananias, but
in his thumbs. If the thumbs are without
one million to one he is amusing
himself; but If they are enlivened with
ready without delay.
ALI this was described by this stately look
ing woman. who uttered je vous aime with
III the varying degrees of ardor, in tone and
amused, Interested eyes.
illustrations and Perfect limitations.
She initiated Corporal, who outgenerals
he General in dignity. She was the Ser |
,eant; q little nearer the General and a little |
ess his imi:ator. Then came the under Of |
icer, still somewhat stiff in the backbone, |
md, lastly, the affable. courtly, reserved /
md well-bred General himself. What might |
De called q tapping OF kid gloves followed |
his. and eecfi woman whispered to her fash
enable neighbor "Elle est grande."
Again madam, folding her arms described
he bonne who carries the baby for so much
IN hour, while her heart is going out to
very milkman and policeman in the neigh
)orhood. She carries the infant with its |
read slightly downward, her arms neg
igently round it and her eye looking over
Ter shoulder for the delinquent lover.
Tie well trained nurse was next described
" Madam Del Sarte. She cares no more for |
he infant than did her peasant counterpart
Tut she is a better hypocrite. Lastly was
he mother described, and let no one here
.fter say that family life and mother love
10 not exist in France. He cannot have lis
eners in the hearers of Madam Del Sarte.
More Attitudes to Be Described.
This lecture comprised all the expressions
described by the body from the waist up.
The remaining attitudes assumed by the
over part of the body will be entered into
ully by Madam Del Sarte on Saturday after !
oon. When the lecture was over, the com
ANY flocked around the distinguished lady
nd expressed their delight with the after
Ioon's entertainment.
Every one was delighted with her, and
fterward many admiriDg comments were
made upon the fact that she seemed to read
elf to the individualities of each as she was
introduced. Madame Del Sarte was over
vhelmed with invitations from number of
adies who wished to arrange impromptu
title affairs in her honor fer this afternoon,
ut all were declined on account of the ad-
ress which she intends to make at Bow
nan Institute to-day. In the evening, Mrs.
will have few friends to
meet Madame Del Sarte. 1t is likely that
irs. Schoonmaker's house will be taxed to
ts utmost on Saturday, and it would be
yell for those who like front seats to come
rettv early.