The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-02
COQUELIN THE ACTOR
A Distinguished Frenchman as
Politician and Comedian.
BORN UNDER A LUCKY STAR.
What Dumas Thinks of Him-His Recent
Person on the French Stage.

ence. IN. Cogueiin is almost as well
known in America as in France. HIS ca
reer at the Coincide Franchise has been so
brilliant, his success so undisputed, his
premature retirement SO much regretted,
his triumphal march through the word so
much sung, his return to the stage SO ap-
piauded, that We hesitate to take up in our
turn personality at once so brilliant and
SO renowned.
Coquelin was evidently born under
lucky star; he has the gift of interesting
always, was from the first and is still the
''spoilt child" (P enfdnte gate) of the pub
lie. whose every fault was overlooked and
pardoned-even what would have been
found ridiculous in any other, and espe-
cially in a man who every evening solicits
the braves OF the public, !. e.. his atti-
tude of social reformer and leader of the
people.
The pretentions of NJ. Coquelin as poll
tician excite smiles instead Of Indignation.
He might. with his gestures of great
orator, trace out for the cabinet the way
for them to walk in, make and unmake
ministries. breakfast with presidents of
council and address familiarly illustrious
tribunes, yet one watched him amused-he
was never taken seriously. He might
transform the stage of the French theater
into platform, utter the monologue of
Figaro in his clarion voice which he in
tended should reach far beyond the limits
of the gallery, yet he succeeded in Paris
at least, in interesting only few ditettanti.
who smiled at the assured air of this new
defender of the revolution.
This Figaro, it must be admitted, was
one to seduce such a man as Coquelin-
this Figaro, who has all the wit and phil
osophy of the piece in which Beaumar-
chais has SO cleverly incarnated all the
ideas which at that time were floating in
the air-this Figaro, who knows all, who
can do all. and explains with SO much
verve what is minister, a diplomatist, a
courtier; traces out the part of each, DIS
covers to Us the finesse of their art, and of
himself believes that he is more than any
great lord, diplOmatist or minister-valet?
Not at all, but courier of the embassy,
secretary. political economist, journalist,
former man of letters, dramatic author, in
short, of undecided profession. one who
waits patiently, rises. and will be all in
all tomorrow, the man Of the new times!
Coquelin was bora at Boulogne Sur Mer
January %, 1S41. His father was baker.
The young man early felt himself attract
ed to the theater by one of those irresist-
ible calls before which everything yields,
and December %. 1859. he entered the
Conservatoire in the class of Regnier. At
the end Of the first year he carried off
second prize in comedy. and December
of the same year, 1860, he made his first
appearance at the Theater Franchise in
the part of Gros Rene in ''Depit Amou.
reaux," and with success.
His ease on the stage, the mastery he
displayed from his earliest youth, his en-
tire possession. so to speak, Of the boards.
the unaffectedness of his gestures, the
thrilling sound of his voice. clear as a
trumpet, the fine bantering, good nature
of his open countenance, that naturally
comic mark, the brillance of his small,
lively eyes, full of play-all those qualities
which make of him born comedian, won
the public. His public so won
has never abandoned him. not even
when led by ambition and develop
ing talent he attempted characters
for which he did not seem made.
Coquelin. it must be noted, has exceled
and l do not see that it can hurt him
will remain for ever as Mascarille.
the .PIaideurs." "Amphitrion, the part
of "Sosie." Coquelin created with great
power Gringoire. and took up again the
Figaro Of whom We have spoken. Then
he played the amusing role of Don Anni-
bal in the "Aventuriers" of Emile Angler,
sort of romantic parsonage. inspired from
the Cesar de Bazan of Ruy Bias, species
of Dragging, hectoring bully, who, with
felt drawn over his ears, curled mustache,
high color and echoing spurs, trails in tine
dust his long tattered mantle. when not
majestically draped in its foids, with as
much assurance as if it were of purple.
My American readers have doubtless
seen Coquelin in this role, and they will
agree that no cleverer graduation could be
put by any one into the scene of the in
| toxication. Don Annibai seats himself at
table opposite Fabrice, and ut first shows
only a good humored enjoyment, inspired
by the sight of a good supper; it is only
little by little. when he has drunk To the