The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-12-22
The quea naly eagle grdau oruiue peeember 22,

graph made of Mr.. Blaine Death
was there stamped in the settled
gloom of his countenance- He was so
unlike the powerful man, trimming
over with vim and vigor. had pho
,tographed before. His flesh was as
white as his hair and his eye had none
of its old fire and cunning. The prom
!inent nose alone remained of the form
er Blaine as if it defed sickness or
even death to rob his face of its distin-
gushing feature. Mr.. Murat Hal
stead was with him. There was
bloom in Mr.. Halstead's cheek, and he
stood erect as soldier, every inch of
his six feet asserting-itself. One could
not fail to notice the contrast. did
the best could to put life and health
into Mr.. Blaine's picture, but, as every
one knows who has carefully observed,
my success was only partial 1t is to be
hoped tina: the picture taken on this
occasion is not to be the Mr.. Blaine
who will be perpetuated in history.
In reference to Mr.. Cleveland, nv
last photographs of him are much bet
ter than my earlier ones. When he
first come TO the studio he was very
cold: he scarcely spoke to me. and did
not smile at all. His manner froze my
talent and l could not do him justice.
On the last occasion he shook my hand
warmly and said heartily: How do
you do, Napoleon?" Such cordiality
put me at ease and in sympathy with
him at once.
There is a great deal in this sympa-
thy, this magnetism or whatever you
may choose TO call it. 1t is the kindred
spark which must exist between the
artist and his subject before truth
full artistic work can be done.
It would be quite as extraordinary
for Sarah Bernhardt to be prosaic as it
would be for certain persons within
the knowledge of all of us, to be orig
inal. Bernhardt has endeared herself
to me by calling me: mon petit Sar-
ony" Ny appointment with her was
at 1880 p. N. She arrived, after her
proverbially eccentric fashion, at $50.
With her came her valet and a number
of trunks containing costumes. When
told that another appointment should
be made, as the light would become
too dim to do good work before we
we were half through with our sit.
tings, she turned to my assistant and
asked if what said was true. He said
it was.
you have no hearth she cried out,
striking her chest dramatically. She
was imperious, inhexible; she de-
manded that she have her pictures
made on that very afternoon. We
complied.
In the part of Cleopatra I desired
very much to catch her expression as
she stamped upon the messenger
who brought unpleasant news from
Antony.
''But / have no messenger" she de-
clared. Some one suggested ner man.
She caught at the feasibility of the
idea readily, and a moment later the
astonished valet was dispatched be-
hind screen with some drapery to ar
ray himself as the imperial newsbearer.
Bernhardt prepared herself in the
usual manner to receive him. When
he came in the bottom Of his trousers
were visible below the drapery.
Any other actress would have said
in matter-of-fact way: Take off
your trousers. They are not consis-
tent with the ancient costume"
Not so, Bernhardt.
She was never more dramatic when
actually acting upon the stage.
3, Mon Dieui But take off your
trousers" she cried.
l found Edwin Booth the most genial
and good natured of men. could
never associate the compa nionable,
yes, even the jolly Edwin Booth, who
came into my studio on so many occa-
sions, with the Edwin Booth of Ham
let, and because of this he was tho
more admirable as man than as actor.
The portrait of him with his pipe in
his hand he disliked very much. Yet
he and his pipe were inseparable.
Of all men most enjoyed making q
portrait of Edwin Forrest. His own
and vigorous personality
put me at my best. Richard Mansfield
Is realist; he appreciates the limita-
tons of photography; and unlike
most actors, instead Of desiring to pose
in a dramatic fashion. he wishes to be |
taken so as to reveal the strong char
acteristics of himself or of the part hc |
is impersonating.
Chauncey II. Depew has never been |
taken ut his best. His smile is at once |
wise andgood humored, and. of course,
his chief characteristic. As sitter he /
is self conscious, strange 70 say about /
him OF all men, and it is impossible to |
destroy certain made-up-for-the-oc. |
"a sion-appearance in his countenance. |
II he could be caught unawares in the |
midst OF story, during political |
speech, the real Depcw might be trans |
'erred to albunen paper.
For that matter this applies in
sense to all celebrities. To catch the /
eminent person in a moment of action,
or triumph, means that he shall be per
IN manner at once idealistic /
md realistic. That. OF course, is a
part of the photographer art Still
he eminent person is as sensible OF
he fact that he Is having his picture
AIKEN as is the ordinary mortal
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