The morning call., 1894-10-21
SHE is VERSATILE.
One of the Most Gifted of
Partisan Women.
MADAME JUDITH GAUTIER.
Versed i'm the Chinese Tongue-She
Has Written Japanese Drama.
Her Unique Salon.

PARIS. Oct 1. 1S94.-Ths Odeon Thea
ter has just produced "La Barynia,''
a Russian drama in three acts, the
work of Nine. judith Gautier. The
brilliant authoress is the daughter of the
great poet and rrose writer, Theophile
Gautier, and wife of another poet, Catulle
Mendes. from whom. however, she is sepa-
rated.
Theophile Gautier had the odd fancy
that his two daughters ought 20 learn the
Chinese language, and for time Judith
and Estelle had a Chinese tutor, Tin-TGm-
Ling. an oriental scholar, once professor
at the College de France. Judith made her
debut as authoress by lie Livre de Jade"
poems in prose after the style of beaude-
laIre's limitations of the Chinese.
Since then she has tried all styles of lit
erature, has written several novels, art
criticisms, and an essay on Wagner. which
has been translated into English.
Libellule Poems appeared as a COM
panon to the "Livre de Jade" and was
Illustrated by Yamamoto; later. "La
MarchaDde de Sourires," a Japanese drama
in five acts, was successfully represented
at the Odeon Theater. 'La Marchande de
Sourires" is an adaptation of a Japanese
WOIk Cdlleu OOuTGi6HUe. lie Japanese
and the Chinese, although they often select
degraded women as the heroines of their
plays, always conclude in a manner that
accords with the highest ideas Of morality.
The Chinese dramatic art is a product Of
that of Japan, and curiosity of the JAP
anese theater is the person who sings.
Each time that catastrophe arrives he
adds to the emotion By his songs, sus-
tanned by musical symphony. AS [ have
said, La Barynia" is Russian drama, a
story of love, the eternal struggle of the
heart against reason.
Ivan and his wife, Russian peasants,
have son, andre, who hunts wolves and
bears. and is respected by the whole viii
lage. One night the young Countess
Clilia, called Barynia, is brought to the
peasants hut by the intendant, PaveL
She, to avoid marriage, has escaped from
her guardians house. Naturally the
Barynia coQuess with Andre. and he takes
this coquetry for love. When the peasants
in the neigh borhood ask who is this young
girl Ivan answers, "A cousin, visiting us"
But the Barynia thinks it will be delight
full TO call herself the betrothed of Andre
aud he, easily deceived. goes to the town
to buy ring This he places on her finger.
Sne is not really wicked, but imprudent
and fond of excitement. A nobleman of
the district, suDpOSlng the barynia to be
simple peasant, tries to embrace her, and
Andre, furious with Jealousy, threatens
MIN, one, however, reveals DeT true naOS
to the noble and tells Andre this dream
must come to an end. as she is playing a
part. After the departure of the noble
she allows Andre to continue his love-
making. but Pavel. the intendant, sud-
denly arrives 10 tell her that her guardian
is dead. that she can return to her castle
and forget the comedy she has been play
ing.
Andre cannot bear the thought of sep
aratioD, cannot bear the idea that the one
who TO him was nancae Will again be-
come a graDde dame. He shoots him self
| and the Barynia arrives in time TO kiss
| him. Mad woman that | am, she ex-
claims. Il loved him" Andre. the young
hunter. poor and uncultured, Andre
! straDgllng wolves and reasoning about
| love, is an old acquaintance, for be reminds
US of the peasants in George SANDS novels.
material for fine drama and the handling
of emotions, the style and color of the
play desc rye much praise.
As its author is one of the most interest
ing literary personalities in Paris. any play
written by her receives much attention.
However, LA Barynia" is not so pow
erful play as "Marchande de SOurires."
which is a serious study Of extreme Orien-
tai manners.
Judith Gautier wished to know-and she
knOws-how they live, how they love, how
they die in Oriental counties. The beau
Il1ul autHOTeSS is DeTSelI ike maFDl0
statue, always dTaped in Il Japanese gown,
embroidered in the most wonderful man
ner.
When Nine. Adam gave her superb
fancy ball judith GauIier represented
Cleopatra. and 1t is not probable that the
Queen of antiquity was as Splendidly i'm
posing as her Interpreter. AT so rue WASH
ington. near the Champs Elysees, Judith
Gautier lives in the fourth story. Her
salon ia unique. A lamp suspended from
The ceiling throws its light over bizarre
pieces of furniture, immense porcelain vases
filled with exotic plants, carved bahutS,
gigantic fans, statuettes. strange diVini-
ties. curious stuffs, embroidery, etc, all
scat tered all pell-mell. On the floor are
embroidered straw mats, on the wall pic
lures representing birds and flowers, the
work OF Yamamoto, the Japanese pain ter.
OF this temple Richard Wagner is god.
On the mantel is his bust; above the piano
one of his photographs with dedication: /:
an autograph, "'1rystan and 4Seult,' an
ugly story set Go music to give pleasure to
Nine. judith Gautier. Wagner; portrait
of Liszt, with autographs; Puvls de
Chavannes, Baudry, portfolio Of auto
graphs, among them verses composed by
Victor Hugo for the tomb of TheOpnlle
Gautier.
The most interesting corner OF the apart
ment is terrace of palms. where lives her
| Chinese dog Mousine This little animal
feeds upon lilacs and ParmeSe volets.
With Mousine judith Gantier spends most
ing. writing During the siege of Paris
Victor Hugo sent her an invitation 10 din
ner, with which | close these notes:
81 etiez venue. oh belle que j'admire,
Je yous auraiS offert un diner rival:
J'aurais tue Pegase ct je pauras fait cuire,
Ain de vouS servir une allie de cheval.
BARONESS ALTHEA SALVADOR.