Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-11-05
TRUE STORY OF" CAMILLE. "
Letters From Dumas Fills, Who Was tho
Armand puval of the Play.

Letters From Dumas Fills, Who Was the
Armand puval of the Play.
A Partisan review has very curious
article upon the story Of the Dame
aux Camelias, that poor Marie Duples-
sis who died so sadly after life which
certainly was not exemplary, but which
romance and the stage have made IA
nous. The author of the article, Nj.
Georges Soreau, publishes letters by
the Younger Dumas, which leave no
doubt that he Introduces himself i'll the
character of Armand Duval, the princi-
pal character in the piece i'll which
Marie Duplessis is immortaliZed under
the name of Marguerite Gautier The
story was whispered about for Il long
time among theatrical people, but here
are some authentic documents with
which NJ. Soreau reveals the facts.
Dumas fills not only knew Marie Duples-
sis, but was in love with her. He sim.
ply describes himself in the character
OF Armand Duval In presenting the
piece to tho public Dumas wrote
Marie Duplessis did not have al the
pathetic adventures which | give to
Marguerite Gautier, but she was per-
fectly willing to have them. If she sac
ri1iced nothing to Armand, it was be
cause the latter d:l not wish any sacri-
fees To her great regret she played
only tho first and second acts i'll the
piece. -
In letter addressed to Sarah Bern
hardt the celebrated playwright and
novelist said:
Ny DEAR SAaAn-Pcrmit me TO give you
copy Of an edition Of the''Dama aux Cane
las, which is now very rare What makes
this volume unicitc of its kind Is the autograph
letter which you will find on page PIP and
which is pretty nearly the same as the Letter
printed on that pa;;o. This letter was written
by The genuine Armand Duva aDont 80 years
! ago. He WAS then tie same age rs your son.
The letter is the only pcipahle thing that re
mains of tie story. II seems 10 me that it be
longs to you of right, since you hayc just
brought the dead man back 20 youth and life
Keep it, at all events rs souvenir OF the
pleasant evening of Saturday last ana us a fee
bic testimonial or my great ALTERATION ana
profound gratitude =. DUMAS Ellis
rs January, le-i
The following is Dumas autograph
letter to Marie Duplessis:
LILY DEAR aiAEE--I AN not rich enough TO
love you the way would wish nor poor eno1sh
to be loved after your fashion. Let lis forget
therefore, your part Fame which mus
bc somewhat Indifferent to you ana on my
part happiness which becomes Impossible.
Ii is useless &c tell you bo@ sad feel, since
you know already how much ] love you.
Farewell. You have too big Il heart not &c
understand the significance Of this letter and
too much intelligence not to pardon me fol
il. = Thousand remcmhraYc"s
ALEXANDRA DUMAS
In 1896, during the time when the
Renaissance presented the piece wifi
the costumes of $780, Nine Sarah Bern
hardt often told her friends the follow
ing little anecdote:
CAT Marty, about 1884, asked Alex
andre Dumas to give me a personal de-
scription of Armand Duval.
Z" That will nos be di!!icult, said he
smiling 4 have only to send you my
portrait when was 20 years old. y
| Paris Cor. Courier DIES Etats Unis.