New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-14

Mr.. de Sartorys's haggard look disappeared as
he. too noted the effect produced
"He stepped little forward and said: I shall
now venture to show you something OF the Spirit
that Denies He spoke the words with an abso-
lutely icy clearness, and ne trembled slightly, as
though the iciness OF his tone were caught from
some atmosphere enveloping him. but / noted
one drop Of sweat on his forehood He shook
himself together swiftly that this action and
the previous tremulousness seemed blended to-
gether, and continued: 'Messieurs, la derniert
scene de Faust" Ahr he went on. with a
gesture which seemed meant to reassure himself
rather than the spectators, 'ah, non pas celle do
BerlioZ. Ca Serait trop terrible. Nom he went
on in soft purrng voice, nous nous bornerons
Peuvre de notre cher ct bon Gounod. IL GER
tainy struck me that to represent that last
scene Of La Damnation de Faust (Which IT has
always been my secret ambition to put worthily
n the operate stage, with its Internal chorus
Of Swedenborgian fends, would be a trying IN
dertakng even for Mr.. de Sartorys while al
the same moment | reflected that to compass the
last scene OF Gounods opera was an extraordt-
nary adventure enough
But the impression was very heeting one
for the aspect of Mr.. de Sartorys caught ire
sistbly the best part Of my attention. ! per-
ceived again that marked sweeping look round
which l had before noticed. and in II there
seemed to me to be combination OF compre'
hension-comprehension of something unseen "a
us-and of apprehension. The sudden drop into
French the sudden change in his mode Of ad-
dress, had been ominoIs but there was now
something in his aspect far beyond such acci-
dentS-SOmething that came from the man IN
most soul. 'Messieurs,' he said. again, FEsprit
dui Me- and he now spoke the words with all
his old air of dignity, mixed with a new ex-
preston Of exaltation. Yet as observed MN
knew as we'll as / know that / am speaking
to you now that was looking on doomed man
"a man doomed by his own excess and pride OF
will The scene changed suddenly to Margaret
prison, with all the familiar stage arrangement
as to details, but with what a difference In the
whole effect,-the difference between the most
perfect illusion and the most damnng reality.
The figure and face Of Margaret were beautl-
full exceedingly and charged with weight OF
tragic passion that seemed as II II must crush
the frail form into nothingness; the appearance
Of Mr. de Sartorys as Faust was the utmost ex-
preston Of desperate and helpless love. the vast
and forbiddng walls and pillars OF the prison
filed ones very soul with gloom and horror.
But how shall I try to describe the terrbe
Mephstopheles who stood before US? Iheophe
Gautier has described something like IT IN MS
Deux ActeurS pour un Role but the Mephlsto-
phees in that did not assume the almost Sa-
tanic grandeur that this Appearance carried ~
addition to the fendish and Overmasterlng mar
ice discerned in his least looks his least gestures
I can but attempt to convey something OF the
impression produced by telling you that, WINE
I could not take my eyes off what was passing
in front Of me- felt that the others were, IKE
myself-I confess it-shuddering. Then begah
the final Terzetto. l do not care to tell you
how many great singers and actors nave seen
and heard in this scene-for II might give YOU
a clew to the secret OF my age-but TINS 90 tel
music so sung before and never can near IL so
sung again The invisible orchestra Responded
to every beat. every culver OF passion. ana ioL
the acting-I must not call II actlng' tIe t''.,s
was too real too poignant. And through all the
glory and beauty OF the music That inexplcaoe
Figure Of Dread dominated the whole scehe
with a nameless sense Of terror
"By the time when the end or the scene was
reached we were worked up to a very madness
OF excitement The final chorus was omitted;
Margaret did not fall dead. but seemed absorbeo
into a sunbeam that shot suddenly through inc
narrow window high up In the massive wan.
Then this disappeared and the two remaining
figures were seen only by the dim light OF the
prison lamp Thereon Mephistopheles advanced
to Faust and silently wrapped tne reu n," -,
around him AS he did so the mantle burst INTO
a sheet Of white 1ame-so dazzling IN lts prIli,
fancy that had its overpowering radiance Ias.e
more than the fraction OF a second, no HloE Iai
eve could have endured those screening beafnS
Then al, was dark and we heard the sound OF a
heavy fall Mantis snatching a lamp from d
bracket seized me by the arm ana without "
tering word We rushed together lnto the
further room The others followed us neeu
not tell you" Peregrine went on dropping mo
a dry tone that found no one there except
Mr. De SartCrys. stone dead There was no. q
mark upon him, and the coroners jury can nha
no verdict but death from syncope due 10 eA'l'e-
ment in a dramatic performance -,
Then passing from this commonplace 10 ui, :
ferent mood Peregrine leaned forward ana sau
"Darsie I assure you there was not stlVh y,
furniture not a rag OF scenery, not a scrap Oh
apparatus to be found in the whole OF that roo,n'
No. not a single lamp. electrical or other Noln-
ing-absoutely nothing-but the black drapery
close against the wall and the dead man.!
Peregrine III whom excitement and emotion
were things almost unknown. leaned back anu
his breath came short and quick. Darsie pFoAo
the silence by saying in tremu'Ous TONES
"And-your conclusonsV ..
Nay" said Peregrine, recovering hl,hSe,
that you must teach me. have formed ohly
one conclusion. What saw has dehheu lor l' nc
most accurately the limits Of my profession
-Nongmans Magazine.