New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-29
FRANCISQUE SARCEY.
REMARKABLE QUALITIES OF THE
NOTED FRENCH CRITIC AND
JOURNALIST.

Paris May 10.
Francisque Sarcey the French critic and
journalist, who died at o'clock this morning
in the seventy-hrst year Of his age VIII De
mourned wherever the French language ID
spoken sarcey was more widely read than
any living French journalist. HIS writings
were as keenly appreciated by the masses OF
the people and by the bourgeoisie as by the
intellectual few. His labor was prodigious. For
half century he wrote an average three
articles daily Since the year 1860. when ne
became the dramatic critic of the Temps IT
was only twice that he failed to hand inDhis
regular weekly copy" The first occasion was
In 1884. when he underwent the operation for
cataract of the eyes and the second occasion
was last Sunday, when stricken with infec-
tious Influenza caught while leaving the Am
bigu Theatre the previous Wednesday night in
an open cab after attending the first perform
ance OF La Legion Etrangere." He attempted
TO rise from his deathbed to write his weekly
criticism but sank back with exhaustion and
never recovered Sarcey also contributed reg
ularly to the Figaro under the heading
Grains de Bon Sens; to the Temps" In ad-
dition to his theatrical feul!etons, over the sig
nature "Sganarelle." He also wrote leading
articles In the "Matin." and his essays in the
Revue Beu" and other Partisan magazines
were remarkable for their exactness of obser-
walton, delicacy Of humor, and thorough COM
nonsense.
AS Boileau once said in referring to himself,
EFT mon vers, ben Oh NAL. dit touJours
quelque chose" so might we'll have Sarcey said'
Ma phrase, bien ou NAL. dit toujours quelque
chose" For this prince of French Journalism,
profuse as were his writings, always managed
to embody in each sentence some original
thought or idea. He was purst In language
but without trace of the pedant Besides
Boileau's common-sense, Sarcey had In his com
position dash Of Rabelais and OF votaire.
Like Rabelais he had fondness for broad
gauloserle and. like Votaire. he was close
logical reasoner. and had cynical aversion for
high sounding phraseology. pretension and hum
bug AS a dramatic critic he was perhaps with
out an equal. Jules Lemaftre may be more
modern" and at times has written with greater
brilliancy. Emil Faguet may have occasionally
surpassed him in analytical dissection. Felix
Duquesners rigid severity may have probed
more relentlessly the shortcomings Of some
mediocre actor or actress. But Sarcey's almost
infallible theatrical insight and his broad, ir-
resistbe common-sense have In recent times
never been combined in any other one mind.
Just as Jules Janin discovered Rachel. so did
Sarcey discover Sarah Bernhardt. His was the
word Of encouragement which greeted her when,
as an unknown girl, she recited her classic
roles at the Conservatory, and during her APP
pearances in Insignificant parts at the Theatre
Francois. It was he who first called attention
to her restless personality and genius, and It
was his glowing but measured eulogy which re-
corded her subsequent triumphs-for. II Sarcey
was an admirer he also critic He was
a lifelong friend Of Edmond About and OF
Gerome the painter. He uncompromis-
ing republican, and fought by the side Of Gam
BETA for the establishment Of the Republic.
Sarceys cosey little house, or literary work.
shop" as he used to call 1t, In the Rue Douai,
where he lived modestly with his wife and chill
dren, is familiar to all interested In theatrical
literature or the stage He always extended
cordial hand to younger journalists The writer
can never forget the delicious charm Of his in
structive anu ncisive appreciations when. at his
house or between the acts Of some new play,
he would often correct ones excessive
praise or unschooled fault-fndng To converse
with Sarcey or to be in his society at Partisan
rehearsal or first night was equivalent TO
theatrical education.
Sarcey was profound philosopher. He never
aspired to become a Member Of the Academy,
and had a particular aversion to being deco
rated He is one Of the few prominent French
men who never received the Legion Of Honor
His letter declining his election to the Institute
OF France terminated with the following words:
81 have but one ambition, and that is. when
die the simple inscription may be placed on my
tombstone which will up my whole life
"Sarcey Professor and Journalist"
c.. B.
M CyUTETnC nfDE DPTEST