New-York tribune., 1901-06-02
PARIS.
RosTAND AMONG THE IAnloRrALs.
VICTORY-SALON DIES CHAMPS
ELYSEES AWARDS

IN one afternoon is an event of great moment.
Seldom have the proceedings Of the French
Academy aroused keener public interest than
on Thursday. when the Marquis de Vogue was
elected TO replace the late Due de Broglie and
when, after a three hours stubborn contest and
six separate ballots. NJ. Edmond Rostand was
chosen TO the chair vacated by the death Of the
Eicomte Henri de Borner In the case OF the
Marquis it was merely another grand seigneur
who succeeded to the seat OF one who was the
incarnation of the aristocratic section Of the
Academy, known as the 'parti des dues; but
the election Of NJ. Rostand brought into play
the passion and prejudice that have lurked in the
Academy since its rejection OF Moliere and OF
Beaumarchais, and was shown later by its re-
fusal of Balzac in favor OF Prosper Merinee. and
its compelling Victor Hugo TO knock four times
at the door OF the Palais Mazarin before It
opened 10 him. If Academicians were chosen
by universal suffrage. as Jules Simon said they
ought to be, Rostand's election would have been
q walkover in the first heat; but the conserva-
tive and punctilous elements Of the Academy
were offended at the assurance Of Rostand's
friends TO his victory. and purists detected
superhuous feet in his AleXandrines and pro-
nounced his verse an innovation not mertting
the hallmark Of Academic sanction. The op-
position rallied around Frederic Mason, the
Bonapartist historian, and became strong
that Rostand's election due merely 10
lucky fuke. NJ. Paul Deschanel who had per
sistently refused TO vote for Rostand. was called
away after the fourth ballot TO preside at the
Chamber Of Deputies and NJ Albert Sorel, an
other opponent Of the poet. was Unexpectedly
confined TO his bed by a sudden attack of
measles. At last NJ. de Freycinet, wishing 10
end the struggle cast his vote for Rostand,
thus giving him seventeen. the requisite num-
ber, as against fourteen. cast for N Mason.
NJ. Rostand and his wife sat in their victoria
the statue Of COndorcet. three minutes
walk from the Academy, while the voting
going on. and journalist kept them informed
OF the results Of each ballot. When NJ Rostand
was told that after the fourth ballot there was
a tie OF fifteen votes each between himself and
NJ Mason. he said: "Oh, it's use; the
game is lost" Nine. Rostand exclaimed: Not
a bit OF il, ] certain you Will win"
few moments later dozen AcadeIncians. IN
Guiding Clarete, Sardou and Paul Harvieu. came
along and congratulated him. on his return
home the new Immortals first visitor was Mime.
Sarah Bernhardt, who ran up TO him, kissed
him on both cheeks, and said: Il wept at hear
ing the good news. You, my poet know well
that there are such things as tears OF joy
She then whisked away and drove 10 Neuilly.
where al the reception Of Comte de
Montesauion she appeared in q death scene.
N and at O'Clock was back again dining with tie
] Rostands in their charming little house. which
y was thrown open until long after midnight and
filed with literary and artistic visitors bearing
flowers and congratulations. NJ Rostand's
nerves gave way under the pressure Of excite
Inent, and he had 10 he put TO bed. where Dr.
Grancher says he must remain for three or four
days before he can get about again.
The awards Of medals to painters and sculpt-
ors in the Champs Elysees Salon this year are
characterized by heated discussions as TO
whether the medal Of honor the highest recon-
pense that be given, should be adjudged TO
the artist who exhibits the best work Of art. or
10 the one whose whole artistic career appears
most merftoriOus. The 342 voters for the medal
were unable TO solve the difficulty Those who
voted for NJ. Joseph Bail on the ground that his
"Repas des Servants" was the best picture stood
10 their guns. and would not yield TO the ad-
herents Of NJ Gabriel Ferrier or to the sup
porters Of NJ. Henri Martin. who considered
that painters whole career should be taken
into account. The result, as has been already
cabled TO The Tribune, was that no medal OF
honor either for painting or sculpture was
awarded. Among the second medallists are NJ
Karl Cartier. whose Return Of the Flock" was
reproduced in The Tribune Illustrated Supple
ment. and Mr.. Herman Hartwich, Arneri-
can, for his autumnal landscape OF hay gath
erers. Among the third class medallsts there
are three Americans-Mr. Seymour Thomas for
his portrait Of elderly lady; Mr.. Gustave
Henry MOsler. the twenty two -year-old son OF
Mr.. Henry Moser for his Newfoundland dog
mourning beside IN empty cradle. and Miss
Susan We tkjns. OF California fer her Two
Sisters in White" sitting on a garden bench
prcking daisy leaves. Two Americans figure
among the honorable mentions-Mr Frederick
Macmonnies. for his robust old man with Zoa's
Fecondite" in his hand CYrongly credited To
Mrs Macmonnies in the catalogue) and 10 Mr.
Aston knight, for his English landscape OF
a mill and swiftly flowing stream In the
sculpture section no Americans receive medals.
but honorable mentions are accorded to Mr.
George Barnard. OF Chicago, for his marble
'Woodcutter." and 10 Mr.. Edgar Walter Of
San Francisco. for his plaster group THE
Struggle for Life"
Mrs. Astor's musical reception Thursday even
ing was attended by nearly all the best known
people in Partisan society. The list Of singers
Included Nine. Ackte. who is passing her honey
moon in Paris Among the Americans present
were General and Mrs. Horace Porter, Mr. and
oerbiit. Nine Waddington. Mrs. Michael Herbert
Countess de Montsaulnin. Mr and Mrs Henry
hidgway. Baroness de seilliere the Marouise
oe Ialleyrand-Perigord, Mr.. and Mrs Meredith
Rowland. Mr.. and Mrs. George HowIand. MIR
and Mrs. Walter Kingsland Mr. and Mrs
Charles Carroll. Mr.. Egerton Winthrop and Mr.
Frederick Martin
Count and Countess Pons re cas,a,,. 49,