The Washington times., 1901-12-08
THE PASSING SHOW.

THE PASSING SHOW.
The first presentation at the National
this week. by Mrs. Leslie Carter Of David
| Belasco's new play. "Du Barry" will
bring into view, practically for the first
time on the modern stage, one Of the
most interesting of all the picturesque
| figures in French history.
4 few side glances at the woman whom
| Mr. Beiasco has made the centre of his
| play. and a brief consideration of her
origin, her influence. and her downfall,
as recorded by De Goncourt, Dumas,
Riehon. and other ehroniclcrs of the
period, is certainly Of timely interest.
II is known that Jeanette Vaubernier.
as La du Barry was known in her humble
days, was born at vaucouleurs, the coun-
try Of Jeanne d.Arc, in 1874. and that
she was the daughter OF a cook and a
monk.
At about her twenIy-fourth year she
began her connection with the establish
ment OF Labille. a famous milliner Of
Paris. where her beauty. wit, and grace
Dame Rumcr had been SO energetic In
spreading abroad the fame of Jeanette
Vaubernler that it was not long before
the knowledge OF her winsOmeness and
beauty came to The ears OF King Louis.
After some preliminary negotiations 1t
was arranged that she should become a
resident of the court. Only she must
have another sort Of name-In short,
title. Attached TO the Court of Louis at
that time was Count Jean du Barry. who
had brother, Count Guillaume du Barry.
a scheme was hatched in very short
order. Guillaume du Barry was sum
moned to Paris. was ordered to be mar
ried TO jeanette Vaubernier. given hun
dred thousand livres in exchange for his
name and title, and then seat back to the
country.
Then the winsome Jeanette. now the
Countess du Barry, was presented at
court just as Nine. d'Etoiles the Mar
quisc de Pompadour. had been presented
before her. This formality gave her an
established position in the household of
King Louis, with all the respect and con
sideration that naturally attached to her
title.
AS an Illustration of the position to
which La du Barry attained, it is recorded
by Dumas that even Marie Antoinette. OF
the direct royal family. was always most
obsequious to the Kings fayorite-a con-
dition which was the direct result Of the
influence Of Marie Therese, who person.
ally recommended La du Barry TO the IA
vor of her daughter. This proof of the in
fiuence to which Du Barry rose Is further
demonstrated in the ease with which she
caused the dismissal Of Choiseul and Pras-
lin, two Ministers. closely attached to the
King. and high in his favor.
Dumas recalls this incident as follows;
One morning the King found Ia du Barry
juggling a pair OF oranges
Jump. Choiseul, Jump. Prsslipr' said
she' as she continued to toss the oranges
into the air
The King asked what this new game
was.
oh. that only illustrates tn, ms and
downs Of life she answered: aad then
she disclosed her prejudice agP INST the
two Ministers. and showed Iouts a com
promising letter, which proved their dis
loyalty
Wearied long ago by the compIaints
which had been spriHging up around him
the King had only been waiting for tba
right opportunity TO rid himself OF these
Iwa courtiers. Profiting by the excuse
which his favorite now offered him he
took pen and wrote to ChoIseul
The displeasures which your services
have caused me force me to exile YOU ia
Cantaloup. where you will 10 in twenty
four hours. should send Won farther
away were IL not for the special regard
which feel for Nine. de ChoiseuI whose
health interests me deeply Take care
that your conduct does not compel me To
alter my decisiOn.-LOuis."
Then upon another sheet he wrote to
NJ de Praslin. HIS words were short and
to the point
Il have no further need OF your ser
vices | send your to Praslin. where YOU
will go in twenty-four hours"
As with all such fayorites who have
risen. mcteorically, to royal greatness
and spiendor. there came time when tb,
beautiful La du Barry was surrounded bv
enemies and detractors. There had been
many things said against her. and some
have written that her influence upon the
King was not Of the best. That this Is
untrue is found in the tribute which
Jerome Richon has paid to her memory.
Perhaps somebody will undertake this
very simple task-to tell the truth about
m q
be permitted to say in her favor that she
did a great deal of good and never any
harm to her enemies. as even her most
ardent detractors admit. that in her
downfall she preserved MANY honorable
friendships; that she never ceased to feel
the most lively attachment for the m
fortunate monarch who releEatci her TO |
convent when he came 10 the throne,
that she was betrayed and denounced by
people whom she had overwhelmed ,yitb
benefits: and last. that she was con-
lemned to the final punishment by the so
fold the very flower OF elegance nd nuri- |
~ in the society Of France"
Last week, at the Columbia Theatre.
Louis Mann and Clara Lipmau appeared
II Washington for the first time in seri- |
Gus roles. and, although the local public