The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-25
CURRENT TOPIcSINPARIS Deaunay the Great French Actor Who
 Was Master of the Art of Makeup
BY PIERRE RosIER.

Paris, October 24.-Delaunay, the actor had a temperance and finish of style that belonged to rather the eighteenth than the nineteenth century. He went Tn TOT a style as amiable as Volatire would have understood the term, had charm, finish, hid artificialty, and deplored the rue or the Francais which obliges a young lover to speak to the back of his innamoratas head. He remained young all the time he belonged to the Francais-that IS to say, for about fifty years. He would nave probably been a great portraitist had he taken up painting, instead of acting. De- launay invented all the implements challxs, crayons, pigments he used Tn making up his face, and had skill sei- dom, if ever, at fault in applying them. He also understood how to keep young figure. This could only be done through the sacrifice of tastes Ind self-denial. He ate sparingly, took little wine, had small ration of bread at each meal ana rose from table with an appetite. HIS fayorite exercise-wheeling wheelpaf- row at every rate of speed from a walk ing to a running pace-exereised well ms whole body without throwing muscles into high relief. He often, as he Wheei- cd. raised or lowered the shafts. bent the hodv forward or held it erect. Dumb-beils kept his chest open He had also exef- else of the arms, sof lying on the hoor and raising himself with. and then witn- ont the help of his hands. An anatomist had explained to him how to bring ms muscular system to resemble that or IIermes. as represented by an antique statue, and how to avoid Herculean oe- velpoment. He thus remained sraclie' Timber, vital master of his neither limbs and he retained the springy step or youth He went on as professor at the con, servatoire until he reached the limit or age. and retired with the red ribbon Of inc Legion of Honour on his breast.
 Delaunay, in all respects, followed his instinct which made for moderation. He saved moderately, did not covet wealth, and refused brilliant offers from St. Pe- tersburg rather than break with his hap- it's and live among strangers thai coulo not understand him demi mot. Nlchoi- as I, set on by the Grand Duchess Marie, who had become enamoured Of Deiaunay, offered him certainly a half more than he could ever hope to earn at the Fran cais, long annual holidays, which he could spend as 8 theatrical star at Ba- den Baden, a benefit night patronized by the court, and large minimum or pald representations and dramatic recitations at the winter palace of Peterhof. Alex ander II went further. Delaunay remem- bered the adventure of Bressant at the court of Russia. He did not feel inclined to risk such another and thought French theatrical lady who had captured his heart preferable to grand duchess Delaunay believed that ambition aged the face and that avarice had stronger effect of the same kind So he took care not to be ambitious or avaricious, or jealous or in any respect dissipated but led a quiet, regular, bourgeois life rich in small pleasures and amusements. He saved money enough to go on to the end according to his old habits. and to leave his son well off One of his latter-day amusements was to read old loveletters and classify his correspondence. He had voluminous collection of letters from
 artists, authors, dramatic critics, fa- nous actresses and grand ladies.
 Delaunay hated sensational drama and acting, and conceived a dislike to Mile. Croizette for the realism with which she played in 'The Sphinx" She was in that piece supposed to poison herself, and she studied on dogs and monkeys the action of the poison the author chose for her. Delaunay would have in her place left much to be imagined. Only few doc- tors and medical students present knew that she ought to grow lvid and what
 muscles should be contorted. Was it
 worth while for their sake to shock the rest of the audience? The drama should rather charm than afford violent sensa- tions. It should at once please the mind and gently stir the emotions and senti- ments, and be school of refined taste. Stage sensations generally missed the mark It often happened that what the author intended to horrify set the spec tators laughing
 Delaunay, the son of publican, In a small way seemed by nature to play the part of a gentlemanly young lover. As such he became the mirror of fashion under the second empire which brought prosperity to the Francais. They had lived there on lean kine from 1894 to 1852. From that year to 1870 they went every week to Compiegne when the court stay ed there Delaunay took Bismarcks measure at court theatricals. Bismarck came into the green room with Prince Murat, and escorted by Arsene Houssaye, DeIaunay though him a mastiff who would not thank the emperor for the attentions he lavished on him, and would one day spring on his throat and rend him.
 Delaunay lived in a house of his own at versailles. Faithful to the end to his simple tastes, he begged that no flowers should be laid on his coffin. and that mill itary honors should not be rendered to his remains.
 Delaunay. in 1s49. sought for an oppor- tunity as walking gentleman to study