New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-04
HOW BERNHARDT RESTS.
Fer Frequent Maps in Daytime Keep Her
Fresh for Her Work

F'0 people know what a busy life the famous
actress Ber1hardt leads. and in what q peculiar
manner she takes her rest She never remains
i'm bed for more than five six hours. but at any
time during the day when she has few moments
to spare she lies down for little nap She falls
asleep the instant her head touches the pillow and
gets up feeling quite refreshed after a rest Of
only ten or even five minutes. often while driving
in her carriage from her hotel 10 the theatre she
sleeps, and sometimes has to BE- awakened by the
goodman her arrival
II the interval between tho acts is sufficiently
long she lies down Immediately after leaving tho
stage and before dressing for the next act. Many
a time she has been known 70 snatch a nap while
standing IN the wings waiting her signal to
90 on the stage In this way she keeps herself
fresh until or o'clock IN the morning. when
she finally goes 20 bed TO find after the
fashion Of ordinary nortals.
Usually sho rises about o'clock. and before her
toilet IS finished begins 70 receive dressmakers
and miNiners for when there reheaTsals at
the theatre the morning IS the only time has
free 10 do NIL her studying and writing. 20 her
friends and 70 make all her business arrangements.
Even ar luncheon time. which IS about u o'clock.
these duties not finished. Usually there are
several guests present. and Bernhardt. presiding
at the head q the table In high backed Gothic
chair with tho air Of n tragic queen receives
friends and business people throughout tho meal
These take their places the back OF their hostesr
and sometimes there many = twelve seated
in a seui-crce behind her chair. with dress
maker she plans theatre costume. with a
Playwright discusses G new drama. TO a stage as
pirant gives practical advice. etc. Some are her
friends anxious TO have few minutes chat with
their favorite actress
At o'clock she must he at the theatre TO begin
rehearsals. which continue until or 7 o'clock. and
tho evening performance begins at S there is
seldom time for her to return home for dinner,
Therefore II s usually brought 10 her from a res
tauraut BY and is served upon small table in
her dressing Occasionally. when that has not
been available La Grande Sarah has diued kneeling
the floor with her plate chair in front Of
her
Naturally the role she is playing the tour FOR
which she is preparing must change TO extent
the usual routine OF the DAY, When she re-
heaTslng f0r Hamlet" she put on soon she
arrived the theatre simplihed form Of the cos
tune and walked about the stage and theatre as
much possible g To aCcustOm herself 10 male
attire. Between and o'clock there was an hours
lesson IN fencing upon the stage. which necessarily
made the afternoon work much more fatguing.
On another occasion, just before travelling in the
United States she wished TO practise speaking
English. but the only hour she could take the les
at o'clock In the morning. Nevertheless.
a teaher found willing to go to the actress
house at that hour. and after tho evenings per-
Torrance, while she was preparing for bed. Bern
hardt industriously polished up her English.