New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-20

the editor Of the Revue Bleu." through which
the memoirs are running serially. have been
enabled 10 make from advance sheets few
extracts from this interesting document. Mile.
Georges. one Of the most famous actresses in
her day thes furniture. her bed and her looking
glass may be remembered, by the way. by
American visitors 10 the Worlds Fair OF 1900,
comes forth IN these pages a sort Of Partisan
Pepys in frils and furbeows. She writes with
great frankness. and dscloses the humors ana
whims Of the time in which she was so popular.
not only those Of Bonaparte, but OF Talma and
many another famous figure. Her account OF
her first meeting with Bonaparte is piQuant
She had retired to her apartment. after hav-
ing played the part OF Clytemnestra at the Fran
case The First Consul had been present at the
performance. and entering her house she
found Constant. his confidential valet. waiting
20 ask whether the First Consul might send his
carriage f-r her the following evening. 10
conduct her TO Saint-Cloud in order that he
might congratulate her upon her success. The
request caused the young actress great embar-
rassment. but her first thought. nevertheless.
was Of what she should wear. The narrative
of her visit then proceeds as follows:
At the appointed time found the First Con-
suls carriage At my door. Cesar. the coachman.
was the box. IL this same Cesar who
drove the carriage containing General Bonaparte
on the occasion Of the attempted assassination
I'm the Rue Saint Nicaise. and being worse for
drink at the time. Cesar whipped up his horses
so Unexpectedly to thereby save his masters
life. jumped somewhat nervously into the car
riage. and Cesar drove OF at "A rapid trot We
soon reached Saint-Cloud. l wore a white mus
lin neglige gown. lace veil and a cashmere
shawl Roustan received me at the door ana
/ conducted me TO the private apartments. The
room very large one. and was lighted up
II for a ball-immense candelabrs and
huge chandelier were blazing away with nun
dreds Of candles / felt very much frightened.
( I half concealed myself near the chimney piece
and drew down my veil. ] heard a slight noise.
How my heart beat, II was the First Consul.
He entered the room with rapid steps by small
door leading from his library. He wore white
silk stockings, white satin knee breeches n
green uniform with red collar and trimmings.
He carried his hat under his arm. I arose. He
walked straight up TO me ana gazed at me Win
that penetrating but winning smile so peculiarly
his own. He took my hand and made me sit
down on a large divan. As he did so he raised
my veil with his right hand, ana, without
1 further ado, simply threw IL on the floor J said
TO myself "Oh. my beautiful veil, II he walks
on It he will spoil it, II was very annoying.
hand trembles. You must not be afraid Of me.
I thought you we're exceedingly beautiful last
evening. madame: your acting was perfection.
and / wish to compliment you. You see. am
more polite than you are
How so. sir?"
How so? why. ] sent you a present Of 5000
/ francs the other evening after your performance
Of Emile token Of my appreciation. l
naturally expected that you would have asked
/ permission to present yourself at the palace in
/ order TO thank But the fair and proud
/ Emile did not come
! / felt embarrassed and replied: II didn't know
/ what 20 90; besides. l should never have pre-
sumed to take such liberty"
me?"
Yes"
And now"
Now ! am more afraid OF you than beforer'
The First Consul laughed heartily. and then
said. brusquely: What are your Christian
/ Josephine Marguerite
Josephine pleases me. like that name but
1 going 10 call You Georgina-will that suit
your"
This name Georgina that by which
/ ever afterWard called by the First Consul, and
later by the Emperor and the imperial family.
But you don't talk, Georgina-why?''
Because all these lights fatigue me; please
have some Of them extinguished, and then 1
/ shall be able 20 converse with you
The First Consul rang the bell for Roustan
and said: Give your orders. GeorginaP'
Put out the candles in the chandelier
| rs that enoUgh?'
Mo- Put out half the candles in those huge
| oandelabras"
Very well" said the First Consul to ROustan.
He then asked: rs there too much light for
! you now?"
The First Consul seemed TO enjoy immensely
l this informal chat with young girl who talked
I with him simply and without afectation.
Now then. Georgina. tell me all about your
self: be frank and good natured, and tell me
] everything
/ He was so nice and pleasant that my fears
disappeared. and / said. Il shall bore you: be-
/ sides. how can tell you all that you ask. I am
/ not witty, and am rather poor story teller
Never mind: try"
/ 1 then told him all about myself. how hap
/ pened to come 10 Paris, and. in fact. all my
/ petty annoyances
SO. my little lady. you were not rich then.
you that beautiful cashmere. and this nice vefl?"
was sure he knew everything. 90 told him