Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-31

Farm experiment.. the company was a most brilliant one. First and foremost there was Modjeska; co-experimenter Sienkiewicz author of Quo Vadis; Pad erewski. who needs no explaining. Fi- nancially the experiment failed, the company disbanded. Modjeska then sought to retrieve the fortunes of the family in San Francisco. her husband. Count Bozenta, who was ill, spending part of his time in the south in the en- 1 deavor to gain health.
 San Francisco did not pay much at- tention to this talented woman, the atrical managers looked upon her with certain suspicion. were wary of q lady of title seeking career as actress At the time fake" Russian princess was in the city, and her assumptions were not accompanied by any superior talent But Modjeska had three qualities that make for success; possession of talent, belief in herself, and indomitable en- ergy. She at once set to work at study of the English language, and in three months and half mastered the parts of Cleopatra. Adrienne Lecouvreur, Juliet and Ophelia.- She spoke with an accent, but her accent was adorable.
 Itwas hard matter to get manager to give her hearing but finally one was coralled. Modjeska read for him the last act of Adrienne Lecouvreur, and made such an impression he begged to bring John Mccullough. who was then theatrical manager. to hear her She was at once booked for two weeks en- gagement at the California theater.
 That was in 1877. The first night she played to a small house, but enjoyed a triumph. Her teacher of English, Miss Josephine Tucholsky, says of this first appearance: There never was any thing seen like it. think. in San Fran cisco theater before nor since. People stood up. they cheered. they cried, they wanted to stampede upon the stage and shake the hand of this woman who had made their emotions the plaything of her genius"
 Thirty-eight years Mime Modjeska has acted in English. playing in this country and in London. and today her admirers. a multitude, are slow to con cede that she shows signal loss of pow CT. She has played many parts in her time; In tragedy of Marie Stuart, and in Camille" winning laurels. as Ophelia. Lady Macbeth and other lead ing Shakespearean parts. displaying the delicacy and finish of her art.
 When resting from her professional duties. Modjestka seeks the seclusion of her beautiful California ranch: for it is in that western state. where first she sought refuge. where her American tri- umphs began. she has established her home. The Count and Countess Bozen- ia dispense here a generous. gracious hospitality. and indulge in their hobby. country life. Among her fruits and flowers the actress has spent her walk ing hours when the round of theatrical duties was finished. and doubtless here she will pursue the days of her hard earned rest.
 For she has this year taken farewell of the stage. al the great benefit per formance given her lately in New York she made her last bow 10 the public. It is with regrets her longtime friends see her withdraw from the stage she has graced and given prestige 10. but all must grant she has earned her holiday.
 A generous woman. ever glad 10 give a helping hand. is Modjeska and to-day not few that have risen 10 high place point to her as patron and inspiration. She helped Paderewski pursue musical studies al Vienna: under her auspices Jean and Eduoard de Reszke nrs; ap- peared at a concert But while she is . warm friend she is also an otrspoken enemy of oppression; and her debuncis- tions of Russian tyranny has made ii wise to live in exile from Poland.
 CHRISTOPHER WEBSTER.