Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-30
GENIUS OF BERNHARDT
AUTHORIZES, PAINTER, SCULPTOR
AS WELL AS ACTRESS.

Bernhardts genius Is MANIFESTED ana the
ceaseless activity of her life has contained
enough incident to fill an ordinary history.
She tried her hand at authorship in 1sss
when she wrote a play, Il Avou," which
was produced at the Odeon and met with
some success. At least, one book is cred
tied to her pen. In 1875 she made an
aerial voyage in company with Georges
Clairin, the painter, at first in a captive
balloon. and later at the mercy of the
winds Toward the end of the year she
described the adventure in little boo g.
"vers les Nuages," which Clairfn Illus
trated, and 1t had a success. due mainly
to its oddly and wit
"Adrienne Lecouvreur," one Of the plays
which she Is using on her present tour.
Is from her own pen, and should not De
confused with the old play of the same
title written by Scribe and Legouve. Rern-
hardt was rehears.ng the old play at the
Coincide Franchise. when 1t occurred 10
her that the character Of Adrienne, who
was one of the greatent actresses of her
day, had not been adequately portrayed by
the play which bore her name. For three
months she worked upon a new play on Tue
life of Adrienne, and then announced II
for production in Paris
As a painter Nine. Bernhard was warm
ly praised by Sir Frederic Leighton, bai
she herself cares less for painting than
for any other line of her artistic career.
But Bernhard does take great pride in
her ability a sculptor, .and she once lof-
sock the stage entirely for the mallet ana
chisel She made 30 0OO francs year with
her chiseI and her brush, and wrote that
it was a calmer existence than the stage
which she had never really loved Tier
bust of Ophelia is a really famous pfrce
of work and was exhibited in the Salon,
where 1t took a prize. In 1875 what is
recognized in France as her greatest piece
of sculptor, After the Storm received
honorable mention at the Paris Salon.
Her Personality Little Known.
Such incidents as these lead easily from
the public to the private life Of the woman
1t is astonishing how little is known of
Madame Bernhardts personality, and the
public has been fed for years on anecdotes
and sQutbs put out on an evident basis Oh
ridicule or cheap humor With such wo-
man It is not surprising to read of con-
ventionality defed and originality express,
ed in every habit and action. To sum 1t all
up it may be said that far beyond the ma
jority of mortals she has found it possible
to disregard limitations, and to do pretty
much as she wished
An incident related by an American vlst-
tor in Paris, though trifling in ITSELF Is
typical of the woman. Bearing letters TO
Madame Bernhard, some two years ago,
he presented them in person at the actress
residence, and was graciouSly re ceiYed,
though the apartment was in great disorder,
movers being engaged In dismantling her
studio as If she were about to set UP her
household goods in some distant lana.
Madame Bernhard apologiZed for the dis
turbance, explaining in the most matter
of-course way that they were sheriff
men Selling her goods at the behest OF
some importunate creditor.
For Sarah Bernhard money does not
exist, save as tiresome detail of exist
ence well enough doubtless, for those sor-
did souls who measure life by francs and
centimes, but beneath the contempt of en-
frightened beings. BE the coveted object
what it will, a gorgeous palace or a sim
pie flower to her the question is not can
afford it?" but DO l want it?' If she
does want it, it is hers, and the owner
may wait for his money,
Is Not in Legion of Honor.
The French government has never accord
ed to Bernhard the official recognition that
was bestowed on the late oRsa Bonheur
and a few other famous French women
she has never been given the cross of the
Legion of Honor. In France the bit of red
ribbon that is the outward and visible sign
of this Gallo grace is seen so frequently
that one is apt to think il an integral part
of every black frock coat But its posses
sion is AZ real distinction to the French
man and in this respect it is to be sup
posed that Madame Bernhard is more
a stole than her COuntrymen.
A determined effort was made to secure
the cross for her some years ago. A mag
niCent fete was organized in her honor.
Performances of the third act of ''Phedre'
and the fourth act OF Home NatnCue
were given at the Renaissance; this was
followed by a luncheon for 800 actors, lit
terateurs, artists and politicians At the
conclusion poems in her honor were read
by Francois Coppee, Edmond Rostand, An
DIRE Theuriet and Catulle Mendes and the
fete came to an end with the coronation
of Madame Bernhard as queen of the
drama" The ministry were then besought
to grant the coveted decoration. But for
once they were chary of dispensing the
favor and Madame Bernhardt's name has
never come out in the lists and she Is still
without the right to display the splash of
red that means so much in France.