The San Francisco call., 1906-06-24
SPECIAL CABLE TO TIE CALL.


PARIS. June 2s.-seldom in recent
years has a greater sensation been
made here than has been caused by the
announcement that Monsieur and
Madame lie Bargy, the most famous
couple on the French stage, are about
D. 70 be divorced. and the rumor that
when this has happened the lady will
marry young Casimir Perier, only son
OF the ex-President Of the French re-
public.
The fact that all was not well be-
tween the lie Bargys came 10 light
only recently, when Madame lie Bargy
suddenly left Paris at the height Of the
season and also OF her success in
Bernstein's La Rafale." in which her
husband was also appearing. And no
wonder the news made a sensation.
for SimOne lie Bargy, whose maiden
name was SimOne Benda is undoubt-
edly one of the most gifted women in
the French capital. and has had a
truly remarkable career.
A beautiful society girl Of aristo-
cratic family, she originally had not
the slightest intention. Of going on the
stage, and probably would not have
done 50 had not Sarah Bernhardt hap
pened 10 hear her give a monologue at
a certain charitable fete, some five
years ago. Struck. however. by the
girls unmistakable histrionic gifts.
Madame Bernhard strongly urged
Nile. Benda TO study for the stage. and
this she ultimately decided TO do. plac-
ing herself forthwith under the ex-
perienced- tuition of Monsieur LIE
Bargy.
On her first appearance in public
she carried all before her, and soon
was recognized as one Of the most
promising actresses on the French
stage A year later she married lie
Bargy, and they have since appeared
together in many successes, including
Donnay's The Other Danger" and
The Adversary" Madame lie Bargy.
by the way, is q proficient English
scholar, having acted with George
Alexander at the St James Theater in
London, and has literary talent as
we'll q fact which she demonstrated
recently by. performing the uncommon
" difficult task Of translating Shelley
into French.
HUSBAND A PARIS DANDY.
as for her husband. lie Bargy, he
may be said TO be in his prime, for he
was born in 1858. He is not only
brilliant actor. a socletaire. or. life
member of the Coincide Franchise and
q professor at the Conservatoire, but
his career both on and of the stage
has been meteoric lie Bargy is a
name 10 cOnjure with. II is synony-
nous with faultless taste. The world
Of masculine fashion holds its breath
at the beginning Of the season until
lie Bargy has appeared and set all
doubts at rest as 10 the shade OF the
cravat the cut OF swallow tail or
pantaloOn. which il is chic" TO wear
for the next few months. lie Bargy
was the first TO wear fancy waistcoat Is
in Paris Theys quickly became the
rage. however. when this high priest
Of the art Of dressing had consecrated
rhe daring novelty
What female heart could resist this
supreme arbiter of elegance?{ But ii
may be questioned if such qualities fit
a man for married life.
N lie Bargy, for whom Henri Lave
dan wrote the Marquis de Priola." is
generally supposed TO be the prototype
OF that gay impenitent. whose pet
theory was that women are soft car
net 10 walk upon and who admitted
that he had only married in order TO
have the experience Of obtaining a
divorce Does lie Bargy really hold
these theories, or is the man so COM
rIetelv merged in the actor that there
is no means Of telling where the one
begins and the other ends2
This reminds me Of remark made
bv that most spiritual Of critics, NJ
Catulle Merdes. He was in Nine. lie
13arey's loge Al the COmedie Francaise
on the premiere OF lie Duel" in which
N lie Bargy acts the priest When
the curtain fell on great scene,
Catlsfle enrapturcd. turned to Nine. lie
Bargv and said: ~Ah. madame. II your
husband were not priest. what an
actor he would have made"
There is also a story about Nine.
lie Bargv. which students Of character
will not fail to recall at this Juncture.
Maurice Donnay. It viii be remem-