The Washington times., 1907-01-13
Ella Wheeler Wilcox Dis
cuSSeS the individuality
of Sarah Bernhardt.
Home Life of French
Artist Far From What
the Public Believes.
By ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.


\ breakfast zen famille" with Sarah
Bernhard.
That was the good fortune which fell
10 my lot one day rscenuy in Paris.
To sit beside Sarah Bernhard at her
own breakfast table, and see her sur
rounded with her charming family-that
was indeed a pleasure, for 10 know the
artist is never - interesting as 20 know
the woman-or the man-behind the
artist
AS i waited in her drawing room,
filled with souvenirs of a remarkable
life. IL seemed like a fairy story 20 think
1 was really 10 see the worid-famous
tragedienne in the simplicity Of home
life-apart from ,all the trappings of
stage machinery.
1 had been told that Madame Bern
hardt was always the actress-always
theatrical, under the most ordinary con-
ditions. But long ago 1 learned how the
world makes mistakes Cwhen il does
not wilfully lie) in its assertions con-
corning celebrated people. and how
easily IL confounds individuality with
eecentricity. and how the commonplace
mind fails 10 distinguish between the
artistic and the queer" the rare and
the "old"
Sarah Bernhardt's beautiful drawing
room was a becoming background for
her graceful figure as she came forward
10 greet urs.
Actress Beautifully Gowned.
She was, OF course. artisticalIy gowned
ia simple flowing robes suitable 10 the
monday hour. and the charm OF the
woman was never more potent than
there at that moment. with no stage
accessories, no Wiz no make-up-nO
role to play. save that Of hostess.
Her own hair was loosely knOtted on
her head and hung straight and some
what negligently about her forehead
and ears; very pretty ears. and a brow
remarkably free from lines.
In the clear unmercifuI light Of high
noon the complexion OF Sarah Bern
haTdt (Who tells the world she IS sixty
TWO years old was smooth and fair and
fun OF the tones OF health-a complex
ion any woman OF twenty-five might
be happy 10 possess. Her features were
noticeable for their delicate molding
and their mobility Of expression. and
the direct glance Of her eyes was pc
cuiiarly young.
Under the eyes, only, In the whole
face was there "a suggestion of fatigue
that slight shadow which often is
more attractive than otherwise Ia the
countenance Of a woman OF tempera-
ment showing that she has lived. and
that she is not a mere figure OF wax or
marble.
When 1 thought of the tremendous
nervous strain, the high tension, under
which Sarah Bernhardt had tolled for
almost half a century TO attain her
present attitude as great artist, and
Of the physical fatigue imposed by con-
tinual travel, rehearsals and varied
productions Of emotional plays. 1 felt
as II 1 were gazing upon the wonder OF
the age.
Domestic Life Her Hobby.
Nothing more honey" or domestic
could be imagined than the breakfast
room, with its windows facing the
Boulevard-and Madame Bernhard at
the head OF the table. surrounded with
her family-au save her son. who was
in Italy.
The daughter-in-law and two grand
daughters seemed 10 give the Divine
sarah" a greater devotion even than
that which is accorded her by adOring
Paris.
II is always proof Of a great char
acter where man or woman is an Idol
in the family circle.
a brilliant genius may win the worlds
applause. while he is a bad or cruel or
weak man at home. But really great
soul is one who in the near and clear
light OF home shines with radiance.
Madame Maurice" as / might desig-
nate the daughJer-in-law of Bernhard,
is almost as much or a phenomenon in
appearance as her mOther-in-laW An
extremely pretty, rather petite woman.
looking not cay over twenty-five, she
yet declared herself TO be the mother
% a young girl evidently sixteen, who
resembled her closely.
Granddaughter Her Counterpart.
A younger daughter, ten years old.
is a striking reproduction Of Sarah Bern
hardt No, she viii never be an ac-
tress," Madame Bernhardt assured ME,
An artist, yes; but not an artist OF
the stage world
Yet who can tell? Surely the child
has the face. and the palm Of genius,
and the world must Yet hear from her.
This child adores her grandmother,
and All through the breakfast hour there
was picAtA sue play hctNccLi them
loving giauces and stolen caresses-and
I left the little faXen-haired fairy kiss
ing her grandmother hand while she
waved me farewell,
Great devotion, admiration and respect
were shown the hostess by each one OF
her households. Two interesting young
women, who seemed TO be members
Of the family-maids of honor TO the
Queen of the Dramatic World perhaps
were included in the circle. and hung
NTH interest on each word dropped by
he golden voice
Surely ne who says Sarah BernhaTdt IS
always theatrical has not seen her in
Ter own home.
New Role Shows Versatility.
Her new role Of ST. TheTese in Catulle
Mendes' pOetical drama is a fresh proof
of her versatile genius. Nothing more
beautiful than the death scene in the
last act was ever Witnessed on any
stage OF an the many deaths this
great actress has died the last is chief
And in her nuns costume no critic
e.ot even Alan Dale. who loves 10 say
old