New-York tribune., 1908-07-04
The Memoirs of an Actress of the
Napoleonic Era.
Paris June %.

aeefeno1eeIe
:. beauty" was born during the ancien regime.
~. attained the summit Of her glory during
~. Consulate and the Empire. and was the fa-
..,-.-e Of Napoleon and the Emperor Alexander.
e. Was the foremost actress Of the romantic
,,,s-,eut in the early sos and she 6ied at
p.ssv in January. 1867. kind hearted old lady
., eighty. whose life had embraced some of the
&c, chanseful years in the history of Europe.
rar memoirs. just published here by Plon-Nour-
:, are replete with personal "reminiscences.
.,eodotes and episodes concerning Napoleon,
rsIIeyrand. Talma and many Of the prominent
,oljtical and theatrical characters of her day.
Tbev have exceptional fascination for all read
.rs interested in that stirring period.
The editor who has most judiciously put these
,eres together and annotated them is NJ
cberau1v the Partisan art collector, who as a
youth enjoyed the friendship of Alexandra
Dumas Dumas fils Frederick Lamaitre, Rachel
and Madeleine Brohan He has taken the me-
-,ot-s from the original manuscript written by
Mile George in 1857 and conhded by her to
Nine Despordes- Valnore, with the idea that
that obscure and rather pedantic poetess might
trupart 20 them a certain literary charm. The
greet actress herself had never in her life writ
ten line for publication, and she feared that
her fnexperience would be disastrous for her
book BY happy chance NJ. Cheramy bought
az auction. at the Hotel Drouot. in 1908. the au-
-hertic manuscript. fortunately untouched by
the writer's friend II is a pity that these
souvenirs, which begin with the young girls
debut at the Theatre Francais IN 1902, end
abruptly in Is0s-a period accurately correspond
ing with the duration Of her intimacy with Ma
poleon The editor has. however atoned some
what for this by publishing a number of de-
tached papers. letters and memoranda that carry
the record down 10 the Second Empire
the lozN ro.,1
the popular actress who was most intimate
terms with Josephine. It was Josephine her
self who introduced her to the First Consul and
Mile George took part in the private theatri-
Gals at Saint-Cloud. those who acted with her
on these occasions being Lucien Bonaparte,
Hortense. Nine. Baccioci and even Madame
Mere" Bonaparte's mother. Lucien Bonaparte,
after one Of these amateur performances, gave
Nile George a gold enamelled toilet set with
g hundred louis concealed in the pufbox.
Prince Sapieha presented her with jewels and
with 4 costly lace veil The young girl re-
marked IF il is 70 the artistic to whom you offer
these beautiful things. IL is strictly in my capa-
citv as artistic that I accept them." "It is
purely through admiration for the artistic that
I place them al your disposal, together with a
house horses and carriages was the reply.
Strangely enough. the venerable and eccentric
Pole spoke the truth, and his patonic attach
nnent lasted for some years. Mile. George was
nov fifteen years Of age. She was dark, tall.
massive sculpturai beauty. and was forthwith
surrounded by ardent admirers. One gallant
and extravagant sutor asked permission to ar
range her hair. and did so with a score of curl
papers each Of which consisted Of a five hun
dred franc note
The fascinating actress does not hesitate TO
narrate with extreme minuteness Of detail her
Il
CURED one summer night after a performance
Of the "Nisanthrope." Constant, the confden-
tial valet Of Napoleon, was at the stage door
waiting for Mile. George. VINO came tripping
lightly down the stairs dressed in white and
wearing the lace veil that Prince Sepieha had
given her. Cesar. the First Consui's coachman
was in readiness with a coupe and spirited
pair Of horses. She driven TO Saint-Cloud,
and there shown into a large room brilliantly
lighted with hundreds Of candles. Bonaparte
soon entered IN court dress-white silk breeches
ard stockings and the familiar green coat
trimmed with red His hat was under his left
arm. Il rose as he approached" she says, and
with brusque gesture he tore away my veil"
The First Consul complinented her upon her
acting. and this conversation ensued:
= an more amiable and courteous than you are"
''Why ! ordered 5000 francs to be given you for
Of Be so hoped II that Tio yon YOU'D ask to Be
sented TO thank me in person but the beautiful
But dared not take such liberty
Bad excuse, Were you really so afraid OF ne?"
And now
Now. am still more afraid Of you
Napoleon burst into hearty laugh, and went
on 70 ask What is your full name?" 10
sephine- Marguerite" she replied, and her inter
locutor continued: Josephine pleases me-
Hike that name. but am going to baptize you
Georgina-does the name suit your" She re-
naned silent and confused, and he asked her
10 explain her embarrassment. Because" she
replied. all these lights bewilder and fatigue
ne do have some Of them extngushed-' He
rang for Roustan and said TO him, Put out
some Of these lights" turning to the actress and
asking, rs that enough7" No she answered,
''extinguish half the candles in those huge
candelabra.' All right" he ordered, put them
out" and he turned TO see if she was at last
satisfied Then in a good humored way, he
asked his fair visitor to tell him all about her
life and ambitions. They chatted like young
school children. she says. for half an hour. She
adds that he was the most charming and fasci-
mating man she had ever met, brusque and often
rude but thoughtful. delicate, witty, sentimental
and anaiable. She says further:
AS ] vas about 10 return 10 Paris the First
Consul placed my shawl over my shoulders and
wound tie lace veil around my head He dlo so
with grace and tact, and, bidding me goodby'
kissed the forehead. very stupldly sald
You have just kissed the veil that Prince Sapleha
gave me- Bonapa-re became furious al this ana
tore the veil into hundred shreds. He puiIed
or my cashmere shawl and stamped on II he
removed my ring-a little gold one that contained
q lock Of white hair Of Mile Raucourt-and broke
Il. He seized my pink coral necklace and threw
u the floor. / trembled with fear and had no
idea Of what would happen next To my aston
ishment he became quite calm and in his agree
able, low toned. soft voice. said: 'Georg1na- DO
not get angry, but when you come TO see me you
must not any ornaments except those that
give YOU i am not angry answered. but