The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-07

new and unexpected view OF the
pleasures and pains OF stage life; that
life which is usually yelled by the
magic of the footlights and has the
glamour of rouge and powder to con-
ceal its actual conditions from the
ever-curious public In the re-
niniscences Of the great Polish actress,
who was the wonder and admiration OF
an earlier generation and who retain
ed her power of fascinating playgoers
as long as she remained on the stage,
we are brought very close to the real
Joys and sorrows of life behind the
scenes. The hard work, often followed
by unfortunate accident and bitter
chagrin the unexpected delight OF
"making hi' or drawing a full
house" where there were only gloomy
forebodings as to the success of
new play; the tr.umphs Of "arst
night" and the physical and mental
exhaustion which often came closely
O. the heels of that triumph, all these
real experiences are set before us In
this wonderfully varied life-story OF
Madame Modieska, making It book
to be read and reread with eyer-grow.
ing interest by every one who cares
for the exciting adventures CT un-
usual people.
1t must command larger public
than the general autoblographies of
actors and actresses, because 1t covers
wider field and embraces anecdotes
and "reminiscences Of most of the cele-
brated actors, authors and artists of
the past half century, including many
we'll known people of our own day
who are still with us. Poland, Eng
/: land, America. of the West and East.
are the chief backgrounds. and all the
/ people who are brought before us are
| the real characters as we might know
them to-day. were we fortunate enough
I TO make one of the delightful circle.
! In referring to her Southern tours
! during the time she fulfilled i'm
| portant engagements in the United
I States, Madame Modjeska writes: e
! spent several pleasant weeks in the
[ South and met many descendants of
/ the aristocratic families OF Virginia.
/. They were all most charming in their
hospitality.
On many old houses known for opu-
lence in the past. we noticed reduced
! circumstances. verginE on poverty.
but borne with the dignity of high
/ breeding. My heart went out TO them
! in sympathy and admiration.
"One day we were invited 10 a re-
4 ceptfon On a man of-war in Norfolk,
| by Miss Mollie SeawelI. who, being a
! granddaughter of an admiral. enjoyed
a great popularity in the navy. At
| the close OIL our visit he pet of the
crew was presented to us--a very
clean, pretty, pink and white pig,
with ribbon around its neck Miss
7 Ca al inf ms Yfo MI oil
/ was so clever and performed so many
stunts. that they called it 'Modjeska.'
! I was very proud of my namesake,
| especially when / saw 1T dancing a
/ hornpipe which reminded me OF my
unfortunate Jag In Peg Woffington'"
| Madame Modjesha settled herself on
| Bay Island, in East Newport. Cal, q
! few months previous to her death in
| April of 1909. Here, in closing her
autobiography, she says:
II have done what could for art
| and myself; certainly could not do
| 1t over again. and as for the excite
| ment and applause. I never attached
much value TO either. What I loved
| best in my profession was the work,
but the moment ] realized was losing
my buoyancy and my quick percep-
ton, left the stage without regret"
Mauuiue AlOQJeSSd HdU d passionate
love for her native land, Poland. and
a passionate belief in its vitality. as
! evidenced BY its civilization and art
Her funeral Grafton delivered at
Cracow. July IS. 1910. voices the de-
lvotion of her compatriots toward their
great countrywoman in the follow
| ing words:
I'm tho name of those to whom thou
! vert an example unreached, an un-
paralleled mistress, an exquisite friend
| and sincere colleague, accept our
| homage and good-by.
| '.And in return let thy genius be
| tho guardian Of the Polish stage. and
keep it in the light it hath attained,
end may the pilgrim artists visiting
1 thy grave drink as they would from
tho spring OF Castai-faith, strength,
eSample-so that the thankful hearts
of generations accompany thee to the
land of eternity and the Pantheon OF
Immortality
\ The DhOtOCranhiC re productions of