New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-25
The Only Way to
Reveal George Sand
By ]. A. Pierce

n lHt VI WV b 1890
is familiar to the American public, it
means little more to them than that OF
! Sappho, Semiramis or Aholibah. In
the opinion of Mrs. Minnie Maddern
( Fiske. she was one Of the greatest
women Of all time. Mrs. Fishes opin-
| ion deserves much respect, for it is the
/ fruit of long study after she undertook
to play the title role of Philip Noel
/ ler's comedy MADAME Sand" which
was put on at the Criterion Theatre
last Monday.
To those among Mrs. Fiske's audi
ences to whom George Sand is only
name the embodiment of the French
novelist appearing before them has an
amazing vividness. Characterized by
volcanic energy and extraordinary &C.
centricites, she is, indeed vital per-
sonage, irrespective of the fidelity to
/ life which the Interpretation and crea-
ton of the role may display. 1t is
Mrs. Fishes hope that the play VIII
lead to desire on the part Of the pub
/ lie to inform themselves regarding the
life and personality Of the protagonlst.
George Sands own letters form the
most completely revelatory publication
which Mrs. Fiske has come upon IN the
collection of library about her. In
them her foibles, indiscretions and
triumphs are faithfully delineated. But
although Nine. Sand did not always be-
have like the great and glorious crea-
ture whom Mrs. Fiske idolizes, she was
yet, according to her present portrayer,
woman who has been reyerenced by
great minds.
When Mr.. Moeller's manuscript
reached Mrs. Fiske she was away IN
the North Woods, and there, as she
wrote TO the author, it impressed her
as incorrigibly brilliant and funny.
When she had laughed great deal
she undertook TO supplant the super
fetal knowledge of the great French
woman that she had already gained by
reading the famboyant earlier novels
+
understanding of George Sand came
gradually, she says, for reading about
her is like swimming in the ocean, so
comprehensive is the "comedie hu-
maine" in which she plays every known
part.
"Who but George could have done
the things that she did" said Mrs.
Fiskc. at was she who cut off her
hair and laid it at the feet Of her lover;
who mended her furniture at o'clock
in the morning; who tramped for miles
in storms, smoking her cigar; who
could harangue mob as well as
man. AS came 10 know her more and
love her more, began to feel that it
was an act Of impertinence to reveal
her as / had conspired to do with Mr..
Moeller. This feeling was not lasting,
for in time, with ever-increasing
knowledge, realized that she could be
revealed in no other way.
"The only brief, swift word paint
ing of her that have found is
Matthew Arnold's. In this he likens
her to one Of the early gods. He says
that only her own writings, hundred
or more volumes, can give even faint
comprehension Of her astonishing
completely. He calls her a woman of
a thousand colors, great lady and bo-
hemian, street urchin and daughter Of
kings, soubrette and philosopher. and
don't know what else, except, Of
course, mad lover. She was through
out her life an indomitable worker. an
imprisoned dreamer, a sage, a SIM
pleton and tragedy queen.
But it is impossible TO convey an
adequate idea Of her ofhand. Just
TO think, she was practical farm
manager and at the same time great
poser and maker of shams, yet she
was always easily affected by kind.
ness. That was what she loved bet
ter than anything in the world
But you must read about her"
Mr., Moellers witty play, which is
soon to be published by Alfred Knopf &
Co. will contain a forcword By Mrs.
Fisks.