Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-09-05

had been thrown upon
her W resources as a
child and had made her
living az a s~trolling actress.
During this period she suffered the
cruelest hardships and degradations. All
the story Of these experiences, revealed to
dAnnunzio In confidence. he published
with the utmost fullness. even to the most
intimate details. TO Eleonora Duse, who
shrunk from publicity as no actress has
ever done, the shock was terrible. Her
health was shattered and her reason was
endangered for a time.
Her spirit never entirely recovered from
this blow, and although she enjoyed many
new successes her strength gradually left
her. On the other hand, d'Annunzio re-
garded the parting from Dusc rs calmly
as any OF the other vicissitudes OF his
varied career.
Soon afterward he became devoted to a
woman OF an entirely different type-the
vigorous and picturesque Russian dancer.
Ida Rubinstein. who created the roles of
the martyr st. Sebastian and the "Pisan.
ella" In his new plays.
DA~nnunZio, 1t la said, would have worn
out Ida Rubinstein by his cxactions, by
tyrannies, his caprices and his vampirish
behavior, but she was too strong to sue.
cumb to his influence. She would not per-
NIT her will TO be absorbed in his. When
his moods became oppressive 10 her. she
dismissed him. They had in fact parted
before the outbreak OF the war when he
returned TO fight in Italy. where he was
wounded. Then, touched by a heroism
which she had perhaps not suspected in
Inc exquisite poet, she fastened to Italy
and nursed him.
In the meantime Eloonora Duse was ap.
proaching the last act Of her tragedy. War
distress nearly put an end to theatrical
enterprises. She was living In her beau.
tifni villa upon a cypress-wooded hill out
side the Nomentana Gate of Rome. This
she intended 10 turn into n !Iostelrv for
travelling actresses, one of n chain which
she hoped to establish throughout Italy.
Then one misfortune after another fell
upon her, until she is now said to be prac-
tically Il pauper.
What is there in the character OF tho
Observation-Disclosures dAnnunzio that
causes such disastrous consequences TO
the mind, fortunes, health and happiness
OF women who experience his fascinations?
This magazine applied for scientific en-.
lightenment concerning d~'Annunzio's char.
acter to the distinguished psychologist and
philosopher, Professor Charles GRAY Shaw.
who holds the chair of philosophy in New
York University. In reply Professor Shaw
furnished this interesting analysis of one
who is perhaps the strangest and most fas-
chatting figure In Europe to-day:
Once q lover of %womanhood, d'Annunzio
is now a lover OF land, and it Is with a
devouring passion that he regards his new
mistress. Once, twice, IL the heart records
his passions. he has been in love: at last
a supreme passion has invaded his weary
breast. AS d'Annunzio loved Eleonorus
Duse, so he loves Italia Irredenta;. and
just as Ida Rubinstein danced with naked
feet In his brain, so pirouettes his beloved
Fiume.
"a glance at the strengthening head OF
the poet is sufficient for the physiogno-
mist to observe how the artists soul-stuff
has arranged itself. Through the visible
skull one can see the place of thought and
beauty, for his brow is n temple of intel
lectualism. But the weakness Of the
mouth and chin fails to suggest any mite
or that extreme energism which OF late
has been the guiding genius Of the quon.
lam aesthetic and lover. Those sensuous