The Washington times., 1920-09-05

in moments Of affec- ~
tionate confidence. She
had been thrown upon
her own resources as
child and had made her
living as a strolling 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 fulness, 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 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 Duse as 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,
lud nuUluSJelll, WuO CfSdJSu tuo loiCo VI
the martyr St. Sebastian and the "Pisan-
ella" in his new plays.
DAnnunzio, 1t is said, would have worn
out Ida Rubnstein by his exactions, 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 to her, she
dismissed him. They had in fact parted
A. Il - h ryhnyN hn
returned to fight in Italy, where he was
wounded Then, touched by a heroism
which she had perhaps not suspected in
the exquisite poet, she fastened to Italy
and nursed him.
In the meantime Eleonora Duse was ap-
preaching the last act Of her tragedy. War
distress nearly put an end to theatrical
enterprises. She was living in her beau.
tiful villa upon cypress-wooded hill out
side the Nomentana Gate OF Rome. This
she intended to turn into hostelry for
travelling actresses, one OF a chain which
she hoped to establish throughout Italy.
Then one misfortune after another fell
upon her. until she is now said to be prac.
ticaly a pauper.
What is there in the character Of the
poet-playwright-warri d'Annunzio 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'Annunzios 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-
cinating figure in Europe to-day:
"Once lover of womanhood, d'Annunzio
is now lover of land, and 1t Is with
devouring passion that he regards his new
mistress Once, twice, II the heart records
his passions, he has been in love; at last
a supreme passion has invaded his weary
breast AS d'Annunzio loved Eleonora
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 a temple OF intel
lectualism. But the weakness OF the
mouth and chin fails to suggest any mite
of that extreme energism which Of late
has been the guiding genius OF the quon-
dam aesthetic and lover. Those sensuous