The New York herald., 1922-11-12

actors and actresses, representing every
phase of dramatic art from the Comedie
Francaise down. were assembled on the
stage, representing various celebrated
characters, In front of huge bust OF
Moliere. At q given signal, l made my
entrance from the front of the magnlfi-
cent Opera House, ascended the great
marble staircase lined by Republican
Guards and cheering thousands of spec
tators. and after spending about ten
minutes In making this entrance ]
emerged in the center of the horseshoe
on a level with the first tier of boxes
and about a hundred yards away from
the bust of r'oliere. The music came TO
stop and Mime. Segonde Weber came
forward and read a poem OF three
stanzas composed for the occasion, in
which one stanza, my dear VIII, was
devoted entirely to me. Shakespeare.
Moliere and Hackettv" ] am laughing
very heartily as write this. but II Is a
fact. / do not suppose in the history
OF the world any actor ever had an en-
trance to compare with this. Then the
orchestra struck up triumphal march,
and wended my way through the
throngs of cheering and applauding peo-
pie toward the stage, where / was re-
ceived by the Comedie Francaise and
escorted by Nine. Weber to the gigantic
bust OF Moliere. Then facing the au-
dience took the single palm which I
had carried on my left arm, and holding
Il to the left, center and right OF the
vast auditorium made a sweeping ges-
ture and placed II at the foot Of the
pedestal. This brought tho ceremony to
an end.
Capus nfterward wrote congratulating
me upon ''the art noble and profound
with which j had incarnated tho visage
of tho great WILL" and told me that
nothing so impressive had been seen for
years as tho moment when "Shak =
speare" faced Moliere. So much for
myself.
1 hope, my dear old friend. that you
yourself and the members OF your fam
lily are well. II you have time drop me
a line and tell me about your much
esteemed and beloved self. A letter to
the above address will always reach me,
though It may be delayed owing to my
peregrinations on tho Continent I am
pretty well played out. I have been 30
busy that have had no vacation for
two years II has not been 40 much
the actual playing rs II has been the
preparation and study.
am writing Mr.. Parker a letter by
the same mail requesting him 70 forward
tails TO you and at the same time inclos-
ing him some OF the Lond on and French
criticisms which thought would interest
him. as he. is such a sincere and earnest
student OF the drama.
would like to send a communication
&C. Prof. Baker. but ! cannot remember
his full name, nor am I quite sure where
TO reach him. unless II be caro- OF Har-
ward University. II In your letter you
will be kind enough TO send me his name
and assured address ] shall appreciate
It. my dear Will. II you find this letter
interesting and you think Mr.. Parker
would care to hear II you are quite at
liberty to read II 10 him. II 10 not writ
ten as n literary effusion but as chat
with you, my dear old friend.
Again permit me to extend to you my
sincere. and deep appreciation OF the
tribute which you paid my father. My
affectionate greetings 10 you, with every
assurance of my esteem, am, my dear
VIII. most sincerely,
(slgned) JAMES *. HAcISrTr.