San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-30

choice.
| 1t may not therefore, be even in
bad taste to philosophize upon her life
and its ending-not only because OF the
peculiar reasons mentioned, but also be-
cause the public of today so soon for
gets passing events that TO defer COM
ment for the ordinarily respectable"
space would be to sacrifice whatever OPP
portunity her passing may afford Tor
the pointing OF the morals which cabled
reviews of her career suggest.
The great paradox alluded to is pre-
sentcd by this queer combination OF
facts: Bernhard, though not exactly
dcfying conventions which other people
must observe to gain the respect of 9TH
ers, certainly was not bound by them.
Moreover, she violated many Of the
principles which mankind, generically,
must practice to attain longevity and to
make human life count for something
worth while. She would not, or could
not repress her feelings. She acted and
talked as she pleased. She was woman
OF unrestrained impulses. She knew that
she was not immortal, yet she laid up
nothing for a rainy day: she died penni-
less, with process-servers preceding the
undertaken to the death chamber She
made fortune after fortune, and dissi-
pated them ALL Doubtless she would
have laughed at the suggestion of main
tanning 4 per cent saving account. She
was jealous of her professional rivals,
and was frank and unashamed in OK
bar 1,o+ - tI,a,,
Yct-and here begins the second set
of facts, which makes the combination
so incongruous--Sarah Bernhardt was
loved throughout the world. Not only
loved, but, in broad, practical sense,
respected as well. She was not out of
place with either King or peasant, So
ciety leader or modest housewife.
Though she broke conventions at will,
she was not regarded as vicious char
acter.
She was an amazing exception to the
general rule that governs the civilized
worlds moral concepts. Is this ex-
planned by her super-mastery Of the
dramatic art, or by universal rccogni-
ton OF her wonderful, achieving talent !?
That is merely part of the cXplana-
ton. In private life Bernha-dt was
whole-souled to an almost Incompatible |
degree--apparently without reservation.
She was frank to the point OF Ingenious
ness. She was rcputcd to be unselfish-
except in the matter OF her own rcputa- |
ton. Always she was intensely natural
in real life, and even in her impersona-
tons of characters of the drama her
display of emotions was not altogether
histrionic.
As ono correspondent reporting Bern
hardt's death remarked. no one could
truthfully say that she had not lived"
Nor can anyone say with assurance that
she was tormentcd by regrets even in
the final scene of her earthly role. If |
she was remorseful she did not show it, |
this wonder woman who had never taken
pains to repress her feelings
But who would emulate her. with all |
her fame and the charming personality
that made her universally beloved? Who
could?
She was an amazing exception to
eternal rules OF human conduct, but the |
specious, rule-proving kind of exception
For though she was beloved despite
her irregularities, she could not avert
the certain, implacablc consequences OF
emotional rccklessness and economic
prodigality. She could not beat the
future. Old age, with its attendant limi-
tations, stole upon her with that in
sidious, incessant, silent step which
treads into drifting dust the evidences
of mortal mans achievements death
found her a pauper-her who had made
millions laugh and weep and shake to
their souls foundations. And now, in
the hushed heart of the ruin that she
builded about herself, will lie the dead
spirit of spotless glory that might
have been.