Life — November 18, 1886 — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

‘LIFE: stat 2 B71) \\X WAS favored bya glance at the following letter-despatch, which, I was told, was sent by Mme. Sarah Bernhardt in South America to Miss May Fortescue, whose name at pres- adorns the walls of the “ King’s Highway,” and whose pres- ence nightly illumines the Lyceum Theatre: MA CHARMANTE SUR: Ou, with what pleasurable feelings it is that I thus address you! regions, I have heard with joy of your appearance in “ Frou- Frou,” a play in which, alas! I have been cast many times. If I were envious or méchante, I should never pen these lines; but as it is, my sister, I can safely say I look upon your in- terpretation of Gz/berte as something which stands by itself, and which must stand by itself, for originality and unconven- | | Maurice, that no one will attempt to deprive you of them. tionality. Oh, ma chere, with what interest have I read descriptions of your remarkable, your delightful stiffness, and with what feeling of artistic relief have I hailed this new con- ception of an old part. Why should Gi/berte be so ridicu- lously graceful, so absurdly lithe and lissome in her move- ments? Surely the school-girlish awkwardness, and absolute goucherie which you gave to the role with a degree of realism RITA. HERE once was a maiden named Rita ; I know of no other that’s swita, Far away as I am in South American which was simply astounding, is a delightful change — which we must all recognize as such. Then, dearie, how pleased I was to hear of the novel man- ner in which you sought to represent frenzy. Ma petite un- conventional sister! Yes, you are. No one but your dear little self could have guessed that a series of grimaces and a wonderful knack of twisting the mouth intoall sorts of shapes, to say nothing of blinking your eyes constantly, would have attracted so much attention. But they did, 1am told. People were astonished at your daring. Continue to dare, darling, and you will retire shortly. I know it. The scene in which you denounced Lowsse, must have been delicious. They tell me that no one could understand you, darling, which am rejoiced to learn, for of course every- body knows the text by heart, and no one has the least desire to hear itagain. Then the emphasis which you invariably put upon the wrong syllable, was something to notice. People get tired of always hearing the good right old thing. Of | course, you know that it was my old countryman Crebillon | who said: “ An eccentricity which is ours dnly does us more | honor than a merit which we share with another. | centricities are all your own, love, and such is my belief in the Your ec- uprightness of the world, that I am willing to stake my son When I played in “ Frou-Frou,” everyone admired the cos- tumes I wore. I remember they came from Camille Felix and Sarah Meyer. Critics said I wore them as if I had never dressed in any less magnificent manner. That is a very trite criticism. How much sooner would I have preferred that penned about your costumes? I hear that you gave an A glance of her eyes Is the thing I most preyes, And — by Jove ! it won't go to this mita. £.S.D. A NEW APPLICATION. WESTERN attleman, with a large family of boys, dies, leaving a will en- | joining them to maintain the business. | They all desire to be faithful to the injunc- tion, and hold a conference. “Well, summed up the oldest, “We all want | to do as father suggests. Conscience is going to make cow-herds of us all.” * * * F the Shakers were to select a patron saint, they would find it difficult to ignore the claims of St. Vitus. | * * * HERE is a great demand for the new! one-dollar silver certificates, but to our | HIS FIRST VISIT. Benighted Outsider, approaching the Hub: CONDUCTOR, WHAT IS THAT CURIOUS thinking they will never crowd out the old juprmur THAT COMFS FROM THE CITY? reliable five-dollar greenback. Conductor : THAT SOUND? IT IS THE BOSTONIANS READING BROWNING. comicbooks.com