BERNHARDT AND RACHEL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LII, Issue 5807, 6 October 1879, Page 5

BERNHARDT AND RACHEL.

The London > “ Society " paper# teem with anecdote# of; the stratige doing# of the eccentric French {ragi'diinne, Sarah Bernhardt. The World of July 23 says:—“ Te gum up the groat Sarah Bernhardt question, be it'stated th4t the chariming witch remains definitively with the Oorn(sdie Fran9ais9. lt is > perfectly true that' iplendid terms were offered to her for [d professional tour' of two years ; iq America, Austria and Russia,‘hixt her- friends hare succeeded ,id showing her how much she wbuld really lose by exhibiting her hlstribfiio achievements in a new,frame ; and On the other hand the amount of the forfeit she would have had to pay to the Comddie Franqaiae (£l2,ooo),'as well .as the enormous deposit that she would halve re* quired as a guarantee previous to her departure, would have made the. venture a very doubtful one for her ’lessees.* So that in the end the idea collapsed. It is ho secret that her male and female fellow sociildiret are not quite #6 fond of her, as thepublic;: and’ M, Mounet-Sully especially, whogenerally appears on the stage in the character of her lover, is credited with anything but true love for Dofia Sol. The case was much the same with Rachel, who, after two or 'ihrirt years’ connection with the Oom6die EVabijaise, wad not on speaking ’ terms with', ihbst of her associates, and only eXohanged words with them in the. melodious ! te#Se ! of'Racine or ‘Corneille. To the credit of Reauvalleti herhahitual partner, be it told, I ho wever, that' he Always Remained perfectly ■kind to her, its'testified by the following compliment, which be oncb : paid :tb .the, great tragedienne’. Led by a * morbid curiosity’ they, had proceeded ' jointly on ' a visit to the -Morgue.■ a sight! ’exclaimed Rachel, a's she : etouif before, the , ghastly shof. >‘l 'shield 'never'have supposed there were so many-people;at a time, in the house.’ ■‘l daresay they knew you were'to appear, and that is why it is crowded'to-day,’ was the prompt reply/; .By the way,'Rachel knew much, better than Sarah Bernhardt how to .manage her money inf crests with the, Comedie Franifaise. She. never consented to become a tocietaire, and' thus to have only a share in the net profits' of the company. Up to the last day she remained a pentlonnaire, and thug was able to dictate her terms.”.