A FAMOUS ACTRESS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7853, 15 July 1911, Page 6

A FAMOUS ACTRESS

In "Kaechel" Francis Gribbe produces one of hi-? industrious and feminine biographies this being about his sevont.i (says a writer in the Sydney Morning Herald"). Tho celebrated woman who is the subject of this story was bom about 1820 in. Switzerland. Her father was a wandering Jew —a pedlar, though it is said that he had been intended for a Habbi. In her early years Raochel helped in the business as a street song and dance artiste. In the course ot time Jacob became the proud possessor oi sixteen children, and though some of them died young, he began to teel tho necessity of settling down. He did so at Lyons, and became much respected as a dealer' in old clothes, until he removed to Paris, 'when Eaochel was about ton oi* eleven years old. ; She is described ■as a plain, scraggy child, but with ' certain fires of sunrise in her eyes, -which brought sweets and chip potatoes, aa ■well as pennies, from her early audiences. She had a good voice, however, and Chorou, accidentally hearing ’ her, induced her to come to his school. But ho soon found out that she was born to bo an actress, and banded her over to SamtAulaire. She was then fourteen, a puny freak, with a voice like a hig bassoon. Nevertheless, she perservered, and ultimately, in 1837, reached tho Gymnaoo an a drama based on “The Heart of Midlothian," That theatre did not offer much scope for a tragedy queen and after some more teaching she was admitted to the Comedie-Franchise. bho made an immediate success as Camille in “Horace" and thus incidentally stemmed the rising tide of the romantio movement. Jules Jama and Alfrod.de Musset helped to make her . reputation. The ’ latter became very friendly wi.h the new leading lady for a while, nut his unfortunate .habit of mixing beer, brandy, and absinthe in one .glass led to an estrangement, which lasted for the next three years—and begam again immediately a .ter that. But other hardly more reputable acquaintances followed, and the Faubourg Saint-Germain cast Raochel into outer darkness. It seems, however, that she could be modest and dignified amongst the great, and rwhen she appeared at Windsor Castle Queen Victoria spoke most approvingly of her demeanour. That was in 1811 and Baochel as the rage in London. Even the victor of Waterloo bowed before her. But she was still too thin for beauty, and bor tendency to pulmonary consumption became hard to conceal. Back in Paris she enjoved the friendship of Admiral de Joinville. who had just brought back the ashes of Napoleon. One'may mention here Charlotte Bronte s impression of her as an actress. It was at Brussels. The theatre was crammed to its roof. Charlotte had heard the actress described as bony and grim. Wnat «he thought she saw was a royal queen, nolo like twilight, and wasted like wax m a flame In each of her eyes sat a devi:. Charlotte had seen acting before, but never anything like this; and Lamartine, then at the height of his renown, was no less impressed. Ho left a visiting card in eight volumes —tlie Histoire des Girondins. Unluckily Eaeehel never read anything but plays and press notices. 1 Meantime came 1818, and father Jacob was .not extinct. ; On the contrary, he flourished exceedingly, and arranged a provincial tour, in which “Gitizeness Raeohel” - was to recite on behalf of the Republic. For her patriotism she received as much as -C176 a night. When in due cour&e the,coup:d'etat came along .she was ready to express quite Other -emotions. Tho Emperor himself is alleged to have kissed her -more than once.., At all events, her triumph was complete until the advent of Ristori. But by then Raechel was a dying woman, and 1 the American tour, .to -which mere ambition urged her, hastened her end. She returned broken in health and spirits. It was the beginning of tho end. In a few months the great actress had played her last part in the tragedy of life.