MY PAST; MY PRESENT: MY HEALTH.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 23, Issue 7, 26 January 1912, Page 2

MY PAST; MY PRESENT: MY HEALTH.

During her visit to America recently Madame Sarah Bernhardt wrote some interesting articles giving the story of her remarkable life. The great actress, who during her four weeks’ stay gave thirty-seven performances, presenting fourteen plays, twb,of which were new, provided,, among other particulars, soma information regarding her -"system of health.” An "execrable” system, she remarks, "according to blit one which seems to have worked satisfactorily. The following a re extracts from the first of Mme. Sarah Bernhardt’s articles : When l a m asked. what the difference is between the past and the pre•sent with regard to ray emotions — my sensations— l can truthfully say that I find none. My emotions are as lively, my tears as warm, laugh is a s 'hearty a s they were forty years ago. My belief is that one should determine to live ’ one’s life without fear of death. The saddest bf the cares by which humanity in general is ridden seems to me the fear of death. ' One sees men and women, as years follow , upon years, yielding to the j idea that the end is near, and.that j it is no longer worth while to strug- : gle. That'is‘ a mistake—a grievous' mistake. Every minute brings its joy; every hour brings its sorrow. One must make the most of the former, and wage war against the latter. The secret of strength is to be always on the defensive. One must say . to one’s self that life is a long battle. Illness, sorrow, trouble, .accident death, lie in ambush at every turn of tha road. Ope Tnust go armed against all these enemies, fear none of them, hut walk ahead, armed with faith, cheerfulness, and will. One must know how to will—always, and ■in spite of . all. "Quand meme” (In spite of all) has been ray ‘motto sinct- the age of nine, and I" have been faithful to it. I have fought with time and been stronger than time. I have striven with ilUness and conquered it. I have battled with death and repulsed it—requested it to come back, later, That is the secret of my youth. Now, as to the oft-asked question whether, personally, I; have a system of health by which I live. I have none—or rather I have ope. But it is excrable according to doctors. I eat little and often. I forget the hour of meals. T am never in bed before three o’clock in the morning. I take baths too hot, I drink water too cold. Gn days when there is an afternoon, and evening performance I stand for eight hours, never finding a 'minute to.sit. I sleep well, a nd I adore sleep. I neves rise before ten o’clock. By way of airing I go from the hotel to the theatre, and from the theatre back to the hotel ; that is ,all. . For ten months of the year I do not walk ; then, suddenly, at my summer home in Belle-Ile, I walk two or three miles. For ten months of the year I have no outdoor, life whatever ; at Belle-Ile I am from six o’clock in the morning until eight o’clock at night in the open air, playing lawn-tennis three hours at a time. ; or I go hunting or fishing. Such is my health system. But—l advise no one to adopt it ! —London "Mail.”