257

CHAPTER XII.

1856.

Return to New York-Jules Janin in the Field Again"Philadelphia-Le Commencement de la Fin-Little Family Jars-Charleston-The Last Performance - Maurice

Havana.

WHILE the tragédienne was electrifying all the French pretenders to ultra-Republicanism in the American cities, the news of this revival of bygone mummeries had reached Paris and rekindled the wrath of her quondam admirer Jules Janin, who, in a very eloquent article, fulminated his anathema, not on the originators of the sin, but on those who were most innocent of it. He censured with more severity and spirit than strict justice the American nation as having asked for a revolutionary French hymn never perhaps thought of by them, and which was to the Frenchmen who did request it solely a reminiscence of their own land. His article, making all allowance for the exaggerations into which his anger hurried

VOL. II.

8

him, was ably written, and annoyed Mademoiselle Rachel the more as, although full of praises of her, it spoke of her expedition as a complete failure.

On the 6th of November the French company again commenced its performances in New York. The first was "Adrienne Lecouvreur," followed, on the 8th, by "Lady Tartuffe," but the disadvantages of the house were such that the receipts were not over half the usual sums. The next performances were given at Niblo's little theatre, and proved more lucrative.

On the 17th Mademoiselle Rachel bade farewell to the New Yorkers in "Phèdre" and "Le Moineau de Lesbie." An ode, written for the occasion by M. de Trobriand, Rachel à l'Amerique, was recited by the tragédienne and received with hearty applause by the audience.

The

From New York the company proceeded to Philadelphia, where, in an evil hour, Mademoiselle Rachel made her appearance at the Walnut Street Theatre, in "Les Horaces," on the 19th. house had not been warmed! This piece of unpardonable neglect on the part of somebody was fatal to Mademoiselle Rachel, whose cough had continued from the day she caught cold in the synagogue. It was a cold November evening, and the atmosphere of the house, damp and raw, was

worse than that of the open street. Mademoiselle Rachel's hacking cough was painful to hear, and she looked wretchedly pale as she sat, wrapped up in her shawl, waiting in the slips her turn to come on. The result of this was, that she was unable to rise the next day, and remained ill during all the time she was in that town.

This was the commencement of Raphael's discomfiture. So far, if the reality had not equalled his wild expectations, it had consisted of such solid, substantial profits as would have satisfied any reasonable hopes. From New York his sister had already sent to France 300,000frs. of her gains-including her London receipts-and he himself 60,000frs. The few drawbacks that had occurred had proceeded from his own mismanagement. In his eagerness to make money rapidly, he had curtailed the privileges of the press, infringed the laws and customs of the country he was in, quarrelled with his agent, and, on the whole, proved himself but an indifferent showman. Besides these outside troubles there were little domestic jars, inevitable in a family where the tempers were so various and some of them so violent, and where the several members had become accustomed to a perfectly independent and uncontrolled life.

It was more especially between Raphael and Sarah that dissensions were wont to arise, but although a furious quarrel would at times spring up from the most insignificant causes, it seldom lasted. On one occasion some little misunderstanding having occurred during a rehearsal, there was a terrible falling out between them, the brother entrenching himself behind his authority as manager, and the sister setting it at nought in the most defiant manner. Sarah knew no bounds when in a passion, and her language was then more apt to savor of her earlier career than was quite befitting her present position, nor were the ears of her adversaries always safe from substantial buffets as well as angry words. After a very violent interchange of epithets, neither fraternal nor complimentary, during which the manager maintained himself at a respectful distance from his refractory actress, she declared she would tear up her engagement, to which the reply was that nothing could give him greater pleasure. Accordingly the document was sent back in a dozen pieces. No one seemed to think the country was in danger, or that the interest of the French company would be severely damaged by the loss of the retiring member. Raphael was exultant, and Rachel in a state of great hope that Sarah would

fulfil her threat and take herself back to Europe; at the same time she was in great perplexity, for she dared not say she wished her off, lest Sarah should stay to spite her, nor could she venture to tell her to stay lest she should allow herself to be advised. When Sarah, therefore, came in hot haste to make her complaints, she took a middle course, condoled with her griefs, said it was too badthere was no living with Raphael-concluding with:

66 At any rate, dear, you shall not go penniless; I'll let you have six thousand francs to help you to return, &c., &c."

Meanwhile "Lady Tartuffe" was to be performed the next night, and of course Sarah, who played the Countess, was out of the question. Raphael, too, in the heat of the quarrel would not change the announcement, counting on Mademoiselle Durey, a very intelligent actress, who had played the part often, in the most able manner, when with Rachel on other tours. Mademoiselle Durey replied she was ready to play the part, but that, her salary not permitting her to own so expensive a wardrobe as Mademoiselle Sarah, she had no dress befitting the occasion. Anxious to prove to the delinquent how well he could get along without her, Raphael offered, if the dress