g in question, a very large
audience greeted the tragedienne, and she was received, with much
enthusiasm. She appeared in a tragedy of Racine, in which she had once
been preeminently distinguished. Magnificently dressed, and adorned with
splendid jewels, trophies of her younger days, when her favors were
sought by those who could afford to bestow such gifts, she did not look
over thirty-five, though now more than twice that age. I am no admirer
of French tragedy, but I certainly thought Madame George still showed
the remains of a great actress, and in some passages produced a decided
impression. Her tall, commanding figure, expressive eyes, and features
of perfect regularity, must have given her every natural requisite for
the higher walks of her profession. As I watched her moving with
majestic grace across the stage, irrepressible though trite reflections
upon her early career passed through my mind. What audiences she has
played before, in the days of the first empire! How many soldiers and
statesmen, now numbered with the not-to-be-forgotten dead, have
applauded her delivery of the same lines that we applaud to-night.
Napoleon and his brilliant military court, the ministers of foreign
nations, students such as are here this evening, themselves since
distinguished in various walks of life, have passed across the stage,
and made their final exit, leaving Madame George still upon it. And the
not irreproachable old character herself--what piquant anecdotes she
could favor us with, would she but draw some memory-pictures for us!
Women in Europe, in losing virtue, do not always lose worldly prudence,
as with us, and go down to infamy and a miserable old age. Better,
however, make allowance for the manners of the time--French manners at
that--and contemplate the old lady from an historical point of view,
regarding her with interest, as I could not help doing, as one of the
few remaining links connecting the old Napoleon dynasty with the new.
How strange the closing of a life like hers! Except for the occasional
reaeppearance on the scene of her old triumphs, not oftener than once or
twice a year, how quiet the life she now leads! what a contrast to the
excitement and brilliancy that mark the career of a leading actress in
the zenith of her reputation! _Then_, from the theatre she would drive
in her splendid equipage through streets illuminated perhaps for some
fresh victory gained by the invincible battalions of her imperial