In reply to remark that French dramatist are particularly favoured in having so many first-rate interpreters from whom. to choose, M. Sardou replied been 8 nursery of actors for many down especially as regards years, but I lear we are on the
the women. Our greatest actors and actresses are well on in years, and I do not see who is to replace them. Sarah Bernhardt is still Sarah Bernhardt, but she la beginning to show signs of her strenuous career, and I should not care to see Réjane play Madame Sans-Gene now. Who, again, can step into Bartet's shoes? We have plenty of clever actresses, but they are all more or less wanting in passion. It was not so in thooid days. Take Déjazet, for instance, who apposted in my first efforts and brought me into the world, theatrically speaking. She was s woman who had not only reed, talent hut heart, and she brought into her stage work such precious qualities of life and warmth as we no longer see.
other leading actresses of her dey resemble her in this general way. They were naturally impetuous and head-strong; if you will, but generous and giving freely of what they had. They were improvident, thee money without counting, luvished their affections and
and when they were old they had to fall back on the charity of their friends but they had hearts. After fifty years of writing for the stage, it is borne in poo me that they were greater artists their successors, who are able enough, bat too making money and piling up tough to nowadays seems to sim first of all at
independent of every one. It is all vey bring in an income which will mak wel mit way, but it is not the spirit which makes a woman a great sctress. 'The men, with very few exceptions, are no better; I see among them spirit of calculation and the sam sistent appeal to the spectators' intellect rather than to his heart. It may be that this is simply the effect of modern social tendencies. If so, I am confirm-led in my conviction that the times are very much out of joint."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.