Sarah Bernhardt as I knew her

Transcriber’s Note
Cover created by Transcriber, using a photograph from the original book, and placed in the Public Domain.
Table of Contents added by Transcriber and placed in the Public Domain.
Mme. Bernhardt in her Dressing-room during her Interpretation of La Gloire , by Maurice Rostand, in 1921.
Photo, Henri Manuel. ]
Frontispiece
SARAH BERNHARDT AS I KNEW HER The Memoirs of Madame Pierre Berton as told to BASIL WOON
WITH NINETEEN ILLUSTRATIONS
LONDON: HURST & BLACKETT, LTD. PATERNOSTER HOUSE, E.C. 4. 1923
Never was more apt the German proverb, “Truth is its own justification,” than in the telling of the story of that most remarkable of women, Sarah Bernhardt. During her life, in spite of the fact that she enjoyed more widespread publicity than any other person, man or woman, remarkably little was known by the public of her real life story. The very extent of this worldwide publicity served, in fact, as a sort of smoke-screen to conceal the intimate personality of the woman it vaunted.
To the playgoers of the world, and even to those who had never seen her act, Sarah Bernhardt was for ever acting a part. She shared her glory with the dozens of poets and playwrights whose inspired interpreter she was. The laurel wreath around her brow was of the same tinsel quality as the scenery which framed her personality.
To the world, Sarah Bernhardt was the greatest tragedienne who had ever lived, and that was all. The “all,” you will say, was a very great deal. I grant you that; but when you have read this book I think you will say that the title of “great woman,” which Sarah Bernhardt in reality earned, expresses her true personality far better than that of “greatest actress.”