DINNERS AND BALLS
On Monday evening, and not Sunday as was reported in one of the
papers, a most interesting soirée took place at the home of M. Marcel
Proust, the distinguished poet. He had brought together for the dinner
Monsieurs Anatole France, Edmond de Rothschild, Gabriel Fauré, Charles
Ephrussi, Comte Robert de Montesquiou, Monsieurs Caillavet, Bailby, the
editor of La Presse, Comte Mathieu de Noailles, Professor and
Madame Proust, his parents, etc.
One can imagine the animation and interest of such a dinner. M. Anatole
France, above all, was possessed of a warmth and imagination in his
conversation for which he alone knows the secret. A brilliant, but select
reception followed this charming dinner, during the course of which the
guests heard Mlle Laparcerie, from the Odéon, recite the most exquisite
verses by M. Anatole France, the Comtesse de Noailles and Comte Robert de
Montesquiou. The latter was kind enough to recite a selection from his
eighty sonnets about Versailles, which compose a veritable biography of
the great king. M. de Montesquiou aquitted his task as speaker in a manner
second to none and as the great poet that he is.
Identified among the many guests: Madames de Brantès [sic],
Fould, Strauss [sic], Comtesse Potocka, Cahen d'Anvers, Baronne
des Landes, Comtesse de Briey, Comte Bernard de Gontaut-Biron, M.
Vanderhem [sic], Prince Borghèse, Marquis de Castellane,
Monsieurs Bérardi, Jean Béraud.
Journée mondaine, Le Matin,
26 April 1899.
Possibly drafted by Proust?
***
M. Marcel Proust, who has created a most enviable position for himself in the world of literature, gave, the other evening, at his apartment at the Boulevard Malesherbes, a soirée in honour of M. Anatole France. Mlle Laparcerie, from the Odéon, recited poetry by the celebrated Academician and by the young Comtesse Mathieu de Noailles, née Princesse Brancovan.
Carnet mondain, L'Echo de Paris,
29 April 1899.
Possibly drafted by Proust?
Created 17.01.20