Gothic Plus

Sleeping in Her Coffin Miss Mary Anderson, talking to a reporter of the Louisville Courier-Journal the other day, said of Sarah Bernhardt, that "she slept in a coffin continually for three years. She does not do so now. I asked her why she gave up the habit. She said she had grown tired of it, as the coffin was uncomfortable. She said she wished to familiarize herself with the thought of death. I saw her boudoir. The carpet was of black velvet, with flowers in silver, the furniture covered with black velvet, and the walls curiously decorated in the same fashion. A skeleton of a man who she said had died of love in Mantua hung before the mirror, with finger pointing at its own reflection. In large bowls about the room rose leaves were heaped, the fragrance that arose being overpowering. I could not remain in the room. it was so suggestive of horrible thoughts."