After attending the School of Sacred Music for some time, the master came to the conclusion that the metallic and harsh tones of Rachel's voice made his pupil more suited to declamation than singing; he also found her less apt, and less easy to teach, than her sister Sarah. In a letter addressed to the girl's parents, quoted by M. Jules Lecomte in the Figaro newspaper, he says:—
Élisa takes up much more of my time than her sister, for she has not so good a memory, is less industrious and has not nearly her facility.
So much for academic opinions. Sarah, to the last day that she appeared on the stage, sang hopelessly out of tune, and never rose beyond mediocrity as an actress. It seems difficult to reconcile the statement regarding Rachel's want of industry with the energy displayed by her later: as yet the impetus of enthusiasm for her art had evidently not been given.
In the following letter, which was enclosed in the one from Choron quoted above, she seems anxious already to disarm her father's and mother's displeasure. Having been written at the early age of twelve, it is both badly spelt and expressed, not indeed that at any time of her life was the great actress careful as to her orthography:—
Dear Parents,
I am unable to express my great joy in receiving your letter. I was afraid something had happened to you, so long a time had passed without my hearing. I am delighted at the idea of seeing you soon and showing you the progress I have made. M. Choron is very pleased and is so good to me. I can only show my gratitude by working hard. Good-bye dear father and mother. Receive the assurance of my deep respect. Your obedient daughter sends you a kiss, as well as to my little brother Raphaël and my sister Rebec.
