In a diary Samson kept during his professional career we find the following entry:—
I have persuaded Védel to engage Mademoiselle Rachel Félix; she is to receive 4,000 francs. As, owing to the poverty of her parents, she is extremely ignorant, I have told her father to let her have Madame Bronzet, my children's governess, to teach her history and grammar; he is to pay her only twenty francs a month. As for myself, I have undertaken to continue my lessons gratis.
Before closing this chapter we must give a letter of Poirson's, the manager of the Gymnase, written to Rachel when she had become famous. It was found carefully laid away among Rachel's papers after her death. The expressions of affection show the feeling he cherished for the young girl whose genius he had been the first to recognise.
I thank my good little Rachel, now so great, for her kind remembrance of me. I regret deeply that the state of my health prevents my going to tell her how deeply I am touched, and how proud I am of having been the first to discover that genius which, having found its legitimate development, was sure, sooner or later, to assert its power over the public. But what delights me still more is that in the midst of all this success the great actress has remained what the humble débutante was, good-hearted and simple, which proves that she merits these honours and usurps nothing, thus showing the rare union of genius and amiability.
I can wish nothing more for her than what she has already obtained, but I renew the assurance of my affectionate devotion.
