The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-12-03

accustomed TO act Is III he were really not an
insane man, he committed an assault upon Antonio
rope dancer, for some imaginary Of jealousy,
We mistake not, by firing pistol ct him, and fearing
the consequences Of this rash act he left England and
went to the est indies whence he came in or about
His first appearance on the American stage was made
the same year at Petersburg in Virginia. under the
favorite part Of I" Richardn
He sustained the character In 1922 at the old Park
Theatre, when he was first introduced to New York
audience His career since ,hen familiar to most Of
readers in the Of it believe he has per
formed at nearly every theatre in the Union, and 1t
would be protess to recount his peregrnations Thirty
him to purchase farm near baltimore, and d''i IN
.ceentric sA Il has BEEN described as bsrsn
rock, on which it necessary to transport soil
entertained and which after an outlay Of twenty thou
rand dollars was scarcely worth the purchase money
had given Upon this spot however he bshed his
headquarters and when not professionally engaged de-
voted himself in the most practical to sgricul-
ture He frequently performed at the Holiday Street The
atre Bamore frequently to be seen during the
day preceding the evening which to witness his per-
sonation of the crooked backd yran the Prince of
Denmark In bis shirt sleeves selling potatoes in the
ket place.
In 1880 Booth performed the part of "sertoriusn in
David Paul Browns play Of that name its original pro-
dCcHon.
As an actor Booth was remnant Of the old school, and
In his happier efforts admitted by all unprejudiced
persons to have BEEN In his decline example of
their superiority but unfortunately eccentric and
irregular were not only his habits and conduct but IL
seems also the flight Of his gent that part in which
upon occasion he would display the most vigorous
originality appearing completely to lose himself in the
character he Iepresente would Its attempted repe
ttion prove complete failure We have before alluded
to charge made against him of being mitator This
Is totally unfoundsd and Is hard to conceive how the
London press could have 30 misrepresented him His
powers and defects at least original and they
both extraordinary Many critics have compared his
mpersonation Of his best parts to Keau Richard the
Third his favorte but his vehemence and intensity
rendered him almost nimtable representative Of Sir
Edward Mortimer and Sir Giles 0verrcach.
Mr. Booth beyond the power acting possessed many
other abilities lie excellent inguist and 1t s
related Of him that he played his favote part on one
occasion In German, and on another in French. Ills
talents dramatst were OF no mean order as shown
In "ugolinon and other standard tragedies OF
which he the author His memory was extraordina.
ry retentve that he could repeat correctly any chap
ter In the Old or New Teetament any Of Shakspeares
plays and other Of his favorite dranatc authors en-
tire
As companion, during his lucid intervals he was
ceedpgy sgreeabe possessed Of fund of anecdote and
Information but TO such terrible extent his IT,
reguartes carried that his warmest and most attached
ffends were compelled in great measure to withhold
There Il little doubt that at times at least his reason
WAS unseated that his eccentricty was not all the
result OF dissipation Some thought this was assumed
but the most intimate with him were Of different
opinion
For lang period at Time La adhered 10 vegetable
diet and continually nveghng against the entity
Of eating animal food until lac had nearly starved him