The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-02
The Late j. b. Booth.

is stated BY the Portland Argus hat the late Mr. Booth
was brought that city during the OF 1912 prisoner
"a the British brig Boxer, which taken by tho United
States nrs Enisrpfse 70 desperate light OF that balbor
The Phladephia Inquirer says The Argus We think
must be mistaken. During the Booth playing in
London where Ia 1914 he driven from tho stage by
the friends oil hesn"
We notice The paragraph copied above going the
rounds OF tie newspaper press, and insert il for the
purpose OF making some comments upon il, and adding
some new Items IN regard 10 this mastery actor
Gently deceased.
Mr. Booth midshpman in the British brig Boxer
during the war OF 1912 This he often spoke OF with
qualification. But upon further conversation with a
veteran friend OF the drama in this city, who in
Innate terms with MIR Booth, learn what is no doubt
the real fact in The case. (and is what Mr. B. eommun
Gated to hm that Just prior to the action OF these two
vessels Booth le the Boxer, and not the sanguia
airy battle named.
When he came TO tins city, some six or seven years
since, TO NIL an engagement at the Museum IN Union
shetland 10 which his skill drew OVERLOOKING houses
he had been told that the old hulk which. will be
objected, lay so long the shore al the foot OF India
street, the remains Of the Boxer He took early oc.
cason 10 Ind the wreck, and was manesly disappointed
when told il not his old craft. He then inquired
Tor ihe graveyard as he desired he sad TO visit the tomb
OF his old commander.
The assertion that Booth competing with Kean on
The London boards IN 1914 must be error. We have
seen no account that places him SO years of age
when he died. Allowing him TO be old, and in 1914
he was but 20 II is not probable that he coneslng
the palm with Kean at that early age in London. The
London boards not attained suddenly by the great
actors. Both Cooke and Kean waited weary years in
the theatres before they summoned the
ordeal OF a London audience. That Booth was mid
shipman in the Boxer may be down certain for his
narrative and the attendant incidents attest it.
Booth was great avore in this city, aud always
Quoted himself with marked propriety. He disap
pointed the audience in not appearing, failed
up with their expectations but carried them with him in
his bold and mastery deneations Thousands of those
who reverenced his mighty control of the passions have
gene down to the silent grave, and their very have
been forgotten, but the Of this magician of the
heart unalleraby associated with legitimate fame, and
laurel wreath will encircle it, green and fresh
that which welcomed him when first he burst upon the
English dramatic world.
II will be many years before shall Shylock. or
Sir Giles Richard, OIhello Lear like those OF Booth
Indeed, his King Lear. it seems 10 US, never be
passed We considered his master piece and followed
the white haired, petulat, neglected monarch. with
ceiling heart, under the mastery guse of Booth as
though were hardship of real life Peace the ashes
OF this man, who has moved the hearts OF countless null
hudes as forest OF leaves is swayed by the breeze
May the lessons he taught year after year, through The
readings of the mighty bard go far throw into oblivion
the errors OF the tragic magician!-Portaad Argus.