The weekly union record., 1865-06-10

THE ELDER BooTH.-Lucius Junius Brutus
Booth. the father of the assassin Of the Presi
dent. was one OF the most eccentric men. as
well as one Of the most distinguished TRACE
dians ever iu this country. Indeed some of
his actions savored rather of insanity than &c
centricity but il was the insanity produced
by The most reckless and unbOuude1 indulgence
in Intoxicating liquors. temporary 10 its effect,
and seemingly unharmtul TO his great genius,
but telling fearfully upon his constitution, which
be reduced to a mere wreck. Everything his
personal reputation. his professional engage
ments, the entreaties of his friends were dis
regarded BY him when be took potion to go
on a SPREE" and there is scarcely city in the
Union where he has not been picked up out of
the cutters or theater where he has not dis
appointed an audience by failing to " come to
time"
This he did twice in Richmond some years
since The third night the manager managed
to get him sobered up sufficiently to appear in
Richard the III. The house was crowded
" from PIT to dome with al excited audience,
and his appearance on the stage was the signal
fov storm of cat calls, Kisses, yells and abuse.
Obtaining silence, at length, he apologized, &C
knowedged his vice. which he said was be-
yond his control, and promised TO perform the
piece TO the best of bis ability if they wonld
allow him TO 90 on. Re was permitted to
proceed, al truly never did lie perform the
crook backed tyrant better. Rounds Of
enthusiastic applause shook the house, and
again and again be was called before the cur
tain In the last scene when slain by Rich
monda he fell with his bead toward the au-
dience, aud 10 tie moment of breathless silence
which followed raised himself on his elbows,
and, regarding the audience with a 6endish
grin such as none but he could assume. yelled,
" How do you like that, - d you?" Some
Of the people 10 the orchestra went for him "
but the curtain fell and Booth disappeared.
On another occasion, Gabriel Harrison, an
old friend and actor Of great merit, went TO
cal upon Boolh in Baltimore He found him
at -four store, where he had just purchased
barrel Of -four to take home just outside the
city. Harrison addressed him with How
do you do, Mr. Booth?' Who the devil are
you, sir don't you know who | am? I'm
LucIus Junius Bratus Booth, sir yelled he in
a cressendo movement, from forte to lortisSimo.
Wheeling to a couple of men who had rolled
out his barrel of flour, be ordered them with
a wild yell, " Hoist in that barrel y and they
obeyed him with remarkable rapidity, tossing
it into q light wagon be had waiting. Then
turning to Harrison, be ordered him lmperious
ly. Get in there, sir p and his manner en-
forced hss'y obedience.
Seizing sharp ha,chet, which lay iu the
bottom Of the wagon. with one blow be
smashed in the head Of the barrel, aud then
without waiting for The "tail-board to be
put up howad to Harrison to drive. Har
risou seized the lines and drove, " lik Jehu,'
Booth standing up beside him, yelling faster
faster" fourishing the Ratchet about his head
with frightfuHy ferocious swoops, at times
within an inch of his nose. The -four streamed
out along the street. the horses galoped, Har
rison croached 10 terror expecting momentar-
IL to be tomahawed, and the eccentric savage
beside him yelled and fourished the hatcbet
until they got out of town. Harrison was al
terward Hospitality treated by him, but made
his escape as soon as possible, and-neyer
went to see Booth again.