The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-12-28

In Bostoa, at the fremont Theatre, during
the stage management Of Mr.. William h.
Smith, Mr.. Booth was announced TO follow
short season Of comedy, by performing in
some of his most effective tragic plays.
" Evadne was selected for the first per-
formance. The house was crowded. At
the precise moment when Lndorico should
enter, Mr.. Booth promptly appeared, and the
immense audience gave him ian immense
reception" He did not heed the plaudits,
but moved forward, and turning abruptly up
the stage found on door a knocker. 1t had
been used the night before in comedy.
This noisy property seemed at the moment
more important to Mr.. Booth than the play
of :. Evadne,' or the people who had come
to witness it. He seized il and gave Ions
don gentleman we'll known rat tat, surpris-
ing every one familiar with the scene upon
which be had entered. A pause ensued
Then Mr.. Booth came toward the footlights
and said, with imperturbable GOODNESS, la
dies and gentlemen, it appears that there is
nobody at home ~ Murmurs filled the
house, which were soon turned into general
conversation, as the stage manager came
forth aud se1xed Mr.. Booth by the collar
The trsgedian was taken from the stage.
What ensued behind the scenes has never
been publicly stated. Mr.. Smith took Mr.
Booth into the green-ro room, and told him he
would punish him severely if he did not pros
coed with the business of the evening. The
threat had good effect. The curtain was
taken up q second time, and Mr.. Booth again
appeared. No one who was present that
evening will forget the brilliant manner in
which Mr.. Booth performed Ludovico. We
doubt if he ever surpassed that personation.
The character was sustained without the
II. a. .ak .s-4 hi I'll
liancy of the performance that the whole an.
dience, particularly during the last sct, held
speIl>bound by the great actor art, renamed
in mute and breathless admiration of the
scene. Had not Mr.. Booth been persuaded
to personate Ludovico on the evening TO
which we have referred, it might have been
said that he was intoxicated, as was frequent
| ly said when he exhibited similar aberra-
tions Of mind. The perfection of his acting
i showed that he was not under alcoholic indu
ence, for no man can place himself before
the public upon the stage, even in a slightly
| intoxicated condition, without being betrayed
by his eyes, is~not in his general appear
anee.
! Another occurrence Of the ike nature tool
place at Chatham street Theatre, under
! Mr.. Charles Thorne's management, in 1899
Mr.. Booth exhibited at that time such an in
/ difference IN the opening scenes oil Othelio,
that he was bissed most emphatcally. HI
resented the treatment by beginning to &C
in his best manner from the close Of th'
Senate scene till the end OF the play. Du
ring that engagement he drank neither wins
nor spirits. but he smoked cigars constantly
and with bad result, for be Was unable L
remember the text of Richard Ill, and fre
quently called TO the prompter for th
word
Doubtless, Mr.. Booths cecentyicties wer
increased and made garing occasionally b.
| the use of spirits. Indeed, We know that al
this is so, for there are witnesses to the fac
that he frequently visited bar-rooms an
wandered from saloon to saloon, wasting hi
time and exciting pity for the desecration o
his talents and opportunities. We would b
charitable, however, and not cast censure Oh
this unfortunate actor, whose example ha
had very deleterious effect upon some o
the most gifted young men Of this country
hurrying them into their graves, and csstin
upon their splendid profession stigmas onl
. TO be etfaced by the virtues of those VIII
, shall follow them. Galdry.