Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-01-19
Welcome to Edwin Booth.

N. B. Ny wife's name is Jennie.
Welcome to Edwin Booth.
Last nights performance of "Hamlet,n
at the Winter Garden. was one long to be
remembered, The return of Edwin Booth
to the stage after a prolonged absence-in
part occasloned, we may presume, by the
sad circumstances which brought his fami-
y name into prominence in connection
with the closing calamity of the late war,
was made the occasion for most entllusi-
astlc demonstration of sincere welcome on
the part Of those of the great Artists
friends who succeeded in gaining foot
hold within the walls of the theatre. 1t
was felt that under the peculiar, unfortu-
nate circumstances of his position, this es-
timable citizen and honored player dcsery-
ed an expression of sympathy and heart
felt greeting from the public that should in
some measure encourage him to resume
the round Of his professional duties. So
universal was this sentiment that it needed
no concerted action to crowd the theatre
upon the opening night of the Shakesperi-
an season with an audience that fairly
represented the wealth and intelligence Of
the city, and which ,agerly awaited the first
opportunity tor bestowing upon Booth one
OF the most remarkably spontaneous oya-
tons ever extended to an actor. The ex-
traordinary warmth of this magnificent
demonstration was in part due to the fact
that the public sense of decency had been
recently outraged by most brutal attack
upon Booths fair name in the Herald,
which was followed by another even more
atrocious and incendiary in character pub
lished in the Playbill-a sheet whose dis
graceful existence terminated with the
issue of the number containing this last
to the popular saBsibilites The desire to
iudorse Booth, and resent the Herald S
unparalleled insults was last night upper
most in the minds Of all classes. People
unaccustomed t" going to the theatre
Hooked to Winter Garden as matter o.
duty, to sustain ny their presence and ap-
plause gentleman who had been so gross
ly wronged. The crowd was immense, of
course, but as orderly and quiet a. if at
church. a Gordon of police appeared at
an early hour in the yestibule of the house,
and those composing it were placed in va
rious positions by the Captain of the 18th
Precinct. Their services were not needed,
however, the unanlmity of feeling being
too apparent to permit of any handful Of
evil disposed persons from seeking to
create disturbance. Mr.. Stuart had an
nounced that the curtain would rise con-
siderably earlier than usual but when the
fine orchestra, under Mr.. Robert Stoepei,
began the Hamlet Overture" composed
by the leader, there was scarcelva vacant
spot to be found in the house, and itseem-
ed as if the number of persons standing
was as great as of those whose good for
tune had placed seats at their disposal. 1t
is in the second scene of the first act that
Hamlet is first discovered-seated near the
throne in the audience-chamber of the
palace at Elsinor. Upon the opening of
this scene the enthusiasm broke forth, and
surely such scene was never before wit
messed in theatre. The applause burst
spontaneously from every part of the
house. The men stamped, clappcd their
hands, and hurrahed continuously the
ladies rose in their seats and waved a thou
sand handkerchiefs and for full five min
utes scene of wild excitement forbade the
progress of the play. Mr.. Booth was at
first overcome by the tremendous ovation.
His head dropped low upon his breast, and
his frame shook with emotion. The huz-
zas continuing, and even gathering force
and volume rs they We're prolonged, he
arose from his chair and bowed repeatedly.
In moment or two more the agreeable
tumult subsidized as spontaneously as it had
hesun, and the play proceeded. At the
close OF every act the enthusiasm burst
forth anew. and Mr.. Booth was compelled
to cross the stage under Il fire of wreaths
and bouquets, and salutcd hV the frantic
waving of handkerchicfs and hats and the
mighty cheers of the multitude. 1t was
at the close of the third of these half dozen
or more distinct ovations that galeran,
whose sense of justice might we'll qualify
him for position on the bench or in the
| jury room, demanded .'gr0ans for the New
York Herald" This mild hut pertinent
request awakened a storm of Kisses and in-
dignant groaning Of the kind peculiar to
political meetings in the vicinity Of elect
ion days. After that cheers were proposed
for the party who originated the idea OF
rehukng the recipient of the recent Ma
retzek letters. 1t is needless to say that
the necessary cheers, followed by sturdy
tiger" We're promptly forthcoming, OF
the performance itself we can speak salts
factorily in a very few words. Mr.. Bootl
acted with never so much careful case an,
precision, reading with admirable effect
and entering mere fully than ever into thu
business Of the scenes. He seemed am
bitious to surpass his own best efforts, an(
without being prejudiced by too fully shar
ing the enthusiasm of the occasion we ma,
say that in our opinion this WAS truly hi
most brilliant illustration of his most ad
mired character. In the first scene will
the Ghost, in the interview with Polonious
in the play scene and at its conclusion ho
acted with consummate fnesse, and be
trayed warmth of passion and depth o
true emotional power far beyond his owl
former grand portrayal. The full merit o
this exquisite performance cannot be con
veyed in few hastily written sentences
strung loosely together at the final fall o
the curtain. Its effect upon the vast ant
intent audience best indicates the intense
humanity, the eloquence, the sterling Wig
or of the noble characterization. 1t seem
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