The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-04-06

ding popular applause win nlm, pala him
y,sit, and suggested that 1t would be gralify'
ine to the public If they appeared together.
Booth, young and ambitious, yet frank and
unsuspecting, was proud of the suggestion,
and accepted 1t at once. The two stars ap-
peared by arrangement In Othelio-Kean as
Othelo and Booth as Iago. The theatre was
crowded to suHocation, and the audience was
-on the tip-toe Of expectation. Presently the
two rivals came on the stage, an Kean, who
had laid the plot for Booths destruction, de-
parting from all stage custom, launched 1ortn
in vehemence of passion in the very inc1p-
iency of the play that took the young actor
entirely by surprise, threw him compleleiy
ont. and 80 overwhelmed him that he did not
recover his self.possession during the perform
ance. He played so lamey and aWkWaroiy
that he was finally hlssed. In the desperation
of complete discontinue, he left the stage,
and finding next day ship about to sail Tor
Norfolk, virginia. he took passage upon IT.,
forfeited his engagement, and came to Amer
ica.
Booth came to Norfolk, and thence, by
sailing vessel, to Richmond, where he first ap-
pesred. Charles Gilfert was the manager In
Richmond at the time. His company was an
excellent one Booth applied for an engage
ment. His diminutive stature an dindiherent
appearance-he never cared straw about MS
dress-were so much against him that Gllfert
hesitated. Booth presented the play'olli and
the papers showing London appearances, out
Gilfert doubted Finally, after consulting his
friends, he permit Il Booth to play Richard.
That performance settled the question of the
young actors great genius. He was at once
taken into the friendship of many accom-
plished admirers, and this friendship he COM
manded until his death.
He was indeed most gifted actor. There
was clesrness and accuracy Ia his rendition
of his speeches, an animation and unquestion-
able personihcation 10 bis demeanor, which
placed him above criticism, as 1t were, and
left his auditors nothing but to admire. And
yet how singularly devoid was he OF personal
vanity and pretension. He Was one Of the
plainest and most unaffected of men. His
wants were few and simple. In the recesses
VI HO ASthSa w b'S NNssNS
farm near Baltimore, where he delighted in
his rural occupations. We have heard that he
was even In the habit of bringing his vege'
tables and retailing them in the Baltimore
market-wlth what truth we cannot say.
Contrary to ordinary history, this great
actor left behind him offspring who, In con-
siderable degree, inherit his intellectual pow
ers. He LETT three sons-Edwln, Junius Bru-
tus and j. Wilkes, who assassinated President
Lincoln. Edwin and Junlus are now dlsttn-
cuished actors. The former is better known
than the latter, and has worldwide reputa.
tion. Without comparing them with each
other, 1t may be said they both bear striking
resemblance to their renowned father. Junius
has the imprimatur OF the highest applause Of
the Boston stage. 1t Is quite singular that SO
prominent man as the elder Booth should
bequeath 80 much of his genius to his sons.
OF all the great statesmen in this country, not
one, save John Adams, left descendants wor.
thy Of their fame. The Adams family exhibit
the wonderful example of inherited talents to
the fourth generation. John Quincy Adams,
Jr., stands before the world as, probably, the
equal OF the greatest of his forelathers. On
the stage, Jefferson and Booth have left re-
but there Is no other Instance,
we believe.