New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-01
THE DIANA.
EDWIN BOOTHS FAREWELL.

EDWIN BOOTHS FAREWELL
Edwin Booth terminated ON Saturday even
ing at his brothers. theater an engagement which has
lasted four weeks, and which has served to place
before the minds OF those who have improved the OPP
portunity TO study his acting distinct image OF his
genius and compact and symmetrical exposition of
his achievements in dramatic art During this
ment he has personated. in succession, Hamlet,
Claude heinoae, Riehelieu Benediek Ltseius
Brltus, Don Cesar de Bqzan, OtseILo, Iago, Shy
lock, The Stranger, and Psbuehio. This is remark
ably poetic, picturesque and brilliant group; and, N
assuming these various Identities, the actor has OBJ
viousy subjected himself most diversified and eI
acting series Of tests. Every element in his nature
ard every resource OF his experience and skill must
have been drawn upon to and satisfy the re-
qurements Of these characters The that has thus
been displayed Of magno on passion pathOs, spiritual
submity, romantic grandeur, grace, gloom, frenzed
emotion, cool intellectually, sentiment, humor.
frellcsome levity, light and shadow, con-
centraton OF mind. and control Of
personal being and OF the means and methods Of
dramatic art is nothing less than wonderful To achieve
only respectable in such round Of parts is to
accomplish much; but 70 have maintained through
them all a high altitude OF merit. and than
have risen to the pinnacle OF greatness 10 have
established beyond question a rank with the foremost
actorsand thus with the most potent aesthetic teachers
this age. Mr.. Booth has done this and has
done it with brilliant proficiency and
spontaneous grace, understanding though
they be TO our thoughts and 10 our pen
should not at this time be allowed TO pass without
word Of recognition and respect 1t has not to US
seemed necessary 10 describe in minute detail each Of
these weknOwn presentations, often before and
so often discussed these columns but it may not be
amiss say, upon the departure of Mr. Booth, that
they have reflected honor upon his natural gifts ana
upon his sudiOus fidelity the dramatic vocation and
that they been OF such order OF excellence
as must have confirmed all tudcious and com
petent observers IN high estimate OF the
actor and his works. Mr.. Booth, It is true,
has appeared under some disadvantages. No actor
il endowed and adapted so that he act all parts
equally well and with certain Of tine characters
have mentioned the spirit OF this tragedan is but par
TALLY consonant His Mtinone his Benedick. and bis
Stranger for example, have always been queer Then,
too the players who have participated IN his several
performances have-with few exceptions-appeared TO
conspicuous disadvantage. and have thus detracted
from that roundness and finished beauty OF effect which
al all times Is so essential in dramatic rep
reservations This result ia variously referable 20
nudclOus casting Of parts 10 the lack OF special kinds
ability. and to the presence Of dsagreeabe personal
qualities. Finally Mr. Booth Is not without his man
nersms and mannerlsms always inmical to ducthe
Identification When all il said, however, there
main with reference Edwin Booth two great truths.
adamantine and hxed-hat he is poetical actor, and
that hi, genius OF that delicate and exquisite KIND
10 which precision and symmetry OF result is far more
precious than vague and whirling emotion. He
never degrades a shakespearean conception TO prose
and 10 clay and he substitutes parOxysm for
distinct rounded beautifully uttered IDEAL There
IA the same difference between Edwin Booth aud most
other tragedans that there between Tennyson at hrs
best OF ged poise in the clear blue heaven OF
song and Browning his worst OF dscord and eonvul
sion IN the midnight cavern Of obscurity AL may be
great 4: but we chiefly give admiration to that
greatness which understands itself and make itself
undentood Ire gurglings OF thundercloud are mys-
FERROUS but So for matter, the gurglings OF
definite forms transused with fitting fire. and those
artists best opponents who best present these re-
suits such an artist is Edwin Booth-and TO such an
artist the future should be full Of conquest and renown
Impotence and apathy, TO be sure are its foes To
every intellectual man there comes time when sur
rounding stupidity and indurated folly AMI
selhshness are irksome and irritating; and
time, trouble. and sorrow have way
OF imbuing with sober. russell color, first the mind
itself and then its works and leading in the Autumn
twilight Of indifference. But the tenderness Of deep
heart the strength OF aspiring mind and the cheer
and promise Nature may surely be trusted TO deteat
the sc tyrants OF experience.
Though nothing can bring back the loss
OF splendor in the grass, OF glory IN the no~efi-
We will grieve not rather ma
Strength what remains Dehlnd
In the soothing thoughts that spring
out ~ human suffering;
In the faith that looks through death;
Ia years that bring the phuOsophlc mihu