The New York herald., 1875-09-28
EDWIN BOOTH.


INTERVIEW WITH THE TRAGEDIAN AT COS Cob
HIS LEFT ARM PowERLEss-THE TERRIBLE OR
DEAL NE. BOOTH MUST PASS THROUGH
In order to ascertain the condition OF hr Ed
win Booth, and learn if possible, from his lips
the effect of the injuries which he sustained a few
weeks since, and which have been to- com
pei him to postpone his engagement at the Fifth Ave
Theatre, HERALD reporter visited Cos Cob yester
day, where he found the tragedian, and held
with him the conversation given in the sequel.
The reporter Mr Booth the prettest part Of his
little estate which overlooks the Of the Sound
right in the midst Of his garden of flowers He
ranging to transplant of the and damtiest
specimens and during the conversation with him he
paused ever and anon TO direct the gardener. There
was little IN the tragedans appearance that his
left arm hung in sling, indicate the great injuries he
sustained, and nothing in his face TO betray the pain
which he suffers from day to day
"Come, said he, after the reporter had introduced
himself, let take you over my little place and show
you its prettiest outlooksn as they passed from
point to point he talked freely himself and of mis-
coming theatrical work
'If it not for this LEFT of mine all would
soon be right with me, and would be able almost
diatey to fulfil all my contracts with the various
managers But the arm is
ABSOLUTELY AND UTTERLY PowERLEss
When unbandaged il falls helpless my side, like a bar
OF lead and have power whatever to move it, |
cannot my wrist There to be
stlening of the elbow, and when try to my ef
hand with the aid of my right, the pain is severe
that endure it, | have been exceedingly par
ticular since my accident taking OF myself
Medical aid has been regularly called in, aud my Is
bathed and rubbed every day but do what will its
muscular strength and energy wholly gone.
1t is impossible for me to tell you when will appear
upon the stage again. Until there is great change
/ ha nj Ihn dc Naan nH lR
boards
THE GREAT ORDEAL
| The doctor has come and gone already to-day. He
tells me that he fears force must be applied TO loosen
the stIened joints He thinks it is the only remedy
let But assured him the pain would bo more than
could endure. He replied that would have be put
under the influence OF some strong anesthec and that
/ the experiment would necessarily have be made
| while was unconscious fear the doctor says,
that my only hope lies IN this direction. don't know
exactly what the doctors intend TO do precisely
they VIII operate upon me, but leave IL all to them
My doctor, who daily calls here did not tell deli
nitely when the experiment would be made though.
My internal injuries, will remember,
very severe Several OF my right ribs were broken,
and suffer great deal IN my right side My pam
the morning is dreadul-nay
IT is POSITIVELY RSoRUcIATING.
am always aroused by muscular suffering, the
pain resting principally in the right side and my
stomach. Every morning, regularly morning
comes, have TO pass through these awful spasms,
which do not leave until two hours after have
arisen from bed 1t IS not very pleasant to rctire
aroused by pains such compelled
TO endure. When | was thrown from
my carriage landed in the midst of bushes and weeds
that were poisonous and the consequence was that
broke all with blubbery sort OF a rash that
greatly annoyed and tormented me. still | don't
despair Of being made right again try keep up my
spirits but this peculiarly affected that until
gain its complete service will be almost useless for my
parts"
Mr. Booth then showed his hand and wrist Both
swollen to more than twice thoir normal size One can
easily understand from simply looking at hs lett hand
how much agony II must give him.
A NEW STUDY.
"You notice. continued Mr. Booth that these
grounds about here furnish tine facilities for
study. have improved them, too, this summer I've
been making study of King Richard H., part
which my father used TO play. | never have yet
sayed the character, nor have ever seen 1t on the
stage I'm sorry that | have been so unfortunate. l
| wanted 10 play Mr.. Dalys stage ! like small
theatre never liked my own because It was SO large
couldn't tell anything about the architects designs
paper, and when came back from my long tour and
saw the huge interior was disheartened at the very
| outseLn
The reporter then said something in relation to tho
support given him AT the Fifth Avenue.
"You seldom predict about your support, SAID
Mr.. Booth. ''Those who succeed well in
comedy and the style of plays popular nowadays
amount often very little when they venture in
tragedy. | remember that scc played in the Hay,
market London Nine the first tragedy effort that
had been made there for several years The company
in comedy highly celebrated, but when they APP
peared with me it OF the most unsatisfactory
and awkward attempts that had been witnessed
I the STAGE
! The reporter noticed that Mr.. Booth was becoming
/ fatgued with his rambe and mentioned the fact
Yes " he said though am out great deal walk
ing, soon get tired, and must rest myself But this
| arm II could only get it right again.
| Mr.. Booth then turned the conversation to general
topics relating to the stage and as the going
down the reporter bade HIM goodnight ON the
threshold Of his cosey residence.