The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-05-02
.JuniuS Brutus Booth.

Junius Brutus b 10Th was born in Lon
don, May /, 1906, and in 1914 acted in
opposition to kean till he was driven
from the stage by riot. lie then came
to this country, and made his first APP
pearance at Petersburg, Va, in 1921, as
Richard Ill.,, and in 1922 came ont at the
Park Theater, in New York, in the same
character. His success there was great,
and afterwards, with varying fortune, he
kept possession of the American stage
until bis death, which took place on
board a steamer and on the way from New
Orleans to Cincinnati, in 1858. Small in
stature, not we'll formed, and with bad
points in manner and habits that were
exceedingly irregular, he had many per-
sonal disadvantages to contend with in
his profession, but such was the electric
quality of his mind that he ovcrcame
thsm all. An actor less gifted would
have forfeited his popularity beyond re-
demption. He lost himself in the part
he was performing to such degree that
it bacame a sort of insanity. TWAS con-
sidered somewhat perilous to play Rich
mend to Booths Richard ILL.,, particular
ly if he was in liquor. During the com,
bat on Bosworth field he was apt in his
excitement to consider himself in reality
the King, and cut ana thrust with the
fierceness and ferocity of man in an
earnest and life-depending trial of arms.
At such times it was necessary to disable
him, and it was in one of these ''crazy
spells" that his face was disiSured for
life by an imperiled actor, the bridge of
his nose being broken by the blow de-
livercd through sheer defense. No one
who ever saw the man in his great char
acter of Richard will be likely to forget
his peculiar impersonation of the part.
1t is said he once played Orinoho with
bare feet, insisting that it was absurd to
put shoes on slave. On another occa-
sion he actually made his appearance in
Philadelphia, performing the part OF
Richard on horseback. While support
ing Forrest on certain evening at the
theatre in Pittsburgh, instead of going
upon the stage at the proper time, he
walked out and took the cars dressed and
made up for the character of an Indian
chief One night while performing Sir
Ededrd Mortimer in the Iron Chest" at
Philadelphia, the manager, perceiving
his unfortunate condition, advised him to
"hnish as quickly as possible Booth
quickly walked forward and observed:
Ladies' and gentlemen, have been di-
rected by the manager to finish this as
soon as possible, and so I'll finish it al
once. Here |Vtgord, catch me-" saying
which, aud throwing himself into his
arms, he Ibid the dying scene" and the
curtain was rung down amid roars of
laughter.
His appetite for liquor was sometimes
absolutely voracinus. Being without
money at one time when in New York, he
went to pawnbroker's shop, literally
pawned himself for money to purchase
liquor, was regularly ticketed and ex-
hibited in window, where he stayed
till redeemed by brother actor. On
another occasion being announced to APP
pear in Philadelphia-at the Walnut
| street theat.r-the manager, on the day
for the performance had Booth shut up, but
was outwitted by the actor, who bribcd
the servant to bring a bottle of brandy, a
saucer, and clay pipe. Inserting the
pipe through the key-hole, with the bowl
inverted, the brandy was poured into the
saucer and suckt d up through the pipe by
the thirsty tragedian, and the fact was
disclosed when in the twilight the man
ager proceeded there to conduct him to
/ the dressing room and found him in an
insensible condition.
Inc very ludicFOus scene which occurr-
ed at a New York theater between Booth
and the celebrated "tst girl" of Barnum's
Museum is probably familiar to most Of
the readers Of the Times, and is perhaps
one Of the mos. amusing incidents in the
annals Of the stage.
/ Booth, after being successful in Lon
don, where his professional life COM
menced, made an engagement with a
/ Manchester manager. Manchester then.
AS now, a manufacturing town, was de
voted largely to the production of but
tons. Booth appeared before his new
audience determined to make a hit. We
have forgotten the name of the play in
which he ppeared-enough that he
threw himself into il with his whole soul.
But, alas the house would not come
down. His choicest efforts were thrown
away, and self-distrust began TO steal
over him. At last there came in the play
personal set.to, into which Booth went
with such hearty zest that the cheers
and shouts thus far depressed broke into
perfect storm. Booth caught the secret,
and forthwith SO belabored his fellow
actor that he fairly yelled with pain. He
then sat down in his chair, and stretching
his neck toward his audience, with face
on which was depicted the most bitter
contempt and disgust, exclaimed in way