New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-25
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
EDWIN ROOTH.

SlC AMI LIE DhA1A.
EDWIN BOOTH.
The return of Edwin Booth to the American stage,
after considerable absence, and after an extraor-
binary experience abroad is an important theatrical
event, and will naturally engage q large share OF
yublic attention. MI. Booth is the foremost TRACE
dian of America-frst in those poetic attributes
which invest the art of acting with its browning
charm; first in the scholarship which appertains to
his profession; and first in the admiration of his
time The structure OF fame that he has built rests
not alone upon great services 10 the stage but upon
great personal worth, character remarkable for
dignity and modesty, life devoted to the worthlest
ends and a reputation that NAL grant and
eliminating envy has utterly failed to bemish.
Happily so, for its continued success the vitality
of Mr.. Booths acting is such as derives its vigoT
from the unfairng springs of fine intellect and per
sonal fascination--the power To mould stately
forms art and the quality to invest them with IN
herent charm. Every p aygoer mstincilvely feels
that in seeing Edwin Booth he genuine actor
and an entirely sincere and thorough exempliiica-
ton of the dramatic art in the tragic line The ia
yorable verdict If London, which Mr. Booth re-
Gently obtained, pot needed to strengthen bis
place upon the American stage nevertheless, that
yerdict-so cordially and gracefully expresscd-was
grateful to the plavgoing Oubhc of America and
the welcome that awaits Mr. Booth, on the
occasion OF his temperance here WI doubtless be
fraught with a sentiment of pride in one who has
worthily sustained, upon foreign stage the Amer
lean name and the standard of American art. There
are also circumstances of personal and domestic
nature which just make Mr.. Booth more than
ever an object of esteem. He will reappear next
week, at Booths Theatre, under the management of
Mr. Abbey-beginning in the character of RcheIieu;
and in the four weeks that follow he will act a
round Of the great characters with which his name
is identified There Is much pleasure III store ac-
cordngy for the votaries of the stage in this city
SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS.
This season has begun prosperous for the San
Francisco Mnstrels, and their popularity appears
to have suffered no decline The attendance at
their opera house. nightly is large. and their per-
formances received with joyful laughter aud
other indications of public pleasure The character
of their performances has been frequently and suf-
GENTLY described, aud it is enough to say that
it remains unchanged Songs. both comic and SEN
tmental, dances. farces specalties of various kinds
and pleasant miscellaneous sport make up the GUS
tornary entertainment. MeSsrs. Backus and Birch
still the most conspicuous figures in their company
have enlisted into their service a numerous an,
various troupe of talented performers. They them
selves, brimful of animal spirits and rolic are the
happy, delightful and sable cherubs of laughter
Mr.. Moreland the negro comedian, who fills the
pomp, and in that copious flow of grandioquent
and senseless words which is so well calculated to
impress the colOred brethren. Rcardo's falsetto
voice may still be heard. in pleasing ditties. and
this parsonage should soon prove q fortunate
havesty OF the aesthetic humbug of the hour. Mr.
Dixon, il he would deSist from comforting his conn
tenance and straining his voice would be pleasant
singer. He with Wyatt, Roe and Frilhnan. make
up the California Quartette, and this party charms
by its sweet aud meodious vOcalisIn. An element
of ccmicality is afforded by Mr. Kennedy n clever
ventnioquist. Mr. French continues TO tell his
stories and play on his banjo. There is dancing Ly
johnson and Powers; ana Mr. Bob Slavin a new
conner upon this stage, has made an unequ vocal hit
IN burlesqne character acting The elements of tbs
company are well contrasted. aud the pr grammes
are harmonious in their features reduced scale
OF prices was adopted at this house when lie sea-
son began, and has helped the prosperity of the
minstrels, thus far.