The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1885-03-14
For THE ARKANsAw TRAVELLER.
OBSERVATIONS OF A CRITIC.

the press of the application, many years
ago, OF the actor, George Min TO Edwin
Booth for a subordinate position in his
company and of Mr.. Booths emphatic de-
clinature. Whether Mr. Booth lost any
thing by his refusal is of course, an open
question, but the story serves to illus
trate the nanowness of the man whose
reading of Shakespeare's lines has won
for him the homage of all men. Great
and grand as Edwin Booth can be at all
times, one cannot help wondering by
what means gains he unconsciousness of
the fact that he is surrounded by set of
wooden men and women who speak their
lines without feeling and move and act
like automatons. Whence draws this
man his inspiration Looks he never
for touch of passion in his Ophelia? In
his acting, as in his private life, Mr.
Booth has held himself aloof from all
sympathy. We hear of him as avoiding
society, living almost the life of a re-
cluse, and cannot but feel that the shad-
ows of 81 still hang over this man soul.
We see him when he ueads the boards
a Hamlet every inch, morbid, isolated
and alone; approached at no point by
any man or woman of his company, and
when we try to solve the problem of his
life are forced to think lis motive passion
something like selhshness. He is, how.
ever, playing to large houses at the Fifth
Avenue theatre, and in all probability is
amply able to defy criticism for many
years to come. One finds relief and
pleasant change, however, at the Star
theatre, where Lawrence Barrett has been
giving the public treat, as Cassius in
Julius Ceasar," with Louis James as
Brutus, and the Lyceum school scholars
as the mob, citizens, etc. Aside from the
tone and color which they have lent to
the scenes they have also awakened an
interest in the play such as has not been
known here for many day. So great
was the demand for seats that it was
found necessary to extend Mr.. Barrett's
engagement. The Lyceum scholars may
well feel proud of their first appearance.
They certainly have not found Mr.. Bar
rett ungrateful. He has presented the
Lyceum school with very handsome sum
of money. Lovers of the higher drama at
test their appreciation of his work in
most substantial fashion, as indeed it de-
serves. A more conscientious artist, OF
one more liberal in his views and willing
to adopt any means whereby the min
utest details of the plays he presents
shall be made perfect, does not exist. He
is to be admired for his breadth of
thought and lack of English airs, so
much affected at the present time by
members of his profession.
A few weeks confinement in the
Tombs has effected wonderful change
in Miss Lucille Dudley, the would-be
slayer Of O'Donovan Rosa. When she
gave herself up to the officers of the law,
her face had the rugged look of health.
When your correspondent saw her again,
she looked pale and haggard. Much of
her self possession is gone and the de-
6ance with which she met the FIRST in
quiries put to her, shows only now and
then, when her personal history is touched
upon. There is little doubt that the
troubles of her life have affected her in
tellect and whatever of romance hung
about her week ago, there now remains
but one feeling toward the unfortunate
woman, even among her enemies, and
that is one of pity.
She told me that she had never seen
ODonovan Rosa until she met him by
ale is a coward" she
said, and the men who trust him with
their lives are worse than fools. He
talked to me as freely as though my al
legiance to his cause was an assured
thing"
"Did he impart any of the secrets of
his society,"" I asked.
He said some things that will be of
no use to his enemies" she replied, ''and
which have no doubt he now regrets
saying" He is full of vanity and his
was full Of self-sung praise"
"Did he state in detail for what pur-
pose the money which you proposed to
would be used ?"
"No. only in general way did he re.
fer to its application"
And were you prepared to make the
payment if you had found no opportunity
to carry out your plan Of assassination ?"
"Did I say that had plan of assas-
she asked quickly. alt don't
seem to me that that was necessary" she |
went on more quietly. al had the pistol, |