The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-25

HAMLETs INSPIRATION COMES FROM BEER.
Some uukind and cruel things have been
said of Edwin Booth in regard 10 drinking,
but / have known him for many years and
my father knew him before me, and can
assure you that he is in no way drinking
man. He is careless to the verge of crimi-
nality about himself and treats his digest
i've apparatus as though it was made of
cast steel. He suffered for years from acute
dyspepsia, SO aggravated in its nature that
food OF any description is bound to cause in
tense suffering. Owing to this he con-
tracted habit of never eating at all until
forced to it by absolute hunger, and then he
took just sufficient to stay his appetite.
Now that the dyspepsia is a thing of the
past, he still retains his old adherence oil
food and for days at a time he goes without
eating morsel When in this state, it is
evident that single bottle of beer will
make him heavy. Beer, indeed, is the only
drink Mr.. Booth really cares for, and he
drinks several bottles during the day, one
or two being consumed during the perform
ance. Mr.. Booth is an inveterate smoker.
He smokes a peculiarly small mild cigar,
and on the dressing table, when he leaves
his dressingroom after performance, are
arranged dozen or more of these half con-
sumed tiny cigars, for he never re-lights
one after it has gone out, or he has been
compelled by the exgencies of his part to
lay it down.
"Mr. Booths partner, Lawrence Barrett,
is exceedingly temperate, and only touches
spirits when he is ordered TO do SO by his
medical advisers. He is said to be exceed
ingly fond of ale and drinks it at his dinner,
but never drinks beer. Barrett, like wise
man, is careful of his diet, and, being
blessed with a good healthy appetite, eats
with extreme regularity. lie breakfasts at
10 o'clock, eating hearty meal, takes a
light lunch in the middle of the day, dimes at
8, proceeding Immediately thereafter to the
theater, and after the performance is over
takes a moderate supper before retiring.
The result is seen in Mr.. Barretts perfect
health and superintendent energy, both
mental and physical
Mrs. Langtry," continued the manager.
as he lit cigarette and blew a fragrant
cloud heavenward, "pays much atten-
ton to diet, for like the sensible as well as
charming woman she is, she looks upon her
health as an important item of her stock in
trade. She rises late and eats a moderate
breakfast and when she is in New York,
lunches at i 80 o'clock precisely, always
having few intimate friends to join her.
She dimes at O'Clock as a rule, though
sometimes she is forced to put the hour
somewhat earlier, and has hearty supper
when her labors are over, the luncheon
and supper being the two chief meals Of the
day for her. At her meals Mrs. Langt y
drinks either claret or champagne the lat
ter as dry wine AZ she can procure. She
is, however, exceedingly moderate as to
amount and rarely takes more than single
glass of champagne or tumbler OF claret
and water at each meal. During the per-
Torrance she occasionally sips little cham
payne and appollinarls water, mixed in
equal proportions, though sometimes the
appollinaris is taken alone without the
addition Of champagne.
mime. Patti, like all singers, finds stimu-
liant of some sort an absolute necessity. As
rule, during the performance. she con-
tinually sips weak brandy and soda, though
she has an odd trick Of preferrtng the soda
dead that is, opened and left standing
until nearly all the gas has escaped from it.
OCCASIONALLY she varies her beverage by
taking glass Of champagne, though, unlike
Mrs. Langtry, she prefers sweet wine
rather than a dry one.
Richard Mansfield drinks nothing but
appollinaris water while he is acting but
OF this he consumes several pint bottles.
Mansfield, though there are few men who
know how to give a better dinner or supper,
or are more convivial in their tastes, makes
a rule of being absolutely abstemious so far
as drinking is concerned, throughout the
day. After his work Is over he drinks
little whisky and water, or should ne be
eating heavy supper, few glasses OF dry
champagne. ] have known him intimately
and have seen him under all circumstances,
but have never observed him 90 be even
partially under the influence OF good cheer.
Henry Irving is so fond Of meeting bis
friends round his own hospitablo board that
he naturally Is obliged 10 drink fair
amount OF wines during the twca'y-four
hours, and have seldom met man who
could drink more and show II less than the
great English tragedian. As is well known,
he Is Il vely night owl, and after a hard
nights work will Eit up with his intimates
talking aud telling anocd0tes.in his own In