Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-15

into a membership in travelling com.
pany. His advance was now steady, and
at the age Of sixteen. IN 1854, he is said
TO have played Romeo to the Juliet OF
Julia Deane Hayne. In 1856 he is be-
lieved 70 have made his New York debut
as Sir Thomas Clifford in "Tbe Hunch-
back" Mt A minor house. He next Sc
cured an engagement at Burton's Thea
tire. whence he travelled 10 Boston.
For some years before the outbreak OF
tho civil war Mr. Barrett was the leading
man nj the Howard Atheneum, Boston.
He had worked bis way up from the
ranks. and was popular as conscientious
actor whose performances at times gave
forth the ring Of trne metal. In 1899 be
had married and his early habits Of study
were kept up steadily in bis family cir
Gle.
At the end of 1860 he went 10 the field
rs n captain in tho Twenty eighth Mas
snchusettsv oluntet RS, serving with honor,
and al the conclusion OF his service re-
turned TO professional life. His standing
on tho stage steadily improved. In
couraged by his popularity here he went
10 Europe IN 1866. but failed to obtain
nm opening. Returning he made the
trip TO California which resulted IN his
first connection with john Mccullough
and their prosperous tour OF the Pacific
slope.
In 1869 Mr.. Barrett undertook another
trip 10 England and made an appearance
in LIVERPOOL. lie returned to New York,
where he opened in November, 1882, at
Booths Theatre. Here he sccnreda per
moment footing in popularity as a legiti-
mate actor through hisable work IN some
of the most cxGcting r0ics he was called
on TO play in Mir. Booths support.
For some years past Mr.. Barrett as the
head Of company has been playing
Shakspcarean pieces with success only
caualled by Booths. In addition to his
professional lahors he has contributed to
the literature OF the drama some works OF
listing vaue. His life OF Forrest IS
scholarly and careful work. noteworthy
as much for the individual ideas OF the
author 0 which it gives expression as for
its histrionic character.
EDWIN BOOTH.
The most eminent Of the sons OF JU-
MUS Brutus Booth was born ct his IA
theirs house at Belair, near Baltimore,
Md. In November, 1888. He was his
fathers companion in boyhood, serving
him frequently in the capacity OF dresser,
and the elder Booth constantly instilled
in him lessons tending to develop bls
hlstrionic ability and prepare him for
career upon the stage On September
10. 1919, he made his first appearance at
the Boston Musuem rs Tressel, in Rich
ard Ill. and on May -, 1850, APP
reared nj the Arch-Street Theatre,
PHILADELPHIA, as MILFORD. IN the Iron
Chest. In 1850 he distinguished HIM
self by PLAYING Richard III. at the
Chatham Theatre, New York, IN the
place of bis father, who had disappoint-
ed. His first independent appearance III
the metropolis, however, was made on
May 4. 1857, as Richard I'LL, at the
METROPOLITAN, afterwards the Winter
Garden Theatre. In 1851 he went to
California, and thence wandered to the
Sandwich islands and Australia in 1854.
In 1857 he returned to New York. His
brother J. W. was member OF the Rich
mond stock company Just before the
war, and Edwin appeared here as a star,
PLAYING Hamlet, Shylock, Richard Ill,
KING Lear, Macbeth. IagO, SC. AT his
brothers benefit in 1888 he played Iago
to his brothers Othouo. he WAS known
ns an actor Of ability, but 1t was not I'M
til his famous engagements at the Winter
Garden that lie succeeded in making
really profound impression on the pub
lie
In 1861 Mr. Booth married and made
A bridal tour 10 England, appearing as
Shylock IN London with no particular
success. he returned and resumed his
American career un,il 1862, when his
wife died. After period o. retirement
he opened at the Ninter-Garden Theatre
as Hamlet on November %, 1863.
The shaksperean reviyals at Winter