The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-02


New York Correspondents Of the Globe Democrat
was sitting night or two ago among
the audience of popular Broadway thea.
ter, having with me as companion q
theatrical manager who has more than one
theater under his own control, and has
been ia the theatrical business from his
boyhood. don't think II was noticed by
nino-tenths Of the people present, but 10
us the fact was quite apparent that one Of
the young actresses in the company whose
performance we were watching was under
the influence OF some intoxicant. She
managed TO get through her part OF the
performance without any serious break
down, but the vacuous stare, the slow,
hesitating movement, the occasional STUN
bic and thick utierance were Enthusiastically
evident. Naturally, when the play was
over and we were discussing modest sup
per in a nearby restaurant, our conyersa-
ton turned on the disageeable spectacle
we had been witnessing. elias II never
struck you" said my friend, the manager,
chow comparatively free the stage Is today
nom vice which was almost universal
bali century ago? Then II was
rather the exception for an actor 10 be
temperate, while now the exact reverse is
the case, as is shown by the impression
that young woman's folly has Just made
upon you. A generation or two ago IL
would have been taken almost rs n matter
OF course 20 see an actor under the innu-
"a. 20 HnnAr httI M tha ERanal An
have changed all that Tho fact IL that
actors have merely kept pace with the rest
OF the community, for you have only 10
turn over the leaves OF Spectator and other
Queen Anne literature 10 see that In those
days drunkenness was as fashionable IN
going TO church"
IL suppose, though" said ], ''that
actors and actresses are not. as a rule, tee
! totalcrs?"
I "ly no MEANS" was the answer. "To
people who are under The influence Of a
constant nervous strain, stimulants OF
somc sort are almost necessity. | am
convinced, though. that every actor and
actress Of prominence looks upon them
from the medicinal and not the convivial
point Of view. Some, indeed, are ALSO
lutte prohibitionists ns regards themselves,
NJ ItuNk W llNbus lbl
mover touched anything stronger than
lemonade OF ginger ale, and yet lac Is ono
OF the most intensely nervous and hard
working Of actors.
"some unkind and cruel things have
been said OF Edwin Booth In regard TO
thinking. bri | have known him for many
ycars and my father knew him before me.
and can assure you that be Is In no way
drinking man. lie Is careless 10 the
verge Of criminaliiy about himself, and
treats his digestive apparatus ~ though IL
was made Of east steel. lie suffered for
years with aeute dyspepsia, ~ aggravated
In It's nature that food Of any description
was bound TO cause intense. suffering.
Owing 10 this he contracted n habit Of
never eating NJ NIL until forced 10 II by alb
solute hunger, aud then he took Just sulli-
Cont TO stay his appetite. Now that the
dyspepsia l. thing OF the past, he still re-
tains his old adherence Of food and for
days ut time hc goes without eating n
morol. Whom IN this state Il IL evident
that n single bottle Of beer will make him
heavy. Beer. indeed, is the only drink
MIR. Booth really cap~ for. aud ho drinks
several bottles during the day. one or two
being consumed during the performance.
Mr.. Booth Ia an inyclouio smoker. lie
smokes a peculiarly small mild cigar. and
on the dressing table, when lac leaves his
dressing room after performance. arc
ranged q dozen or mow Of these half con.
sumcd tiny cigars. for he ncyur rclighls
one after Il has gone out, or he has been
compelled by the cNigcncics Of his part TO
lay Il down.
Mr.. Booths partner. Lawrence Barrett,
u exceedingly temperate. aud only touches
spirits when he n ordered 10 do ~ los his
medical adviser. lie is said 10 be- exceed.
ingly fond Of ale. and drinks Il at his din
\ncr, hu; never drinks beer. Barrett, like
wise man. Is careful Of his diet, and, he
= Ne bessSgi with good appetite, eats with
oxtWme regularity lie breakfasts nj ~
o'clork. eating hearty meal. takes light
lunch In the middle al the day, dimes at u
O'Clock. procceding Immediately thereafter
10 the ihcaicr and after the performance "
over lakes n moderate supper before rciir-