Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-30
BOOTHS BIRTHDAY.
rur rlerY-sEvsNTH ANNIVERSARY
OF TIE GREAT TRAGEDlAN
,. s..,ch Of Ills L,fc and Work
by Lawrence Barrett-Hi' career a"u
Pure and Upright Life

L
cedian Tho following sketch OF MI
Booth. which was written by his iriend
and associate. Mr.. Lawrence Barrett
outlines admirably the moro prominent
events of bis life and pays an earnest
and graceful tribute to his genius.
Mr.. Barrett writes: Edwin Thomas
Roofh was born on his fathers farm IN
Hartford county, Md, November -,
1888. Although not dedicated oy MS
parents to the stage, his apprenticeship
began in early youth. The care OF a
growing family keeping his mother at
home. Young Edwin was sent iorth
While almost child himself to
act as guide, companion and
friend 70 the most erratic genus
that ever illumined the theatre IN any
ACC. As mentor, dresser, companion,
the boy lived in the hotels, dressing,
rooms. among the wings, IN constant ana
afectionate attendance upon MN 10
whom the carly drama of America owes
so much of its glory. The applause re-
ceived by the father rang IN the lads
ears as a sweet prelude 70 that winch was
ere long destined to be his own. indeed,
he seemed already TO participate IN the
glory Of his father by the close and ano-
malous relation.
Curious and characteristic anecdotes
ore given of this strange union Inci-
dents we're continually happening Which
were preparing the character OF the BOY
for his own eventful career. Seeing
much of the vicissitudes Of the actors
life in that day Of the dramas hardest
probation in America, he learned lessons
which were to be useful to him hereafter.
Pathos and humorwere strangely brought
together in these tours OF the elder
Booth. accompanied by bis bright-eyed,
watcbfui assistant. The irregularities
and yagaries Of Junius Brutus Booth are
made familiar to the readers OF dramatic
history by the annalist and blogrepner,
but few knew the serious side oil that
strange nature, its home love, its pa
rental tenderness. its sweet indulgence,
the royally-stored mind, rich with the
learning of foreign literature, and
praced with wealth Of expression
which made his learning a we'll
eprine from which all could drink.
Thus the theatre was Edwin Booths
school-room, the greatest living mas
ter of passion his tutor, and the
actors his fellow-pupils, divided from
him only by the disparity OF years.
Constantly ignoring any question OF I'd
wins ever becoming an actor, his father
acauiesced willingly il the boys anna.
flourish requirement Of the violin and OF
q negros mastery of the banjo. The
tnneful accomplishments, aided by the
voice of the young musician. IN some oil
the then familiar plantation melodies
amused the leisure and Rratitied the pa
ternal pride of fond father
EARLY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES.
On September 10. 1S49, Edwin Booth
made his first appearance on tho regular
stage as Tr9ssel to his fathers Richard
III, at the Boston Museum. No trum-
yet Of herald announced this important
event its necessity arose from the some
what insignificant fact that the duties OF
the prompter madeit necessary that some
one should tighten the shoulders Of that
official of q double burden, and tho
obscure actor was replaced by one
who that night entered upon career
the consequences OF which will affect the
American stage more profoundly than
any other event connected with IT. The
success of this maiden effort did not
seem 10 win the father TO the lads side.
Without openly condemning the step,
the elder Booth tacitly showed that lie
did not approve of it. The report Of
Fdwin's hit induced managers OF
other cities 10 request that father
and son should appear together
on occasions. This was stubbornlY
resisted. On one occasion an old friend,
then managing q western theatre, asked
Mr.. Booth TO allow him to bill Edwin
with his father. He was met by the
usual curt refusal but after a moment
pause. and without any sense OF the
humor of the suggestion, Booth SAID
that Edwin was good banlo-player and
he could be announced Tor SOLO be
tween the acts.
His first appearance in Richard Ill
was the result OF an accident quite az
unexpected as his original effort. I'M
, father. billed at the National Theatre
. New York, for Richard, suddenly re
, solved Just before the play began that h'
would not go to the Theatre. Entreatiei
, were in vain. go act it yourself. sac
, the impracticable father to his confused
and half-distracted son. On carrying
, this message to the disappointed man
! aper that official in his distress, accepted
a the alternative. The audience was salts
! fed, and the play went on to the enc
with no demonstration Of disapproval. 4
/. brief experience in the stock company a
r Baltimore. uneventful and comparatively
unsuccessful, preluded the departure TO
California. from which so many result
/. important to Edwin Booths subsequen
q career we're to flow. The Booths saileC
in 1852, crossed the Isthmus, and ap
. reared at San Francisco soon after thei
arrival.
Z The time for this visit was ill-chosen
Financial depression he'd succeeded I,
i carly marvellous prosperity of the Colder
# State, and the drama. despite a compen,
N of actors, was lauguishipg with other in
n dustries of the Pacific coast, A few per
i, formances in San Francisco, some ap
= pearanccs in sacramento, given to poo
q audiences, and unremuneratiye both {
70 actor and manager. make up the resul
!. of the only visit Of tho eide
" Booth to the far West. Re
l. turning home alone, and beliey
a. ing fully in the future prosperity q
? California, he LETT his two sons, Juniu
8 Brutus and Edwin, behind him. III
usua vicissitudes OF the actor in thos
pioneer days were experienced by Ed
d. win Booth unpaid services in the cities
IS sad and trying wanderngs in the noun
TO tains, whore the surroundings were IN
IL rudest. the audience the most indul
gent-sickmess want, cold, hunger
| these were the early discipline Of the ser
sitiye aud gifted child of genius. Durin
K. this time the news Of his fathers deaf
ut reached him, bringing home 10 hi
81 heart the first great sorrow it had eve
known. Now filling a subordinate plac
he in a stock company az mere pittanct
now pushed premsturely forward int
Tho pgrfe hie father brd ,pada farnou,