The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-03-14
MIR. BOOTHS FIRST APPEARANCE.

His Debut on the Stage With Mr.. j. 5. ClSrke
at Bel Air.
The following description of MIR. Edwin
Booths first appearance on the stage is from
a little book written by his sister A STA, after
wards Mrs ]. s. Clarke, entitled Booth
Memorials Passages, Incidents and Anec-
dotes in the life of Junius Brutus Booth,
the Elder" -ua
In the summer of 1850, while Edwin and
Mr.. J. S. Clarke were ruralizing at my faith
er's farm, they were solicited by number OF
the residents and collegians of Bel Air to favor
them with dramatic reading, which style Of
entertainment was in vogue in private cir
cles. They willingly complied with the re-
quest, having previously recited together the
quarrel of "Brutus" and "Cassius" and other
pieces at school before the not very critical
audience of "parents and friends" among
whom, conspicuously and with pleased coun
tenance sat 1.-THE elder Booth" AS the soli-
citations were general and admitted of no
delay, they mounted their horses and rode
twenty five miles on sultry summer day to
obtain printed programmes in Baltimore.
They were greatly surprised to find that my
father, instead of offering any objection to
their reading, entered into all their plans with
boysh elation, and became as enthusiastic
about it as themselves. He insisted upon
retaining number of the programmes to in
close to friends in distant cities, and strongly
urged, if the reading proved successful, they
should "try the large towns" especially re-
commencing Havre de Grace Buoyant with
expectation, the two friends rode back next
day, and Immediately commenced arranging
q large room in the county courthouse, which
had been offered for their convenience. The
doors and windows were instantly besieged
by an eager throng of rustics, who were anz-
ious 10 witness the preparations for the great
show, evidently expecting that circus or
some wonderful magician was to exhibit. as
nothing more elevated than such perform
ances had ever been given in Bel Air so pub
licly and on so grand scale.
The "tragedians' had prepared themselves
with necessary properties" obtaining from
the farm sheet for the curtain, and a dinner
bell to ring it up. While endeavoring to
hang their curtain one of them fell from
barrel on which he was standing. This
seemed to create feeling of disgust among
the countrymen, as one remarked, you're
pretty circus-actor can't balance yourself on
that" Nothing daunted, however, they pro-
ceeded with their work, and finally their
curtain was adjusted, footlights set and seats
arranged. Old Joe (who had occasionally
been employed as sort of crier about the
courthouse) was sent forth TO post the bills
He walked miles, carrying his bucket and
brush, and ringing bell at intervals, while
he cried out in his peculiar tone. 30, yes
o, yes, O, yes-to-night great tragedy j.
Quite an excitement was caused by this pro-
ceedpg, aud the old man was closely follow
ed by the curious throng of either sex and
color. He faithfully performed his duty,
placing the bills ON every available corner,
and far out on the country roads the placards
decorated the fences, trees and Outhouses.
As the "tragedians" rode in from the farm on
that eventful evening, to their intense cha
grin they discovered that every bill had been
posted upside down. THE house was full
and fashionable" the audience strictly OBJ
serving the primitive regulations of their
Westinghouse, separating at the portal and
seating themselves in perfect silence, the
gentlemen on one side of the room and the
ladies on the other. The order observed was
not materially different from that of their
sacred edifices, as the performance was al
lowed to proceed to the conclusion without
the slightest interruption.
The programme read as follows: "
... GRAND DRAMATIC FESTIVAL.
At the Court House in Bel Air,
Saturday, Augusta
In compliance with the request of several gen.
'-... MIR. EDWIN BOOTH
respectfully informs the inhabitants of Bel Air and
vicinity that he Will give one entertainments, as
above in conjunction with
MIR. j. s. CLARKE.
The performance will consist of
SHAKEsPERIAN READINGS, ETC.
PART FIRST -. 4.
Selections from Richard Ill.
hlCHsIu LII. MI. Il. DOOlll.
Selections from Merchant of Venice
The celebrated dagger scene from Macbeth & s
IhdCDttu MT DOOlll.
Selections from Kotzebue's Stranger.
The Stranger. Mr.. j. S. Clarke
Hamlet's Soliloquy on Death. Mr.. E. Booth.
Selections from 0tway's tragedy of
Venice Preserved.
Jaffier Mr.. j. S. Clarke.
Selections from Richeieu.
SdIullldl hlcHeltu MT. Il. bOOln.
The great quarrel scene from Julius Caesar
Brutus. Observation-Disclosures. Mr. Z. Booth.
Cassius. Mr.. j. s. Clarke.
PART SECOND.
| Yankee Stories, etc.
Mr.. Clarke's peculiar illustration of
"A Young Mans First Appearance as an Actor