The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-06-09
10 LOVE NoR MIs GAINING.

own tu6I, tleEe uuu lVIeFeI
NO LOVE Foa MS CALLING.
Remarkable Letter Booth Wrote to
Friend who YeaFned to Become an
Actor.
Through the kindness OF Mr.. Charles
Leonard Fletcher the Herald is enabled
to present letter from Edwin Booth to
friend who was anxious to make act
ing his profession, but isnow a promi-
nent physician in this city In 1t Mr.
Booth reveals distaste for the stage
which will surprise thousands who have
known him as tue greatest American
actor OF his oga The full text is as
follows;
NEWPORT, July 81, 'S4.
My DEAR IL was indeed startled,
and must confess panied, by your letter
announcing your determination to aban'
don your profession for that OF the stage,
and in sincere trankness | beg you to
reconsider the matter, for ] really no
hope for satisfactory result from such
change,
The feelings which prompt you to
take this step--I mean your love, en-
thuaiasm and natural inclination-do
not imply an ability for the art There
are hundreds OF disappointed lives
wasting on the stage, where they felt,
as you do, that u brilliant destiny
awaited them
You may DO able to recte in private
with perfect ease and propriety, even
MIL, oyoallapna and yaf hova M nthaP
qualification for the highest form Of
dramatic expression. IL Is o life OF
wearisome drudgery and requires years
of toll and bitter disappointments to
achieve a position worth having,
You can form no idea OF tho many
who solicit my influence, every season
professionals and amateurs, friends
and strangers, Of all qualities, male and
female. IT'S very seldom that ] can
serve them, Tor managers prefer to
Judge for Themselves; and as my Sup
port, no matter how capable it may
be, has been abused by the press for
many years past and will bs 10 the end
OF my career, my recommendation is not
regarded by managers whose Judgments
are greatly influenced by what the
critics say.
have, known many who, like you,
gave up home, friends and res actable
positions for the glitter OF the actors
calling, aud who are now fixed for life
in subordinate positions unworthy their
breeding, education and natural refine
ment. | beg you as your friend and
sincere well wisher to abandon the mis-.
taken resolve and enjoy tho drama as q
spectator, which pleasure as an actor
you would never know, and retain the
family, friends and happy home that
are now yopra. Had nature fitted me
for any other calling l should never
have chosen the stage; we're ] able to
employ my thoughts and labor in any
other field l would gladly turn my back
ON the theatre forever, An art whose
professors and followers should DO Of
the very highest culture is the mere
uakeshift OF every Spectator and boor
that can hire a theatre or get hold Of
some sensational rubbish to gull the
public / am not very much in love
with my calling as it now 10 land, fear,
will ever be); therefore you see how
loath am to encourage any to adopt it.
know you will take my advice, as it
il meant in sincere kindness, and be-
lieve that my only wish is to spare you
the sorrow that must follow the course
you would pursue. With cordial re-
CARDS for yourself and family, ! an truly
yours. EDWIN BooTH.
Not many, except Mr.. Booths most
intimate friends, knew how Respondent
he was for the future Of the stage. AT
the time he wrote the letter he was at
the zenith OF his successful career.