New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-07
THE FINAL SCENES.

ana juliet -Almn. AlOuloSka paying Julct-and
soon after ii was demolished.
THE FINAL SCENES.
CLOSING YEARS OF MR. BOOTHS STAGE CAREER
On August II. 1875. whilc driving near STAN
ford. Conn, Edwin Booth was thrown from his
carriage and severely hurt His left arm and two
OF his ribs were broken. and for several weeks
lie lay in an almost helpless condition. lie re-
covered and on October % he resppeared upon
the stage. at the Fifth Avenue Theatre. In
1876 he made tour of the Southern Statesl
under the management Of John +. Ford. and
subsequently, he visited California: and every
where he was received with enthusiasm.
In San Francisco, where he filled an Engagement
OF eight weeks the receipts exceeded $780, 900.
In 1856 he was the recipient of farewell BAN
1uet, at DelmonicOs, prior to his departure for
England, at which Judge John r. Brady presided,
and which was attended by distinguished repre-
sentatives Of the arts and the learned professions
from all parts of the Republic In that year,
and again in 1884, he visited England. He
hlled an engagement at the Princess Theatre,
London, in 1882, and later he joined Henry Irving
ot the Lycenm Theatre, and those famous actors
represented, alternately, Othcllo and Iago-Mss
Ellen Terry appearing as Desdemona. In the
autumn season Of 1928 lie went TO Germany
and acted, with prodigiouS success In many of tho
principal cities of that country. The rest Of his
career was upon the American stage, and during
period Of five years. ending with the death Of
Lawrence Barrett March 20, 1871 he WIS As
socated with that admired actor and tried and
devoted cOmr,de: and it was while travelling and
actlng with Lawrence Barrett that he had the
first stroke Of dangerous illness-a paralysis Affect
ing the tonguc--whch befei him at Rochester.
~ y; on April 3, 1889. Hc did not take
formal farewell Of the stage, bit closed his pro.
le'Sonal career with performance OF Hamlet,
at the Academy of Music, Brooklyn, on April 4.
lSol-the character with which his temneramcrt
was most congcnal. and with which his illuS.rious
name will always be associated in history.
EDWIN BOOTHS LAST APPEARANCE.
A record OF that performance was made by tho
present biographer, in The Tribune Of April 5,
1891. in the following words:
Edwin Booth ended his season yesterday after
noon at the brooklyn Academy Of Music, giving
a Performance" Of Hamlet, and this was followed
with deep interest and received with afrectionate
admiraton by multitude as numerous as could
be crowded into that great theatre. Every scene
was observed with a vigilance which s keener
than that Of critical tastc-the vigilance Of the
heart How much and how truly Edwin Booth
is respected and loved might readily be seen in
the faces Of that eager throng.
Mr. Booth played Hamlet in that mood Of poetic
exalfa'on, pensive melancholy. and exquisite re-
fin"ment fer which his acting Of the part has
always been distinguished. and also in thai tone
Of settled spiritual pain-that' atmosphere Of pro-
found, memorable grcf-whch is inscparabe from
a right embodiment Of Shakespeare's conception.
Poetry in the art of acting cannot be carried fur
Their than it is by Edwin Booth and as he now
passes into his chosen retirement, whether 1t be
long or short, can but feel that there will b
a darkness upon many fields of the Shakespcarean
drama until his gentle. gracious figure comes
once more upon the scene, and his voice of elo-
ouence and Of beauty speaks TO us again.
After the last curtain. the applause was wildly
enthusiastic. and it continued for long Time Ihe
audience rose, and there was loud cheering, ana
Mr.. Booth was recalled again and again. In re:
sponsc TO the last of those calls-the sympathy and
sincerity of which could not be doubted-the ira
gedian came forward and spoke follows:
Ladies' and Gentlemen: | scarcely know what
TO say, and. indeed, ! can only make my usual
s7sa sd viii pa
hope that this is not the last time shall have
tho honor Of appearing before you. When como
attention than have ever given e, whatever part
may play I hope that my health and strength
may be improved. that can serve yon better:
and shall always try to deserve the favor you
Mr. Booth withdrew amid copious plaudits, and
the audience slowly dispersed
BOOTHS INSTITUTION OF THE PLAYERS CLUB.
The last public service done by Edwin Booth
wns his institution of the Players Club. On the
last night Of tie year SIS, and Just before
the death Of the old year, the members of The
Players Club, founded by Edwin Booth, assembled
for the first time and were formally Installed IN
their home The assembage began TO convene
about IL o'clock and soon upward of hundred
gentlemen were gathered in the CHEEKY paror
ard around spacious fireplace, awaiting the
signal for the beginning Of new career of festival
.,I hnn t.lin,vshin Among the Dlayers
Edmon = Connor James f. Murdoch, and John
Gilbert the oldest actors. of national reputation
then surviving in America Colbert and Common
have since died. Ii nears II o'clock when
Edwin Booth, the founder of the club and its
first president, taking his place upon dais IN
front of the heartllstonc. formally addressed his
associates. and in brief speech, marked Oy deep
feeling, dignity, and winning sweetness Oh
manner, together with sincerity and simplicity OF
language, presented To them the titlc-deeds to
their cub-housc-the building No. IL Gramcrcy
Park, next to the maIsion OF the late Samuel }.
4 !dcn-which with all its unique furniture. beau-
tilul and rare works art costly decorations.
WAS his personal gilt To the ciGD. The applause
tat greeted him was emphatic, ana II came d.
rectly ro tic hearts OF All wlo hearu MS .o.'
ior every heart iclt the absolts earnesfness ot
his words and recognized the noble generosity VI
hi, conduct. No speech was ever in better TASTE
nor was there ever Il good deed done WIN ao'o
grace, humility, ana sweetness - ,.,,
Upon the scope and qualities Of Edwin Booths
dramatic genius II seems impossible that commons
should take the form OF absolute pteoispn. nv
subtle odor Of the jasmine is not more lluslve tlan
is the secret of that magnetic charm which at once
cnkindles and bollows the Intellect; making u
potent TO beguic mankind Of equal admiratiSn
and love. Spiritual essenee seems always st to o"'s
words 4 human soul is not to DC described III
tho endless study of dramatic criticism. moreover.
the results of analysis can never he geneTaiy ac-
ccptabIr To comprehend amply and minutey an
actors ideal of an authors conception, and TO com.
pare that ideal with ones own approving ,dMas xth
dun concession for know ledge impaired and due re.
vision of instructed opinionl. is the obvious. lise
and usual method Yet 1t seldom leads s'usens
IN unoualifcd admiration of all the WORKS OF an
actor and il often leaves critics Of liberal cultnre
and competent udsment in the attitude OF WIG WIG
dissent from one ane'her's conclusions: mo
salient attributes OF Booths acting were lmagiha.
ton iniuitive insight. spontaneous grace. intense
cmotionaI fcrvor and melancholy refinement. IN
Hamlet. Kichelieu O:lello, Iago. King Lear. Ber.
tuecio and Tucius Brutus they were conspicuonsy
,nanifest But perhaps the controlling attribute.
Tho one that Impaired irdi,i'lnnl character.