The morning call., 1893-06-11

The late Walter LemaD, in recording his
memories of stage experience, refers to
Mr.. Edwin Booths second visit to this
STATE. after his return from Australia,
whittier he had gone in company with
Laura keene and David Anderson, both
of whom have preceded him to the grave.
In the light of Mr.. Booths splendid career
a reference to his early years in the pro-
fession cannot fail to be interesting l
first knew Mr.. Edwin Booth, writes Mr..
Leman, in the old Sacramento theater in
1855. Up to May, 1886, he played there.
and in the Forrest Theater. an extended
round of characters with VARYING success
but with constant progress. His first per
formance OF Richard was in August, aud
the Sacramento critics pronounced him
promising" Same month lie played
Hamlet" Iremem ber it because played
the Ghost, and Mrs. Jud ah the Queen, and
the Union, next morning, said: Mr.. 4.
Booth portrayed the character of the
Prince of Denmark most vividly, and in
some scenes his acting compared very ia
vorably with that of Murdock." He ap-
peared as Demetrius in "a Midsummer
Nights Dream" and Antpholus of Syra-
cuse in The Two Dromios." He also
House." showing himself genuine star"
as the Sacramento Union remarked
Manton, in The Millionaire" Wild
rake in The Love Chase" were among the
many characters that ne played in support
OF the G6ugenheim sisters. He went to
Marysville in November and aiterward
united the two companies of the Forrest
and Ola theaters, Sacramento, and played
Benedick, Charles Surface anu Young
y aNas.-
her way through the Forrest divorce suit.
Reaching Sacramento, she leased the
"Old" Theater, and enrolled Mr.. Booth In
her company, with Henry SeGley and
others. Here Booths acting of Claude
Melnotte drew forth great praise, and
critic of the time declared that If the sub
ject of this notice will but amply himself
industriously and perSeverngly to his
profession he will ere long rank himself
among the foremost of living actors" This
was prophecy.
MIR. Booth made his great success as
run of nineteen nights, the MaIco OF the
cast being Mrs. Catherine Sinclair.
The company then went 10 Nevada City
and Marysvllle, and on returning to Sac
ramentn Marble Hearts" was replaced
on the stage and again had a long run, al
the end of which a complimentary benefit
was rendered Mr.. Booth in recognition"
as the bills declared, of the genius of the
man" and in honor of his great talent"
In March following Mrs. Sin
clair'S farewell benefit was announced, as
she was going East TO appear at the sec
ond trial of her divorce suit, and on that
occasion Booth appeared as the Due de
Chartres in The Follies of Night"
That performance was a strange medley
of the classic and Ethiopian drama
Booth. Sedley and Wheatiegh in the first,
Sam Wells, Billy Birch and Goes in the
last. .IOnu =. PaltPn next engaged Mr.
Booth for the Forrest, but the engagement
was DOT success.
In April Lewis Baker became manager
of the theater and Mr.. Booth was his lead
ing man. One night Sacramento dan
cing-master attempted Hamlet and Mr..
win as Galen and Mrs. Thoman as
Opheia. the dancing-master was not
satisfied with one exhibition OF his folly
and On attempting to repeat the piece met
with "Shale's" reception, beng hOoted
from the stage with shouts of Hands
across!" Ladies chain." Down the
middle" etc. A few nights later. Mr.
Booth played Hamlet to a SPLENDID bene-
fit, when the Union said, There is moth
ing now to hinder his onward march to
the highest distinction in his profession"
Prophecy again.
Mr.. Booth also appeared as Sir Edward
Mortimer in The Iron Chest" a charac-
ter in which his father was superlatively
great. Afterward he ran through the
whole range OF tragic characters with in
creasng popularity. and one night ap-
reared for the benefit Of the family Of
James King of William, who was murdered
by Casey.
In this continuous round Of arduous
effort extending over a period of twelve
months, Mr.. Booth proved the spirit that
was in him and which placed him at the
head OF his profession.