New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-07
LONDON AND NEW-YORK.
HIS FIRST ENGAGEMENT IN ENGLAND.


Edwin Booths first engagement in London was
played at the l!aymarkct Theatre. under the man
agcmcnt Of j. Is Blackstone, in September, 1861.
At the suggestion OF the manager and contrary
TO his own plan and desire he began as ShyocIs
The public received him kindly but actors and
critics were cold. lie then acted Sir Giles Over
reach aud he closet the engagement with
Riclclicu. In the latter character lie arou'cd
enthusiasm. Mr. Blackstone regretted. too late.
that he had opposed the tragedians design of be-
ginning with that part.
From London lie went TO Liverpool and Man
chester but lie did not win favor in either
of those cities The Civil War lightning
to darkcn over the American Republic. and
a lively dislike for Yankees was prevalent
in those capitals Booth felt the force Of
that sentiment. He therefore made no further
trial Of fortune in England, but after a trip TO
Pa ris returned home with his wife and daughter
and resumed his place in his native land.
The Metropolitan Thcatrc-in Broadway, oppo-
site 10 the end Of Bond-st.-had bccoEIe Tie
Winter Garden The manager I. H. Jack
son long since dead. The acting manager wac tie
Momus of the banquet hall, William Stuart,
whose trnc name was Edmund O'Fahcrty-a man
of wayward life and intellectual brilliancy, and
u remarkable cxcmplcation OF Irish sentiment
and humor. That parsonage was destined TO cX-
ercise some influence upon Booths fortunes.
Their first meeting had taken place several years
before, at Wallack's Thcatrc-the house in Broad
way. near the corner of I,roomc-st. on the occa-
sion Of performance for the benefit Of H. G..
Booth acted Iago and Mr.. Stuart managed the
enterprise. They row met again. in more init
mate business relations. Booth made his first
appearance on September %, 1892 end with that
date began an important period OF his profess onal
lifc-a period that witnessed the practical u;za-
ton OF the popularity lie had previously gained,
actor Of the first order. That result was brought
about by means that are obviously sagacous but
are dieGt Of pracicethe conspico%s prssenia-
pearcd only in good parts he played them under
only good circumstances: he attracted and held
the public attention as the central figure in q
drama. The Winter Garden episode extended from
September 30, 1862. - March 81 1861 During
t the Psf nst G" n%irs T. rapid sue
lock. Iago. Richclicn, Richard Ill Romeo. Pes
cara. Sir, Edword Mortimer, ard Don Caesar dc
BaZan. His success VIVA unbOnndcd The best
class Of pgygocrs in Ncw-York attended his repre-
scntations and the discussion OF then in the
newspapers was conducted IN a ,symrlthrtic and
thoughtful sprit-shOwing that the chords OF feel
ing in the community had been smittcn with a
strong hand.
THE DEATH OF MRS. BOOTH
Az the close Of that engagement lc made n
professional tour of the country. On Fcb-u-
AIRY o. 1853, he returned 70 the Winter Garden
and again appeared as Hamlet: but he was i'll
in mind and body and depressed by pre-
sentiment Of impending evil. The engagement,
prcmaturely broken, lasted only till February 20
and comprised only eleven performances. On its
last night the actor was summoned 10 the bedside
Of his dying wife. He went at oncc--but he
reached home only to find its light cxtnguishe;l.
it, music hushed and its fair spirit departed. Thus
once more bitter bereavement laid upon his life
the heavy burden Of alliclion and sorrow.
Eooth now rcIirquisicd his Dorchester resi-
dence, bought house in New-lOrk, abandoned
his profcs~ioa and vent into retirement. with his
mother-contemplating long seclusion from pub
lie life. As time wore on however he began 10
feel the necessity Of occupation. The dreams and
plans Of his youth came back upon his mind; the
wish % "shinc in USE rather than to "rust un-
Furnished woke again and asserted Its former
power; and ut length he determined to improve
opportunities which then presented themselves
OF embarking with his brotherin-law John s.
Clarke. TO celebrated comedian, In two theatri-
cal enterprises Of magnitude and importance One
Theatre. Philadelphia; the other Kas the hiring Of