New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-07
EDUIN BOOTH.

Tho blow that has long been cNPctd mas III
last fallen, and Edwin Booth Is dead by TINS
death the community loses the foremost ana 'hc
h-, of American actors and one Of the greatest
,rng,dians that nave ever lived. 10 the sufferer
himself ,h. end cape as a nerciful release from
misery. Edwin Booths Illness, obviously, from the
first. was Of a fatal character, and the pain and
decay with which IL was accompanied not only
could not bc cured but could scarcely IN initiated
To his frcnds-and no man was ever blessed with
more profound AMI constant afcction-thc loss II
\ hitter bereavement; but thcy Eavr reason
for submission and patience when they consider
what he has been spared and they have a great
consolation when they remember what a noble char
ac,cr he developed what a beautiful life ho lived,
with what undertaking purpose and splendid IN
tearity ho used the faculties o. genius for the beLc-
fit of mankind, what an ideal OF purity, stdtciin"sS
and grace he fulfilled, what blessings OF goodness
he dlilus1d and what a stainless and radiant cN-
ample lie has left 10 his profession and To the
world II it DC succcss-and III the full sens" OF
that word il certainly is succ.ss-so TO live that
tie world shall be better for your presence, and
YOUR feow-crcaturcs shall he strengthened and
ennoblcd by your influence, Edwin Booth has had a
life Of splendid triumph: and nov that II is onded
h, sleeps in blessings and his laurel can never
fade.
Impcllcd equally by instinct ara scase Of duty,
Edwin Booth took high and serious view OF life,
and he never paltcrcd with it, His sense OF hnmor
was especially acute, Yet it never made him friv-
oous: still less did it degrade him 10 the level
of the commonplace His mind was noble; his
spirit was grave, contempatiye and intense; his
temperament, although sweet, was sombrc; and
his feelings although Jctceht, were tenderly scnsi-
tive and ancctionae. lie absolutely devoid
az .ootism and COMFORT liz. WAS indeed proud
and rcsoutc, but ut the same time he was const-
tutionally humble and simple. No man was ever
less thoughtful Of himself, or more consderate
Of others. No man WAS ever more genuine. lie
took no reward that he had not earned and no
honor that was not entirely his due. From the
first he fixed his eyes upon the lofticst height.
lie steadily attempted great things, and his a.
tempt was justified by his decd In singlencsS Of
purpose, in devotion 10 spiritual, moral and intel
lcctual beauty in allie iancc TO art in poise Of
character, in cheerful patience. in b"ngnity and
sweetness in fidelity to ddty, in simplicity and dig
nitv of lile in scope and height Of artistic purpose
and in worth of artistic achievement whether as
a man or as an actor, he was an exceptional person,
an honor TO human nature and IA blessing to It's
time
Much is heard in this period about the influence
Of the age upon individual character, and. III the
public taste The practical recognition Of those
forces A. rules Of conduct is tine resource Of i'll
trinsicaly weak and subordinate minds. Original,
powerful and independent, Edwin Boot, took his
own course, walked in tie pathway that was nat
nral TO him. fulfilled hi, destiny. AMI made and held
his audience from first to last Never once did
he condcscend 10 the popular caprice Never did
he regulate his professional conduct by consld-
Grafton Of any theories TO the alleged desire Of
the multitude lie proceeded on the simple doc
,rine that the best plays in the language the
plays that ought To be presented, and that the
highest style Of dramatic art Is the style that
ought TO be displayed. These plays he produced,
| ana Of that style of art he was the conspicuous
and victorious exponent. lie gave the people, no.
what they are supposed to want but what toy
| ought to have; aud he 80 impressed them by his
sincerity, and 50 fascinated them by his q Mus.
that during "A stage career OF forty two years they
| followed him and accepted his leadership witt,
| cver-increasing admiration, sympathy, confidence
and delight. In thousands of homes, all over the
land the feeling of the hour il not simply regret
| for the death of a great nan, but sorrow for the
loss of personal friend. In thousands of hearts,
| during tho generation now closing, life has been
made fuller and richer by :he ministratlon OF his
beautiful art, and fvr time 1t must indeed seen,