New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-07
EDWIN BOOTH.
TIE RECORD OF HIS LIFE AND WORKS.
Ely WILLIAM WINTER.

Edwin Hooth was born near Baltimore Mary
land. OH November 10, 1888. He was the fourth
son of Junius Brutus Booth-a name as brilliant
in the annals of the American stage as 'ha' VI
Edmund Kcan, whose rival he was IN the anh'''
Of the stage OF England The elder boo'h was
then thirty-seven years old, had been iol sc'en
teen wears an actor. and was in the merlui'" Vi
his life, his greatness, and his 1ane. Dc'"'c"
him and Edwin there existed from the first deep
and fcrvcnt though undcmonstratVe sviiPa'ii'
As Edwin grew up his close compromising
seemed to be more and more needed ana desired
by his father and so it happened that he was ire
ouently taken from school to accompany the
xrcat actor in professional expeditions. Inc
early training that he received was itfui ana super
hciaI. Experience OF the world, however, ana
sometimes rough experience, combined with lrreg-
ular schooling 10 develop his mind and mature
his character. As boy he was grave beyond his
years, obeervant. thoughtful, apprcciative OF his
surroundncs and especially rctccnt. At an early
age he began to travel with his father, ana In
deed was the chosen guardian OF that wild, strange
original genius, possessing greater inf lcnce
over him than was exercised By any other person.
That association, operating upon hcreditsry talent
wrought it's inevitable result in making EDWIN
Booth an actor Tho strange life that he saw ana
led-a life in which fictitious emotions, imaginative
influences and everyday trvialiies arc sinGui"rS
blended-exertcd it's charm upon sensitive YOUTH
at once allurng him toward the stage and prepar-
ing him for It's profession.
HIS ENTRANCE UPON THEATRICAL CAhEE"
ACCIDENTAL.
Edwin Booths immediate entrance upon q
theatrical career was made precipitately, and was
accidental II occurred al the Museum In Bos'oh'
on September 10, 1S40 The elder Booth was
then fulfilling an engagement there-the last out
one that be played in Bcston-and his son was with
him. Richard ILL.," Cibbcr's version, had been
east, and the prompter Of the theatre, TO whom
was allotted the minor part of 1rcsscl deslrous 10
be left out Of the bill. persuaded Edwin TO take
his place. That arrangement was made without
the knowledge Of the father, nor until the nisho
before the announced performance did he learn
that his son designed to appear: and he did not
approve of the design when at length he became
aware Of IT, From the first, indeed, and Tor
long time the elder Booth opposed his sons adop-
ton of the stage. Nevertheless Edwin drltted
into that pursuit and persevercd in It, ana soon
his father became reconciled to his course Inc
Museum appearance attracted only mohentary
attention, but that effort was speedily foi-
lowed BY more ambitious attempts, Az
Providence, l.. in the same season. the young
sspirant played Cassie. in "Othelo,' and WlMord.
IN "The Iron Chest"-his PRESERVATION of the latter
auspicious At the Arch Street Theatre. Phila-
delphia. then managed by Edmon S. Common, his
performance of MILFORD met with particular appro-
bation Another OF his Juvenile efforts III which
careful observers dscerned the germ of excellence
was his embodiment of Titus in John Howard
Paynes tragedy of "Brutus.' Once, in Wash
inqton when the elder Booth enacted the lion
hearted hero of that tragedy. Payne was one OF
the audience and he expressed cordial appreciation
of Edwin Booth as Titus.
For more than two years, in desultory man.
per acting with his father in various cities Of
the Eastern States, the beginner continued TO
advance. His first appearance on the New-iork
stage was made at that time, as also was his
frat ATTEMPT in tho character Of Richard III.
The first Of those events occurred on Scptem-
Der a. 1850, at the National Theatre, Chatham
st.. where he played MILFORD, TO his father as
Sir Edward Mortimer The second occurred at
the same theatre in 1851, when at his fathcrs
command and on night set apart for his fathers
benefit he undertook Richard. Only brief
notice was given to him. The Richmond was
John R. Scott, tragic actor Of approved talent
who once enjoyed a considerable repute. Illness
was assigned by tile elder Booth the cause OF
his withdrawal from the bill; but it was sur
mised that the illness had been fcgned in order
that Edwin might suddenly he pnt to a severe
practical test. Hastily conceived and rendered
possible by concurrence Of accidents. the cx-
pertinent Yves carried through with not unnatural
precipitation. While the young actor was putting
on the garments OF Glostcr q friend stood near
him. holding the play-book and hearing hts re-
cital Of the part, 20 make sure that he was pos
sessed of the text and TO refresh his memory
wherever 1t should be at fault. No announce
ment was made of change in the cast, and no
preliminary explanation was given to the audience.
Not until Edwin stood upon the stage and the
vigorous applause intended for his father had
abruptly lapsed into silence did the gravity of
the situation appear. The assemblage, which
was numerous, received the new Gloster with sur
prise and GOODNESS An eager throng had
gathered 10 sAe famous tragedian in
his most characteristic embodiment 1t
might we'll have been astonished at sight of The
stripping in place Of the giant. Its behavior,
however was considerate and generous. AS the
performance proceeded the identity of the actor
became manifest, and so did his unexpected power
and brilliancy. Pleasure soon succeeded 20 sur
prise and honest and hearty approval finally re-
warded q courageous effort. Edwin was called
out at the end of the play, and Scott who
led him forward, responded TO the public greet
Ing and spoke the gratitude Of the adventurous
performer.
TIE ELDER BOOTH TAKES HIS SONS TO CALI.
FoRNIA.
Those were the first steps 1t was in California
though that the hardest work of Edwin Booths
early professional life performed, and there his
first substantial success was gained. His eldest
brother, Junius, had visited California. and had
brought home rosy reports of the opportunities
Afforded there for the rapid acquisition Of wealth.
Il was his conviction that his father would have
great prosperity in that Edorado-where yet the
gold fever Of ls49 was epidemic-and he strongly
urged tho wisdom of visit to that region. The
plan did not at once commend itself Ia the elder
tesgedian, but ultimately, though with reluctance.
he adopted IT When free from the baleful insanity
which lurked in his noble. mature and sometimes
srisveusly afflicted it. the elder Booth man of
sweet and delicate temperament, sympathetic with
WhatSv>s u best Of refinement and dignity in
cid civilization, and he was therefore to con,
tact With the asperities incidental TO new and