The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-12-12
DRAMATIC AND LYRIC.

interesting article by E. H. House on
Edwin Booth in London" from
which we extract that portion describ-
ing a conversation between the great
actor and the novelist, Charles Reade.
1t will be remembered that Booths
London engagement while q, distin
guished artistic success, yielded only
light financial returns, and that the
outlook for the American actor was
quite dark until Irving made his gener-
Gus proposition for the joint starring
season at his theatre.
Mr.. House writes:
Before the end Of March the wearing
labors at the Princess We're finished,
and Booth was relieved of portion of
his cares. Il am indeed very thank
full" he wrote. for this idle month;
wish it could be trebled." The most
distressing cause of disquietude re-
manned, but he now had leisure to pre-
pare for the series of performances
with Irving, to which, as his mind re-
covered its elasticity, he looked for
ward with growing confidence. He was
in a brighter mood than 1 had be-
fore seen him in England when he
started to make the promised cali on
Reade: and TIE c0rdiality with which
he was greeted banished all sonber
thoughts for that day, at least The
interview took place in the drawing
room cf the pleasant house at Knights
bridge described by its occupant in "A
Terrible TelnDtation,'' and lasted
through several hours CT the afternoon.
Following an oid newspaper habit, [
noted most Of what passed while the
incidents We're fresh in my memory,
not with any distinct view OF ever mar
rating them in detail but mainly to
prevent certain facts and critical sug-
geStiOns from escaping me.
Those Who knew the brilliant novel
list are well aware that he did not or
dinarily shine in society. He was
more an observer than a talker, or
even a listener-his partial deafness
making it difficult for him to partici-
pate in or follow general colloquy.
OF all the celebrities, he seemed the
least DESTROYS of making himself at
tracuive, and a more silent man than
he in company could scarcely be found.
Persons unacquainted with his works
or reputation might have passed
months with him. in constant inter
course, without suspecting that he was
in any way distinguished above his fell
lows. On very rare occasions he threw
off his habitual taciturnity. and dis
coursed not merely with animation, but
with the earnestness and glow Of an
enthusiast. The faculty of arousing
himself was not readily at command.
Some touch of lively sympathy, some
happy recollection, or the impulse to
vIndicate some cherished principle, was
needed 10 SPUR him into fun activity;
but when thoroughly stirred he was
easily the first Of any circle IN which
he lningled. Without an effort. almost
unconsoiously, he held control; and
while the career Of his imaginative hui
NOR lasted, the charm he exercised was
irresistible.
It awakened memories of the period
when JuniUs BrUtus Booth was still g
commanding figure on the British
stage, into which he plunged with ar
dor relating incidents of probably
slight public significance, but deeply in
teresting TO his guest, who listened ca
gerly While various familiar traits OF
his fathers personality We're recalled.
You know" he began, what a
round Of the theatres would mean to q
college lad Up for the holidays. We
don't forget the acting Of our youth
and from about 1880 | had my chance tc
see all that was worth seeing. Your
father held his own when he appeared;
there was no question about that, al
though his appearances were few. He
was not so grave as you, young sir
not when I saw him. He was full OF
life fun Of fire, and made the Others
look tame beside him. though they did
their best to bestir themselves, for in
those days there was no tagging. They
called Kean imDctu0us. but Booth was
more so He never waited for effects;
not he, but sprang upon them the mo-
ment they We're in his reach. Very
few things escaped him. If his body
was not moving, his eye was always
busy. It went at its aim like q dart
Yes, the stage was all his own while
be was on it. That was the time OF
reaction from the p0mD and delibera-
ton Of the kembies. Kean began il
and Booth followed. Perhaps they car
ried it too far between then-high pres
sure and no repcse. They talked about
Kean's moderation at the end, but h5
never meant TO be subdued. His
strength failed, that was all. His spirit
was always riotous-and superb. May
ask how it was with your father.
Did he change after ne left England?'
Edwin suggested that his host haC
perhaps witnessed only such imper-
sonations as demanded constant force
and activity He could not concedt
that his fathers range was limited Il
any single class of characterization.
Likely enough, Reade admitted
you see, passion and vehemence CARR
young critics away, and blind them Il
other qualities. Yet it would spoil my
remembrance of your father to thinl
Of him apart from his holiness ans
Vivacity. OF course, he knew his Graf
and how to choose his methods. Some