The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-07
ALL ECCENTRIC.
PeCuliaritieS of the Booths
Described. -
An OldActOr'S Reminiscence
of JuniuS BrutuS.
Vein of Genius and the Taint of
Madness In Famous Family.

That the border line or sanity was
touched by several members of the extra
ordinary Booth family / think will be
conceded 10y all who were acquainted with
their history, and certainly by all who
came in contact with them.
1t has been my happiness to know them
all personally, from the first, Junius
Brutus, To the last and youngest.
The terrible deed of John Wilkes Booth,
that struck down the foremost American
of our time, had its origin in the disor-
derod brain or the young man + father,
for II not madness there was at least per-
version of intellect in the progenitor of
this brilliant and handsome family
Juuius Brutus Booth was still In the
twenties when he measured himself
against the great Edmund kean, who
then dominated the British stage In
spite of Booths handsome, expressive face
and powerful, melodious voice. that won
him instant attention, Kean still contin-
ued to hold his supremacy with press.and
public. Booth had ability enough, but
lacked steadiness of mild and tenacity
of purpose, for had he persisted keans
Irregularities would soon have given him
opportunity But love triumphed over
ambition. The would-be Roscius aban-
doned the contest left the field TO his
rival and eloped with the sweet and
beautiful woman who became the mother
of family distinguished for great talent
and beauty He went TO Amsterdam,
where 1t is said he acted in the Dutch
language. He was an accomplished lin
guist, for 10 is Of record that he appeared
rs Orestes in Racine's tragedy at the
French theater In New Orleans, where
he received the highest acclaim. Theatri-
Cal tradition abounds with stories and
anecdotes of the vagaries and eccentrci-
ties of this singular genius.
George Jameson, an excellent actor,
once told me that he was strOlling with
Booth along st. Charles street. New
Orleans, when he (Jamieson) made some
remark about the weather. Booth fell
upon his knees, and then exclaimed;
elder art thou than thy looks" l told
this TO Edwin, and he said, 1.-The old
man was guying him"
When in Washington, Booth and
General Sam Houston of Texas were great
cronies Ii was picture worthy of Punch
10 sec this eccentric pair take their after.
noon promenade along Pennsylvania
avenue Houston stood feet inches
and Booth about feet . inches. AS il
was winter Houston's ample shoulders
were covered with a large gray blanket
that reached TO his heels; his grizZled head
was surmounted by "A huge Mexican
sombrero Booth was fashiOnably attrea
in "A brown, long skirted overcoat, with
buttons high up in the small of his back
and his classic head held up high
crowned silk hat; and thus they marched,
little Booth clinging to the arm and with
difficulty keeping pace with the sturdy
strides of the hero of San Jacinto They
were on pleasure Dent and were soon lost
20 the view of the amused pedestrian in
the hospitable portions Of Hancock :
hustelry. / never saw this singular man
and mighty master of tragic emotion
again after this engagement at Washing
ton.
One night .Junius Booth gave us his
idea of Othello, whom he made as black as
a negro. What with his wrotched dress
ing and handy legs, he was "a sorry sight.
Not even his fine reading could save him
from occasional ripples of laughter. But,
despite his eccentricities no gave us some
great acting during that, To me. memor-
able week. His Richard aud Shylock
were thrilling in their whirlwind of
passion.
The great scouo In the "Iron Chest"
with Mlford, Is still vivid in my mem.
ory His curse. should the boy reveal the
terrible secret was appalling ~ domonia;
fury. The flesh still Crecps al the mere
recollection.
Yet when the wonderful actor came
from the scene he WAS as playful as
kitten / had the part nf Fitzhardiuge.
in tho evening no scrutinilcd me most
mystcriously. What DO you play ho
asked. "Fitzhardinge, said I. My
boy, my dear boy, this won't do at all.
You are not mado mp properly. Come
with me and I'll fix you, and no did
] found cut what amused the actors whom
/ & anced into mirrur. | WIS uadc up
like Scaramoucb. lie great man was
having fun with me-
Yet hc was Kindness itself. I was very
young and very uoivous, aud had mi .laid
my cane. No young actor can play an uld
man without u cauei Tie grent man
huutcd every corner until he found a.
In 1852, under the auspices ~ hi- son
janus, hc went with Edwin .n tuliiur-
U1H n success. thOfU was munro d. h.s
uurli ihilIty aud ho ruturupd. lolyirg
Edwin there, and landed at Sew Oricljl-,
where DO acted for the last Unc. his
closing parts Ocng sir Edward MDttincr
an tbo Iron Chest" ana John Icimp m
tie " Rev lew. at tho IT Charles thcitcr.
lie blurted the Steamboat J. - Chcna.
worth aud wns taken suddenly il, diving
iriorc Do could IcacI medical aid, uncnrad
for and almost unknown, an irglol, rs
end % q chockCrcd career.
.Cn visit " California In 1856 l lrst