The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-01
BOOTH AND READE.
Meeting of the Tragedian and Novelist
I'm London

I'm London
Mr.. Il. III. House contributes an article
to the December Century on Edwin
Booth in London" Mr. House tells of
Booths visit to Charles Reade, who was
great admirer Of the American actor
After Reade had spoken Of his admiration
or Americans, Booth asked him why he
did not visit this country, assuring him
hearty welcome. Mr.. House then records
the following conversation:
"Ah, yes they would treat me well--very
weil-too well. used TO think of going and
have laid out many plan with our
friend here. Lectures-nol 1t would have
been teaching my children to suck eggs
/ might have read them new story, or
put new play upon the stage. It's too
late now. 1 am too old to 20 through
such n round of hospitality as they would
give me. / should never come back
alive
II think you could indicate your wishes
in that matter, and they would be re-
spected.
A"Impossinle. A guest must not indicate
the manner of his entertainment. and it
would be- ungracious To reject any well
come Sindly offered. And even If asked
it 1 should probably hot be too well
pleased TO be left alone. NBesides," Reade
added, with more seriousness than he had
vet shown, there is another eonsidera-
tion. l could not be at ease-lt would 90
against my consoience-to accept what l
should get in America thinking sll the
time Of the nigRardly way we use your
people You don't remember, perhaps,
what the Americans did for Thackerav,
| do. And for Lickens, VINO had given
them little reason to like him. He had
many doubts about his wisdom in facing
them again. l never had. They had
shown what they were made of when. in
spite OF their unsettled grievances, they
sent pity AID help to Lancashire told
Dickens his suspicious were unworthy of
him. and l am bound TO say that ono of
the first things he did when he came back
was to send for me To Gadshill and con.
Tess how wrong he had been. He spoke
with tears in his eyes, and said be envied
Ine-think Of that tl-envied me for being
the first English author to win the
American heart 10y keeping clear of in.
justice. He said, too, that from that time
forth he would write for the whole of his
race. which he had never done before. He
meant this l know, and he would have
proved il if he had lived "
I'VE have no Thackeray or Dickens
to send yoa, Booth remarked: "but IL
we had. do you think their claim 90
gratitude would bo denicdg"
81 judge from what / see, 4" answered
Reade. "At least those who coms I'm
your line of work mostly get the cold
shoulder. There was Jefferson, who's.
acting was the finest of fine art Small
atisfactiGn for him In England. Your
brother in law, Clarke. had To fight tooth
and nail only To get place that was
worth nothing compared to wnat no left
at home admired his pluck, though
never could understand why he struggled
So hard Co gain SO little. Your own case.
N YOU will let us speak frankly. is
very striking illustration OF the cold
flooded iu1ifferenoe that irritates rue
Is ID credible I ask YOU. that the lesding
nctnr of England should visit America.
and h. received there ~ you are her,Y
what have We given your only a GER
tain amount Of fame. " may call 10 so
aud even tina, is probably sruoged.ou ty