The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-28
THE ECCENTRIC BOOTHS.
THEIR PECULIARITIES DESCRIBED
By ONE VINO KNEW THEN.

An ola Actors "Reminiscences OF Junius Brutuu.
Junius Brutus, Jr., Edwin and John wilkes
rho Vein or Genius ana the Taint Of
Madness That Dweit in the Famous Family.
That the border limo OF sanity was touched by
several members OF the extraordinary Booth
family 7 think will be conceded by all who were
acquainted with their history, and certainly by
all who came in contact with them.
1t has boon my happiness to know them all
personally, from the first, Junius BrutuB, to the
last and youngest.
The terrible dced OF John Wilkes Booth, that
struck down tho foremost American Of our timo,
had Its origin in tho disordered brain of the
young mans father, for IL not madness there
was at least perversion OF Intellect In the pro-
genitor Of this brilliant and handsome family.
Junius Brutus Booth was still in tho twentios
when no measured himself against the great
Edmund Kean, who then dominated the British
stage. In spite of Booths handsome, expressive
face and powerful, mclodious voice, that won
him instant attention, Kean still continued to
hold his supremacy with press and public.
Booth had ability enough. but lacked steadincos
of mind and tenacity of purpose. for had he per-
sisted Kean's irregularities would soon have
given him opportunity. But love triumphed
over ambition. Tho would.be Roscius aban-
doncd the contest, loft tho field to his rival
and elopcd with the sweet and beautiful
woman who became the mother OF a family dis
tinguished 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 It is Of record that he appeared as
Orcstes in Racine's tragedy at the French
theatre in New Orleans, where he received the
highest acclaim. Theatrical tradition abounds
with stories and anecdotes OF the vagaries and
eccentricities OF this singular genius.
George Jameson. an excellent actor. onco told
me that he was strolling with Booth along st.
Charles street, New Orleans, when no tJamieson)
m1de some remark about the weather. Booth
fell upon his knees, and then exclaimed: "Oh,
wise young man. how much more elder art thou
than thy looks!" told this to Edwin, and he
said. THE old man was guying him."
When in Washington Booth and Gen. Sam
Houston of Texas were great cronies. 1t was q
picture worthy of Punch to see this eccentric
pair take their afternoon promenade along Penn
:ylvania avenue. Houston stood @ feet 4 inches
and Booth about 5 feet 5 inches. As 1t was
winter Houston's ample shoulders were covered
with a large gray blanket that reached to-
his heels; his grizzled head was sur
mounted by n hugo Mexican sombrero.
Booth was fashionably attired in q brown,
long-skirted overcoat, with buttons high up in
the small of his back. and his classic head hold
up a high-crowncd 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 bent, and were soon lost to the view
OF the amused pedestrian In the hospitable por-
tails Of Hancock's hostelry. Inevefsaw this sim
gular man and mighty master of tragic emotion
again after this engagement at Washington.
One night Junius Booth gave us his idea of
Othello, whom he made as black as a negro.
What with his wretched dressing and handy
lopa ha VIVA N a0rrv aiOht Not evan hta Apa
reading could save him from occasional ripples
Of laughter. But, despite his eccentricities, he
gave US some great acting during that, to me,
memorable week. His Richard and Shylock
were thrilling In their whirlwind of passion.
The great scene in tho Iron Chest with WI
ford is still vivid in my memory. His curse.
should the boy reveal the terrible secret, was
appalling in demoniac fury. Tho flesh still
creeps at tho nero recollection.
Yet when the wonderful actor came from the
scene he was az playful as q kitten. had the
part OF FitEhardfnoe, an old man. When he
first saw me early in the evening he scrutinized
me most mysteriously. "What do you play r.
he asked. "~Fitshardinoc," said I. my boy.
my dear boy. this won't do at all. You are not
made up properly. Come with me and I'll fix
you" and he did. I found out what amused tho
actors when I glanced into q mirror. I was made
up like ~Scnramouch. The great man was hay
ing fun with me.
Yet he was kindness itself. Twas very young
and very nervous, and had mislaid my cane. No
young actor can play an old man without q
cane! The great man hunted every corner until
he found it.
In 1882, under the auspices of his son Junius,
he went with Edwin to California. His success
there was marred by his unreliability, and he
New Sss%f oFiean reaT Where e1 he acted tedff Tor a the i last sim &c.
his closing parts being Sir EdUdrd Mortimer
II !R the Iron a. Chest hes s. and Tb: y9an TTfSi nn in The he
boarded the steamboat J. S. Cheneworth and was
taken suddenly i'll, dying before no could reach
an inglorious end to a checkered career.
On a visit to California in 1855 l first met
actor. Like his father. his head was moulded on
classic lines, but no had a figure Of more athletic
amiable expression bespoke him a man whom it
Willie playing at tho Chatham Theatre, New
York, the unsophisticated youth had been
caught in the tolls of matrimony by the expert
enced artist, Glementina De Bar. sister Of the
noted Ben DE Bar, comedian and manager. This
prepossessing of feature. firing Of this incom-
atmosphere Of California with the Argonauts
and carried with him young and handsome Har.
riet Mace. whom he soon made his wife.
saw Junius often, and found him a sensible,
upright, amiable man. He had not the least
and his brothers. Nor was sn" there much OF the
suspicion Of the 1diyine ire, that gave ths
t MitS he efi mmor Snd "t VIZ b a claim = to s6 be Gls ac;et
and had some supreme moments. He was a
superb athlete and had few peers with either
foil OF broadsword. With the celebrated maitre,
Col. Monstery, who had his sale d'armes at
Frank Nhccler's gymnasium in San Francisco.
we had many a hot assault with foil and
sword. often winding up with a few rounds OF
the manly art.
Junius Brutus Booth. Jr.. came East in 1867.
his wife having died, leaving IA daughter. He
became lessee Of the Boston Theatre. lie mar
ricd Agnes Perry. a fine actress, relict of Harry
Perry, an excellent actor, who died in California
IN 1851: Booth was not a SUCCESSFUL manager
leased Booths Theatre on. Twenty-third street
and Sixth avenue. He failed to make the rent
for the owners. so Edwin told me. They were
not good managers for themselves. but art did
not suffer. 1t was said that Edwin lost $500 600
In his theatre. But in his time he earned over
81 800. 900 as q player.
Edwin Booth had been In California for some
years acting q wide range Of characters, excel
ling In negro dialect parts. He visited Australia
IN, company with Laura Keene and his lifelong
friend. David c. Anderson. and stopped at the
bind wich Islands on his way back to California.