The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-05
BOOTH AND READE.
A story of the Meeting Between the Actor
and the Novelist in London


and the Novelist in London.
K. Fl. Hause, in an article in the Cen
fury. tells of a meeting between the
actor Booth and Charles Reade The
novelist expressed great admiration for
Americans and the actor asked him
why he did not visit America. as he
would be sure of a warm welcome.
All, yes, they would treat me we'll
very well-too well | used to think of
going, and have land out many a plan
with our friend here. Lectures-no! 1t
would have been teaching my children
to suck eggs. | might have read them
a new story, or put a new play upon
the stage. It's too late now. I am too
old to go through such a round of
hospitality as they would give me. 1
should never come back alive
Il think you could indicate your
wishes in that matter, and they would
be respected"
impossible. A guest must not die
tate the manner of his entertainment
and it would be ungracious to reject
any welcome kindly offered. And even
If L asked it L should probably not be
too well pleased to be left alone. Be-
Sides, Reade added, with more serious
ness than he had yet shown, there is
another consideration. / could not be
at ease-it would go against my con-
Science-to accept what / should get in
America, thinking all the time of the
niggardly way we use your people. You
don't remember. perhaps, what the
Americans did for Thackeray. L do.
And for Dickens, who had given them
little reason TO like him. He had many
doubts about his wisdom in facing them
again. | never had. They had shown
what they We're made of when, in spite
of their unsettled grievances they sent
pity and help to Lancashire. ] told
Dickens his suspicious We're unworthy
of him, and | am bound to say that one
of the first things he did when he came
back was to send for me to Gadshil
and confess how wrong he had spoken.
He spoke with tears in his eyes, and
said he envied me-think of that!-en-
We'd me for being the first English
author to win the American heart by
keeping clear of injustice. 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, | know and he would have proved
it If he had lived
We have no Dickens or Thackeray
to send YOU" Booth remarked; but if
we had. do you think their claim 10
gratitude would be denied ?"
Il judge from what | See" answered
Reade. AT least. those who come in
your line of work mostly get the cold
shoulder There was jefferson, whose
acting was the finest of art. Small sat
isfaction for him in England. Your
brother-in-law, Clarke, had to fight
tooth and nail only to get a place that
was worth nothing compared to what
he left at home. | admired his pluck,
though l could never understand why
he struggled so hard to gain so little.
Your own case, if you will let me speak
frankly, is a very striking Illustration
of the cold blooded Indifference that
ipritafaG me 10 1.rpdilnlp 4 eli
that the leading actor of England
should visit America. and be received
there as you are here? What have we
given you? Only a certain amount of
fame, If / may call it SO: and even that
is probably grudged YOU by high and
low in theatrical circles.
Il have no reason to think that" said
Booth. IF Irving had anything but
the best feeling. he would not have
made the opening for me at the Lyce-
um. | had not expectation of it, So
far as | know, it is wholly his concep-
ton
He may have had many motives
replied Reade: and they may all be
good ones. 1t is "A feather in his cap
undoubtedly. If he makes a tour in
America, and they say he thinks of it,
his courtesy to you will turn out one
of the luckiest hits of his life. Mark
my words, his earnings, as he counts
them here, will be doubled, at the least,
in your free-handed country. | don't
say that this is in his calcula tons
though it may be without any discredit
TO him-but the result is certain. Your
friends will not forget his service or let
it go unrewarded."
Not if l can help it," Booth ex-
claimed.
Surely, and it should be. I think,
Also that Irving may be conscious of
some American obligations in the past.
He owed great deal to the industry
and devotion of his American manager,
Bateman. We know what he is to-day,
and we believe his success is deserved.
but he might have waited for ii many
a long year without Batemans helping
hand. | have watched Irving since he
first set foot in London, and / know
that for years he made scarcely step
ahead. Then. under Bateman, he went
up like rocket. They used to say the
manager overdid it. but / like man
who will fight through thick and thin
for his faith and his friend. Poor Bate
man, His championship cost him dear
in the end. His last tilt in behalf of his
leading man brought the stroke of heart
disease from which he died. | suppose
Irving has not forgotten that
"A man who can do a good turn is
not the sort to forget one" said Booth,
with emphasis.
Let us hope so. Certainly ] shall al
ways think the better of him for what
las. &c .3asr fl.