The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-01
THE ELDER BOOTH.

THE ELDER BOOTH.
YUNIUS BRUTUS BOOTH was one Of
the worlds greatest actors. and
~ Hamlet not even second to Edmund
Kean, according to many of the old crit
les. His temperament was peculiarly
fitted for the part of the princely Dane.
His son. Edwin once wrote, ITO compre-
bend the peculiar temperament with
which my father charmed, reused and
eubdued the keenest and the coarsest in
tel1ects of his generation. one should be
able to understand the great enigma to
the wisest Hamlet Then the son pro-
ceeds to give a series of parallels be-
tween the temperament of Hamlet and
that of his father; the conclusion being
that he was particularly fitted for the
part by his natural fantastic idiosyncra-
sizes
The elder Booth was a logician, lin
guist, a theologian, philanthropist and
an actor with Overwhelming and bewil-
dering ability. 1 say he was a linguist-
for he spoke in many languages He
would sometimes play in French, and
when acting Shylock he would render the
lines of the Jew in the ancient vernacu-
lar when 1t pleased him so to do. He
also conversed in Arabic, notwithstanding
opportunities to use that ancient tongue
were very infrequent. He delighted In
the study of theology. and spent much
time in the company of learned ecclesias-
tics, discussing the sublime mysteries or
religion. He had profound respect for
all phases of religious belief, and it was
his custom to lift his hat in reverence
rs he passed a place of worship. The
Bible was book of greatest sacredness
to him, and he was often called upon to
read parts of 1t before his assembled
friends, which he did with solemn dig
nifty, his reading often bringing tears to
the eyes of his hearers.
All this may seem Incompatible with
what the world has called his "frailty,'
but that apparent failure in his charac-
ter, Mr. Edwin Booth has satisfactorily
explained. He said Although his eccen-
tricities were invariably attributed to al
cohol the charge was mainly false. 1t
should be know that the fineness of his
organization was so accute that bottle
Of porter, his favorite drink when IA
tigued, or single glass of brandy and
water would excite him as much as five
times the same quantity would another"
Mr.. Booth was of short stature: per-
haps about the height Of the late Rich
ard Mansfield, and little taller than the
great David Garrick. His lack Of height
somewhat limited his repertoire. as war
eminently the case with Charles Kean.
who would at once say If a heroic charac-
ter were proposed, mo. / am too short
for It," This limitation, however, had
its compensation in the careers of those
actors whom I have named; 1t rendered
them more mastery in the parts they
played.
Booth was an ideally handsome man.
His profile was perfect, until an accident
befell in which his nose was injured
His countenance was of classic cast, q
quality that, found its repetition in his
sons. especially in John Wilkes. His
beauty. his slight frame and his wonder
full voice. together with his grace OF mo-
ton and marvellous histrionic resources
made him one of the worlds greatest
Hamlets.
when Booth came to America from
England he landed in Norfolk. Va, and
4 about a week thereafter he played for the
f,rst time in the new world in Richmond
I IN tne year lcHi, JuSe ~ yooAe e~>.~-
burning of the Richmond theatre, In
which holocaust nearly 100 persons per-
ished, including the governor of the state
The tragedy of the great fire was YET
fresh In the minds of the people, and We
may suppose that little enthusiasm was
awakened by the appearance of the Eng
fish tragedian; but In subsequent years HI
was nowhere more warmly greeted thar
IN Richmond. His sons, Edwin and Johr
wilkes. were we'll known in the Virgins
capital later on. the former marrying IL
that city.
N am Of the opinion that Creston Clarke
for sentimental reasons. made his debu
az . star in Richmond Mr.. Clarke II
the grandson of Junus Brutus Booth ant
the nephew of Edwin Booth. being the sor
Of Asia Booth Clarke. the wife Of thu
late John Sleeper Clarke. memory O.
whom is fresh In my mind. have seeI