The Washington times., 1922-10-29

-- S~~eAACu "AtAACeS PAS~S-
dent. and never repeated SO far as
records tell.
An official invitation--a plea,
signed by John Breckenridge. Vice
President Of the United States, and
almost every executive In two Of
the three branches Of Government,
was rendered Patti to favor Wash.
ington with another concert before
she left. Foreign ambassadors and
other ENJOYS enthusiastically sign
ed the request. Patti consented
and sang several nights later. regis
tering one Of the greatest triumphs
of her career. for the tribute was
twofold-to her talents and to her
kindness in rendering q farewell
appearance.
The history Of the Washington
stage from 1850 to 1soo-or to the
present even-was one distinguish
ed by growth and finer develop
ment than with characteristics
markedly different from those Of
the first fifty years from 1900.
New stars transcribed the older
ones; better plays were demanded
and offered; better theaters were
built and designed. Tn odium
attaching to the early career of
the stage and to the actors estate
was disappearing. Even before
1850 every walk Of life was repre-
sented in theater patronage. from
Presidents and Cabinet officials
down to the humblest worker,
resting his chin on the iron rail
in the gallery and dropping pea
nut shells on parquette patrons.
Two wars, the assassination of
Lincoln, the birth Of polite"
vaudeville or variety and success
full experiments with animated
pictures were notable events that
allied with the second fifty.year
period OF the stage in the Capital.
1t is excusable now to skip
names. dates and other details, in
teresting perhaps. but too volum-
inous for space requirements. One
or two high lights of the period
VII serve to suffice.
A few words on q young man
who. in 1863. startled the Capital
with his delineation Of Richard
III and who. two years later.
startled the world when he leaned
to the stage Of Ford's Theater
after numbering President Lin.
coin.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
John Wilkes Booth was the
youngest tragedian in the world
when he first appeared at Growers
Theater here, April II. 1868. Two
nights later, Lincoln was among
those in the audience to admire
and applaud Booth in his dual emo
tional role in The Marble Heart"
Young Booth" said a writer of
that time. reminded theater.g .goers
of his father, Junius Brutus Booth.
The son seemed full Of his fathers
genuine inspiration. The play of
his features was intensely express
sive Of the words. More intense
and complete expression OF agony
than his features expressed in Shy
lock had never been seem" Booths
next appearance here was ten years
later. when he opened at the Wash
ington Theater. Eleventh and c
streets. Besides the actor Of chief
import he was also the lessee and
manager Of the house. As to his
Richard, on this occasion, a chron-
icler said in part:
His genius was wonderful and
displayed itself in the fourth and
fifth acts Of Richard so strongly
that the effect on the audience was
absolutely startling and bordered
on the terrible" And as to his
Pescaro IN THE Apostate:"
"1n this great character he stool
hout a rival. His exhibition Of
disappointed v''la'ny was entirely
beyond description"
Booth also appeared at Ford's
Theater in 1868. electrifying the
audience. which was the largest
ever gathered to see him in Wash.
lng+on. He did not appear here in
1864. but gave one benefit appear
ance IN 1855 and then. in the role of
assassin. he plaved tragedy on the
night Of April IA. 1865. that moved
world to tears. Booth was shot
TO death In barn nearly two
weeks after L'nco'n's' assa ssina tion
nv a cavalry trooner and was
brought here and buried. Several
times within the next four Years
his hodv was d's'nterrnd and buried
In other spots. On rs final removal
to baltimore In 1869. an examina
ton showed the body in fine state
Of preservation. "the long cur'y
locks looking as though they. had
been subjected to BARRIERS