Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1894 — TOO NOBLE TO ACT IT. [ARTICLE]

TOO NOBLE TO ACT IT.

Salvlnl Thought Booth Too Good at Heart to Play M m bath. The celebrated actor Edwin Booth was at this timtf in Baltimore, a city distant one hour from the capital. I had heard so much about this superior artist that 1 was anxious to see. him, and on my oft nights I went to Baltimore with my impresario’s agent. A box had been reserved for me without my knowledge, and was draped with the Italian colors. I regretted to be made so conspicuous, but I could not fall to appreciate the courteous and complimentary desire to do me honor shown by the American artist, writes Salvini in the Century. It was only natural that I should be most kindly influenced toward him, but without the courtesy which predisposed me in his favor he'would equally have won my sympathy by his attractive and artistic lineaments, and his graceful and well-pro-portioned figure. The play -was “Hamlet” This part brought him great fame, and justly; for in addition to the artistic worth with which he has adorned it, his elegant personality was admirably adapted to it. His long and wavy hair, his large and expressive eyes, his youthful and flexible movements, accorded perfectly with the ideal of the young Prince of Denmark which now obtains everywhere. His splendid delivery, and the penetrating philosophy with which he Informed his were hisTnost remarkable qualities. I was so fortunate as to see him

•Iso 13 Richelieu and lago, and tn all three (4 these parts, so diverse in their character, I found him absolutely admirable. I cannot say so much for his Macbeth, which I saw one night when passing through Phil: adelpbia. The part seemed to me not adapted to his nature. Macbeth was an ambitious man, and Booth was not. Macbeth had barbarous and ferocious Instincts, and Booth' was agreeable, urbane and courteous. Macbeth destroyed his enemies traitorously—did this even to gain possession of their goods—while Booth was noble, lofty-minded, and generous of his wealth. Jt is thus plain that however much art he might expend, his nature rebelled against his portrayal of that personage, and he could never hope to transform himself into the ambitious, venal and sanguinary {Scottish king.