Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee

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Title

Edwin Booth to Jervis McEntee

Description

In his letter to Jervis McEntee, Edwin Booth goes on for a full page about difficulty getting this letter written. He mentions the Land League, and knows that McEntee is not interested in it. He talks about acting and his career saying that the crowds are smaller than he might have expected.

Creator

Booth, Edwin

Publisher

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Date

1881-01-30

Format

pdf

Language

en

Identifier

300420
T1881.01.30-MISC

Transcription

20

Jan 30th '81

St. James's Hotel, Piccadilly.

My dear Jervy-

I don't know if I ought to write to you today. I'm in the mood for it, but my time is limited---having to dine out in the course of two hours, and though that should be sufficient for an ordinary letter---yet the knowledge of such a doom hanging over one prevents a concentration of one's thoughts. Your last was read and burned, according to your wishes, though why it should have been destroyed I failed to comprehend. Although as I said, I'm in the mood for writing you---yet I doubt if it is 'wholesome' to let myself out to you at such times, 'twould be far better if I could distract you with jolly gabble and newsy gossip, but pent up as I am within the "wings" & "foot-lights" of the play-house I can tell you nothing that the papers have not already stated. I think I did let


myself out a little in my last---to which I hope to have an answer soon. Yesterday I had a note from Lycester, who says he will come to town next week. He saw in some paper that a "Land League" was forming at Rondout and wonders "if McEntee---?" I s'pose no & should tell him so. I'm so [jolly?] green in all such matters that really I don't know what this land league business is all about. I only know that Englishmen seem to be in a sort of "[freeze?]" about something or other that's going on in [Erin?] . No, I've not met Conway---strange, too, that I have not. To be frank---I've rather avoided my countrymen here; most of them who travel are so talky, so spread-eagley; I am sure that they have done me no good by their extravagant praises. I feel perfectly sure, however, that I shall (if time to do it be allowed me) overcome the little prejudice that still exists against me. As to my overestimation of my success here---it


may appear ungrateful---but really it seems to me a sort of kindly tolerance of something they do not quite appreciate. Many, in society, rave idiotically; some solid heads nod approvingly; the critics pat me gently on the back, & the audiences seem quite as well disposed as I could wish---but in spite of the talk---pro & con---& the fact that I've been steadily acting here since the 1st week of November, the audiences are smaller in number that one would think a real success shd attract. Judging from the Boughton's attentions I presume I am all right, but the Smalley makes me doubt. his wife & daughters are sociable & kind, he is courteous but as you see, his letters to the Tribune almost ignore me---or give but a passing notice of my acting here. Some screw's loose there. It is very difficult to keep from repeating what I've already written you for I have so many correspondents


now that I forget what I've said to each. You must be indulgent this time---for the hours are getting thin & my wits are wobbling. Six weeks more & then for a long loaf of---perhaps---six months, before I try the provinces. It may be I shall not act again in London for a year---owing solely to my own stupidity in being tricked by a rascally manager, [Gooch?] I'm now in the midst of Othello & Iago---which the critics fail to recognize as good, & compare me with some flop-eared [illegible] here, but those who do not write pronounce perfectly satisfactory. One writer, who finds fault in print, says in private I am the greatest actor he ever saw, & several such asides have been made by those who dare not (for some reason) say as much aloud. The severe winter is gone & the warm damp weather is with us again. The former agreed better with Mary than the present atmosphere. In my next I hope to be more sensible & interesting. Our loves to you all. God bless you. Edwin

Status

Complete

Percent Completed

100

Weight

20

Original Format

paper and ink
4 p
20 x 13 cm

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