Show edwin edal L booths memory the tha follow ang letter from edwin booth to oliver J lay Is published in the ce century imury tor for october in no an in interesting selection from the correspondence 0 of f the great actor blottman house december 26 isas my ily dear vr mr lay I 1 have heard that ame of my friends among the players desire to compliment me by placing a portrait of myself in character on the wall of the club reading ng room us as a a surprise 8 for me on the lie opening night and that thal your hamlet has been suggested tor for that purpose orr on some other occasion I 1 could no not t decline such auch a manifestation of good feeling but under the present cir circumstances UM while the house housa Is yet my own to be presented to me by others luers I 1 from the indelicacy I 1 a should hould be guilty or of were veto I 1 to permit any ajay oon con portrait of myself to be e exhibited X therefore I 1 request your noncompliance with the wishes of my overzealous friends tri enda who no doubt will consider me morbidly sensitive on the subject it may bo be so but tl my nature t and no effort of mine can evl overcome e r my aversion of anything live of self licit glorification which a prominent portrait of myself on such an occasion ca 9 ion would evince since the has leaked out and I 1 am no longer a stranger to their diabolical 7 plot I 1 shall request the gentlemen gentleman who are interested in the well meant compliment to spare my Y blushes till hame future time when the property will bo be theirs to decorate as aa it may please them best I 1 bave written to acquaint you with my feel al alt on this eubel t which I 1 ara am sure you mill bill respect very truly yours BOOTH |