happened in those
days, Mr. Booth, notwithstanding his great capacity, and reputation
with the town, had very little share. He adhered constantly to Mr.
Betterton, while he could be of any service to him, and when his tutor
retired from the management of the stage, he trusted to his merit, and
the taste of the public, in which he was never deceived.

Mr. Booth was particularly turned for tragedy, he never could bear
those parts which had not strong passion to inspire him; and Mr.
Cibber observes, that he could not so well melt in the lover, as rage
in the jealous husband. Othello was his master-piece, but in all his
parts he was often subject to a kind of indolence, which some people
imagined he affected, to shew that even in his lazy fits he was
superior to every body upon the stage; _as if secure of all beholders
hearts, neglecting he could take them._[C] The late ingenious Mr.
Whitingham, who perfectly understood theatrical excellence, and
who was, beyond any man I ever knew, distinct, and accurate in his
relations of things, often told me, that such was the dignity of
Booth's appearance, such his theatrical ease, and gracefulness, that
had he only crossed the stage without uttering a word, the house would
be in a roar of applause.

We come now to that period of time, when Mr. Booth's sole merit raised
him to the greatest height, and procured for him that reward he had
long deserved. The tragedy of Cato, which had been written in the year
1703, or at least four acts of it, was brought upon the stage in 1712,
chiefly on a political principle; the part of Cato was given to Booth,
for the managers were very well satisfied that nobody else could
perform it. As party prejudice never than higher than at that time,
the excellency of the play was distinguished by the surprizing
contests between both factions, which should applaud it most, so
the merit of the actor received the same marks of approbation, both
parties taking care to shew their satisfaction, by bestowing upon him,
most liberal presents, the particulars of which are already inserted
in the life of Addison. The run of Cato being over at London, the
managers thought fit to remove to Oxford in the summer, where the play
met with so extraordinary a reception, that they were forced to open
the doors at noon, and the house was quite full by one o'clock. The
same respect was paid it for three days together, and though the
universal applause it met with at London, sur