[Footnote A: See Jacob, p. 55.]

[Footnote B: Venus.]

* * * * *

BARTON BOOTH, Esq;

It[A] is but justice to the memory of this great actor to give him
a place among the poets, if he had been less considerable in that
province than he really was; for he appears early to have understood
the Latin classics, and to have succeeded in occasional pieces, and
little odes, beyond many persons of higher name in poetry. Mr. Booth
was descended from a very ancient, and honourable family, originally
seated in the County Palatine of Lancaster. His father, John Booth,
esq; was a man of great worth and honour; and though his fortune was
not very considerable, he was extremely attentive to the education of
his children, of whom Barton (the third) was born in 1681.

When about nine years of age, he was put under the tuition of the
famous Dr. Busby, head-master of Westminster school, under whom some
of the ablest men have been educated, that in the last and present
age have done honour to the nation. The sprightliness of Booth's parts
early recommended him to the notice of Dr. Busby: he had a strong
passion for learning, and a peculiar turn for Latin poetry, and by
studying the best authors in it, he fixed many of the finest passages
so firmly in his memory, that he was able to repeat them with such
propriety, and graceful action, with so fine a tone of voice, and
peculiar emphasis, that it was taken notice of by the whole school.

In consequence of this happy talent, when, according to the custom of
the school, a Latin play was to be acted, a considerable part thereof
was given to young Booth, who drew by the melody of his voice, and
the gracefulness of his action, the applause of all the spectators,
a circumstance which first fired him with theatrical ambition, much
against the inclination of his father, who intended him for the
church, and was therefore careful of his education. This propension
in our young Roscius, recommended him still more to the favour of
Dr. Busby, who bestowed the most lavish encomiums upon him: Busby was
himself a great admirer of theatrical elocution, and admirably fitted
by nature for the stage; when he was young, he obtained great applause
in a part he performed in a play of Cartwright's, and from that moment
held theatrical accomplishments in the highest esteem.

When Booth had reached the age of eighteen, and the time approached
when he was to have been sen