PUBLISHER'S NOTE.

THE admirable photograph which faces the title-page, was taken by H. G. Smith from a marble bust of Mr. Booth, sculptured by the author of this volume.

THE TRAGEDIAN.

DECEMBER, 1852.

TEN days ago a private letter from New Orleans assured us, that the great actor of the age had arrived from the "Golden Land," was then playing an engagement in that city, and appeared in remarkably good health.

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which

Swiftly following this intelligence gave us hope soon again to "have sight" of the Proteus of Shakespearean character 'coming from the sea," and hear once more the strange inward music of his voicecame last week, with "spleen of speed," the telegram that he had died on the passage to Cincinnati.

Our first feeling was the pang of a personal friendship, suddenly parted. Then came the thought that a great artist, the greatest in his sphere in our day, had passed