The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-22
DINNER TO BOZ.


hundred and fifty geDtemen sat down 10 the
| table, and after the cloth was removed about
one hundred and fifty ladies entered The galleries
| in full dinner dress Professor Wilson was in
the chair, with Mr. Dickens on his right, and
| Sir George WaHender, Sir W lillian Hamilton,
Sir Charles Bell Professor Christison, Captain
Harrington, Professor Trail, Professor Syme,
ID, NJ. NOR, Esq, Alexander Blackwood, Esq.
Charles Neaves, Esq. advocate; and on the left
by the Lord Provost Of the city, the Hon. Bou-
verie Primrose Sir Edward Lees, Captain Sin
| clair, k. ~, Sheriff Cay, William Drysdale,
Esq. advocate, Major lrton, and - Kerr, Esq ;
Patrick Robertson, Esq. acted eroupier, sup
ported BY A. Anderson, Esq advocate, William
son Ramsay, Esq. Of Linxmount, Hon Horace
Walpole, etc. Many speeches We're made,
which elected great applause especially that Of
the eminent Professor Wilson, who in giving the
health Of Mr. Dickens made alusion particularly
10 his last work, Master Humphreys Clock"
and 10 the character Of little "NelL" The meet
ing is described as splendid tribute 10 the ge-
MUS and character OF the distinguished stranger"
The following is sketch of his Address, receiy-
ed with enthusiastic cheers;
Mr. Dickens said-If felt your warm and
generous welcome less, should be better able
10 thank you. If could have listened, as you
have listened, 10 the glowing language Of your
distinguished chairman-and II ! could have
breathe and words that burn which he has Ut
tered il would have gone hard but should have
caught some portion oithe enthusiasm and kindled
Ia his example. But every word which fell from
his lips, and every demonstration Of sympathy
and appreciation with which you received his
eloquent expressions, render me unable 10 re-
spond TO his kindness. and leave me at least at
all heart and nolips. (Great cheering.) learn-
ing 10 respond as would do 10 your cordial
greeing-possessing, Heaven knows, the will,
and desiring only TO find the way-the way 10
your good opinion, favor and support, has been
TO me very pleasant, path strewn with flowers,
and cheeTed with sunshine feel as if stood
among old friends, whom had intimately known
and highly valued. | feel as if the deaths OF
fictitious creatures, IN which you have been
kind enough TO express an interest, had endear
ed US to each other as real Affections deepen
friendships in actual life. feel as if they had
been real persons, whose fortunes we had pur-
sued together in inseparable connection, and that
/ had never known them apart from you
IL is difficult thing for man TO speak Of
himself or of his works. But, perhaps, on this
occasion, may without improperly, venture TO
say a word on the spirit in which mine were
conceived. / felt an earnest and humble desire,
and shall do till ! die, to increase the stock of
harmless cheerfuness. felt that the world
was not utterly TO re despised-that il was wor
thy of living in for many reasons. | was anxi-
Gus 10 find, as the Professor has SAID, II could,
IN evil things that soul of goodness which the
great Creator has put in them was anxious
to show that virtue may be found IN the bye
ways of the world-that it is not incompatible
with poverty and even with rags--and to keep
steadily through life the motto, expressed in the
burning words of our Northern poet
" The rank is but the guinea stamp,
The man the goud for a tbat"-( Loud cheers)
And in following this track, where could |
have better assurance that was right, or where
could have stronger assurance 10 cheer me on,
than in your kindness on this, to me, memora
bic night-(loud cheers.) | am anxious and
glad TO have an opportunity of saying word in
reference to one incident, in which am happy
to know you were interested, and still more
happy to know, though it may seem paradox
CAL that you were disappointed-l mean the
death of the little heroine. Whom | first con-
ceived the idea Of conducting that simple story
TO its termination, determined rgidly to adhere
to it, and never to forsake the end had in view.
Not untried in The school of affection in the
death of those we love, | thought what a good
thing it would be if, in my little work Of pleas
ant amusement could substitute a garland OF
fresh flowers for the scupured horrors which
disgrace the tomb.
If ! have put into my work any thing which
can fill the Young mind with better thoughts of
have written one word which can afford pleasure
consolation TO old or young, in time OF trial.
shall consider il as some thing achieved-some
thing which shall be glad 10 look upon in after
life. Therefore kept TO my purpose, notwith-
standing that towards the conclusion of the sto-
ry, daily received scores Of letters Of remon-
STRANGE, especially from the ladies-God bless
them for their tender mercies the Professor
was quite right when he said that | had not
reached TO an adequate delineation of their viz
tues and | fear that must 90 on blouing their
characters in endeavorng 10 reach the idea
have in my mind-(c heers.) These letters
were, however, combined with others from the
sterner sex, and some Of them were not altoge
her free from personal invectlve. But notwith-
standing kept to my purpose and am happy
10 know that many OF those who at first con-
demned me are now foremost in their apprcba-
ton.
II have made mistake in OBTAINING YOU
with tins little incident, do not regret having
done so for your kindness has given me such
confidence in you that the fault is yours and not
mine. come once more TO thank you and here
am in difficulty again. The distinction YOU
have conferred upon me is one which never
hoped, and of which never dared TO dream.
That it is one which shall never forget, and
that while 1--we shall be proud of its remem-
brance, YOU must well know. | believe ! shall
never hear the name of this noble capital Of Scot
land without a thrill OF gratitude and pleasure.
shall love, while have life, her people, her
hills, and her houses. and even the very stones
of her streets; and if in the future works which
may lie before me you should dscern--G God grant
you maya brighter spirit and clearer wit,
pray you refer II back to this night and point TO
that as Scottish passage for ever more. cloud
cheers thank YOU again and again for the
honor YOU have done me, and drink TO YOU all
with heart as full as my glass, and far less east