The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-08-21
From the London Times, July 13th.]
Mr.. Dickens as an Actor.

never, PropaOly, IN any aSe, oiu prISato
theatrical performances attain to such high
degree Of celebrity MS those which took
place last winter at Tavistock House, the
residence Of Mr.. Charles Dickens. None
were admitted TO witness them, save the
friands Of the ameteur manager, but SO
wide is bis circle of acquaintance, and SO
great is the social influence held by many
ofthe persons of whom it is composed,
that the "Tavistock House TheatricaIs,
soon became celebrated throughout the
whole literary and artistic world Of London.
The number who actually saw the perform
ancc did moi, most likely, exceed five hun
dred, but most Of them were not only talk
ing men, but men whose talk is sure to iin.l
listeners !; and hence the fact that Mr.
| Charles Dickens was an actor of far high
cr kind than had been demonstrated by his
eailler amrtuer performances, was one Of
the best affirmed facts Of the day. Under
these circumstances, it was but natural that
when on Saturday night, the "Tavis,ock
performances took place before such of the
public rs chose to visit the "Gallery ofIll-
ustration" for the benefit Of the fund "in
remembrance OF the late Mr.. Douglas Jer-
rold, the long room was crowded to reple-
tion. The Gallery, it will be remembered
is not in the shape of a theatre, but it is
an oblong room, the length Of which far
exceeds its breadth, and hence the intcrmi.
nablescrics Of heads presenting curious
aspect to spectator i'll the vincinity Of the
stage.
An audience which is select as we'll as
numerous, and the humhlcst constituents
of which pay 5s. for their places, is not apt
to indulg in those noisy demons rations of
delight that arc so freely given by the mix
cd assemblies Of an ordinary theatre. But
never WAS there feeling Of a deeper and
more genuine admiration than was left by
Mr.. Charles Dickens in the minds of his
auditors at the conclusion Of Mr.. Wilkie
Collins drama, The Frozen Deep" There
was literally gasp Of applause when the
curtain descended, and the conversation
that ensued during the interval that pre-
ceded the farce was compose ola lauda-
tory criticism Of details. 10 gain the cool,
deliberate appreciation Of such an audience
was no small triumph. The ringlealcrs Of
conversation OH such occasions arc men,
who. to use a common phrase, are sup TO
cverythng,' especially i'll matters connect,
cd with public amusement, and whose or
gan ofvcneration is hy no means largely
developed. They would rather grasp an
opportunity for 1nizzing tie ridiculous than
seize IN occasion for a'lmiring the sublime.
When such as these not only murrnur forth
their admiration, but discuss the causes o!
it, who among an audience could raise a
d:s>cnticnt voice
The performance Of Mr.. Dickens rs The
vindictivc and (afterward) penicnt Richard
Wardour is, in the trucst sense of the
word, creation. Nay, we may 90 fur
tller and say that is the creation ola liter,
airy man-tlat is doubtful whether any
mere actor, unless under the influence OF
some extraordinary sympathy with the
palt assumed, would attempt ,c fill mp an
outline with that elaborate detail that is
introduced by Mr.. Dickens into Mr.. Col
Inns sketch. We feel that if Mr.. Dickens
had had 10 describe in mar, ative from the situ-
ations of the Frozen Deep, instead oil ac-
ting them, he would have covered whole
pages i'll recording those manifestations of
emotion which, not having his pen in his
hand, lie now makes by the minutes yvaria
tions of the voice and gesture. Where m
ordinary artist would look for "points" OF
effect, lie looks for "points" of truth. A
specimen Of humanity in which every
twtc.l Of every muscle can be accounted
for is to be with all the elaboration of nc.
tuaI nature, no matter whether it be admi
rcd or not
When Richard Warlour tells the story
of his disappointment in love, there is am
pie opportunity for such noisy grief and
m:ny stride to the foot lights, hut Mr..
Dickens dares to keep down his voice
through tho whole Of the narrative.-The
effect may be monotonous-but what OF
that He who talks not for the sake of
display, but simply that he may relieve his
mind from an oppressive and almost hu.
initiating burden, will necessarily he mon-
otonous. man louder under the sense OF
wrong would have excited less uneasincss
in his COMPLIANT. But such a man as Mr..
dickens prcscnts-a man strong in the
command of his voice, but weak in sun
pressing the language of his eyes and faci-
nj muscles-a man whose constant at-
tempts to hide the internal storm By slight
slmuations ofgood fellowship only renders
more conspicuous the vastncss Of that
which he would conccal-a man who has
habit of losing his temper in a manner
that mere external circumstances do not
warrant-such man is a just object Of ter
ror. Richard Wafdour, as depicted 10y
Mr.. Dickens in the second act Of tue Fro
zen Deep, is the most perfect representation
of doggcd vindictivencss that the i,naoin
tion could conceive.
Mrs. Dickson's New Petticoat.
Ameek, quiet-looking person, calling
lrim self John Dickson, was detected on Fri
day in the very act of stealing large roll
of re-! flannel from the door Of dry goods
store in Eight, street. lie did not deny the
fact, put attempted to palliate his offence
by the following address to the Mayor: