Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-08-31
THE EVENING STAR
DteL.u. i'm the Leesure R..-


A correspondent abroad who has been present
at one OF Dickens readings, describes the scene
as follows;
81 went to the first of the two readings which
he has just given IN Lonoon. IL WAS OF course,
a, 81. James, Hall, the m ost fashionable OF the
large assem oiy rooms of the metropolis, holding
zbOuL three thousand people. Long before the
doors were opened they were besieged by An
eager nulutude OF ladies and gentlemen The
price OF admission ranges from twenty-five
cents 10 a dollar and a half The larger ana
better portion of tine seats were reserved and
were Killed with people, the feminine pornon OF
whom was most, brilliantly dressed. 1t was
am usinR TO hear the Jokes and outcries OF the
people in the back part of the room, among the
70 characters in Dickenss writings. This was
before the arrival of the great man himself If
a person stood mp In front, he was saluted by
such nre in the rear as this: sit down, Peck
snif;' take OF your hat; Uriah Heep be q
little more 'umble' Hello, Squeers how's
the brins tone and treacler OF course at these
Tremendous hits there was great laughter
almost AT the moment announced Mr. DICK.
ems advanced upon the platform. He was in
. elaborate evening dress wore gloves and had
rose upon his left breast. Though he steps with
an elastic tread, and all his bearing is vigorous,
be IL showing signs of years in his face, an 4 in
the increasing badness OF his head. As the
audience IN the reserved seats were not all in
their places he stood behind the little table in
silence for nearly I've minutes, eagerly looking
about the hall, every now and then his face
lighting mp with playing smile as be recognis-
standing in silence would have been embar-
RAISING 10 some men, but he made good use of t
TO survey his audience and be surveyed by
d. Them. He twiried in his hand q beautifully
bound copy OF DIR. Marigold, but did not open
IL.
''At last, when the house was still, he began.
without preface or explanation, reciting the
Whole Of DIR. Marigold which he had written;
that Is, the first and last chapters. In the play
of feature, the telling glances of his eye, IN
gestures and IN attitudes, as well as in the won.
derful Hexibility of his voice and the almost
ventrlloQuial variety of his tones, II was
amazing and cons ummate specimen of acting.
His voice had out one deficiency, and that was
power TO pervade so large a room. From first
TO last he had the fullest control over his audi
ence, and brought tears to their eyes and laugh.
ter from their lips AT his will.
"His sustained vivacity, his ease and force,
the fun of his look and manner, the deIicacy Of
his Eaihos. and the intensity of passionate Joy.
particularly when DIR. Marigold finds that the
child of his dumb ward has a voice, united to
make Dr Dick ens's recitation perhaps the most
perfect and mastery display of histrionic
genius which London has witnessed for many
years This, at least, Is the decided verdict of
the old playgoers and theatrical critics; such as
Edward Yates, who Is The Elaneur' of the
Morning Star. In took Mr. Dickens an hour and
ten minutes to give Dr. Marigold. After a few
moments retirement, he came on again and
read MI. Bob Sawyer's Party and then sent
Us away home IN high glee and admiration