Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-06-08
a DESCRIPTION OF CHARLES DICKENS

DESCRIPTION OF CHARLES DICKENS.
A correspondent Of the Boston Post,
writing from London, gives the following
interesting description of Dickens, the
prince Of novelists, who is at present char
ming the people of that great city with
nightly readings from his writings:
Precisely at eight Dickens makes his ap
pearance with white kids, red rose in his
butto onhole, and jaunty little walking
STICK with ali ivory handle. lie is in full
evening dress of black, and wears no lew
eiry but ring and watch-chain. ue
! steps briskly forward swinging his cane,
and at once taking his stand at the desk
without any preliminary introduction, qui-
etly surveys his audience. Loud and long
continued clarping announces his presence,
but he does not yet begin. An English
audience are never punctual, and by twos
and threes they continue to pour in long
after his arrival. Dickens calmly awaits
till quit. llo is man Of gentlemanly and
polished exterior--His head is quite bald,
and he wears a noustacho and whiskers.
Ills hair is grey, and ho has eyiodntly long
outgrown the "Boz" Of younger DAYS.
His expression is genial, and his manner
confident, though unassuming.-Though
he has slight stoop, yet his form is man.
ly and of good proportions. There is but
little expression Of character in his face
and his checks are ruddy, rs of one who
loves good cheer. His ears are set very
far back, which is generally regarded as
sign of great intellectual power. His FORE
head is high and the labors of life Of
fi!ty-four years have not left wrinkle up
on it. Evidently his works have been
done with ease and love, as the natural out
springing of mind full Of subjects that were
drear to him, and causing little mental anx-
iety. Altogether Dickens strikes ono as
man who has spent half century, in the
exhausting labors Of literature, but in the
enjoyment of life passed in the joyial So
ciety Of good company and boon compan-
ions; who has for years been ''full warm of
mirth, of gossippiug, nor met with fortune
other than at feasts."
DIR. MARIGoLD.
1t is full twenty minutes past eight be-
fore the voice Of the reader strikes upon
the ear, and all else is hushed. The part is
DR.. MarigoId, ",he Cheap jack" and
though the book is before him, the speak.
er never opens it, but trusts to his memory,
which never fails him, to the ond. AS has
been often illustrated by his own appear
ance in private theatrioals, Dickens has
great degree Of dramatic talent, and in his
readings it is used with admirable results.
Though he has not much facial expression,
though he has not that nervous sensitive.
ness which many great actors possess, and
which make Mr.. Home. tho spiritualist, so
effective as reader, yet he has other quail
tiles that render his delivery very impress
sive. He has good voice and an anima-
ted expression. His hands arc used freely
and with excellent effort. He is never en-
tirely forgetful Of his audience or lost in
ispart, and yet he shows throughout that
nice appreciation Of each character, which,
every author might be expected to possess
for the children Of his brain. His air, his
gestures, and his voice, i'll short, clearly ex.
press his sympathy with the moro delicate
lights and shadows Of the parts he imper-
sonates, and give his audience a deeper in
sight into the inner lie of those whom
they thought they knew SO we'll before.
The story Of DR.. Marigold he read with a
mingled humor, pathos and naiveto that
never supposed it capable Of:
Fishing Conundruma. What fish NAV