The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-06-28
Dir. lsaflff }. I.::.

DiakeH'f Be0d8g@.
At the readings of the great novelist,
GharleS Dickens. a London letter says:
Il Will. once for all, give yoa a sketch
of his manner, and OF the scene usually
presented when he appears. went 10
the first two readings which h has elN=
en- in London 1t was, OF course, al nj.
james Hall, the most fashionable 0i the
large assembly rooms Of the metfoeo-
lis, holding about three thousand peo-
pie Long before the d3af5 We're open
ed, they were besieged by an eagaf nlul-
ttude OF ladies and gentlemen. Inc
price of admission rang rom twenty
five cents to a dollar ana a-ilaii. Inc
larger and better portion OF the seats
were reserved, and We're filled with
people. the feminine portion OF whom
were most brilliantly dressed. It was
amusing to hear the jokes and outcrles
Of the people. in the back part OF the
room. among the uHfeesfNed benches.
They were all illusions to characters III
Dickens, writings. This WAS before the
arrival of the great man himself. II q
person stoodu up assaulted BY such fire
in the rear rs this: 'SIt down. Pechsnili.
Take off you hat, tr1ah Heep, be Il lit
de more 'umBie. Hell, Squeers, hoW's
Che birthstone and treacle?' OF course,
at these tremendous hits there WAS great
laughter. Almost at the moment an
n0unced Mr.. Dickens advanced upon
the plato He Wasin elaborate even
ing-dress, wore gloves, and had Il rose
upon his left breast. Though h steps
with AN elastic tread, and all his bear
inc is vigorous, he is showing signs OF
wears in his face. and in the il creasing
badness of his head.
"As the audience in the reserved seats
were not at al in their places, he stood
behind the little table i'll silence for
nearly five minutes, eagerly looking
about the hall, every now and then his
face lighting up with playful smile
as he recognized his personal friends be-
fore him. This long standing in silence
would have been embarrassing to some
men, but he made good use Of it to sur
vey his audience and be surveyed by
them. He tWirled i'll his hasd & beau
tiful bound copy OF DR.. Marigold, but
did not open it. At last, When the house
was still, he began without preface or
explanation. recit.ng the whole of DR..
Mafigold, which he had written; that is
the first and last chapters. In the play
OF feature, the telling chances Of his eye,
in gestures and in attitudes, as we'll as
in the wonderful fleNibility Of his voice
and the almost ventriioquial variety of
his tones, it Wasan amazing and consun-
mate speciman ofacting. Hisvoice had
but one def .ieney, and that was power
TO pervade 50 large a room. From first
to last he had the fullest control over
his audience, and brought tears 10 their
eyes and laughter from their lips at his
viii. His sustained Vivacity, his ease
and force, the fun Of his look and man
ner, the delieacy of his pathos, and tic
intensity OF passion joy, particularly
when DR.. Marigold finds that the child
Of his dumb ward has a voice, united to
make Mr.. Dickens recitation perhaps
the mos perfect ard mastery display Of
histfionic genius, which London has
Witnessed for many years. This, at,
least, is the decided verdict OF old play
goers and theatrical critics, such as Ed
ward Yates, who is The 'Flaneur' of the
Morning Star.
.lt took Mr.. Dickens AN hour and ten
minutes to give DR.. Marigold. After q
few moments retirement, he came on
again and read Mr.. BobSawyer's Party
and then sent us away home in high
glee and admiration.o