New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-20
PRIVATE DINNER WITH CHARLES DICK
EMS

A distinguished American actor, who heard
Mr. Dickens read from his works on two occasions
while in London recently said to me: You can
have no conception of the perfection of his manner
He is born actor ii ever there One and yet
there is not particle of stage exaggeration, either
in gesture pronunciation, nor any gTimace or
affectation in the playful pathetic changes of
his countenance as he indiydualizes the different
immortal characters of his own creation; while his
voice is the most musical and flexible that ever
heard in my life on the stage off it. His York
shire pronunciation, in the rendering Of John Bro
dies talk with Nicholas Nickleby, after his escape
with Smike from old Squress school, and the sOlilo
quieS and patter" Of Mrs. Camp, and the touching
description of the death of little Paul Dombey.
seemed TO me like original creations from the readers
desk"
] can well believe all this. At the dinner" Of
which | now proceed TO give you the brief
conclusion which promised, / noticed this dramatic
feature of Mr. Dickenss manner in several instances
heightened at that time by the extreme youthfulness
of his appearance, which is well represented IN his
portrait by Maclise, copy Of which Mr. Dickens
forwarded to ME from London, after the publ
cation of "Chuzzlewit" pronOuncing it as on the
whole the best which had appeared of him. The eyes
were large and lusrous and the hair prouse that
he could scarcely keep the large and wayy curls out
of his eyes.
At the dinner which had been given him at the City
Hotel two or three days before, bad noticed tho
curious antics of several boys, who had forced their
way to the roceptOn-rOom, before the company rad
gone down, and were surveying him with amazing
curiosity. asked Mr. Dickens # he saw Them, .,
Yes said he; who could help III | couldn't
precisely decide whether they came tQ 22k at me a.
a wild beast or a buildingl They kept Shy OF me -
if afraid of me, but beginning at my foundations,
surveyed me to the top of my head, taking in all
my architectural points as if had been church"
In speaking of Samuel Rogers, mention was made
of the little statuette bust which stood so long IL
hope it stands there yeti upon the manteplece IN
! Mr. Washington lrvings library at sunnysIde, and
| which had often examined with irrepressibie adj
miratOn! IL is perfect miracle OF gliness! al,
ways regarded as caricature until Dir IRVING tod
me one day that it an exceedingly good like ness
We were we'll prepared. therefore. for Mr.. Dckenss
anecdOte of Sydney Smith. who, when asked by
Rogers how he should be painted by some eminent
artist to whom he about TO sit said: In the at
itude of saying your prayers, with your hands De-
fore your facew
mentioned the fact tn Rogers that talleok when IN
England, had passed his house near Hyde Park.
" Tell him said Rogers. when he Is next IN En- En-
pass my house again-he must come IN"
Mr.. Dickens had been speaking OF visit which
he had paid day OF two before at the Iombs and
gave very graphic description of the differences
between the forms and proceedings IN English erim-
inal courts and our own. " In our courts said he
the prisoner is elevated in dock, kind OF I'M
sanctited pulpit, above the heads of the bench,
counsel jury, and in full view of the spectators
IN
tell the difference between the culprt and ms conn-
sell Then the table covered with dry, dislnfecting
herbs ito prevent jail-feyersl, spread between the
counsel and the prisoner, was another missing fea-
ture. Some general remarks among the company as
to the wearing of the barTlsters gown, were gen
orally in favor of that black silk distinctions but ths
horse-har wigs were, think laughed at ana voted
down, mem. con.
Speaking OF the Duke of Wellington. Gr. Irving
marked, when the ersati0n, deSuOry and pleas
antly changing all the while, had turned IN that III
rection. that the first time he had NEE HIM was IN
Paris not long after the restoration, although Ne ha
met him often afterward in society IN London ana
at his own residence at Apsey House, ana once,
think he sad,sa Strathhedsaye. But the lrst I'M
preston was never erased. The Duke was walk
| ing slowly along the Boulevard, with his narrow
| bIimmed hat "A small umbrella under his arm; tho
nose tres aquiiine. as in Punels passport the NIL
itary bearing all proclaimed the man; yet he was
comparatively noticed as he sauneTed along, looking
at the prints of the battle of Waterloo IN the adJoh
! ing windows.
| enough. Mr. Henry Breyoort. If remember rightly,
was the only person at the table who had ever seen
the Great Captain" Ii was at the Theatre iran
| caise The house was crowded 10 the utmost VITA
the most distinguished persons-miitary' sclentlnc'
and otherwise renowned-ot the gay caplal. III MAS
think. in 1872. Such galaxy of beauty ana spleh
dor had rarely been witnessed, even IN rams ana
rs the Emperor. attended By his military suite, en-
tered his pavilion box, the enthusiasm was un-
| bounded. The Emperor wore the military dIeSs III
which his greatest pictures have been preseIVedto
| posterty 81 thought said Mr.. Brevoort that no
seemed i'll ut ease though he acknowledged ms Wet'
! come with great grace and dignity. Ills coinpieNl0n
of the purest olive his broad forehead. compressed
| Inns and his firm and massive chm, were the chlet
features of his face which arrested and veted my
| attention lie watched the play with apparent in-
tcrest turning occasionally TO address an attendant.
or one or of the distinguished ladies of his court
| who accompanied him. >,
| But must close. OF tho guests at the dinner
| have endeayOred briefly To describe. MI Dickens
never afterward met but one. Henry lnman after
ward visited England. where he painted the pofun,s
OF Macaulay Wordsworth, Lord COddington lMl
these portraits i'm this city, and other dstln-
guiShed persons IlcTeuewed in London ms acquaht-
ance with Mr. Dickens but died soon atter ms io-
turn. L.. UAfLolp Liam
ARRIVAL OF THE CUBA WITH CHARLES DiChE"'
ON BOARD.
BoSroN, Mass. Nov 19-The Steamship
Cuba is signaed and will mp about 50 O'Clock tns
evening Mr. James T. Fields and Few "'heI son'i'
men proceeded below this afternoon In steam Jug 10 To-
ceiye Mr. Dickens who is passenger " 'u0 Nu'"' '
tending to bring him up TO- the city IN uie tug
The Cuba ala not reach the city unth - p H. anu IN
attempting to enter her dock was swept down the stream
and grounded on mudbank within about 90 teet OF her
dock The mails and portion of the passengers were
taken OF in a steam-tug. Mr.. Dickens landed AT 70
oeoc, and with few friends Immediately proceeded 10
rho parker House. where apartments had been engaged
lie anneared in good health aud spirits Tho aienes Oh
,e hour preyented any demonstration on the pag hA
81. D.