Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-10-11
The Dickens.

DlthtL-.
1t is officially announced that Mr.. Dickens
will leave England for this country either on
the Goth Of this month or the % Of Novem-
Der. lie came before to see the country and
to make book, was honized as no other
foreigner ever was IN this country, and when
be afterwards said some sharp things of US
in his American notes, and held up to ridi-
cule some Of what be considered to be Amer
lean characteristics, in his Martin Chuzzle-
wit, the tide turned and be was as thorough
" and excessively berated, as he had before
been fattered. In both there was excess.
There was no occasion to treat Mr. Dickens
with such toadyism and extravagant atten-
tlon as be received in New York and else
where. Nor on the other hand were his
American Notes - such awfully severe
and illtempered criticisms of our people as
they were cracked down to be, as any one
who will read the book now without preju-
dice Will see. Mr.. Dickens comes this time
to male money, as he or some ere for him
has announced-to read extracts from his
own novels TO American audiences His
reception will probably be somewhat different
from what it was before. lie viii ind that
the country has grown some in twenty years,
and that the people are considerably more
indifferent to bis praise or blame. But be
will doubtless draw large audiences and be
successful in his main object Of Dickens
appearance a correspondent Of the Boston
Post says:
"IIe does not recall the early portraits where
he shone with beautiful black eyes. splendid
hair and the complexion Of healthy youth. He
has no; fallen off indeed as Lord Lytton has
done. If you stand in Knebworth Hall, as
have stood, and look at the portrait of Sir Ed
ward Lytton Bulwer, by Maclse, you will find
it difficult to believe that the elderly gentleman
in an old fashioned blue coat, with stoop in
his shoulders, high collar and stiff neckerchief
round his throat, and who puts his hand be- |
hind his ear when you speak to him-wss the |
original Of the painting Charles Dickens is |
not a contrast of that kind. He has escaped the |
Ill-heslth which has shattered the author of /
Pelham. But his hair is iron grey, and scan-
iy; he wears mous,ache and pointed beard, |
and his face has red-broWn tiuge which some !
times reminds one Of the complexion of Louis |
Napoleon.
The following lively sketch Of one Of Mr..
Dickens readings, Is by LOUISA NJ. Alcott:
Mrs. Bhmber never longed to behold Cicero
IN bic classical retirement at Tusculum more
fervently than ! had for years desired to see
Charles Dickens; therefore ny satisfaction was
intense on the joyful evening when | went to
hear him read DR.. Msrygold snd The Pickwick
Trial. ST. James Hall was crowded with what
the papers call ga brilliant and fashionable
audience" Every one being in full evening
dress added TO the effect, and gave me another
opportunity Of admiring what we seldom see in
America-sn assemblage Of really beautiful
women; for health is the charm which makes
them superior TO our girls, who all look, with
Ihelr pale cheeks, hollow eyes, and bent Shout
ders, as if utterly exhausted by incessant porting
over endless ologies and isns
Blooming as they were, however, | found
more interest in a crimson desk, before a
crimson curtain, than in any rosy face about
me; and when a stout gentleman walked rapid
ly in, with business-like air, the great hall
might have been empty for anything l saw of
my neighbors.
st the first glance received shock, and ny
idol-tumbed of the pedestal Wherein | placed
him long ago, when l wore his hair in a locket.
and thought Shakespeare idiot beside him.
| did not expect 10 see the handsome, foppish
young man who once paid US a visit, and carl
catured US so capitally afterward; bit ! did
think some sign Of genius would be visible some
glimpse of the genial creator OF Little Nell, Tom
Pinch. and the Cheeryble Brothers would GER
tsinly sppear. Far from it, youth and come
illness were gene, but the foppishness remained;
and tka al .eadv --.gl 81 ~ .
voice Of a WORKOUT actor, had his scanty gray
hair curled; a posy in his button-hole; diamond
ring, pin. and studs; 4 ruffied front, and wrist
bands q Ia Cousin Feenix-' | had been told
that he Was "Clayner, you know, but loose
fish; won't associate with Browning Teunyson
and that set, but prefers actors, and such low
company, you know" had refused to believe
the Englithman's account: hut when | saw
Dickens believed it, and after the first dismay
resigned myself to disappointment. hoping that
DR.. Msrygold might revive my faith.
He did, partially; but, beiaE a new acquain-
lance, my attention was distracted by irving to
follow the story as well as the actor Of It-for
Dickens used no book, but Iected it in the most
natural and dramatic manner
In the midst Of drol passage . stopped abb
ruptly. caught up the glass Of water on his desk
hurried TO the edge Of the stage, and handed it
down, exclaimi7g, TO an usher, Here, Peak,
quick iady is ialnting y. And as the pretty,
pale girl was taken out he looked after her with
An expression of fatherly solicitude. so different
from his stsge manner that we caught glimpse
Of the real man, and gave him hearty round
of applause, for that little bi, Of nature pleased
every one.
The minute be began to read the famous Pick
wick Trial | found Dickens, I'D heartily enjoyed
every word. Here he seemed at home, and his
audience also; for this, in spite Of age, still has
the inimitable drollery aud spirit Of his early
works. How people lsughed English merri-
ment is as sonOrous a. English speech. and the
roars that shook the walls spoke well for the
health of sristocrstc lungs Old gentlemen
mopped their fsces: stout dowagers leaned
back exhausted; handles dropped their glasses
to wipe tears Of genuine laughter from their
eyes; bellies, forgetting their flushed faces,
laughed like girls; and every enc looked about
with 81 expression Of hilsrious goodwill, which
ii Hss impossible to resist. My compsnion grew
hysterical in vain efforts to Restrain his shouts;
and soon became entirely reckless Of my per-
sonal appearance, bent only upon enjoying my
self 10 the utmost.