The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-10-01
DICKENS.

Miss Louise N. Alcot, daughter of A.
Bronson Alcot, of Concord, an;l herself
ouite we'll known as Il writer of several
novels, writes from London respecting
one of Charles Dickens readings us fol-
lows; --..-. .-.-.
Mrs. BlinJer never lon@cd to behold
Cicero in his classical retirement at
Tuscuium more frequently than had
for wears desired to see Charles Dickens;
therefore my satisfaction was intent on
the ioYful evening when | went to hear
him read DR.. Marygold and the Pick
wick Trial St Johns Hall was crowd
ed with whatthe papers call ga brilliant
and fashionable audience. EVERY one
being in full evening dress added to the
effect, and give me another opportunity
of admiring what we seldom see III
.America-an- -assemblage of really beau
tiful women; for, health is the charm
which makes them superior to our girls.
who ali look, with their pale cheehs,
hollow ewes, and bent shoulders, as If
utterly exhausted by incessant poring
over eulogies and isms.
Blooming as they were, however, L
found more interest in the crimson eur
tain stand than in amy rosy fice about
me; and when a stout gentleman walked
rapidly IN, with business like air, the
great hall might have been empty for
ANYTHING | saw of my neighbors.
At the first glance | received Il
shock, and my idol tumbled off the ped
estal whereon placed him long ago,
when [ wove his hair in a lockct, and
thought Shakespeare an idiot beside
him. | did not expect to see the hand
some, foppish young man who once
paid us visit, and caricatued us so cap
italy afterwards; but did think
some sign Of the genius would be visible
some glimpse ofthe genial creator Of
Little Nell, Pinch, and the Cheer
able Brothers would certainly appear.
Far from it: youth and comeliness were
gone, but the foppishness remained; and
the red-face man, with false teeth and
the voice Of a Worn-out actor, had his
scanty grey hair. curled; posy in his
button hole; diamond ring, pin, and
studs; a rufled front, and wrist bands
Ia ssCousin Felix" | had been told
that he was 'sClayner, you know, but a
loose fish won't associate with Brown
ing, Tennysoh, and that set, but prefers
actors, and such low company, YOU
know.'' had refused to believe the
Englishman S account; but when [ saw
Dickens | believed it, and after the first
disnay resigned myself to disappoint-
ment, hoping that DR.. Marygold might
revive my faith.
He did partly; but being new ac-
qualntance, my attention was distracted
by trying to follow the story, as we'll as
the actor OF it-tor Dickens used no
book, but recited it in the most natural
and dramatic manner. -..---.-----...-
In the midst .of a droll passage he
stopped abruptly, caught up the glass of
water on his desk hurried to the edge
of the stage, and handed it down ex-
claiming, to All usher, ''i1ere, Peak,
quick a lady'is fainting!" And as the
pretty, pale girl was taken out he looked
after her with an expression OF fatherly
solicitude, SO different from stage mail
ner that we caught a glimpse Of the
real man, and gave him a hearty round
Of applause, for that little bit Of nature
pleased every one.
AhC iiililhlC nc OtSti W IC't'i tiiSfl't
nous Pickwick Trial, found Dickens,
and heartily enjoyed every word. Here
he seemed at home, and his audience
also; for this, in spite Of age, stil has
the inimitaI'lc drollery and spirit OF. his
early works. How people laughed
English merriment is as sonorous us
English speech, and the roars that
shook the walls spoke well for health
OF aristocratic lungs. Old gentlemen
ihopped their faces; stout dowagers
,saned back. exhausted; dandies drop
pea their glasses to wipe tears of gen
S sllle laughter from their eyes; bellies,
iiH2rsettlng i2 theit flushed faces, laughed
tn IAe girls; and every one looked about
ooa1 o"ei9 with ut an expression Of hilarious
3e";o SoGu Will, which it was impossible to
in ',st; va;o IVY companion grew hysterieal
and I'n I eHorts to restrain his shouts;
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