The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-06-17

NOSDAY MORNING, JUNE II.
AN onacIai call is issoed this morning
for a general meeting of the stockhold-
srs OF the wheeling Library Associa-
ton at the Library Hall this evening.
without venturing into dets .ls,we may
say that this meeting Appertains TO the
forthcoming appearance of Murdoch.
the eminent tragedian and dramatic
reader, who h to appear at Washington
Hall on the evenings Of the 18th ana
2slh inst, under the auspices OF the
Library Association. 1t is determined
to make these readings success IL
possible. not only because OF their inhe-
rent merits, but also on account OF 'he
interest that is felt In making them re-
dound TO the Pecuniary Interest OF the
library Association, an Institution by
the way that appeals to the public spir-
4, and the moral and Intellectual
generosity OF every man, woman and
child In our midst. The present Board
OF Directors have determined that they
will exhaust every effort to sustain the
Library Association before giving up
the undertaking as hopeless enter
prise. They appreciate its value as
psrt and parcel Of the good name of the
city, and as the leading institution OF
elevation and refinement In Wheeling,
and they realize that after keeping 1t
20 for so many years with such appre-
ciabIe benefits TO the public, it would
be a reflection upon our entire citizen
1. go A ~ IN nfHHIQnE
existence. The directors feel encour-
aged TO hope that the time has come
when a series-of first class intellectual
entertainments can be presented to
the public with fair prospect
OF success. Hitherto 1t has been
said of Wheeling that nothing
save a circus, negro minstrel
show, or q travelling troupe OF some
sort, could count ON success. Unfortu-
pately there has been too much truth
in the remark, but We think that there
Is now enough cultivated taste and
public pride within the city limits TO
materially modify this reputation, and
give us a different name in the future.
We need not tell the public who James
e. Murdoch is. Suffice it TO say that
no such dramatist has ever appeared
before q Wheeling audience, so far as
our recollection serves us. Those who
want 10 see and feel what power there
is in native genius and the riPest
artistic culture must come TO his
readings on the evenings ANNOUNCE
ed. Charles Dickens nightly holds
audiences of the British mobility and
gentry entrznced with similar enter
tainments. And yet it may be doubted
whether even Dickens, matchless as Is
his genius as a writer, is the equal OF
Murdoch as a reader. Reading Shakes
peare, Dickens, Thackeray, and other
popular authors. may appear, ut first
thought, dry entertainment to some
people, but they have only to hear a
great reader in order to realize for the
hrst time in their lives what a moving
and fascinating power there is in words
uttered by man who illustrates every
syllable as Murdoch can, and does, and
will illustrate them at his readings here.
The value that is set on his tai
ents can be judged Of by the fact that
for a long while past the Library AS
tain his services. Owing to his many en-
gagements they have always been hith-
erto disappointed. This time they have
succeeded, and the agreement is to pay
him one hundred dollars per night.
which with other expenses, will be equsI
say to one hundred and ATTY dollars per
evening. The question is, will our
public stand by the Library Association
In this enterprisef Do they want en-
tertainments of this character providedI
for 1t should be understood that If this
one fails, it will probably be a long
time before another is attempted. Have
we taste, culture, and refinement
enough in the city to make the readings
of q man like Murdoch a success
This is the problem. We feel reason
ably assured that the enterprise will be
"A success. At all events, the live men
OF the Library Association will meet
this evening to inaugurate the neces-
sary steps for the fullest possible effort
10 achieve a glorious success. We trust
that every stakeholder who can attend
will be on hands at seasonable hour
in the evening.