The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-10-18
ID 1 c K +; N s u.
BY LOUISA NJ. ALCOTT.

Mrs. Blimber never longed to behold Cicero On IL
his classical retirement at Tusculum more lei
vently than had for years desired TO see Charies
Dicsens therefore my satisfaction was intense o1
the JOYFUL evening when L went to hear MN reau
DIR. Marygold and the Pickwick Trial ST. James e.,
Hall vas crowded with what the papers eau a
brilliant and fashionable audience" Every one
being in full evening dress added to the enecl,
and gave me another opportunity OF aoiIii liis
what we seldom see in America-an assenplaee
OF really beautiful women; tor health is the cIiai
which makes them superior to our girls, VINO I'LL
look, with their pale cheeks, hollow eyes, ana oent
shoulders, as if utterly exhausted by lrcessaho
poring over endless ologies and isms:
Blooming as they were, however, io''nd more
interest i'll crimson desk, before crIr ison cur
tain, than in any rosy face about me; q 1d when
stout gentleman walked rapidly in, with pusi-
ness-ike air, the great hall might enyy anything
l saw Of my neighbors.
At the first glance / received sh ock, and my
idol tumbled off the pedestal wher con piace9
him long ago. when / wore his hair III locket, ana
thought Shakespeare an idiot bes Ie hm. oio
not expect to see the handsome, fopplsn, young
man, who once paid US visit, sld carcaturea US
so capitally afterward; but die think some signs
of genius would be visible-sc me glimpse OF tne
genial creator OF Little Nell, Tom Pinch and the
Cheeryble Brothers, would certainly appear. Far
from it youth and comelinf IS were gone, put the
foppishness remained; an the red-faced man.
with false teeth and the voice of worn-out act0r,
button hole; diamond ring, pin and studsi a
rufiedf 'front.' and wristbands Ia ''Cousin feanlxr
Ihad been told that he was Clayner, you know; Dut
loose fish won't associate with Browning, Ienny-
and that set, prefers actors, and such low COM
pany, you know. l had refused to believe the
Engishman's account; but when l saw Dickens
believed it; and after the first dismay resigned my
self to disappointment, hoping that DIR. Marygoid
might revive my faith.
He did, partially; but being nav acquaintance
afto 1icfro ad hy follow
the story as we'll as the actor OF it-for Dickens
used no book, but recited it III the most natural
and dramatic manner.
In the midst OF droll passage he stopped
desk, hurried to the edge of the stage and handed
it down. e1claiming, to an usher Here, Peak,
quick lady is fainting!" And as the pretty pale,
girl was taken out, he looked after her with an ex-
preston of fatherly solcitude, 80 different from
his stage manner, that we caught glimpse of the
real man, and gave him hearty round of ap
plause, for that little bit of nature pleased every
one.
The minute he began to read the famous Pick
wick trial 4 found Dickens, and heartily enjoyed
every word. Here he seemed at home5 and .hs
audience also; for this in spite of age, still has
the inmltable drollery and spirit OF his early
works.. How people laughedl English merrimelt
is as sonorous as English speech, and the roars
that shook the walls spoke well for The health Of
aristocrahc lungs Old gentlaman mopped their
faces stout doRagers leaned back exhausted /;
dandes dropped their glasses to wipe tears Of gen
uine laughter from their eyes; bellies, forgetting
their flushed faces, laughed like girls and every
one locked about him with an expression of hilarf
GUS goodwill, which it was impossible to resist.
My companion grew hysterical IN vain efforts to
restrain his shouts and ! soon became entirely
reckless of my personal appearance, bent only
upon enjoying myself to the utmost.
Buzfuz was an exact copy Of an English attor.
ney, and Dickens has made it Q study. Justice
Stsrleigh WAS as much like an owl asa human be-
ing could be. Winkle-poor bashtul soul got into
a pet, and suffered in way tt at must have con-
vulsed the court, as it did us. Mrs. CMppins was
not 30 well done as I have seen 1t on private
stage in America; and Sam Weller was not spirited
enough, But old Wallef's grnf, wheeSy voice.
speehaHy roaring, sSpell it with q We, Sammy,
spell it with We, was thing to shout over long
afterward.
Dickens never laughed himself; and when per-
feet gale Of merriment BILE through the hall, he
stood looking at his audience with droll twinkle
in his eye, and toe. benign Expression or one who
sincerely enjoyed seeing his fellow creatures hap
pyl Tie moment he was done he made hasty
bow, put the book under his arm, and walked
briskly away, and I found myself wondering
whether he would finish the evening declining
and fallingp with Mr. Bofhi, OF dr0pinto supper
with that human. Phoenix, Wilkins Mlcawber.