The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-10
CHARLES DICKENS,
Hts FIrst Reading in " .u york.

DIS oilgnlai aOrm by the aocumulative force OF
combination of circumstances" In time,
howeTer, after some surging and seething, the
hrmSn sea settled into calm. SO settled, it
presented beautiful and touching spectacle.
The heart, the intellect, the wit the sensbility,
the beauty, the wealth, the industrial power OF
the foremost of American cities were all repre-
sented in that vast assembly-were all united
by common impulse in doing homage to
man of true and benedcent genius. To see aud
to feel this was to be deeply and inexpres-
sibly thrilled-was to realize, with gladness
and gratitude, the profound devotion of true
hearted men and women to great natural
guide and leader. An immense chord Of feeling
has been touched and sounded by Charles
Dickens. In thirty years of literary life-years
Of self-imposed, unremitting, scrupulous toll,
animated by that noblest of all motives, the
desire to augment the happiness OF mankind
he has created immortal works of art, has
peopled literature with vast variety Of charac-
ters, has interpreted human nature and the
passing age, has struck down great social
abuses, has taught the sacred lesson of charity,
has comforted the poor, has stretched out hands
of loving pity to the outcast and wretched,
has supplied a never-failing source of innocent
and happy laughter, has stimulated the high
poetic instincts of our race, and has in every
way inculcated sweet, pure, and noble ideas of
has won in equal measure the homage and the
love of his generation. Something of this affec-
tionate feeling was heartily expressed by his
audience last night; nor in all that great throng
was there a single mind unconscious of the pri.
vilege 1t enjoyed in being able, even so partially
TO thank Charles Dickens for all the happiness
he has given to the world. It lie better world
because of him. The preseut is happier for his
sake, and the future will brighten at the coming
of his genius.
In the readings that Mr.. Dickens gave last
and admirably denoted. The keynote of ali
his writings is sounded in the "Christmas
Carol" and the ''Pickwick Papers," Humanity
and humor blend In that note, and make an
exquisite music. Other of his works, it is true,
express more amply, and in more minute and
elaborate detail, the scope of the writer's mind,
the vigor and wealth of his imagination, the
wonderful thoroughness of his analysis of
nature, the keenness of his intuitions, the depth
of his pathos, the remarkable perception that
he has of the sombre and tragical aspects of
human experience, and the rich resources of his
eloquent style. There are single passages in
"David Copper6eld," in MARTIN Chuzsie wit,D
in 'The Old Curiosity Shop and In that
strong and splendid tragic creation, ga Tale of
Two Cities u to which the critic will naturally
and necessarily recur, IN forming true esti
mate OF this extraordinary man. There is no
written storm like the storm in which Steerforth
goes down to death, There is no horror more
ghastly than the face of Jonas ChuzzleWit in the
wood. There is no pathos more heartbreaking
than that which enwraps the aged mourner at
Nelly's grave. There Is no emblem of self
sacrifice more vivid or more sublime than the
figure OF Sydney Carton at the guillotlne. The
assured power of maturity is palpable in all
these scenes and persons. They express deep
heart that has suffered deeply, and a great mind
in uncurbed action. Yet, to the acute thinker
the characteristic quality of that heart and mind
are evident enough in the "Christmas Caroln
and the ''Pickwick Papers," Not humanity and
humor alone; but delicate inventive skilI-the
fine talent of the artlst-an airy and delightful
fancy, a true comprehension of character and
of social relations, a thorough acquaintance aud
sympathy with common joys and common sor-
rows, and, above all, the clear, calm, noble
purpose to inculcate the religion of love. Tue
geniality of the Christmas season has never
been so entirely uttered as it Is in this little
work. The great fires roar in its pages, and
bright eyes sparkle, and merry bells ring, and
sunlight and starlight and Joy wrap it round
about in delicious atmosphere of honest
ardent goodness. There Is one touch of pathos
in il which no heart can resist. 1t is where poor
Bob Cratchit speaks OF Tiny Tins grave. You
may read it a thousand times, but you can
never read it without mist in the eyes. 'It
would have done you good to see how green a
place 1t is," Bob says; "but you'll see Il often.
promised him that / would walk there on a
Sunday. My little, little chiIdi My little
childln There is another touch--a touch of
thought-which expresses the great authors
faith and Is, indeed, the concentrated spirit of
all his tcachings:-'Ages OF incessanIt labor by
immortal creatures for this earth must pass into
eternity before the good of which it is suscepti-
BILE is all deVeloped....ADy Christian spirit
working kindly in IFS little sphere, whatever 1t
may be, will find its mortal life too short tor its
vast means of usefulness.1 The author who
teaches thus assuredly does not work in vain.
1t is another article of his iaith too, that
There is nothing in the world so irresishbly
contagious as laughter and good humor;'' and
that he has proved by the story of "Pick wick -
With both these doctrines he won abundant
sympathy last night. Not alone the music of
his tones, but the deeper voice of his genius,
found an echo IN eVerp heart.
Mr.. Dickens is not only an excellent reader,
but greatly gifted actor. To read his works
is to see that he possesses In an eminent de
gree the dramatic instinct. To hear him read
II TO see that he also possesses, in almost equal
fullness, the dramatic faculty. In reading as
well as writing he enters into every character
that he creates. His personality, tor the time,
is extinct. Now he is Scrooge, presently he is
Mr.. FizZiwig, anon he is Bob CFatchit, and
by-and.by he passes, with extraordinary versa
tility of mood, through the guises of Sergeant
BuZiuZ, the Little Judge, airs. Cluppins Wrinkle
the renowned sportsman, and Samuel Weller.
The several personations are complete at all
points. This capacity of merging ones self into
character is, of course, the indispensable requi-
site for good acting. To say that Mr.. Dickens
has 1t is sufficiently to explain the continued
triumphs that he has achieved in reading his
own wOrks. 1t Is needtul TO add, however, that
he uses II like an artist The chief feature in
his method is simplicity which implies per-
feet knowledge OF the effect to be produced and
a perfect control of the means that are requisite
to produce 1t, The next feature is decacy. In
the mellow and musical voice ia the tranquil
manner, In the unaffected gesture, In the easy
suiting OF the word to the actiOn-in all that the
man is and all that he does, this gentle refine
ment is conspicuous. Comprehending both
these features is reality. In the reading OF last
night he seemed more the comedian than the
uagedian; but that OF this evening, which COM
prises the 'Tempesp chapter from 'Davld Cop
perdeld,n will probably show him in another
nght, However shown, he Will be welcome.