The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-26
a Challe. Dickens. F-rewem Readlar..
From tine New York world. 2l,i

iFIom tne new fOrk Worid, zlst
large and fashionable audience. including
very many of the bright particular stars of lite.
rature and art of the city, was present at Stein
way Hall last evening, TO listen to the last read
ings, the last public utterances In America, OF
Mr.. Charles Dickens. He was suffering very
badly from the disease which has attacked his
foot, and the following notice was handed to Wis
itors on entering:
Mr.. CHARLES DIcKENs's READNGs-I certify
that Mr.. Charles Dickens is suffering from a neu-
ralgic affection Of the right foot, probably occa-
stoned by great fatigue IN a severe winter; but |
believe be can read tonight without much pain OF
inconvenience, (hs mind being set on not dsap-
pointing his audience,) with the aid of q slight
mechanical addition to his usual arrangements.
F0RDYCE BARKER, NJ. D.
This announcement was, of course, of the sort
TO create still deeper interest in the entertain.
ment, and a still warmer sympathy for the enter
taner and when, at the usual hour, DR.. Dickens
entered upon the platform, leaning on Mr.. Bar
ker's arm, the burst Of enthusiastic applause
which greeted him was prolonged and intensified
until he became much affected. Several elegant
bouquets bad been placed on the little table, and
over these floral tokens of esteem his hand Low.
ingly wandered. The selections were "The
Christmas Carol" and "The Trial scene from
At the conclusion Of the entertainment, Mr..
Dickens bowed and retired from the table; but
while limping across the platform he was greeted
with ssch a storm of applause, the entire audi.
ence rising ana waving Lner ndndkercnleIs, tnat
be vas compelled TO stop repeatedly and bow his
Acknowledgements. Finally the ovation was so
marked that he returned TO the little table, and
addressed the audience as follows:
ladies and GeI,Qe1nen-The shadow OF one
word has impended over me this evening, aud the
time has come at length when the shadow must
fall. 1t Is but very short one, but the weight Of
such things is not measured by their length-and
two much shorter words express the whole round
OF our human existence. When | was reading
David Copperfeld'' few evenings since, felt
there was more than usual significance in the words
Of PegOhy "My future life lies over the sea-"
And when closed this book just now, | felt most
keenly that l was shortly to establish such an
slibi as would have satisfied even the elder Mr..
Weller. The relations which have been set up
between us, while they have involved for me
something more than mere devotion to a task,
have been by you sustained with the readiest
sympathy and the kindest acknowledgment. Those
relations must now be broken forever. Be as.
sured, however, that you will not pass from my
mind. ] shall often realize you as see you now,
equally by my winter fire and In the green Eng
lish summer weather. | shall never recall you as
a mere public audience, bat rather as host Of
personal friends-and ever with the greatest
gratitude, tenderness, and consideration Ladies
and gentlemen, | beg TO bid you farewell God
bless you, and God bless the land In which leave
you.
In the delivery Of the concluding passages Of
the speech Mr.. Dickens was much affected. At
its close he was again greeted with enthusiastic
applause. And so, leaning upon the arm OF bis
medical attendant, he passed forever from among
Us.