The Greenville enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1870-1873, 1870-06-22
GREENVILLE SOUTH CAROLINA JUNE g. 1870 - ar- re,s

country, aud gave a series of read.
ings from his own works in some
OF the principa! cities Of the Un.
ion. The impression he then ere.
ated is too fresh in the minds of.
our people to need mention now.
The wealth, and culture, and bean.
ty and fashion of the whole conn.
try came out to hear him read
and do him honor. =
Mr.. Dickens selections from his
books for these readings were few
in number, and generally chosen
for . display of colloquial emo
tiOns and humorous conversation.
His. style of reading was general.
ly, pronounced most difficult to
criticise. When he stepped upon
the stage with that brisk walk
which be has been known to keep
up all day across country, dressed
in the perfection of the tailor's art,
a fresh flower in his button hole.
and a pleasant smile wreathing bis
strongly marked face, there was a
personal magnetism about the
man that at once placed his audi
ence en rapport with him. Men
and women wept with him over
the woes of crippled Tiny Tim,
laughed at Bob Cratchet trying to
warm his fingers at the candle,
and rejoiced when Scrouge awoke
in the blithe Christmas morning
restored to humanity. So too lie
produced all these conflicting emo.
tions when he read of the wreck.
ing scene In David Copperfie.d, or
gave his impecunious Bob Saw
yers interview with his landIady.
One week before he left our
shores the newspaper people of
New York extended to Mr.. Dick
ems the complimentary banquet,
at which he retracted his satire OF
America contained in American
Nosts and Martin Chuzzlewit, and
promised to make publication to
that effect, which he did upon his
return to England.
His last reading in this country
was given in Boston, and he took
q farewell Of his audience in a
tender, regretful little speech that
exhibited a real appreciation of his
reception 10 the United States
Some admirers had decorated his
reading stand with O profusion of
flowers. Said he, "I kiss the nm.
seen hands which have compli.
mented me with these beautiful
flowers" Two days afterward he
left us.
1t is sad to think that many of
Dickens literary associates are
passing away. He wrs one of
that jovial coterie in which Thack
cray, Douglas Jerrold and Mark
Lemon, were comprised. by whom
the early fortunes of Punch were
made. All these brilliant writer's
and wits have now departed this
life. .... ...'..
Notwithstanding that Mr.. Dick
ems was much courted and petted
by the aristocracy, he was emi-
ncntiy q man of the people, and
never was SO brilliant or 60 ire
sistihle as when ridiculing the airs
of some brainless fop who happen
ed to be born to wealth and posi-.
tion. He had a wholesome hatred
of "cant " and hypocrisy, but he
appears to have been a sound
churchinau, with q leaning to-
wards what is popularly known as
muscular" Christianity. He
was o profound believer in that
happiness which springs from good
health and good digestion. No
where in literature can such pleas.
ant dining parties be found as in
his novels. An excellent book on
the art of cooking might be com
piled from his Christmas stories
In the death of Charles Dicken.
humanity has lost o benefactor
] who has donc much to increase 70,
Joys and to redress its wronps.--
His keen satire cut through the
hoary armor In which ancien,
abuses had arrayed themselves,
and they were literally " laughed =
cut OF existence. The school boy.
the orphan, the pauper, the pris
oner, were the objects of his com
passion, and dying, he will be re
membered by them.
The REAL GKNTLKMAN.-Not he