Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-08
Anna Dickinson md the lecture COM
niftpCS,

Anna Dickinson md the lecture Com
miitcCs.
Speaking of Anna Dickinson, is there any
thing in n wOman'S mind which prevents her
keeping a contract, written, signed, and sealed
with her own hand2 OF course not For in.
stance:
SPARTA, The Greek Kalends, 1911
], Sappho, do hereby agree to read my dis
course on the "NaiadS and the DryadS,' for the
benefit of the HCctor-Benevolent Association in
Athens, one week from this evening, in consid-
Grafton of 5000 cash and expenses.
SAPPHo.
Well suppose that when Sappho arrived at
Athens, and had rested an hour or more in
first class hotel, and there were yet several
hours before lecture time-SuppoSe that the
chairman of the lecture committee of the II. b.
A. called at the hotel sent his card up to
Sappho, and received from the maid the an
Swer, 81 cannot be seen until eight o'clock"
The gentlemanly dutlrOpoS would regret
his untimelv intrusion and go home, Sup
pose, however, when he and his colleagues
called at eight O'Clock TO escort Sappho to the
Amphictyonic hall, the lady came down stairs
and condCsccnded to say Good evening""
wheleupon a courageous dnthrOp0S remarked,
81 have no doubt we shall derive very much en-
ioyment from your discourse on the "Naiads
and the Dryads." Then Sappho,
"But am not going to deliver my discourse
on the 'NaiadS and the Dryads.'"
"Ah, indeed-but we have announced the
Maids and the Dryads.'"
"NO matter. l shall deliver 'The Sorrows of
DIDO whether you have or not"
The UnthrOpOS have no choice but to be silent.
They reach the door.
"Where is your carriage, sir /"
THE Amphictyonic hall is half a squares dis
lance We thought You would not like the
trouble of entering a vehicle and alightng so
sOon"
"Whcn carriage arrives sir, shall be
ready to accompany you. Meanwhile, | shall
retire to my room.
She delivered her lecture with great anma-
ton. The audience were disappointed in hear
ing about "The Sorrows of Dido" because
they had made their minds up to listen with
unusual delight to the Maids and the Dryads."
Sappho received her 5000, signed the receipt and
babe the committee good night ut the door. She
had an engagement for the same amount, to
| deliver the "Naads and the Dryads" in COrinth
Il few evenings later, and to Corinth went Il
number of the AthenanS, who were advised
by telegraph that the latter discourse would
be given there. Sappho displayed the same
courteous demeanOr in Cornth which had
marked her arrival in Athens. When she
mounted the rOstrum, the Corinthians were as
toniShed to hear beautifully written prose
poem upon the SORROWS of Dido" notwith-
standing the written agreement and the huge
capitals around the fences concerning another
their homes disappointed, wTathtul and cold
for it was in the winter time, and they sleighed
both ways. Sappho had an engagement in
ThCbeS, to deliver her lecture on the "NaiadS
and DryadS, for $500, rationS and Transporter
ton, during the following week, and to ThebeS
went a delegation from COrinth, of literary
people who wished to hear the announced dis
course there. SapphO was somewhat bruSque
in her reception of the Theban committee, who
asked her if there was any doubt about the
lecture she really intended to deliver.
Il shall give you 'rhc Sorrows OF Dido SIR
MADAM, we made an agreement with you for
your discussion of a different topic"
every WELL sir. But | shall not deliver any
other lecture than Dido in rhcbes."
"Madam, we agreed to give you 5000 for the
privilege of hearing you lecture on the Maids
and Dryads.'
of YOU wish to have me deliver The Sorrows
of DIDO on the same terms, will do so. But
| will not do anything else. 1t is now five min
uteS after eight"
She delivered "The Sorrows of Dido" to a
full house, including the enTaged Corinthians.
We have been led to the foregoing remarks by
learning that our brilliant friend, Anna Dckin-
son, engaged to read her discourse on "Men's
Rights" to the people of Peoria, Rockford and
Beviderc, on different occasions. In each, deS
pte the agreement, she gave Joan of A'c,"
and the ladies and gentlemen who took the
trouble to 90 from Belvidere to Rockford to re-
ceye their second disappointment at her hands,
have very COntemptuOus notion of wOmanS
ability to keep her word. The lady appears to
have given the public of these cities grave Of
Tense by ungallantries in the matter of ScCusiOn
and carriages, as did Sappho to her Greek COM
mttees 1t is further alleged that in this very
city Miss Dickinson broke her contract with one
society, and soon after entered into an agree
ment with another, and we know she kept it.
The disappointed society said something about
mercenary motives, but of course that is non
sense. If man breaks his lecture engage
mcnts, he is sued. Why should not Miss Dick
inson be sued like any other man-Chicag0
Egening Post.