New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-06-08
a Visit 20 BufWers


NJ. Alexandra Dumas describes, in the
Past number of the Reyue dc Paris, visit
which he paid to Lord Lytten IN 1861 lie
:.When Dickens died, my heart was sad,
for knew him well, and SO did my illus
trious father, because he knew us and liked
0s; but when the great Buiwer died. telt
still sadder, for Bulwer. only . few years
ego. raised me from despair to hopefuiness'
.They who are able to do such things
are betferthan apostles; they are angels.
'Misunderstand me not. Bulwer did not
encourage me in anything mean.: He only
took the up, . broken reed. after fifteen
years Of literary life. when was heart
broken. and said:
"Iiow did I become acquainted with Bull
Wer! Go back thirty years. What was
but boy What was my father a great
man.
"This great man lived az Versailles. He
had a court. Who were his courtiers! Bal
xsc and Eugene Sue.
II. poor little fellow. was almost stupe
(ied in seeing around my father the incar
nation of goodness. SO much ability and
brilliancy.
..Do you know why never appreciated
1onmots! Because J heard too many Of
them. :.
Zone day there appeared at my fathers
table slender gentleman of foreign aspect.
Esther took me upon his lap. and said to bis
strange guest, This is my son.
s'The distinguished stranger, with won.
tlertuf air of kindness in his eyes. took Inc
in his arms, kissed me, and said:
"'pear child
* was anxious 70 know who he was.
asked papa, and he said:
"'Ife wrote Eugene Aram."'
Stlf su aR Rulwer
s'FOur years afterwards I devoured his
SOoke. They made me learn the English IAN
guage. never regretted il.
'"1hat was long ago. We were all happy.
We grew up. and J grew old, and father
semaineG young. France was quiet. !
wrote, and sometimes people applauded
me.
'.One day they hissed one Of my plays.
was there; but. when ! heard those ser.
IeDtine sounds, l did not betray any emo.
zion. J thought my play was good; yet.
when I went home, and retired 20 mo
couch. buried my head in my pillow.
"Ah! France had become toe small for
me. ] wanted to flee. and went to Eng.
land.
"Whom should meet in London but N.
louis Bancl He said to me:
"'IOu must see Bulwer.'
Everybody in London knew where the
great man lived. Next day knocked a.
Jho door Of his elegant house.
HE sent at once word that he would see
ne. entered his library. There he was.
the same noble features of him who had
taken me in his arms at Nincennes. at my
Satber's house. only his hair had grown
ancre silvsry.
'He was affected when he saw me. ana
vas hardly able to restrain my tears
''Onee ! heard Mr.. Theirs compliment
Ing u young parliamentary orator. That
made q deep impression upon me. But
what was my sensation when the great
Buwler said to me he had read my plays.
and he had been deeply interested in them!
"Our conversation was very long; but 70
me it seemed very brief. Buwler said that
he would rather be a great dramatist that
. novelist.
with that ndirete which lie sometimes
peculiar to great authors, he asked me
which of his works liked best.
81 was embarrassed, for liked them ali
but l answered.
Pelham
"'Every body likes that he said slowly.
sbut have yOu read "RieDzlg'
- Read and admired it, was my answer.
"'Was it really good
In my opinion. faultless."
s'There was a smile of qualification in his
beautiful eyes. Mine grew more .ustrOus
~ saw it.
.'He asked how long would remain in
England. told him what had brought
Jne there.
'sHe laughed at me.
What! So small a misfortune g. shat"
81 dropped myeyes.
ssBulwer laughed, and said:
"'You Frenchmen are the most clever but
also the most sensitive of playwrlghts.
know something about your first night au.
Iliences in Paris. have been among them.
But nothing does them more good than to
tear down what ought to be applauded.
assure YOU, ] myself would never venture
with q play first before Partisan audi
epce.'
7,opular all over France
a'Yes.' he answered. because ] am an
.When we parted. he whispered into my
Bar
"'Courage"
ssThat noble word sustained me ever at.
forward, and recalled it when l received
the news Of the death of the great and good
man."
An lrishman went for tie first time 70
bIay. just as the drop curtain descen0eo
after the tisrt act, az engine IN the oase-
ment exploded, and tAe Celt was olown