New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-29
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
GREETING TO wILKIE COLLINS.
RECEPTION AT THE LoTos CLUD.


1 ru,o narlors of the LOtos Clubhouse were
.A.a On saturday night with members OF the CLUB
- promnent representatives Of literature, art, ana
- Srama 10 extend a welcome TO Mr. ""Aio
/ y,.s upon the occasion Of his first VISIT
a.. this country. Among those present "eIo
4 -, Z n Chaplin, MajOr-Gen Irwin Mcdowell John W.
- Rret Harte siguor savini. John Gilbert Dlstric'-
| ,uorpey b. K. Phelps, Prof. Youmans hurnunu
| : s,edmsn. r. II. stoddard, Ivory chamberlain
/ -. Hon. Robert b. Roosevelt, Charles Brad
/ ,n~h d. @. Croly, Jerome b. sullson' signor
/ ,..sapdro salvni, sgnor Campanin Dr. B. sexton
n, Charles Insee Pardee ]. Blair scrioner' l. Audl-
Il -, Richards, S. s. Conant william n SeaVer' COL H.
i : olcott T. A. Kenneth John r. Bouton, John e. Dew
- WIN Appleton IT.. and many others. On the walls OF
-. clubhouse was hung fine display of pictures by
clifford story. TAFT. Lafargc, Bispham, c. H. Miller
= u Beard, s. Colman. Moran, william Hart, Wust
4 80, Morgan, DOlph, Burlng, James Thom Plquet
I-ro,sy and Baldwin, most Of whom are members OF
TIE club. cu,
| 49, the President MT. whitelaw Reid, who said;
,.vr ruyN oF THE LorOs: We have met tonight,
vset visitor from the other sde-Of whom nothing
Unknown 20 US his face. May he give us long ana
Ssauent opportunity for better Acquaintance Win
'Rs sure there is no member Of this Clubso largely
ls no NJ literary men artists and actors-whO does
~ from tbe heart in the cordial welcome to our
st which you have made II my pleasant duty 10 pro
tSnce lAppausel He has high title 10 the regard OF
s ~ tbese classes to that Of artists by IN
esoo ,.V Ve 10 that Of literary and actors
sn,nassed service 10 the professions OF both.
goseray once closed charming paper on an Ameri,
'~ author with words which we may hty take up anu
ssa turn TO our English guest. 1T has been his
Apply III ot 10 give great happiness and delight to the
.,,N which thanks him in return Win an lmnehSe
Son; respect affection" (Appausel And Thack-
,sTs great companion in work and fame,-our guests
sre L familiar association with ms, IN America lol
We a ~ Charles Dickens even before we had learned
% honor him yet for his own sake he comes 10 US
- Dekens caneto be the Interpreter OF his own orks
Ia will find quarter OF TINS continent
here they have not preceded him lappiausel
Sers tbey do not secure for him that sincere and
& eeome which il is merely the privilege Of the
yoos 10 be the first in America To extend Gentlemen,
sSe the pleasure and the honor Of presenting to you
ar Wilkie Collins.
RESPONSE OF wILKIE COLLINS.
Ms PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: Many years ago
more years than 1 now quite like TO reekon-I was
1ng Sorrento in the Bay of Naples. with my father
mother and brothers, boy OF b. At that time OF my
;ta a. az this time my e Unsuitable reader
n that order Of books for which heavy people have IN
vented the name OF light literature. ILaughter In dde
oure OF time exhausted the modest resources OF the
ubrary which we brought Naples and found my
M faced with the necessity Of borrowing from the re-
oures OF our felowtravelers Summer residents OF Sor
repo like ourselves Among them was certain country
man of yours very tall very lean very SILENT and very
melancholy. In what circumstances the melancholy
Of this gentleman took its rise / am not able
n tell you The ladies thought it was a disappointment
IN Owe The men attributed it to cause infinitely
more serious than that I mean indigestion whether
Ne suffered in heart whether he suffered in stomach,
took remember boys unreasonable fancy to him,
passing of other people, apparently far more
acceptable than he was. yentured TO look up TO the
tail Ameroan-t was long way TO look uD-and said in
trembling voice, "Can you lend me book TO read y
lie looked down TO met long way TO look down
and said 81 have got but two amusing books One of
them is the Sorrows OF Werter' and the other Is the
sentimental Journey lLaughter You are heartily
welcome 20 both these books. Take them home and
when you have readthem bring them back and dine with
and tell me what you think OF them" took them
home and read them and told him what thought OF
them much more freely than would now. And last,
not least had an excellent dinner crowned with cake,
which was an epoch IN my youthful existence and which
may say lives gratefully and greasyin ny memory to
tbe present day. IApplause]
Now, Mr. President and gentlemen, venture 10 tell
tOu this for 1t marks my nrst experience Oh
American kindness and American hospitality. In many
ways, this carly expression OF your ndness ana
Hospitality mingled in after hfe' now in England
now on the Continent, until it has eliminated IN TINS
magnificent reception from the Lotos Club. l am not
only srstiAed but touched by the manner in
which yOu have greeted me, and the cOrdi-
atty with which the remarks Of your President
have been received. venture to that in this
reception something more than recognition OF my
gsh literature, liberal spontaneous and sincere, which,
think. Is an honor 10 you, well as an honor 10 me-
il the name Of English literature beg gratefully 70
fnank YOU On my behalf, beg 70 assure you that
i shall not soon forget the encouragement you have
offered TO at the outset OF my career in America.
Permit me 20 remind you that am now speaking the
language OF sincere gratitude and that is essentially
language Of very few words. [Applause.l
Mr.. Collins followed In brief and felicitOus
speeches by DR.. Chaplin, Gen. Mcdowell, John G.
SAKE, DisirictAttorney Phelps, L. c. stedman,
John Brougham and Robert B. Roosevelt
large number OF those present were during
the evening presented to Mr.. Collins. Later
bis health was drunk in the supper-roOm, amid pro-
ionged cheering TO which he responded in single SEN
tence Of thanks. sgDOr sayn responded to the toast
IN his honor in exceedingly graceful little speech,
IN Italian, the substance Of which given
IN English by Mr.. schwab. Toward the close Of
Che evening there calls for Charles Bradaugh, 10
which the Republican orator replied by thanking the
Club for that opportunity TO unite with them III testify
tng bis regard and admiration for his dis
nnguished feliOw-cOuntryman, whom he met-since
Shey belonged TO different classes at home-tor
the first time foreign soil II privilege he said.
which 10 club in England would accord him MI Brad
laughs speech received with enthusiastic cheering,
which much prolonged that he was compelled 10
come forward again and make few additional remarks
THE pAYNT Static