, 1873-02-11
CHARLES DICKENS
Lecture by George William Curtis
Last Evening.
An Agreeable Sketch Of tho Lifo md
Writings Of tho Grcnt Novelist.

penranco was, therefore, looked forward to with
much interest. A large audience was in nttond-
snco despite tho largo draft mado upon fashions
able and Intelligent people by an opora, in
which thoro was tho simultaneous appearance of
throo prima donnas. Tho lecture was
preceded by long organ prelude, that
1astcd until somo minutes aftcr 8 o'clock.
Tho entrance Of tho orator was tho afgnal for
subduod and docorous applause. Mr.. Curtis has
lived nearly half century, but l,o wears his
yearn lightly; his figure is atill erect, aud his
constitution vigorous, IIo finished his lotus
eating many years ngo, but his rhetoric is still
glowing and imaginative. His droas Inst even
Ing WAS Of sombre black fusionnbly cut, md
Attod we'll hia trim proporions. Tho hair OF Ills
we'll balanced hoad was parted in tho middle.
Ills ornaments wore OF plain gold, aud extremely
nnobtrusiyo.
MAYOR 11ED1LL
accompanied AGr. Curtia upon tho platform, and
introduced him In tho following briof nlannor
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN hnvo tho extreme
pleasure this evening to Introduce to you gor-
tleman who, nm happy to say. IL not nutranger,
and whose nnmo and reputation arc household
words In au Intelligent American families a
gentleman who unites tho throefold character Of
editor, author, aud statosmau whono ovory
aspiration, nnd thought, and uttorauco,
Binco ho came upon tho public stage,
has boon for the elevation Of his Kind for tho
Improvement Of public morals, Of political lifo.
of public tasto, OF social purity. Ho will ad-
drcss you this evening upon what doubt not
with him is q favortte topic--Oharlcs Dickous.
You will hear from ono OF tho etara III the Amer
lean armament Of literature in relation to TINT
great light Of literature, Ills personal friend,
who has gone ont, though his thoughts
Tho pleasure Of Introducing to you Mr. George
William Curtis.
MIR. CURTIS nEaAH his LECTURE
with q sketch Of the universal delight in tales Of
Inevitable a figure in history aa Petor tie 1Ior-
nit or Peter tho Great. All over tho world mon,
womon, aud children nro to DO seon laughing or
weeping at tho talos Of tho atory-tel1er. Whether
IN verse or prose, 1t does not n,atter; whether
Scott, .Lesage, Dickone; whouover tho story
telor begins, tho world becomes boy again,
and sots on his knco enchanted. Fsom
these goneralties no passed directly to
words wore especially truo-tho last burial in
Wostministcr Abboy. Five years ago tho speaker
was waiting IN great hall in Now York for this
snehanter To- sRpenr with othe1s eo@par
Suddenly, door no.r tho stage opened, and
man ran briskly up tho stopa on to tho platform,
This man, who was in full dress, with brilliant
Grains ana diamonds, soemlng to come directly
from dinner party, at once besan, reading Ills
hhd homer chanting the talo q Troy. The 1ec-
tnler @ pointed out tue points OF contrast between
Scott and Dlckens,..tho living, maatcr,
and tho dead wizard Scott seemed to bo tho
;slr Roger do Covorly Of fiction. He preferred
she tlmea % OF tho stuarts md straffoyd to the
days OF Corn Laws. picture ,7as drawn Of
scott as ho would have appeared at Coyerly
1iall to illustrate tho character and pccuiaritics
of the great author. He grew up during tho
great rory reaction IN England after tho Fronch
1eVolntion. Tho best Of his storca arc inspired
" feudaltBm, and nre ita worthiost celebration.
br1ef personal skotch was given Of Scott's
Hfe and death, and tho connecting links
fbas united tho :, literature of hin period
VII T1th TINT OF the novels Of Dickens.
9 Mn9nno a1eu W. Hher1 Maa no cry. "Iho King Is
aoau, long i've ING h1ng,---tnofo WIS no King:
me 1I gEeathoae OF scott nane had paralyzod all
'otaer M amotion.
Ine gas'ons poeIa, r byron sontloy Campbell,
Colorlage, aaa otnors, were mentioned with q
lew pertinent Wofds OF CRITICISM Oh each. Yh-ir