New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-12
MR.. WILKlE coLLlNSS REIDWG.

In spite of the unpromising weather largo
and unusually intelligent audience assembled last night
at Association Han TO hear the first OF Dir. NiKio
Coins's readings in NewYOrk. He came on the stasr
after O'clock, aud received with denonstra-
tions of hearty good WILL He began by explaining that
he was not in any sense an actor, and
that he should not attempt TO enact tho
story he about 20 read; but the
explanation quite unnecessary, as the sequel
showed. For though he does not transcend the discreet
limits OF genuine reading he certainly exhibits enough
dramatic power TO enable him to take no mean rank ~
an If he preferred that s e OF Interpretation e
reads very we'll with perfect appreciation. with grea,
clearness and dstinctness OF enunciation, with an
adequate degree OF dramatic expression, and
with enough OF those technical faults
which are found 10 tue reading OF every amateur.
10 give not unpleasant flavor Of individuality His
voice il pleasant at prepOssessng the hearer
with the promise OF a character of native couresy and
refined culture. The entire impression made By Mr..
Collins upon the platform is that OF winning and anna
bic sincerity, which seems to deDrecate his own we'll
earned fame and cOncilates instantaneous good will.
The story which he read was called The Dream
Woman" sketch written many years aud recently
revised and developed for this especial purpose. IL
story OF singular dlrectness and power turning upon
the and mysterious influence exerted by strong
aud vicious woman upon The heart and mind OF an hon
est and ignorant man. The woman Alicia WarlOck. Is
drawn with nice elaboration of detail. few
firm and sweeping strokes give the sbadowy
outline Of terrible and perverted intelligence whose
precise traits you never learn but whose memory
cannot escape FROM The.openng scene where Francis
Raven Is discovered mutterng In his seepwas given By
Mr. Collins with such quiet mpressigeness that percep-
tbe shudder over the audience This was repeated
In the at the Inn, and again where the groom go
bert discovers the blood running in dark ryuet under
the door, The narrative passages were all evenly and
satisfactorily delivered and OF the humorous Incl
dents were rendered with fidelity and reserve.
Especially happy the picture presented or tbe con-
groom the he tells of his ghasty conquest
before the Juge obstruction The interest was sus-
tanned until the close, though it rather hazardous
experiment the endurance Of an audience through
two hours OF continuous reading Every one wishes 70
see Mr. Collins He has house full Of friends Ia every
town the country. II is pleasant to consider that
those who 90 TO see him will pay nO penauco
in hearing him. There few lectures which afford
80 interesting an evening this dream Woman" OF
Mr. Collins The desire is OF course universal and
old tho world to know what manner OF they
whose creations pass into the common speech and
thought mankind Il matter of earnest congrstu
ation when find them personally sound ana earnest
and manly. This the great pleasure We bad In
seeing and knowing ThacEeray. and this Is what we
gain, besides agreeable hour or two, in hearings
lecture OF Mr. Wilke Collins.