The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1873-10-25
WIlKiE COLLINS.
The First Speech oftho Author Of "Wemau
in White" in America.

The following is the brief speech Of
Wilkic Collins 10 the Lotus Club at the
reception accorded him on Saturday night
after his arrival:
Mr.. President and Gcntlemcn--M Many years
ago-morc years than lnow quite like to
reckon-l was visiting at Sorrento, in the
Bay OF Naples, with my father, mother and
brothers rs boy Of IL. At that time Of my
life, rs at this time Of my life. was M
Unsuitable reader Of that order Of books for
which heavy people have invented the name
Of light literature. tLaughterl In due course
Of time exhausted the modest resource of
the library which VIC had brought to Naples
and found myself faced with the necessity
of borrowing from the resources of our fel.
low travellers, summer residents of Sorrento
like ourselves. Among them was certain
coun'ryman of yours, very tall. very lean,
very silent and very melancholy. In what
circumstances the melancholy Of tins gen.
tlcman took its rise am not able to tell YOU,
The ladies thought 1t was disappointment in
love. The men attributed it to a cause
Infinitely more serious than that. mean
indigestion. Whcthar be suffered III heart,
or whether he suffered in stomach. I took.
remember, boys unreasonable fancy to
him, passing over dozens of other people.
apparently far more acceptable than he was.
venturcd to look up 10 the tall American
1t was long way to look up-and said in =
trembling voice; Can you lend mc book
10 read!" lie looked down to me-it was q
long way to look down-and said: II have
got but two amusing books. One of them is
the Sorrows of Wcrtcr,' and ::,he other is
the Sentimental Journey Laughter ] You
arc heartily welcome to both those books
Take them home, and when you have read
them bring them back and dine with me-
and tell me what you think Of them" l
took them home and read them, and told
hin what thought of them much more
freely than l would now. And last, not
lcast, la! an excellent dinner, crowned
with cake. which was an epoch in my
youthful existence, and which, may saw.
lives gratefully and greasily in my memory
to the present day. !Apphusel
Now, Mr.. President and gentlemen, 1
venture to tell you this for one reason. Il
marks my flrst experience of American
kindness and American hospitality. In
many different ways, this carly expression
Of your kindness and hospitality has ming.
led in my after life. now in England, now
on the Continent, until 1t has eliminated in
this magnificent reception from the Lo,os
Club. lam not only gratified but touched,
by the manner in which you have greeted
ME. and the c''rdiAli.y with which the
remarks Of your President have been
received. l venture 10 say tha, sec in this
reception something more than a recognition
Of my humble labors only. Think l sec q
recognition of English literature, liberal,
spontaneous, and sincere, which, l think, Is
an honor to you as well a. an honor to me.
In the name of the English literature, I beg
gratefully to thank you. On my own behalf
l beg to assure you that shall no, forge,
the encouragement you have offered mo a,
the outset of my career in America. Permi,
inc to now remind you that l am now speak
ing in the language of sincere gratitude, and
that IS essentially n language OF very few
words. Applause.