The New York herald., 1873-11-12
PUBLIC ADJUSTMENTS.

Wilkie Coliinss-EIis First Appearance in
New York Last Evening at Association
Hall.
AS reader Wikie Collins is not success. He
made mis- first appearance in New York last even
ing before an audience which filed i0ur-hfths OF
Association Hail. The medium through which he
introduced himself was literary composition en-
titled "The Dream Woman.n His reception was
hearty and predisp0sition to be pleased was evi-
dent. Like almost every other literary work by
which Mr.. Collins Is known, the events in 1.-The
Dream Woman" are related by several different
parties whose variations dovetai felictously. The
parties in the present case are Mr.. and Mrs. Percy
Fairbanks, wealthy couple, who spend their time
between France and England; Francis Raven, q
hoster, and Rgobere. The central characters are
Francis Raven and Alicia warlock his wife. Alicia
is the Dream Woman, who first makes her appear
ance to the hoster in sort of vision upon one OF
the anniversaries OF his birthday, and whom he
subsequently encounters In real life under very
mysterious and eccentric circumstances and ulti-
mately marries. He finds his dea III from her hands,
horn handled knife. But what is Intended as the
thrilling portion OF the narrative Is the corre-
spondence Of the mode OF the hostlers death to the
picture unfolded to him in the dream in which he
first sees the face OF the woman who becomes his
wife.
1t was unnecessary FOR Mr.. Collins to inform his
audience that 'sThe Dream Womann was an ex-
panded version OF short story written by him
years ago. II bears innate evidence OF . raw
not succeeded In giving the semblance of mellow
ness. IT presents none OF those patient and earn
est attempts M az cnaracterizaton which, IN Count
as artist, and none OF that delicate articulation
Of incident which render the best Of his novels alto
gether unique. The c0l0rs are as coarse and
blotchy as they are ghasty; the hum0r Is very In
frequent and commonplace and the mixture OF
vouptuousness, cruelty and horror Is oil the more
because nj 10
intellectually weak and because is always pisia-
BILE to see man OF MIR. Collins age, standing and
ability 80 sadly misconceiving himself and his
Mr.. Collins reading is better than his material.
but it - not what one mas right TO- expect from
profession. IN common with. more than one
rea0er VINO has appeared before New York
the great mistake OF assuming the position OF q
gentleman reading IN very large parlor filed
with his trends A lecture room is not parlor.
nor can 1t be reasonably expected that the public
shall exercise the amabilities OF private friend
ship. Mr.. Collins comes to this country on Dusi-
ness enterprise, meaning to make as much money
as possible in as short space OF time as may be-
The object is not an unworthy one We have no
word to say against 4 T. All that we claim is that
all appeals to the personal friendship or readers
are humbug. Mr.. Collins is a clever reader, dis
garded as talent In the amateur. He pronounccs
ms words distinctly, can be heard plainly In all
parts OF the house, and assumes, not altogether
to the identity OF the speaker represented. In be-
ginning the evenings entertainment he discaimed
all intention OF acting, put in reality stultlcd him
SELF and In some portions OF the reading
Ss seAss Iss'QIsss dssss es2SsSTss sSaS rs
rant 70 expect. Some OF the audience went to
Sleep some arose and left the hail. and expressions
q Sss P Tsrs or
Just 1s nave is been p nsasa amen I'm: sas BScs
'0rn 'Andle; or, The 'Aunted ,Ostler,v 80 far as
relevancy Is concerned; and the other In having
assumed that mis- vast and deserved success al
novelist was sumcient 70 watt him triumphantly
very opposite TO those he Is universally admitted
to possess.
Musical and Dramatic Notes.
Mile. Marie Bonfant the premiere danselse. is a
passenger on the steamship Hansa, for New York
which is expected to-day.
Miss Jenrays-Luis, who was the leading lady at
the Lyceum Theatre, has been engaged for the sea-
SON as q member OF wallacK's company.
Alexander Dumas Is coming TO this country in
January TO deliver course OF nfty lectures. His
principal subject will be that OF nndelity on the
part Of wife. His "L'Homme Femme" rhapsody
will be 'boiled down" for the purpose.
The rest OF the Galaxy Course OF entertainments
VIII be given at Association Hall instead OF mr..
Hepworth's church, which is found too far up
town. Mr.. John @. Saxc's readings from his own
poetic works win be given this evening.
The annual benefit In aid OF the Orphan Asylum,
under the charge OF the Sisters OF Charity, will be
gwen at the.Academy OF Music tomorrow. II Will
consist OF two grand dramatic entertainments,
both afternoon ana evening and every theatre In
the city contributes talent such as VIII render the
performances most attractive and amusing. Inc
whole affair viii be under tho direction OF mr..
Augustin DAILY and this, together Win the worthy
object OF the benefit ought 20 draw large audiences
No more worthy charity exists In the city to-day.
and with the prospects OF hard winter staring
in the face an opportunity II here offered 70 all
persons TO do something TOR the poor little orphans
who are cast upon the enarttr Of tpewoylds