New-York tribune., 1874-10-19
MR.. HEPWORTH DIXON.

At the regular weekly dinner OF the Lotos
Club last Saturday evening Mr.. Hepworth Dixon was
guest. In response to brief speech proposing MS
health aud rslying him the unpleasant things
which he seemed to find accompanying his visits 10
Amerca-once getting his house blown up while he
was away, and another time getting drawn into the
publication OF the book called "spirtual Wives,-Mr'
Dixon made the following speech
Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: Until two inmates
ago under the impression that the rules OF tnls
club we're Ike the rules Of the Savage Club thar no
mortal man, and least Of all guest, was allowed 10
open his mouth in the august presence OF It's
But 1 know how to obey orders, and my friends
orders are commands There Is one WORD wh,en y,
is proper for me to say MY friend has thrown SNsn
thrown into my teeth more than once, tha. in
my heated youth ! was infatuated enough .,dS 10
the title of "Spiritual Wives' The book had kind
OF success that was exceedingly embarrassing TO rs
author believe 1t was republished n America. 1t
sold considerably, and was damned stlll more cOnsd.
erably Iconiess to that SIN Aud yet you w aow
ton any other ever went into any sin OF personal
TO-DAY SSc was sas TAKEN WAS pace ceaf IN
and which, among other things, has entirely wrecked
my house as1 read paraefapn yawine at1eRton
to the fact that had said something 1npea,s;
ant To- American cars about American ladies. would
ask you 10 take what have said all through, and not
take isolated passage aDd to explain my meaning W
Considering what have sand about English and German
ladies' did write fatter either the English or
the Germans bat to tell the truth and Deeve no han
viii be Injured by the truth being told ask 10 be
indeed by a fair construction in relation what have
sa,d think IL rather hard, and fact rather comca
fhat I should be thought TO have traduccd any one
i'm this country. Truth being truth, let me say
at once that the book called spiritual wives was
written to prove that the alteration called Free Love-
the Higher Law and other names, arose IN teriany
and had a brief existence IN England before thcy
attracted notice the United states lnat tueso aocI
ratiOns exist America / hardly suppose that any
body will deny. To an editor VINO ASKS ior
Information tho subject, my answer Is simply Inquire
in Brooklyn. Laughter and applauseJ Gehtiemeh'
come among you not for the hrst time, ana No, as
a stranger. Every EngIshman who lands IN New-iork
finds himself at home not only among people speahnk
the language himself, but nylng Dy tue same
great principles OF law holding the same great hhei
taucc trial by habeas corpus freedom OF tVuRnt
speech and right OF meeting as he enjoys at NOME
atmosphere But what - true OF all Engisnheh III
general is especially true OF English man OF letters
You and are soldiers III cause. The nag uhucF
which fight Is that Of truth We seek 10 una inc
truth and tell II boldly. There was time when kn
gland rather thin In cutcle that time was Ione
and for 200 have proudly indinoren
to foreign criticism. In America the tender age OF
susceptibility may have lasted little longer; but the
mistake about you, don't suppose you VIII DC
troubled In your sleep. lApplausc.l Gentlemen,
very grateful for the kindly hospitality you have
extended TO This hospitality Is Kind VI fortune TO
wants OF literature who rarely pile up pyramids OF dol
lars OF pounds 10 get their reward IN sympathy ana
| ciyity. Go where ike, never lose world.
In going INTO place II not unfrequenty happens that,
md II full OF friends. such to the Lotos Ciup
this evening am grateful for civites, aud
trust before leave that may have the pleasure of
being presented " every member OF the Ciuo. lap
plause
Brief speeches were also made by Mr.. Geo. w. Garlic
ton, Mr. Vandenhof. Dr. Hammond. Mr.. ). IT, kaufman
] OF Washington. aud Others