The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-04-02

JOAN OF ARc-MIss DICKISsoN's His.
ToRIcAL SKETcH.-WbateYer may be the
shortcomings OF Anna Dickinson in other re-
ainong,the great orators Of The present ecu.
tury. There is no gainsayiDg this fact. 1t
is, however, novel sight for womln to
appear before southern audience as lee
turer; and perhaps this fac, ins cad of at.
tracing an immense gathering to hear her,
tended 10 keep our people away. But those
who denied themselves such a feast upon
such flimsy reason must live only to regret
1t when they come 10 realiZ. the truth OF
what will be told this morning and hear the
verdict OF her last nights audience; and
for the sake of those who did not hear her
first lecture it Is to be regretted that Jean
D'Arc is not to be repeated tonight.
1t would possibly be nearer the fact were
We to say that Miss Dickinson Is not lectu-
rer, but an actress-a powerful, fascinating
actress, who drumatizes her thrilling word,
and with touching pathcs acts ont the sim.
ply touching story of Jean D'Arc with q
power such as has never been witnessed in
the South before. She brings before her
hearers the scenes and incidents of TOUR hum
dred years ago with an earuestpeSs and a ma.
gical control that is beyond our power to de.
scrce. To say that she holds her audience
spcll.bouud would not faithfully represent
the truth. She chains every listener, moves
every heart, and brings tears 10 eyes that
would scorn to weep upon occasions CT more
solemn import.
She tells the story Of the faithful peasant
girl from her birth TO her death so elcq1ent.
ly and grandly that one would imagine they
were listening to the history Of great chief.
tain whose purity, gallant deeus, courageous
fortifude, seif.sacrif:inS spirit, and urtainted
chArac'e er were az indeli6ly impressed upon
our memory as the life and character of
Christian hero Of our own day and genera
ton.
She pictures in glowing terms the sue.
ceSses of her beautiful subject, and tells how
she captures town after town, defeats the
English in the open field, and rontS the last
remnant Of the magnificent torce sept to con.
quer her beloved France. Then the king is
crowned, and that day crowns the life OF the
heroine with unspeakable happiness. Her
work is completed. She begs that she may
return to her own home, 10 her mothers
sheltering care, where she may tend her ia
theirs flcks and pass her remaining days in
qnietude. But all 10 no purpose. The end
COMES at last. Her appeals are denied. and
fioally, through rreachery, she falls into the
power of her enemies. She is sold TO The
English, and at last it is fated that she shall
be burned.
Miss Dickinson concludes her powerful
lecture With the most vivid and thrilling
description Of the execution Of the unhappy
Jean D'Arc-a description which must be
heard to he appreciated. She tells how she is
placed in cart and rides 10 the scatfDld
through lines of the yelling multitude eager
for her life. When the cracking fl ,mes are lick.
ing up the very dust around her: ard the curl.
ing smoke is sitting her faiuling breath, she
besoeches the poor monk 10 descend om Il e
scatfjld to save his own life and cries, Hold
before me the Gross; aud, expiring with
her last thoughts for her country and her
God, leaves the memory Of her faithfuness
to live forever, and her ashes to be the mon.
ument of one who fought the good fight,
finished her course, and Kept The faith.
But we have already said more than is
necessary. Miss Dickinson appears for the
last time to night, and il 4" WHAT'S to Hin
de- ?" has any of the grandeur OF jean D'AIc
the Theatre vii! not begin TO hold the au-
diencc which this wonderful woman Is sure
TO attract,