The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-14
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.

TRIBUTE OF THE Liberal CLUB TO THE MEN,
DRY OF THE DANISH AUTHoR-A SCANDINAVIAN
DEMONSTRATION.
The members Of the Liberal Club met last evening,
usual in the Plimpon Building. The subject selected
for consideration the life, character and literary
abors Of Hans Christian Anderson the celebrated Dan
sh author lately deceased. At half past o'clock
procession formed Fourth street. composed
of scandinavians, who marched to the meeting hall
The principal officers Of the society were in
attendance and the well filed The Danish
flag draped behind the rostrum on each side of
1t was the American ensign. map OF Europe on a
large scale within view, and also collection Of An
dersen's works
Mr. J. K II. Wilcox was the speaker of the evening
He said that Andersens writings touched the heart Of
the world. The ground he surveyed no more ex-
tensve in certain sense, than could be observed
from the steepe OF Trinity church. Few men
possessed the genius bestowed upon him, which he
used for the most exalted purposes He comprehended
the woes the happiness and the hopes OF human beings
in every station and stage Of life He the delight OF
the family circle and had he lived in Shakespeare's
time would have equalled him a dramatist His
stories not alone intended for children, but for
persons Of older growth. They have become household
words, and such has been the favor they
justly exacted that they have been translated
into every civilized tongue. Mr.. Wilcox
sidered Andersen superior writer to Shakespeare,
Shelley Dickens He read at length from the authors
works and mentioned the fact that Andersen dis
appointed in love and died bachelor. At the
clusion of Mr. Wcox's remarks Mr.. 0rmsby, ST.
stated that opportunity open to all present in
accordance with the principles of the Liberal Club to
express their opinions TO the worth of the deceased
author. Some might think that he was dend in hu-
man shape and others hold contrary view but every
welcome to express his views
General Christensen said-Above all things 1t should
| be remembered that Andersen a Dane and true
| Denmark No not acquainted with the dstin-
gushed writer could understand the depth of his feeling
in this respect Five years ago, the speaker
| said, he made the acquaintance Of Andersen
at the residence of the American Minister, and
| though he then sxty-fve years old he
| appeared to be simple child II to
the speaker matter long to be remembered the read
ing of of Andersens stories during the long North
ern summer evening when listened to by attentive and
delighted audiences ''Le, said Andersen the
casion sis most beautiful and is but fairy tale alter
ALL" One of the touching incidents the speaker
witnessed the reception by the great Dane of
contributions from American children and the
last letter, probably Andersen ever wrote
was one TO the editor OF the New York Tribune ac-
knowedging the receipt of such remittance Andersen
| held to the belief that however bad might be,
there yet remained in him something good and whole
that it was only necessary for an occasion 10 oe1
to bring forth
The discussion now took rather a wide range Spirit
| uasm, poetic exploration, humanity, ethics Shake
speares plays the of gross and common materials
TO create elevatng sentiments we're considered by mem
bers of the club Some of the remarks Of Mr. WILCOX
were rather severely criticised. "Protoplasm" anC
other tough sounding words used, and the audi
ence having gradually got warmed, grew enthusiastic
There general dissent to the lofty position tha
Mr.. Wilcox assigned to Andersen.
Mr.. W. L. Ormsby Jr in some remarks contendet
that Andersen the superior of Shakespeare because
the latter always cast odium in his writings the
working classes and fawned upon those in high stand
ing, while the Dane identified himself with the lowly
and simple.
After some further discussion the assembly departed