Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-11-30
Mr.. Charles Davies in Charlostown.

Mr.. Charles Davies IN Charlestown.
About four hundred persons were delight
fully entertained at Charles Washington Hall"
on Monday night by CHARLES DAVIES. Egg,
whose wei, known powers as lecturer and
humorist ~, always sufficient to draw him
large aud appreciative audiences. The enter
tainmeut on the evening 10 question was Civ
en- at the request aad under the auspices Of
the Cool Temphrs, wio design giving a Sc
ries Of IRE Mind ia order 10 interest and enlist
:he citizens 10 behalf Of their noble cause. At
an early hour. Notwithstanding clouds and
pitchy darkness without the hall began to ill
rapidly. and long before the iuspiri;ing strains
Of " Wearing Of the Green by the band an
nouuced the approach # Mr.. d. every seat
was occupied, aul many extra ones were
in rcquisition for the accommodation Of the
throng The platform was tlsteiuly decora-
ted for the occasion with handsome light stands
on either side Of the desk, one bearing a bust
Of Dickens. aud the other a choice boquct Of
rare flowers Both Bands, the Silver aud
Brass were IN attendance ana alternately dis
courscI sweet music previous to the arrival Of
Mr. Davies. Alter a graceful introduction by
Mr. A. d. Barr, Mr. d made few predatory,
aud somewhat deprecatory, remarks in alIu-
siou 20 the invitation to real before an audi
eucc, touching lightly on the difficulty Of say
lag no. which was common TO many per-
sons. and which with him was partly account
able for bis Acceptance. he d@elt for a short
time on the importance Of learning TO read
wel-uo, 90 make funny faces and appear on
tie stage with girls who play on brass instru-
meuts but the ability O. reading an editorial
10 morning paper not simply dependent on
due elocutiou but ol taste, e.. As an cx'm-
pie Of reading which is not elegant, he illus
tra,cj the hlud-orsau style. and ground out a
verse OF two with gestures, which brought
down the house. after this manner never
loved a dear glzsl,e which charmed me with
IFS bright black eve but when it came to know
me well ard love me it was sure TO die" After
balcony soeue with Juliet, which was ire
ssuble and couvulsgd the audience, turning to
his programme which he declared himself al
most afraid 90 attack, be read a poem from
HlrpaS IE4t-iae for December, called
TOMS Little Star, or the Art aud the Wo-
man. " in style iujmfabls As appropriate
O. the occasion he then announced that he
would venture to read little Home Drama ~
on Temperance. based On an incident related
in one of the CuArlest0wu papers some years
ago. The Drama, pathetic portrayal Of the
downward course aud subsequent reformation
Of drunken lawyer. interpreted with some
s,shcr 7s Wit. aud most exprcssivcly rendered,
was listened to &,th a brea;Llcss interest,
which Showed the appreciation OF the audience
more Than the thpulers OF applause which fol-
lowed i.s conclusion.
We have not ability 90 dwell on the whole
of th., admirable eulertaiument,-thc force Of
+ the B.,,lc-p.cce which he considers uuSur-
passed even by ' The Charge Of the Light
/ Brigade" ~ lac intensely funny Article on
/ - Su,r.users from the Darlington Hlcteye
T tle scenes rr.n Thc School fyr Scandal by
his owu flyoric Sheridan, read hy special re-
pue,t. o., was. also. Molly M1rmrty with
uLj,A be closed. leaving The platform amid
r,ars of laughter and applause which cou'd
t fail fln .-gr,. him tl.at the enterprise upon