Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-01-23

Co6den, were I'm tho House ai that Time.
Another tbeairical aneedote Of Bulwer
10 worth reproducing. Thirty years 40
he became intimate with Dickens. and
the friendship lasted ill death separated
them. No one Who has ever read Bui-
wer's speech at the banquet given to
Dickens, at Freemason's Hall, previous
20 his second and last visis 10 the Unitsd
States. sIi forget the spIendor p his
sloqu44. o. che geneross 80
be gave to bis brother noselist's gepius
and attractive personal qualities. On
one occasion. Dickens was visiting Bull
wer at Knebworth Hall with company
Of literary and theatrical notabilitie9
and. the host having erected stage and
scenery in one Of The spacious apart
ments, the party engaged in . merry
series Of private theatricals. The con-
versation happened. one evening. to
turn upon the pecuniary necessities OF
Leigh Hunt, Q veteran in letters and
play-writing, and one Of the sweetest
and most genial Of men. Dickens asked
If something could not be done to re-
lieve so deserving person. and pro-
posed that some theatricals should be
got up for the purpose. Bulwer at ance
caught at the idea. and Forster and Jer-
rold heartily spplauded it.
eff you will act yourselves" said the
Lord Of Knebworth," will agree to
write the play"
Arrangements were at once made;
Bulwer produced at short notice .
charming little comedy. entitled "Not
so Bad as we Seem; or. Many Sides to
a Character" The Duke Of Devon
shire had temporary theatre coustruc-
ted at Devonshire House, in Piccadilly,
and an audience which included Queen
Victoria, Prince Albert, and many royal
and noble folk, assembled to witness the
play. Dickens took the part OF Lord
Wilmot, Mark Lemon that of Sir Geof-
rey Thornside, and Forster that of Mr..
Hardman. Bulwer's interest in the
drama, like Dickens, was enthusiastic.
and. continued to the end Of has life.
He was one Of the most active members
of the benevolent Gould of Art and
Literature" where he met on equal
terms the leading iterati, artists and
actors Of the day; although q proud
man, full Of aristocratic feeling and hau-
teur, he never displayed an undue pride
or condescension in his relations with
his brethren in art, however little fa-
nous.
During the later years of Bulwer's
life, he was not much in the public eyes,
bat kept himself for the most part Sc
cluded among circle OF few friends.
Domestic troubles-for he had long
been separated from his wife, and their
disagreements took public course, for
Lady Bulwer on one occasion appeared
on the hustings with her husbands op-
ponents-added to the painful affection
Of his eyes, by which he suffered for
years before his death, and seem to have
cast gloom over his life. After being
made peer, he seldom appeared in the
House Of Lords, and ! believe never
made an elaborate speech there, al
though an one occasion he intended 10
speak on the Irish Church, but gave
way, much to the public disaPPoint-
ment, to Earl Grey. He resided in
Grosvenor Square, had q marine-villa
at Torquay, and was accustomed to
spend most Of his winters at Nice, for
the benefit Of his own delicate health.
From July to December, he lived al
Knebworth, whittier his only son, the
gifted "0wen Meredith" Joined him.
and where he enjoyed the luxurious life
Of wealthy country gentleman, keep
ing up his literary iabors 70 The last.
He was at work upon new ncvel--in-
spired. perhaps. by Disraeli's venture
in "Lothair"-when death overlook
him. His friendship with Drsraeli ex-
listed in all its youthful cordiality up to
his death. Bulwer was man ofgenial
temperament. though this was impaired
by the suiferings Of later years. and to-
ward strangers his demeanor was often
naughty and abrupt. He dlsliked any
instrusion upon his privacy. and resent
ed it gruffiy. But his affections were
sturdy and faithful. and he bad the pow
er Of attaching his friends to him in the
most jealous devotion.