Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-09-20
ca .Iky ES NJ KENS
Prof. sheppard's Evening With This Nota.
bic Author.

Prof. Nathan Sheppard's second lecture. last
night, was highly entertaining. 1T bud for q
subject The Writings of Dickens" With
such a theme to begin with, the lecturer
brought full and intimate acquaintance with
the authors works, an analytical appreciation
OF their worth and exalted conception of their
marvellous influence. to present an entertain
ment in the highest degree most satisfactory.
The lecturer and audience warmed towards
each other in the fullest sympathy over Dick
speaker and his hearers mutu-
ally awoke to an extreme degree of ap-
probation over human nature as presented
BY the inimitable aIthor-ths re-creator of
character common to every annuity. Prot.
Sheppard dealt with his subject or reviewed
the writings Of Dickens in most entertaining
manner. His lecture was commenced with the
declaration that Dickens was the most
Influential writer. Of fiction of this or
any other age. He used he word ''inlaen.ial,"
while in speaking of George Eliot" he hal made
use of he term powerful" She treated of
motives-Dickens portrayed behavior" Up
on this point the lecturer enlarged at length.
and alluded to the frequency with
which Dickens spoke of the
walk. the gesture, or what not
pertaining to the behavior of his characters
Thus he presented portraits, which were
classed as the bodest in grand outline ever
presented by IN artist of the pen. They were
pictures of consummate skill, touched by Carl
cature subtle in its nicely and vivid cooring.
Moreover each character had its counter part
in life. aud to confirm his audience in the hon
esty of this assertion, the lecturer introduced
Mr.. Micawber and Podsnap to their attention.
These characters had become living and active
members of every community, so much SO that
Micaw berism and Podsnappery had
bed
cons. In summary, the prominent
characters of Dickens creation, or rather re-
pr 'duction-fOr it was claimed they one and
all, were the portraits OF actual persons, were
passed in review, and the purpose of their be-
ing was incisively and amusipgly stated. Dick
graphic powers, and his mastery of the pat hetic
were cited aud illustrated with recitals from
his works, which appeared something new,
revelation even to to those best acquainted
with Dickens, so admirable was the professor 8
reading and mimicry. Perhaps no part
ing as the professors reference
to Dickens American books-Martin Chuzzle-
wit and American Notes. Hearty laughter
greeted the lecturers description in Dcke MS
language of the crudities of American society
in the long ago, about this the speaker
was frequently emphatic. In all the
a M"f.n h after aft;. scene or two from
who was not free to confess that Dickens had
seen the weak side of American charscte be-
sides much Of it's ill-breeding, and had held it
pto just rincule, sharpened by equally just
satire. There were many too who were ready to
declare that splitting" and such denominations
were not wholly of the past. Every phase of
human behavior as given by Dickens received
mention by the lecturer aud was illustrated,
Dickens humorous description, quaint and
original thoughts having delightful inter
probation by the reader. On the whole the
lecture was pre-eminently entertaining, in
structive and amusing.