The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-10-19
bly, Ok Hiram Powers then emerging from
obBcurity into renown MS an artist.

. Charles. near Hrayier street. The occasion
J was made attractive by tho announcement
that II would be addressed by Richard Henry
Wilde.
This gentleman had recently located In The
city for tho practice OF Inv. He Ind acquired
d national reputation by his ability md olo.
quence IN tho Congress Of tho United States
Id 1876. aB d Representative from Georgia. IT.
was poet. orator. jnrlst and author Of great
distinction. Abandoning politics for The more
attractive field of elegant literature and poesy
Mr.. Wilde had passed several years In Italy
Id tho study of MT md Of Itnlian literature
and poetry, during which he wroto several
lyrics and a life Of Taaso.
On his return to this country Mr.. Wilde set.
tied In Now Orleans and soon reached Il high
position III our bar.
There existed u great desire among our
people 10 henri him and attest the reality Of
hia fame rs M orator Of renown for grace,
elonuence and classical finish. Tho meeting
ut tho church On VI. Charles street WINS boz
lieved To bp an appropriate occasion lot tho
qualification of this desire and curiosity.
II was u brilliant assemblage, composed Of
the TASTE tho highest intelligence, fashion and
N
Judge presided. Ho was IL fine scholar and On
eloquent speaker and assuming tho chair
read very finished Grafton. Then Nh. Wilde
was introduced. I1e was y tall. graceful,
courtly old gentleman. Of bong white hair,
and handsome fnee and MOST dlgntiled boar
| Ing. Received with great eordlallty and
warmth by hl4 nudience, Mr., Wilde proceedcd
to address the assemblage n on elegant and
eloquent dissertation upon art. No ono could
have handled this theme with moro grace,
familiarity, poetic fervor and classic finish.
1t WINS groht success. and produced most
favorable Impression upon the audience as to
Mr.. Wilde's capactsy and gifts.
| Toward tho close or Mr.. Wildcs address n
crowd had collected around ono OF The doors
Of tho church, which appeared % DO affected
| by his eloquent periods with unusual
vyacty. When Mr. Wilde finished and
heard from tho crowd to utter the name
| OF Prentiss. It was repeated by others
| In the crowd and taken up by others In tho
body Of the church, and quickly became T.
| loud and ringing y-"Prentiss PrentBs |
Prentissl" Few Of tho audience had any
idea that tho great Mississippi orator was In
tho city. IL WAS only known In fact, TO the
group ut the door or the church. which was
composed Of number Of hilarious Misslssip-
plans, fellow travellers on tho hatcher. who
had Just reached tho city.
Arrested by tho tones OF the orator and a
glimpse OF the large assemblage III the church.
Prentss and his companions concluded to
look In and see what was going on. The
speech of Mr.. Wilde attracted and forced
their attention upon and explained the object
OF the meeting. Prentiss especially appeared
to be absorbed In tho subject OF Mr.. Wilde's
discourse. When II ceased the ardent and
somewhat stimulated Mississippiane, who had
been wont to call out prentlss On oil ocea-
sions whom there was demand or oceasion
for oratorloal display, could not be restrained
from tutoring tho old familiar cry, "Pfontlss,
Prcntiss!' II was echoed blythe New Orleans
audience. and runR through the church with
an earnest righteousness which could not be
stiiled until the little lame man advanced up
tho aisle, and reaching tho centre Of the
church and facing the audience he proceeded
to address them Ia his peculiarly modest and
winning manner. The most ardent friends
and admirers Of tho great orator trembled
with anxiety and apprehension for the result
or 10 adventurous III enterprise as that OF u
| political and jurlstlcal orator embarking II
the field Or literary and artistic discourse
after 50 elaborate able and accomplished an
orator Us Richard Henry Wilde.
| They were, however, quickly relieved by
the evident self-possesson and confidence
with which Prentlss proceeded Ia his exor-
dunn, and the familiarity which he appeared
to manifest with his theme. And soon he
launched In one Of the boldest flights OF ora
tory ever essayed. displaying an enthusiasm
and thorough knowledge OF his subject In all
It's aspects, describing with striking beauty
and force the most famous productions Of the
eminent artists, painters and sculptors OF oil
ages, sketchlnE their lives and traits, and
portraying with vivid effect the characters,
virtues and achievements commemorated and
embodied In the most famous productions OF
the great sculptor5 and painters. This ola
borate and most eloquent portion Of his ad-
dress eliminated In o magnificent dramatic
picture OF the effect upon the rude and Wild
barbarians, the Goths and Vandals when they
invaded and occupied Imperial Rome, and
were awed and subdued by the contemplation
Of the statues OF her god, demi-gods and
heroes.
It would be vain to attempt any reproduce
ton Of this remarkable speech. Suffice 1t to
say that Its effect upon 9 New Orleans audi
ence was most startling. Ladies' and gentle
men all arose to their feet, and with waving
handkerchiefs and the most voctferous braves
and plaudits attested their admiration OF the
orator and the profound effect Of his magnifi-
| cent address.
| The next day the same Judge who presided
| over the meeting ut the Congregational
Church, occupied the bench Of the United
States Circuit Court, On the hearing Of q great
suit In chancery, wherein s. s. Prentiss ap-
peared for one OF the parties and John r..
Grymes for the other. The case involved
most intricate and important legal questions,
and the argument ELECTED great display OF
| legal learning and array OF authorities on the