The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-02-09

MIR. BARRErr-Onc Of the most charming
events Of the week IN society circles was a
private reading given on Tuesday at T. VI.
/ by the distinguished tragedan Mr.. Bar
| reli before Miss GAYS Sbaksupqrl9n
classes. This very high compliment 70
Miss GAY, who i, hi, personal friend. was
rendered by private letter from Mr. Barrett
during his engagement IT, Boston. The
reading wa given at the residence of Miss
Nicholas, NO. 20G Main street. 20 an au-
dicnce OF >cyenty-tiyc. composed only OF
the member, OF The classes. Mr.. aud Mrs.
/ +. Courtney Jenkins, hi, ENccllcncy GOV.
Crnor holiday. IN, niece Miss Ms ~. Of
! Charle.tOWn, West Va. and Mr.. W. Tazc-
well Elicit.
In the absence Of Miss Gay, whose pres
cnce was sadly prevented by removed aiilic-
! tion in her immediate family. Mr.. Barrett
was introduced by his friend and hos, Mr..
/ T.. Courtney jenkins The selection made
/ for the reading was an unpublished hciurc
upon Shak>pc1re by his Emincncr Cardinal
! Wi>cman. This essay was the last intel
/ lcciuql effort Of the great prelatc, and wa,
thought to have OyertaXcd his failing
strength. II was dictated by him du-
| ring the last weeks Of his life, and
/ was prepared IN response 10 an inVl-
ration from the Royal Institution Of
Great Britlin TO deliver lec'urc before
/ thar society. After Cardinal Wi>emln's
death it WIS found unfinished among his
papers, and was then given to the pubic at
the earnest solicitation OF many who de-
sired to possess it. The edition, however,
was most limited one and was speedily
exhausted, so that il is now very rare
gem of English literature. l. i one OF the
! frl ri 90. fi,,,
| in the language. and was indeed a .rlnd
tribute from one OF the master mind, OF
the nineteenth century TO the greatest gc-
niu- that England has ever produced. Car
dlnal Wiscman had never seen or heard q
dramatic rendition Of any Nhlk,pcaran
work, which. says hr in the course Of his
essay. q" NAV be thought by some a diSad.
vantage; but. on the other hand. i, it not
something to have approached this wonder
fu man and 10 have communCd with him in
solitude and in silence face to ficc-alonc
with him alone 10 have known and TO
have studied him from youth to age without
commentary preface or glossary: not during
the still hours Of the might, bat during tbe
Stiller hours of those Italian aflcrnOO G
when the silence seems deeper thln even in
the night-whcn all i hu,hcd but the I'm.
qncled murmuring> Of the fountains be.
meath The orange groves, which mingled
thus the most delicate fragrance with the
most soothing OF sounds, both stealing
together through the half.cIo>cd win
dows OF the wide and lofty corrl-
d0rS. The very picture i an inspiration,
and to have heard Of the great dramLtist
from hi, profound and pricsly student. and
through the lips Of one OF his greatest in
tcrpl etcr>, was indeed privilege and de-
light. At the conclusion OF the essay Mr..
Blrrctt also gave some very charming eX-
tracts from RichlId II. \ very handsome
floral donation was then presented with the
grateful acknowledgements of the cla>S,
after which hi, EXccllency Governor
| Holiday very handsomely acknoW ledGcd
the great pleasure conferred by Mr.. Bar
rctt lnOu ms audience, and paid q Dricf
but eloquent tribute 10 the men of genius
whose achievements entitled th'm 10 stand
in The front rank oi their professions, thus
Cnno5ling them>clyc, and thcir Distinguish
ed calIing,. The membership cf tbc classes
was too large 10 3dmlt Of other Invitations,
and they are greatly TO be cnyled in the en-
joyment Of This exclusive and delightful
privilege.