The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-30

ana never JAILED 10 read sketch When she
was called upon, and the call was invari.
ably made; therefore, as general thing,
the company enjoyed genuine treat in an
intellectual sense when Mrs: Davis at
tended, The great actress, Janauschek,
then in the zenith OF her popularity,
could always draw a crowded house
when she appeared in BLEAK House"
and delineatcd with forcible interest
the characters OF Lady Dedlock and Ilor-
tense, while Poor joe had very touch
ing portrayal by member OF the cast who
damatized the work for the Hungarian
actress. IL was often remarked, however,
that despite the intensity Of feeling ex-
hibied by the professionals, Mrs. Davis
reading OF Dickens was fully as agreeable
in its effect, at least to tho Dickens club.
This club included wide circle drawn
from all classes of onr polite society, and
many OF the members are still resident in
our midst. A number, however, have
passed TO the great beyond while others
are scattered over the country all the way
TO the shores OF the Pacific, and more than
one are today members OF Congress IL
might not be bad scheme for ambitious
young gentlemen 10 get up reading club
OF the same order ~ that OF the Dickens
club OF dozen years ago. This same
club was afterward transformed into the
Irving club, and its existence ended after
the sickly seasons OF many years ago.
-
Apropos OF the Dickens reading club. IL
Is noted that we have ut this time the
Eclectic club" an intellectual coterie OF
select ladies, and perhaps gentlemen not
a AZ.
perhaps, as was the Dickens aud Irving
clubs, but still bright, interesting as
well as excellent set whose meetings are
always enjoyed by those who are priv
LEGGED to attend. The meetings OF the en-
suing season will be- fully up TO those OF
last year. no doubt And speaking Of lrv-
ing serves to remind that this eminent au-
thOrs popularity will never wane ~ long
as the English language is spoken.
lie wrote ior the people OF two genera
tons ago, yet his books afford US delight
full epast today, and no author
OF any epoch Won more TunOwn. lie
was offered place In the cabinet
Of two Presidents OF the United States
OF opposing politics, and he became dis
tinguishcd as the American minister to
the court OF Spain during the presidency
Of John Tyler. 1t was a critical period in
the career Of eN-Qnccn Isabella, who had
been on the throne from the time she was
three years Of age, and who renowned
all claim 10 the same over eighteen years
ago. The old lady now, nearly fifty nine,
has not figured before the public much
for several years, but she experienced
stormy work during her maidcnhood.
One Of the most interesting OF lrying's
compositions was letter written TO a
young lady relative, and not designed for
publication, in which lac described u Capt.
Concha. who made hs way with hand.
iul Of conspiratoH, TO the very doorway Of
tho young princess apartments In the
royal palace OF the Queen, and his crowd
were rcpulsed 10y u few brave men within
the building whose icalty TO the little girl
remained mistaken. The princess cried
like the child she was, would be ant 30 do.
and much sympathy was manifested for
her not only at her home but in other
when the particulars became |
known. Later In her career, when the |
ady ruled over her subjects, she was not |
% tender hearted, and she gained rather |
incnNiablo reputation In her time.
-
In his lille Of Columbus, " written sixty |
ears ago, Irving relates, In his peculiarly |
,rnphic way, the mournlul fate Of the very |
Inst city over founded in the new world. |
The city ~ lRsbclln, the site Of which, In
TIE islana OF Santiago, proved unhealthy,
aud which fell To- ruin and WINS totally
abandoned. There Is not today 10 bc
found the least tradition Of this once inn
poriant place, the first remarkable foot
print Of the white man In America. The
inhabitants OF that day, Il q native Indians
known NJ Caribs, have disappeared from
the face Of the earth, aud there does not
exist any trace Of the gorgcously atlircd |
cavaliers, who rs warriors fresh from the |
Moorish wars, were the followers Of the |
great man who discovered America,
aud Who was then Ia the hight Of his |
glory. These Spanish cavaliers Of nearly
400 years ago. scons In many instances
oi Opulcnt families, followed Colum.
bus from Spain, inspired with romantic
notions and desire ior romantic achieve.
monu and chivalruus adventure. The
hArdHhips aud exposures aud dcpriyalions
which attend new settlement in the vii.
dcrncss morbid melancholy, wounded
pride, disappointed hopes aud ailments of
body, made many sink into the grave in
sullcn despair. aud the gloomy fate Of
these gay cavaliers was. indeed, sad Ia 10.
late. The deserted streets Of the city of |
Isabella, with liz ruined edihces. became |
the abode OF the departed spirits of the |
llidalgncs, according Ia the |
belief oi the awc-slrickcn natives who |
near, aud Il IL related that "A |
pair Of Spaniards, many years after, hap.
pcncd a. iind themselves within the limits of |
the once populous city. In retired spot |
Two rows Ut men wcp bUhcld, evidently. |
from their stately dcmcanor and rich |
CNsiilian atti.c, cavaliers Of the court. |
The Rrlonishcd couple salutcd and injured |
when they arrived but the only reply youch. |
sailed was return ui the Salutation. |
through n waving Of hand, aud lifting the |
tall travelling hats worn at the time. and |
the bchOldcr- were s,upciicd with horror |
NJ seeing their hcait lifted with the hats
the bodies standing dccapitaicd ior a time.
and then tile whole phantom asscmhlagc
vanished. This curiously Hupcntitious
legend WIS current In tho last ycars of
Columbus, and u aided In rendering him
unpopular IA his declining years.
week from Friday next, the 10Th Of
October, will he the ENih Anniversary of
the time when Columbus discovered IA,
new world. lie bchrd al the dawn of
that day "a level island, covered Will
trees, like continual orchard AMI several
leagues IN extent Il was san Salvador
The extraordinary beauty aud Insurance
OF the tropical vegetation, the chfys,al
imnspawnccs Of the sea, the purity and
tua,iiy of the atmosphere caused most
agfccablo Impressions Ia pcryadc the mimi
OF the great discoycrvr aud he threw
himself on his knees, kissed the earth. and
returned thanks to God with tears Of low"
hcc0rdlnR " Irving ~ VOL ~ nihnr H.