The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-24
THE DICKENS PARTY.
4 Striking Impersonation Of Characters i'll
Dickens Books and Dickens Fame.


Rink Hall, and for several hours
thought of Charles Dickens; talked Of
him, and some, it is said, went home
and dreamed OF him.
1t is true the famous author did not
visit Newberry when he was in Amer
lea, nor has it ever been lntlmated
that he contemplated such an idea.
But Dickens books and Dickens iame
years and years ago found their way
to our little town, and there are many
indications that they will abide here
for long time to come.
AS is we'll known, Dickens was born
in the month of February, and on a
day not far removed from the date
which was selected as the most con-
venient one on which to do homage
here to his memory, aud after ali there
were just as many people present, just
as much interest manifested and just
as much love for Dickens in Newberry
on the 18th day of February, as there
was on Dickens birthday. 1t was
shown, therefore, by the Dickens Par
ty that while no age or land can mo-
nopolize the great hunorist and nov
elist, neither can any point Of the
calendar claim him for its own.
The Dickens Party was for the bene-
fit of st. Luke's Episcopal church; on
the principal, however, that the good
of each is the interest of all, every
denomination lent hand and helped
to make the evening most charming
and gratifying success.
The hall in which the entertainment
was given is on Main street below the
public square and directly across the
way from the big pillared Court House.
The entire second floor Of the building
constitutes the hall, and on the even
ing of the Dickens Party fairy fingers
had transformed the spacious room
into place delightful to look upon.
The walls were tastefully decorated
with evergreens, and along the whole
length of the east side of the hall there
peeped forth from bowers of spruce
and holly exquisite little booths and
tables. Here and there colored bunt-
ing blended harmoniously with the
green foliage making, with the varied
costumes of those VINO personattd
Dickens characters, scene Of striking
beauty. Though green foliage the
sign of Hollywood Inn" could be
distinctly seen, and it goes without
saying that all who entered that ia
nous hosiery feasted on oysters, tur-
key, ham, creams, cakes and other
dishes and delicacies Of a most booth
some kind. and such as would have
made the heart of Charles Dickens
leap for JOY.
1t was truly Dickens night. His
flag was nailed to the foremost, and
Dickens was triumphant everywhere.
not the Dickens who melts us to. tears
with his pathetic descriptions Of the
woes of outcast London, but the mirth-
full Dickens, the big-hearted Dickens
who loves to tell US of the green fields
and smiling lanes of ''merry England"
That was the Dickens who presided
over the Dickens Party, aud as if by
contagion, everyone present seemed to
catch his genial and joyful spirit.
The programme of the entertain
ment was as varied as it was attract
i've. Was one of the mathematical
turn of mind. There he could guess
the weight of mammoth Dickens
square. If his calculations went astray
there was sparkling fountain Of
"treacle" near at hand in which lie
could bury his disappointment.
4 marvellous Dickens hasty pudding
for the children was also one of attrac-
tions of the evening, and those who
took ''dips'' into its mysterious depths
met with constant surprises@
Then there was the Dickens art gal
lery filled with Dickens aesthetics.
Among the many works Of art exhib-
tied were a tortuous Oliver Twist from
rope factory; a study in oil straight
from the classic waters of the Levant;
composite picture of great expecta-
tions.without number.
Of Dickens characters there was a
small-sized army. They were taken
mainly, however, from Oliver Twist,
Old Curiosity Shop, David Copperfield
and Nicholas Nickleby. The persona
tions were excellent. Especially is
this true when it is taken into consid-
Grafton that the time for making prep
arations for the entertainment VAS
comparatively short. Old bandboNes,
however, were searched; old wardrobes
overhauled; trunks of past genera
tion rolled out from their resting
places, and superannuated bureaus
ransacked from top to bottom. \ dis
play of curls, bonnets, gowns, wigs,
swallow tailed coats, and other tinery
of by-gone days was the result, togeth-
er with
"Ribbons and laces to set off the face S
Of pretty young sweethearts and
wives"
At the south end of the hall 4 small
stage was erected. Directly over the
stage hung a life-lik crayon picture of
Charles Dickens, drawn especially for
the occasion, and which surveyed Sc
renely the entire assembly.
On the right of the stage and not far
from it was large piano for the
Dickens musicians. Various selec-
tions of vocal and instrumental Dick
ems music were given during the even.