The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-01-30
Lecture on Charles Dickens.

The second of the series of lectures an
nounced by Prof James A. Diffenbaugh, was
delivered at Central Hall, on Thursday even
ing last, by Mr.. Leon Ii. Vincent, of Phila-
defphia. The subject of the lecture. as pre-
viously announced, was CHARLES DICKENS.
The lecturer presented the subject TO his au-
dience in an easy, attractive, and graceful
manner. He reviewed the career OF Dickens,
from ten-year- old boy, engaged IN dark Gel
lar packing Warren's backing, to Its close
after the achievement of fortune and world
wide fame, which he accomplished with his
pen in the brief period of about five years.
Mr.. Vincent recounted the various works OF
Dickens and brought out their several char
acters as clear and distinct as ifthey had been
thrown upon the canvass by powerful stere-
opticon. He also analysed the works them
selves, much as the chemist would put into
his crucibe the different elements to be fused
and tested by his art, and the residuum was
pronounced good. Dickens writings, he
said, were aimed to correct the iolies and
vices of mankind and to present their virtues
in an attractive light He ALLUDED to Dickens
visit to this country, aud his caus:ic lanpoon
of the peculiarities of the American people,
which he thought may not have been alto
esther undeserved, and Dickens might be ex-
cused, IN part, for his breach of propriety IN
speakine i'll of the Americans is too much,
he continued, to expect an Englishman abroad
to master his prejdices or to forego the pleas
ure of enjoying the national peculiarly OF
grumbling at everything he sees. We have
no complaint against Dickens for scoring the
foibles of Americans; but, while acknowledg-
ing his genius, he is open to the just criticism
of having drawn his characters from the lower
walks of life But he has made for himself
an imperis' liable fame in the world of letters,
and the critic might ekaritably relegate TO
obscurity any shortcomings that may be laid
to his charge.
Before the lecture the audience were treated
to quartet, by two ladies and two gentlemen.
! The next lecture in the course arranged by
Prof. Difieubaugh, will be given at the same
place, Friday morning, February 5, at II a.
m. by DR.. Wilbur L. Davidson, on 'The
Coming Woman before the County Teach
ers' Asso citation. AT night he will lecture
on "TheHeart of the Alps, and illustrate it
with 80 stereopticon views.
Gambler Items.
The weather this week was the coolest ex-
perienced for some years. On Wednesday
morning the mercury here was only one de-
gree above zero, and at other localities near
by it was even lower.
On January oath, Granville W., only child
of Jacob G. and Virginia Gambler died here,
aged weeks and days.
The grip is still severe in this section. VIM.
II. Gorsuch, near here, is critically i'll. He
had the grip, but had improved enough he
thought to go out, and did so. He was sud
denly taken i'll again with heart trouble and
other diseases and his recovery is doubtful.
Mrs. Malinda Brothers, widow of Elias Broth
ers, and former widow of George Jacobs, is
very i'll at the residence of Howard Zepp, near
here. She is nearly 80 years of age. VIM.
S. Gambler is still improving. Miss Mollie
Slasman, who has been confined to her bed
for some weeks, is also improving, and Mr..
/ Ckas. Benson is much better.
George Bennett, of New Jersey, is a guest
of Dr. Silas N. Gorsuch. Miss Georgia Wag-
ner, of Westminster, is visiting friends here.
Irwin G. Rinehart, teacher of the public
school at Bird Hill, severely cut his foot while
cutting wood on Saturday last.
The public school here, taught by John W.
Croft, has Al scholars.
Nicholas Benson lost n horse last week,
| from epizoOtic.