The record-union., 1892-05-07
TIRE IRE DRAMA OF HUMAN NATURE. +"
An Intellectual Treat at the Congre-
gational Church.
VIII Carleton, the Eminent Poet and
Author, Delights Large Audi
ence Last Night.

The course of lectures given under the
auspices of the Sacramento Lecture As
sociation was closed last night by Will
Carleton at the Congregational Church.
The church was so crowded that many
were compelled to stand, while as many
chairs as could be placed in the aisles,
without closing them completely, were
made available.
When Carleton was introduced he was
greeted with enthusiasm, and he held the
appreciative audience entranced for an
hour and half.
AS had been anticipated, he proved a
very vigorous talker, and eXemplihed
the fact that the softest sentiment and
finest shade Of feeling and pathos may be
conveyed in terse and vigorous speech.
The rendition OF verse and poetry is often
marred by too much effort or too little
vigor in the enunciation or the recita-
ton.
Mr.. Carleton is perfect in his self-pos-
session and graceful ease on the platform,
and has a good and well-managed voice.
lie is a man much younger IN appear
ance than many may have supposed, as
his name has been so Familiarity known
tor number OF years.
Human Nature" and it was delightful,
especially in its informalan spontaneous
delivery, one theme leading on TO an
other in an apparently impromptu order,
freely intersperSed with sentimental and
humorous anecdotes in prose and verse.
The drama OF human nature, he said,
was the oldest in the world, commencing
with our common parents in the Garden
OF Eden and continuing to this day and
hour-a drama that never Will cease until
the fall of the great drop-curtain which
snail shut out all creation.
He pictured the impression made upon
him by visit to Johnstown. Pa, the
scene of the great flood, where the streets
We're converted into Niagaras, and ten
ants not only evicted from their dwell
IngS, but the dwellings themselves
washed away-many people dying with
Dlanched faces and shrieks OF despair.
Even this disaster was nothing compared
10 the silent streets of the great cities of
DlStOry-deSerted scenes once populated
with thronging humanity.
lie drew vivid picture of the Colo
scum in Rome, where the thousands
gathered to see men die, and gave vivid
description of the gladiators shouting,
Hail, Caesar! We who are about to die
salute youn
After all, he said when we think of all
the great wars and struggles of the world,
the real drama of life is among men and
women everywhere, in homes and by the
hresides, in actual life. The heart history
of any one present would perhaps prove
more real and wonderful than anything
ever written by Shakespeare, were it
possible TO depict it.
Nothing, he said, could be more dra-
matte than a wedding, or the launching
into lite III earnest Of the mated pair; and
here he lapsed into a pretty rhyme de-
plctlng the realm the lovers travel i'll,
sweet dream of perpetual bliss and happi-
ness.
The lecturer referred to what he was
pleased to call 1.-The great drama of dis
cusSion carried on in every household
and amidst domestic surroundings" as
doing more to shape deStinieS than all
politicians or legislatures. He related an
amusing sketch of the chronic arguer,
who argued himself to death-a logical
wreck-and appearing before st. Peter,
insisted on an argument, until he was
introduced TO Solomon and admonished
10 continue and do his best.
lie characterized the sacred drama of
the church, of the school, and the Sun
day-school. He recited a poem devoted
To the travelled clergyman, who was sent
abroad by his flock, and who, upon his
return, insisted upon taking them upon
long tours about the werld thereafter un-
I'll home affairs were neglected.
In the long lecture (which seemed so
brief Mr.. Carleton went from one topic
to another with graceful ease, and in
stanced how short the step may be
from grave to gay, and how Intimately
humor and pathos, joy and grief hope
and despair, are blended in the great
drama of Human Nature"
Many bits of choice verse were inter
spersed throughout his address, much of
1t probably never printed, being inn
promptu bits of sentiment woven into
his lte-like pictures of everyday scenes
and homely incidents.
The poet was especially happy when he
reverted to his boyhood surroundings
and school days. He pictured the old
deacon, why grut1ly stood his scholars up
in line and compared him with the
bright face and winning ways of his sue
cessor, young and attractive lady,
be was very pathetic in his description
of the final ending of the human drama
the drama of the funeral-and proved
himself a master of expression in touch
ing the deeper feelings in every breast.
During the lecture many of the audience
We're moved from hearty laughter to tear
tul tenderness.
He closed with graceful summary of
human life, wholesome definitions of
morality, and the dignity of living in
earnest-and dying in faith.
a TT nv