Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-17
THE RICHMOND LYCEUMs OPENING.
winters Course .Auspicfously Begun
With Anthony Hopes Readings.

The Richmond Lyceum course opened
most auspiciously last night, and the bril-
liant beginning but indicates the success
that will crown this popular and public
spirited undertaking.
A well-groomed audience Of at least 100
people, who represented the culture ara
refinement of the city, assembled to near
the public readings of Anthony Hope
Hawkins, and for two hours sat SPELL
bound by this matchless writer Of nc
ton. Prominent among those present were
the leading educators of the city, but the
sober business-m man was largely In eVi-
dence, while the social element brought
I'D an ample residuum. In fact, 1t was ere
of those occasions when Everybody was
there" and better still, when everybody
was pleased.
Mr.. Hawkins-better known TO the read
ing public by the pseudonyme Anthony
Hope-was presented to his hearers by
Rev. DIR. Caliseh, who, after brieny
sketching the objects of the Lyceum'
stated that If there were royalty in htera-
ture the reader would surely take the
rank of sovereign.
SURPRISED AT THE AUDIENCE.
The famous Englishman looked just
bit startled and surprised when he raced
his immense audience, which appeared 10
have exceeded his expectations In point
of magnitude Perhaps this look was due
TO the careworn expression which appa-
rently haunts his intelligent race at an
times. The man is indeed verltapie
picture of intellectually, though his keen,
clear-cut features rather suggest the law
yer than the romancist He Is very bald
and has the alert look of the eagle. When
he came forward one almost expected the
legal bywords IF your Honor please" or
the persuasion introduction, Gentlemen
OF the jury"
Mr.. Hope can hardly be called an era
tor. though he apparently makes no pre-
fences in that direction. He is what Is
better-perfectly natural and full or ms
theme. In the Dolly Dialogues ne was
at his best, for here he seemed TO feel
the wondrous life of the story, and 10
live the parts of heroine and hero. one
moment he was the lovable but not over
scrupulous Dolly. and the next the amia-
bile and complacent Mr.. Carter, her raitn-
mi and willing devotee. Almost uncon-
sciously he assumed those tones OF IN
iured and assumed innocence when
marked these famous colloquies, and at
times IL was wonderful TO near the wo-
mans falsetto which his voice assumed
The audience undoubtedly preferred the
adventures of the Maynard little hirt 10
those of the other heroines, for Dolly,
unlike some of his other heroines, Is,
above all things, intensely human.
WEIRD ALL POPULAR SELECTIONS.
Mr.. Hope, after first reading selection
from the prisoner of Zenda," enter
tanned his audience with the futile at
semnts of the Princess Osra to captivate
81
which is richly colored. was splendidly
,nterpreted by its creator, who, by the
NAV has a. most marvellous insight into
woman's character. The miller, as We
ali know. was the only man who posi-
lively refused to be captivated by tne
princess. and, though she bore her fall
ure brayely. her pique would assert itself.
In other words. she was true woman,
as are all OF Mr.. Hawkinss heroines,
and being a true woman, her vanity was
vulnerable.
The English accent Of the novelist was
sonorous and pleasing, and strongly sug-
gested sothern, the famous society actor.
He articulated well and apparently fol-
lowed the most approved methods Of pro-
nuncsation. His audience. perhaps, gave
a little start when he spoke of "the hgur
(figure) of a woman" but there were
none. in the absence Of dictionaries and
self-confidence. to gainsay him. Perhaps
he was even right. and. at any rate the
attractiyeness OF his speech will find many
iu,itators. II the race Of Anglomaniacs
IS not extinct.
Altogether Mr.. Hawkins IL delightful
entertainer, and be he droning or
thrilling speaker. he is at all times
charming when he reads from his own
worLa IJjs literary STYLE may lack the