The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-06

all the somebodies OF the city greeted the
beloved story writer. IlesGe orations in
honor of Mr. Hope were profuse and the
entire ceremony was elegant and In OK
oellent taste The large table of tho din
ing room where rOfrCshments were served
held "A large contra piece of scarlet flowers.
Mrs. j, NJ. Alderman, Mrs Oscar Lap
ham, Mrs Frank MantoD, Mrs
Capron, Miss sarah T.. Doyle and Mrs.
Henry h. .IenCks presided by turns at the
table in the dining room, and Miss Man
ton, Miss Mollie Foster and Miss Aldrloh
served ices at the little tables stationed
in the hall and drawing room.
Among the prominent persons present
were Col. william Ill. Goddard. Mr.. John
Carter Brown Woods Senator Aldrich,
Senator Laphsm, Hon. Amasa Eaton,
Prof. Sears Prot Clark ana Mrs. Clark,
Mrs. h. Ben Jamin Andrews. Prot.
Dumpus, Prot. Bronson, Mrs. William q.
Baker, Mrs. Gustave Radeke, Mrs John
Danielson, Rev. Floyd Tomkins, Jr
Miss Amelia >. Knight, Profs. Hark-
ness and Wilson.
In the evening at S o'clock "A lorgo aud
ience assem- bled in Infantry hall To hear
MIR. Hope read selections from his popular
works for the benefit of the Young
Women's Christian Temperance Union
building fund Tho hall was about two
thirds full and tho persons wLo were
present included the best OF the citizen
snip. 4 he desire to 500 tho gif ed author
was the strongest emotion, for many, II
not quite all, In the hall had some nc
guaintanceship with the distinguished
guest by familiarity with the characters
born in his imagination. Thcy were de-
lightful people these imaginary ones,
too, as was demonstrated in the reading
which constituted all tho entertainment
except selections on the great organ by
Charles l.. Kenyon.
Mr. Hope appeared on the platform at
g. 10 o'clock accompanied by Governor
Elisha Dyer Cher Justice Matteson,
Rev. Floyd Topkins, Augustine Jones
and other gentlemen. Governor Dyer,
in introducing Mr.. Hope said: There
IS much satisfaction in contributing TO a
good cause. When that cause brings
pleasure, as this one most certainly will,
no satisfaction could be greater. -
Mr. Hope is "a tall, spare man with a
highly intellectual face and the manners
of an English gentleman. His repose Is
strongly reminded one Of the gifted ao-
-Sethera-tAe marked thing
about both the man and his reading was
good taste. There was an abse nee of all
that apportains TO aifectation ana assump-
ton.
lie is at his best I'm the lighter selec-
tions ana he conveys his moaning with
theatrical tricks. He is a straightforward
reader. with a voice capable of bringing
out hidden meaning. lie was especially
happy in the humorous selections. such
as the Dolly Dialogue extracts. The par.
tioularly enjoyable feature OF the reading
vas the absence OF all attempt at SO
called elOcution. he read the passages in
an excellent reposeful way and lie was
charming.
His program included 1.-The PhiIoso.
pber in the Apple Orchard, Rudolpn's
leavetaklng al the princess in "Ihy
Prisoner of Xsnda, Cordial Relations.
Rotributlon, The House Opposite, nnd
A Slight Mistake, from Tho Dolly Dia.
loguos His interprs tation OF the princess
I'm the Xen1a selection was remarkably
sincere. IL was delightful evening and
afforded the right kind of an opportunity
to the MANY admirers OF tho novelist to
get better acquainted with him.