The age-herald., 1899-12-28
The Open Meeting of the
 HiqhIand Book Club

Book club, which is always an event of in- terest in clubdom. was at the Yuletide gathering yesterday with Mrs. James Bow ron. distinctivey charming occasion.
 The morning was given over to the dis cussion of the life of Charles Dickens and readings from his books. The Bowron home, with its fine English atmosphere, seemed a most appropriate place for the lovers of Dickens to gather, and happily recall, as did several yesterday, some per sonal recollections of the great English novelist To hear from the lips of an En- glshmen description of the old familiar spots in London, which were made famous by Dickens, was but to be brought more closely in touch with his characters, and after hearing MT. Bowron recall the old inn in London and the quaint customs of which Dickens wrote, one felt peculiarly near to the London of other days. MT. Bowron, who is great student of Dickens, has in his collection of books a number of origi- nas by the English novelist and at the club meeting yesterday MT Bowron made q characteristically eloquent little talk up- on the works of Dickens, and read several extracts, which his remarks directly touch- ed upon. MT. sBowron brought out the strong blending of humor and pathos so loved by the students of Dickens, and en- phasized the love for truth and the hatred of shams which were such strong charac- teristics of his nature.
 In speaking of the great popularity of Dickens books, MT. Bowron eaid that 1t was undoubtedly due to the fact that Dick ems wrote of the everyday people and their emotions. Human nature," said MT. Bow ron, never changes and Dickens knowl- edge of the human heart was equalled by his wonderful powers of portraying it's emotions.'
 In dwelling upon the pathos of Dickens, MT. Bowron concluded his remarks by read ing the wondrously touching passage in Black House. where at little Jos bedside, millions have wept.
 MT Bowron was followed by Mrs. Freq leigh, of Nashville, who spoke most inter- estingly of the life of Dickens and in this connection gave some data in reference to other writers to which that period gave birth. She was especially happy in her reference to the dwarfed childhood of Dickens, and from which was developed the greatest novelist of any century. Mrs Henri Weber, of Nashville Mrs R. D. Johnston and Mrs. Beach, of Washington, D. C., also spoke briefly upon the subject.
 When Mrs. Bowron later announced that one of the club members would give some personal recolections of Charles Dickens, the women present irresistibly applauded when it became known that Mrs Truman H. Aldrich, Sr., had personally known MT Dickens at the time of his last visit to America.
 AJr- I1ro 1l +I,o aj,, ing way her impressions of the English novelist.
 Ladies" she said, "when I tell you I heard and knew Charles Ditkens when he last visited this country, I know you will call me the grandmother of our club, but shall not be like a friend of my own age whom I once asked if she remembered the excitement caused by the death of Lincoln. She replied, Oh, no! But I remember mother telling about it. Now, do not re- member mother telling of Dickens. for l saw him myself, and when old enough to have read many of his books and to appre- ciate him So you can imagine my antici- pated pleasure when 1 knew he was coming to New York;
 "My home," she continued, twas but seven miles away, and when he reached Steinway hall I had long been seated. and was looking for his appearance on the stage with an impatence I could hardly control. Ten years later l read little book called Personal Recolections of Charles Dickens, by young lady. This girl was an intimate friend of his children, q frequent visitor at his home, had romp- ed through the house and now and then gained a wish from the master.
 This girl described his home life as by no means agreeing with my childish ideas and admiration for one who could tell of Little Dorrit
 "She told" said Mrs. Aldrich, "of a man who made home anything but happy. Mrs Dickens she spoke of as kind, agreeable, charming woman, by no means the 1nte- lectual equal of her talented husband, but a woman who worsh.ped him in spite of his bad manners and his rudeness to her. She described one scene in particular. nreuuent visitor at the Dickens home, now an artist who afterwards became famous. This artist agreed, when entreated by Mrs. Dickens to paint a portrait of her husband How the sittings were obtained I do not know, but the picture was to be A complete surprise to MT. Dickens. Mrs. Dickens could hardly keep her secret, and when the work was finished wanted to present it at once. Now the morning hours were passed by Dickens in his den, with no other companion but his pen and his thoughts, and woe to the one who dared intrude. But this was an extra occasion, and Mrs. Dickens felt the end justified the means so carrying the picture to the door of the library, she timidly knocked. There was no answer. and again. louder she knocked, and still there was no answer, but the third knock brought the enraged writer to the door. Still full of the pleas ure of her surprise, Mrs. Dickens smilingly entered and put the portrait. which was excellent in every respect, on the writing table.
 'Dickens looked at the picture, de- stroyed it and turned the weeping woman from the room.
 Now" continued Mrs. Aldrich, this was the Nr Dickens who came to America