The Washington bee., 1901-06-22
From ,he Sunday PostG


Perhaps YOU have heard a Caucasian
irving to initiate the dialect Oft down
south negro: and perhaps you have
thought that the negro imperSonator
succeeded wonderfully we'll in his task
II YOU wish to realize how absolutely
impossible it is for a white man TO
even approximately catch the spirit of
that elusive dialect, that wonderful
music of nature which seems almost
barbariC to Northern ears, then
you should listen while Paul Laurence
Dunbar. the negro poet, reads seleC-
tiOnS from his own works. Mr.. Eun-
bar gives frequent readings in the
room for the blind at the Library
Of Congress, AMI so popular have his
afternoon reCltalS become that the
blind are outnumbered by others who
come 10 hear. Visitors are welcomed
10 these reCitals, but must content
themselves with the seats in the rear
OF the spacious hall. The front seats
are reserved for those who can hear
but cannot see. Every afternoon some
programme OF music or reading occurs
IN this room, and the same familiar
faces are seen IN the front rows, listen
ing intently and enjoying every
moment as though the sightless eyes
were feasting upon the most gorgeous
stage spectacle ever devised.
Drop into any theater at random dur
ing the height of the season and you
will not observe upon any face one
tenth OF the unadulteratedjO JOY diSCerni-
BILE in the countenaCes Of the blind who
are each day led by some sympathetic
friend or relative through the long
corridors Of the Library Building and
into the front-roW seats IN room No. 7
where the readings take place.
coLoKED PEOPLE HEAR HIM.
Mr.. Dunbar gave another reading
last Thursday afternoon, and SO potent
was the magnet of his name that, de-
spite the rain, a score of the front
row seats were occupied, while other
visitors almost tested the capacity OF
the hall. A number OF the visitors
were members of his own race, to
whom it probably seemed that they
were looking into a mirror. Most o.
them were there for the hrSt time, and
had probably heard Mr.. Dunbar
read his poems. AtfirSt as some we'll
known trait of the negro race was
Cleverlv portrayed in dialect in hum
shifted uneasily in their chairs. They
recognized themselves, yes for the
first time, and they seemed 10 be un-
decided whether TO laugh or to be-
come indignant. One young man arose
and left the room, but it seems in
credible that any negro could take
offense at Mr.. Dunbar's gentle verse.
As for those who remained, they soon
were completely within the influence
of the poets melOdious voice, sing
ing the songs of the South with such
pure delight that his enthusiasm be-
came contagious.
Before Mr.. Dunbar arrived-he had
been DELAYED by an accident to the
street Cars-the presiding genius OF
thu room, a sweet and sympathetic
Young lazy who seems to be one Of
the best friends the blind have, re-
Quested a dear-looking elderly lady,
with a tinge of gray 10 her hair, to
sing something bright" The sOlolst
was led across the room TO the piano,
and Immediately, without hesita-
lion or the apology so often INDUCED
IN by self. conscious pianistS who can
see that others are watching. played
bright little spring song without miss
ing note, accompanying the instru-
menl with a voice well trained ana
under perfect control. Applause
greeted the blind pianist as she was
led back 10 her seat. A piano solo
was then given by anoioer blind occu-
pant of the front row.
When Mr.. Dunbar arrived few mo-
ments later he was welcomed cordially
by the ladies and gentlemen IN the
front rows, who, though they could not
see him, kept up a continuous conVeI-
yasatlOn with him for a while, Whlch
showed that there was the best Oi
good feeling between poet and his
hearers. Then Mr.. Dunbar COM
menCed to read.
WRITTEN IN PERFECT ENGLISH.
His opening selection was that dainty
and touching littl. piece used as the
preface TO his published volume, THE
Poet and His Song" The style of the
poem surprises you, for it is not writ
ten in dialect. The English is as pure
as though it came from Oxford or
1ambridge. The sentiment rings
true. 1t is the song of workingman,
who. whether al work in the teld or
ID the forest, sings his song and allls
well. Mr.. Dunbar read this beauti-
fully, with sincere feeling and perfect
enuuciation. The blind, who could
not see him, might well have reasoned
that this deep, rich, and melodious
voice, coming to them in the dark
hess, belonged TO one of the foremost
English scholars of the day.
This serious introduction was well
chosen, for from strangers II I'M
mediately obtained for Mr.. Dunbar
respect and admiration. His dialect
poems are songs of the people yet
this little serious bit proved that he
could wri for the few as well as tor
the masses. Then he plunged into his
quantity humorous poems OF negro
lie. His first was thoroughly negro.