MR. DICKENS'S "READINGS."

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 617, 6 October 1858, Page 3

MR. DICKENS'S "READINGS."

(From the " Times.") Mr. Charles Dickens' "readings" come in as an important addition to the non-theatrical amusements of the day. On Thursday he commenced the experiment of using his elocutionary powers for his own benefit, and so numerous was the throng assembled at the doors of St. Martin's Hall, that hundreds were sent bauk long before the " reading" commenced. The motives that have induced Mr. Dickens to become a reader by profession, instead of a charitable amateur at the service of any beneficent body that owned sufficient moral courage to solicit an expenditure' <>f his time and talent gratis, were stated in the following little speech, which, delivered in a manly, straightforward style, served as a preface to the entire course.— " Ladies and Gentlemen,—lt may perhaps be known to you that for a few years past I have j been accustomed occasionally" to read some of my shorter books to various audiences, in aid of a variety of good objects, and at some charge to myself both in time and money. It having at length become impossible in any reason to comply with these alwnys accumulating demand?, I have had definitively to choose between now and then reading on my own account as ope of my recognized occupations, or not reading _at all. I have had little or no difficulty in deciding on the former course. The reasons that have led me to it—besides the consideration that it necessitates no departure whatever from the chosen pursuits.of my liie—are threefold. _ Firstly, I have satisfied myself that it can involve no possible compromise of the credit and independence of literature. Secondly, I have long held the opinion, and have long acted on the opinion, that in these times whatever brings a public man and his!public face to face, on terms of mutual confidence and respect, is a good thing. Thirdly, I have had a pretty large experience of the interest my hearers are so generous as to take in these occasions, and of the delight they give to me as a tried means of strengthening those relations, I may almost say of personal friendship, which itis my great privilege and pride, as it is my great responsibility, to hold with a multitude of persons who will never hear my voice or seemv face. Thus it is that I come, quite naturallf. to be here among you at this time. And thus it is that I proceed to read tins little book,: quite as composedly as I might proceed to write it, or publish it in any other way." • : The book selected was "the ' Cricket on ,the Hearth,' into which Mr. Dickens infused a life that was perfectly marvellous. Without much bodily movement he contrives by the modular tions of his voice and the most appropriate facial gesticulations to make the various characters rise as distinctive individuals before the imagination of his audience, and the interest he excites is more "like that produced by a thoroughly well-acted play than the calm approbation usually obtained by a successful reading. Johu Peerybingie, the carrier, kind of heart and obtuse of intellect, " not easily jealous, but, being moved, perplexed in the extreme," is quite as satisfactorily created, in the theatrical sense of the word, as he would be if Mr. Dickens were backed by painted canvas and equipped in characteristic fustian, instead of standing on an unadorned platform, clad-in an ordinary dress-coat. Nor is the " reader " less impressive in the narrative portions of his tale, in which, if there is no character to assume, there.is a sentiment to embody. In short, Mr. Dickens elocutionary performance is altogether peculiar to himself. It is not mere reading, it is not quite acting, but it partakes the attributes of both. His next book will be the 'Chimes,' which he will read on Thursday next. From the excitement that prevailed at St. Martins-hall on Thursday night, when Mr. Dickens "read" for the second time on his own account, we may infer that his truly unique performances will take a place among* the permanent exhibitions of London. On this occasion the 'Chimes'had been selected—a work generally less familiar than the ' Carol,' or, perhaps, the ' Cricket on the Hearth,' but now lifted to a high degree of celebrity by the eloquence of the " reader." As the immense success deservedly obtained by Mr. Charles Dickens may possibly induce adventurous wights to purchase little books on their own account, and by indifferently reading the same to attempt a repletion of "halls," and consequently of their own pockets, we would set up a sort of pilot's mark by calling attention to the circumstance, that uot only is Mr. Charles Dickens endowed with elocutionary talents that fall to the lot of very few, but that he owes much of his attraction to the fact that he is an author of the highest eminence reading his own book. If a dozen blockheads should exclaim, "Ancho' io son lettore!" terrible will be the infliction on this metropolis, and awful the retribution on the offenders.