speeches-literary & social-第48章
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world; the Graces popularising the practice of those arts by their
example; and adorning it with their presence。
I am happy to know that in the Glasgow Athenaeum there is a
peculiar bond of union between the institution and the fairest part
of creation。 I understand that the necessary addition to the small
library of books being difficult and expensive to make; the ladies
have generally resolved to hold a fancy bazaar; and to devote the
proceeds to this admirable purpose; and I learn with no less
pleasure that her Majesty the Queen; in a graceful and womanly
sense of the excellence of this design; has consented that the
bazaar shall be held under her royal patronage。 I can only say;
that if you do not find something very noble in your books after
this; you are much duller students than I take you to be。 The
ladies … the single ladies; at least … however disinterested I know
they are by sex and nature; will; I hope; resolve to have some of
the advantages of these books; by never marrying any but members of
the Athenaeum。 It seems to me it ought to be the pleasantest
library in the world。
Hazlitt says; in speaking of some of the graceful fancies of some
familiar writer of fiction; 〃How long since I first became
acquainted with these characters; what old…fashioned friends they
seem; and yet I am not tired of them like so many other friends;
nor they of me。〃 In this case the books will not only possess all
the attractions of their own friendships and charms; but also the
manifold … I may say womanfold … associations connected with their
donors。 I can imagine how; in fact; from these fanciful
associations; some fair Glasgow widow may be taken for the remoter
one whom Sir Roger de Coverley could not forget; I can imagine how
Sophia's muff may be seen and loved; but not by Tom Jones; going
down the High Street on any winter day; or I can imagine the
student finding in every fair form the exact counterpart of the
Glasgow Athenaeum; and taking into consideration the history of
Europe without the consent of Sheriff Alison。 I can imagine; in
short; how through all the facts and fictions of this library;
these ladies will be always active; and that
〃Age will not wither them; nor custom stale
Their infinite variety。〃
It seems to me to be a moral; delightful; and happy chance; that
this meeting has been held at this genial season of the year; when
a new time is; as it were; opening before us; and when we celebrate
the birth of that divine and blessed Teacher; who took the highest
knowledge into the humblest places; and whose great system
comprehended all mankind。 I hail it as a most auspicious omen; at
this time of the year; when many scattered friends and families are
re…assembled; for the members of this institution to be calling men
together from all quarters; with a brotherly view to the general
good; and a view to the general improvement; as I consider that
such designs are practically worthy of the faith we hold; and a
practical remembrance of the words; 〃On earth peace; and good will
toward men。〃 I hope that every year which dawns on your
Institution; will find it richer in its means of usefulness; and
grayer…headed in the honour and respect it has gained。 It can
hardly speak for itself more appropriately than in the words of an
English writer; when contemplating the English emblem of this
period of the year; the holly…tree:…
'Mr。 Dickens concluded by quoting the last three stanzas of
Southey's poem; THE HOLLY TREE。
In acknowledging a vote of thanks proposed by Sir Archibald (then
Mr。) Alison; Mr。 Dickens said:'
Ladies and Gentlemen; … I am no stranger … and I say it with the
deepest gratitude … to the warmth of Scottish hearts; but the
warmth of your present welcome almost deprives me of any hope of
acknowledging it。 I will not detain you any longer at this late
hour; let it suffice to assure you; that for taking the part with
which I have been honoured in this festival; I have been repaid a
thousand…fold by your abundant kindness; and by the unspeakable
gratification it has afforded me。 I hope that; before many years
are past; we may have another meeting in public; when we shall
rejoice at the immense progress your institution will have made in
the meantime; and look back upon this night with new pleasure and
satisfaction。 I shall now; in conclusion; repeat most heartily and
fervently the quotation of Dr。 Ewing; the late Provost of Glasgow;
which Bailie Nicol Jarvie; himself 〃a Glasgow body;〃 observed was
〃elegantly putten round the town's arms。〃
SPEECH: LONDON; APRIL 14; 1851。
'The Sixth Annual Dinner of the General Theatrical Fund was held at
the London Tavern on the above date。 Mr。 Charles Dickens occupied
the chair; and in giving the toast of the evening said:…'
I HAVE so often had the satisfaction of bearing my testimony; in
this place; to the usefulness of the excellent Institution in whose
behalf we are assembled; that I should be really sensible of the
disadvantage of having now nothing to say in proposing the toast
you all anticipate; if I were not well assured that there is really
nothing which needs be said。 I have to appeal to you on the old
grounds; and no ingenuity of mine could render those grounds of
greater weight than they have hitherto successfully proved to you。
Although the General Theatrical Fund Association; unlike many other
public societies and endowments; is represented by no building;
whether of stone; or brick; or glass; like that astonishing
evidence of the skill and energy of my friend Mr。 Paxton; which all
the world is now called upon to admire; and the great merit of
which; as you learn from the best authorities; is; that it ought to
have fallen down long before it was built; and yet that it would by
no means consent to doing so … although; I say; this Association
possesses no architectural home; it is nevertheless as plain a
fact; rests on as solid a foundation; and carries as erect a front;
as any building; in the world。 And the best and the utmost that
its exponent and its advocate can do; standing here; is to point it
out to those who gather round it; and to say; 〃judge for
yourselves。〃
It may not; however; be improper for me to suggest to that portion
of the company whose previous acquaintance with it may have been
limited; what it is not。 It is not a theatrical association whose
benefits are confined to a small and exclusive body of actors。 It
is a society whose claims are always preferred in the name of the
whole histrionic art。 It is not a theatrical association adapted
to a state of theatrical things entirely past and gone; and no more
suited to present theatrical requirements than a string of pack…
horses would be suited to the conveyance of traffic between London
and Birmingham。 It is not a rich old gentleman; with the gout in
his vitals; brushed and got…up once a year to look as vigorous as
possible; and brought out for a public airing by the few survivors
of a large family of nephews and nieces; who afterwards double…lock
the street…door upon the poor relations。 It is not a theatrical
association which insists that no actor can share its bounty who
has not walked so many years on those boards where the English
tongue is never heard … between the little bars of music in an
aviary of singing birds; to which the unwieldy Swan of Avon is
never admitted … that bounty which was gathered in the name and for
the elevation of an all…embracing art。
No; if there be such things; this thing is not of that kind。 This
is a theatrical association; expressly adapted to the wants and to
the means of the whole theatrical profession all over England。 It
is a society in which the word exclusiveness is wholly unknown。 It
is a society which includes every actor; whether he be Benedict or
Hamlet; or the Ghost; or the Bandit; or the court…phys