Wilkie Collins In America

une who had nevar seen the great noveiist would be at no loss identify him witti the portrail stamped upon all the recent editions of his works, though he looks, if anything, rather youuger than he is ther represented. He is of medium height, very stout, and wears a heavy beard, whiskers and moustache. He was dressed in a f aultlessly fitting suit of gray olothes, and looked in all respecta the beau ideal of a fashionable Londoner. Having been asked about his readings Mr. Collins said : " I desire simply to tel the people a story, if I can prevail upon theni to listen to me. "With this view I have selected some anecdotes out of a collection not very well known here, I think - I mean the ' Queen of Hearts.' I propose so to revise some of those as to make them of a length suitable to an evenings reading. It is many years since I wrote these tales, and I think I understand my art better now than I did then. They will lose nothing, I believe by the alteaation. The story 1 intend to begin with is the ' Dream Woman,1 in its prop er form it would occupy probably abou half an hour to read, but as it now stand it will consume an hour and a half. If i succeeds I shall proceed to malee similar alterations in some of thei others. I believe there is good kernel in these stories and they will bear a much longer rendering than I supposed when I flrst wrote them. I shall begin my readings on the 7th of October. I do not proposo to take the field in New York at first. I shali give ten preliminary readings before 1 come here. The first experiment will be made in Albany, after which I shall go to Koohester and other towns. My plan will be pretty well tested before I return to New York. If I succeed I shall travel a good deal in this country. I am going to Soranton, where I have been told there are extensive coal fields. lt is probable I shall go as far west as St. Louis. Altogether I hope tojremain in America for tour or five nionths, perhaps longer. One thing you may depend upon, I shall stay in America as4long as I can got a hall te read in, and an audience to come and hear my stories."