The Nevada journal., 1861-07-19
CHARLES DICKENS.

CHARLES DICKENS.
DR.. Mckenzie, the literary editor of For
ney's Press, writes the following of Charles
Dickens:
Twenty years ago, when Dickens was in
the heighth of his popularity, his warm
friend, Talfourd, an able writer and critic,
as well as good lawyer, frankly told him
that he would be richer man as well as
better author, by retreating from the entan-
clements and expenses of London life He
suggested residence such as Dickens now
has at Gad's Hill, within convenient dist
ance of London. This would avoid Sunday
dinner parties and extravagancieS, dissipa-
tions and temptations Of Regents Park
career, and also give him more leisure to
think, and clearer head to work with
But Mrs. Dickens had great share of her
sex's vanity at that time, and Dickens par
asites, who enjoyed his liberal hospitality,
urged him to remain in London, fashna-
able as well as a literary man.
A friend of Dickens, who knew him from
childhood, and dearly loves him to mis- hour,
lately wrote to US thus, There does not
live a larger hearted or better minded man
than Dickens. He is liberal to a fault He
allows his wife relation to hang upon him,
to infect his house, and to drain his purse
tor years. The great fault of his character
is ostentation. With all his sagacity Dick
ems is eternally afraid of being Sighted
He never seems to be at his ease-not eveL
in his own house. His restless eye wand
ers like a comet in a cage, beating the bars
of his eyelashcs to escape. He has always
seemed to me as if he had something on his
mind as well as in it. lie danced the tight
rope of display for years, just managing to
keep out of the claws of the bailffs. lie
has now carried out the plan suggested to
him by Talfourd, and also by Lord Jeffrey,
and lives out of London, but near enough
to enjoy it when he pleases. What has be-
come of his money is q mystory to myself
and others. His reign has lasted fully
twenty-five years, and am sure that I'M
der estimate his income at an average of
$40, 900 year. Here is gross amount of
81 900, 900 Very little has Dickens to show
for all this, He is compelled to go back to
his readings, which he now hates, and COM
menced his season Oh the first Mondly in
March, by reading his Christmas Carol, and
the Boots of the Holly Tree Inn, at s..
James Hall, Picadilly. \ more truly genial
man than Dickens does not live.
An 'IMPRovED" SrEAMER.-A new steam
er has been constructed in England and
successfully tried, which is developing the
advantages of some recent discoveries
The Mooltan is a5O feet in length, 80 feet
beam, with del tn of hold 81 feet, and of
2,G00 tons of burthcn. The steam is made
from four moderate-sized boilers, with H.
500 feet surface and 100 fee. of fire bars
Her cylinder is 'jacketed' on a new prin-
ciple which enables the use of dry steam
first and afterwards when expanded. Her
speed is l2 to l3l knots, with the consump-
ton of only one ton of coal per hour
The most remarkable thing about her, is
the adoption of the well-known principle
of the water or hydraulic ram, the inven-
tion of Montgolfier. A head of water is
raised by small donkey machine, an af-
fective pressure is obtained of 700 poHnds
to the inch. This force is conveyed by
very simple gearing to various parts Of the
steamer, and used TO start and reverse the
engines, to weigh anchor and to steer the
ship. A child can handle the tillcr in a
storm rs well as eight or ten men in the
usual way.
The Wheeling lntelligencer says that
stories about the Phillippi affair s,ill form
a staple of conversation. Here is one of
the best
\ certain Indiana company, almost worn
out with the march, was struggling along
with very little regard to order. Hurrah-
ing up to his men, til. Captain shouted,
"Close up, boysl d-n you, close upl IL
the enemy were to fire on you when you're
struggling along that way, they couldn't
hit d--n one of youl Close upr' And
the boys closed up immediately