The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-03

every foreigner. Mr.. Dickens discovered and
recorded this fact twenty-five years ago. 1t Is
to be hoped that on renewing his in vestga-
tons be will ascertain precisely how far and
how accurately they spit at present The
world will be happy to learn whether American
spitiers aim at the fireplace, the window pane
or the spittoon, and which Of the three they hit
II Is true, moreover, that some Americans
have keen appreciation Of tho value of
dollars, whether in gold or in greenbacka II
Dickens were disinterested witness, and had
not been tempted across the ocean by the very
same pecuniary motives for which he censures
Americans, we should DO glad to listen again
to his testimony against irordinats love Of
filthy lucre To be sure, II he were to read the
items profusely scattered without comment in
American newspapers, as II occasions for them
were too frequent and common to require
comment and chronicling contributions by
single private individuals, of sums from ten
thousand dollars to 1--WE hundred thousand
to various charities, be might discover this
other fact-that an American may know how
to spend and give away dollars as well as to
earn them. Americans can, therefore, afford to
be criticised by Mr. Dickens and by other
foreigners who-as you might imagine, to hear
them talk-coms to this country with sublime
indifference as to whether they make any
thing" out OF 1t or not
1t is also true that dull dinner party is no
livelier in America than in Europe, and that II
Mr.. Dickens chooses "to feed silently with
fellow animals, each Of whom empties his
Yahoo's trough as quickly as he can and then
sinks sullenly away" (those elegant express
sions are pretty nearly his own), he cannot
expect TO enjoy such Funeral feast" here any
more than he would enjoy 1t at home. We
would not have our critic spare the rod when
he finds here or elsewhere Creatures who strip
these social sacraments of everything but tie
mere greedy satisfaction of the natural crav-
ings." But if he catches himself "sitting down
with SO many fellow animals to ward or thirst
and hunger as q business" why, it's no busi-
ness Of ours. Only we warn him that he will
disappoint everybody Ii in his new american
Notes" he does not more vigorously than ever
"pitch into" the stupid hosts whose invitations
he may accept
The truth Is that Americans ore no longer so
thin-skinned as they used to be. They have
become so accustomed to foreign abuse and
Misrepresentation, and they have so much else
to think of, that they scarcely heed any attacks
which are not far more pungent than those Of
tourists like Parson Fiddler and Mrs. Troliope.
Mr.. Dickens himself must season his next dish
Of criticisms more highly than the Asst II be
wishes to have his American readers relish it.
Give US more curry and cayenne-popper, Mr..
Dickens, il you would whot our appetite for
what we have learned to like. Now that we
can give as well as take, and do not hesitate to
return Roland for an Oliver, we smack our
lips over such spicy criticisms as Mr.. Dickens
dishes up for us, and we ask for more, like
Oliver Twist Dickens, whip in hand, Is gal
Looping along the right road to his goal.
Rev. Newman Hall, however, has taken the
wrong road. In all the speeches and sermona
which he has made since his arrival in the
United States he has rolled as a sweet morsel
under his tongue all his old batteries of the
American people, or at least Of the Northern
people. Everybody has been sickened by the
repetition Of these batteries. Such candy and
sugar plums will not bring the dollars in this
market half SO quickly or pleniifully as the
lemons and lines Of Mr.. Dickens. Even the
Rev. Mr.. Siggins, Hospitality as no may haye
been entertained by Mrs. Weller at home.
would not here pick up enough cold victuals
to I'LL his bag. We should be less liberal TO
Mrs. Weller's sanctimonious shepherd than to
Samivel Weller HIMSELF who won the "deep,
unspeakable admiration " Of his father by
frankly avowing his readiness to "pison the
rum and water" Of some victim Of his critical
cruelty. Sam added, however, 81 wouldn't be
too hard on him at first I'd drop him in the
water butt and put the lid on, and if / found he
was insens'ble to kindness I'd try the other
persvasion." Dickens thought, perhaps, that in
criticising Americans "he wouldn't be too
hard on Us at Rrsi;" but on his second visit we
must look out for squalls. Well, that's the true
way to raise the wind. The saccharne Hall
will not fill his bag, while Dickens, on return
ing to England, will have to charter two steam
ers to carry back his cargo Of greenbacks. His
debut at Boston last evening was a decided
success in every respect