The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-01

bly, in avoiding their curious case, al probably
carried out his own fond dsairs by keeping himssf
for the most part within his pleasant suit Of rooms
at the Parker House. and only the most intimate
Of his personal friends have been granted inter-
views. Probably those with whom he has been
most associated are such as Longfsllow, Holmes
and few Of the notabities Of Harvard Univsr-
atty, which institution, it will be remembered Mr..
Dickens complimented in his American Notes"
Of twenty-five years since, by alludng to il - one
of the chief causes Of the many things which be
found reason to admire and praise in and around
Boston. The first day or two Of his second
visit here there was. Of course, . coming
and going crowd around the hotel in School street,
but when be did venture ont he managed to do il
SO shrewdly that, with . single exception, the
curious crowd never got sight at him. In these
days of pedestrian feats and walking matches II
may be Interesting to the world to know that Mr..
Dickens has Q remarkable desire for long walks,
and that he gratifes it almost daily. Upon his
arrival il was his custom to leave the hotel about
noon. but an item to that effect appeared in one
of the local papers, whereupon the sidewalk in
front began to be crowded at about that hour.
and change Of programme was at once made.
He is generally accompanied BY Mr.. Field. one OF
the members Of the firm publishing his works in
this country, and his walk Is usually about
five miles outside of the city and return,
making circuit Of some ten miles. The
only active literary labor which he is now per-
forming, is upon the story which is to appear in
the Atlantic Monthly. 1t Is to be called George
Silverman's Explanation" and will appear in tho
January number. The fact Of his presence here,
and the deep interest manifested in his readings,
has of course created . great demand for his
works, and the bookstores have been doing
pleasing business in consequence. His Ameri-
can Notes." which were issued in new edition
day or two before his arrival have had the largest
SALE and it is doubtful if they are not to be found
in nearly every family within radius Of half
dozen miles from Beacon Hill. There have been
some rather extravagant stories going the rounds
here that Mr. Dickens came to this country
on an " engagement with his publishers, Messrs.
Tcknor Il Fields, OF this city, and that he Is to
receive 80 much night" and his expenses
for all his readings. This rumor, i am informed
on authority, is simply absurd and has not the
slightest foundation in fact. Mr.. Dickens is here
on his own hook, and the only party with whom
he has any business association Is his agent. Mr..
Dolby, and he is employed by him on salary.
The first series of his readings here will begin on
Monday evening, and will be concluded during the
week. He will then proceed hence to New York,
and after finishing those for which he is announced
in that city, he will return to the Hub" and give
second series. This is at variance with Mr..
Dickens original arrangements but the desire to
hear him among those who were unable to obtain
tickets for the first series was SO great, that he
consented to their clamorous desires for supple
mentary series.