The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-13

issues Of the day into the foreground.
Dickens, Dolby, the Dollars, and the
''Demnifion Pubiic."
There is an authorized portrait maker to his
Highness the Lion-so says the lions keeper
as we learn from the advertisement in these
words -" will guarantee your various like
nesses OF Charles Dickens to be the only por-
trait for which he has sat or will sit in the
United States" This, signed by Dolby, is
associated with mercenary animation that
the "trade will be supplied at the usual dis
count" just as in picked mackerel or mouldy
cheese. All other PORTALS makers, therefore,
are warned away. There are man traps and
spring guns and other contriyances of polite
lie and attendants upon literary greatness
that will turn up suddenly or be brought to
bear at any distance if poachers violate the
vermlion edict of Dolby. Alas for the pho
tographers who are out in the cold in this
bad weather Alas for the artists with their
big plates ready, their mighty lenses lev
silver that even in the glass stoppered bottles
ache to feel the shadow of geniusl Alas for
these artists ruthlessly forbidden to NEEDLE
with that face, notified that those eyes
have been secured for the special use of
an authorized establishment; that those locks
are "private,' like the first dish of green peas
at hotel table, and that that jaw is subject to
contract We know not il the sun will be per-
mitted to shine on the novelist, lest ii might be
in league with opposition photographers; and
it is quite certain that If the public buy pic
lures not made by the authorized picture
maker IL may regard its money as thrown
away for one condition Of the contract GER
tainly must be that Dickens has bound himself
never more to look like any pictures hitherto
taken. Does any one suppose that q man of
his Imagination and versatility is to be con-
trolled in his features by the Eve hundred
photographs of him already in existence? The
intimation 10 regard to the novelist's face hav-
ing been bought-as to an enterprising pho
tographer having been permitted to secure a
property in the great mans very shadow
throws food Of light upon the relations be-
tween Dickens, Dolby and the "demnilion
public" Once Dickens came to see the .coun-
try, and the people, with more enthusiasm than
good manners, rushed to see him. Genius was
at once honored and bored in his person. He
was honored here by gentlemen of high
home and ii was little odd that Americans
should SO honor literature in Dickens when
we had never gone much ont of our way
to honor it in any of our own countrymen.
But there was one point we failed in. Our
demonstrations had no money in them.
Dickens wanted 10 secure copyright law that
would enable him to get fifty cents or dollar
on every copy OF his books sold in this coun-
try. He did not get that, and what did he
care for oil the rest? He did not want admira-
ton, nor civility. nor friendship. He wanted
our money. AS to sympathy with his philan-
thropic spirit-pah! He couldn't hear il
jingle. AS to our love for the artist whose
creations had moved our souls-could he
spend that? What would that buy in London
All sentiment was mere leather and prunella
to man who wanted what he could make out
of MS in hard cash. So he went home and
filed his pockets with the price of book that,
as 1t pandered strongly to all the English
prejudces against this country, o! course sold
well. He did not get his money through
copyright, but be got good sum through
round abuse Of the people who refused the
copyright; and that did nearly as well.
Now he comes again, but only as part Of an
arrangement openly and honestly organized
on the money getting basis. He Is in the
hands Of Dolby, that his lame may be turned
into coin. Dickens is apparently to stand
aside and seem to do the digAity-not to be
mixed up with filthy lucre-and Dolby Is to
chatter over the price. Hence we have Dolby 3
name to the announcement that the highest
bidder has secured the lions shadow. We
shall hear soon what barber has clipped his
name, that the young ladies may know whore
to apply for precious bit of hair. We shall
have pronunciamiento that only one hotel has
the keeping of Dickens, and that he takes his
amusement only at one theatre. BY these pro-
cesscs he may be made to produce the utmost
cent dividing profits with the happy photo
graphcr and the caterers There is point on
which Dickens and Dolby should not he mis-
understood. Dickens. having appeared 10 be
disguised at the way he was bored on the for
msr visit. may induce people to leave him
alone now. This would be great mistake
and great disappointment In that day the
bores did not pay. Now they do. so lei them
come on. Money is what is wanted. aud lei j,
take any shape, il will be welcome.
NeSice-rhc Durango Ri~ssg n Csnard.