The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-09

Mr. Charles Dickens commences his readings
in New York at Steinway Hall this evening
The event is regarded with considerable in
terest, and its near approach has ELECTED some
emotional feeling, which partakes more or less
of q national character. Some Of the news
papers express themselves towards the enter
prise in terms which, If not unfriendly, must
certainly be regarded as ungenial by .
foreigner. The writers appear disposed to
revert to an occasion and circumstances long
since elapsed, and thus "embitter the present
when compared with the past"
This is wrong; in fact, 1t is not American.
When Mr.. Dickens published the american
Notes. he merely attempted to laugh down
our democracy by caricaturing our manners,
mode Of life, society and institutions
before European audiences who had down 70
that time merely heard Of us in the rough
The tendency to this course was at the moment
almost natural to an Englishman, and some
what excusable in an aspiring English writer
anxious to make name--and money.
The world, with the things and peopls
thereof, have altered greatly since. Tho IN
polished democracy which so astonished Mr..
Dickens has asserted itself and Americans, Of
a new generation, have accomplished
some remarkable dceds-in war, In
diplomacy and finance, at home and
abroad, on land and on the ocean
We have successfully combated the most
formidable and bloody rebellion recorded in
history, and sustained the republic against
domestic traitors and foreign disunionists, to
the amazement perhaps chagrin, OF the mon
arches. We have incurred the heaviest load
Of debt yet undertaken by nation, not ex-
cep.ing England, and pay taxes to an extent 30
enormous as may well make the finance minis
ters of Europe, who seem puzzled how to make
both ends meet, envious Our armies start up
as il by magic, we can build iron-clads to beat
our own naval work when In the hands Of
others, we pay away money on all sidas-mu-
nicipal, State and national-and yet we have
our pockets full Of cash, on paper, and arc
fond as ever Of. novel sights and new sensa-
tons.
Having thus vindicated the constitution,
our country and ourselves, we take foreign
criticism very complaisantly. Indeed, we
rather court outside remark, and viii endure
almost any amount of it SO as it affords us
hearty laugh and pleasant evening. We are
we'll known in the world just now, and the
occupation of the pen-and-ink caricaturists Of
our land has passed away.
Mr.. Dickens repeats his visit at a favorable
moment and will "draw." He is very nne
reader, and win be, consequently, appreciated
in New York. Our people seek informs-
ton from every and any source, and are
willing to pay for it We wish to be
amused also, and Mr.. Dickens presents
in his readings a wonderful embodiment Of
some of the characters Of the creation Of his
brain. In their wish for variety our citizens
are likely to give him crowded houses They
have done so with every novelty-Barnum's
giants, Kossuth, the opera, the Prince Of Wales.
patriots from any place, and the "Black
Crook"-so Mr.. Dickens will take his departure
from our shores loaded with asgreenbacks"
and in much better humor with America than
was Carrie Jellaby with Africa when shs
exclaimed "Africa's beast"