Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-05-01
Tne Dicken. Dinner.

The farewell dinner given to Mr.. Dickens
by gcutleme uofthe newspaper Press, on Sat
urday last, was grand affair. The banquet
was got up in Dclmonico's most elaborate
style. The tables We're set to accommodate
about two hundred guests. On an elevated
platform. running lengthwise of the room, was
the table to feed the '- big guns and ex-
tending at right-angles from this were seven
other tables, for the rest Of the guests. Horace
Greeley presided as the oldest representative
of the City Press Mr.. Dickens sat on his
right, and on the right Of Mr. Dickens was
Mr.. Raymond of the Tues Mr.. Dickens
made a speech, in response to toast to his
health. lie said among other pleasant
things
Gentlemen l have for upward Of four hard
winter months contended against what | have
been assured was g true American catarrh -
Caughter)-a possession which have through
out highly appreciated, though | might have
preferred to be naturalized by any other out
ward and visible means-and 50 much Of my voice
has lately been heard, that | might have been
contented with troubling you no further, from
my present standing point, were it not duty
with which | henceforth charge myself, not only
here, but on every suitable occasion whatsoever
and wheresoever, to express my high and CRATE
ful sense Of my second reception in America
and to bear my highest testimony to the nation
alEenerosty and magnanimity (great applause }
also to declare how astoundel have been by the
amazing changes that have seen around me on
every side-changes moral, changes physical
changes in the amount Of land subdued and cul-
tiyated, changes in the rise Of vast rev cities
changes in the growth Of older cities, almost out
Of recognition, changes in the growth Of the
grices and gayeties Of life, changes in thepress,
without whose advancement no advancement can
/ take place anywhere. (Applause.) Moran /,
believe me, arrogant as to suppose that i'll five
and twenty years there have been no changes in
me. and that | had nothing to learn-no ex-
! treme impressions to correct, since | was here
first. (Applause) And gentlemen, this brings
me to point on which have, ever since land
ell here last November, observed strict silence,
however tempted sometimes to break it, but re-
garding which I will, with your good leave,
take you into my confidence now.
What have resolved upon is, on my return to
England, in my own English journal, naufully,
promptly and plainly, in my own person, to bear
for the behoof of my countrymen, such testi-
mony to the gigantic changes in this country as
l have hinted at tonight (applause); also to re-
cord that wherever | have been, in the smallest
places equally with the largest, 1 have been re-
ceived with unsurpassable politeness, deicacy
sweet temper, hospitality and consideration, anc
with unsurpassable respect for the privacy daily
enforced upon me, by the nature of my avocatior
and the state of my health. (Applause.) Thi
testimony, so long as | live and as long as my de
scendants have any legal right in my books
shall cause to be republished as an appendix t.
every copy Of those two books of mine in which
have referred to America (tumultuous applause)
and this | will do and cause to be done, not il
mere love and thankfulness, but because it as Al
act Of justice and honor. Points OF differenc
there have been, points Of difference there are
points Indifference there probably always viii be
: between the two great peoples; but broadcast i
; England is sown the sentiment that these tw
5 peoples are essentially one, [great applausel an
: that il rests with them Jointly to UNFOLD m