The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-27


Some time since the Tribune. referring 10 Mr.
Charles Dickens's visit to Americs, and the proba
biIity Of his coming 20 this city. au 10 the fact
thai the widow Of his dead brother was living in
Chicago. IN circumstances 20 straitened as to rem
der bic appearance among as duty. The state
ment with regard to the condition Of his relatives
and TO the publication Of articles in several Of the
Eastern papers, in one Of which Il Was stated that
the eminent author had sent 10 his father-in-law
the sum Of 5000, sum sufficient TO place her and
her family In circumstances beyond any ordinary
need From those who were intimately acquainted
with the late Augustus N. Dickens, and VINO are
familiar with the present condition Of the family
which he left, the following facts have been ot'
tanned:
Mr.. Augustus Dickens married the daughter Of
Mr.. Phillips. an English merchant. He came with
his wife TO this country, and engaged In mercan.
tile business at Amb0y. In this State. The ven
ture proved unfortunate and. with little means
left, Mr.. Dickens, with his family, removed to
this city and entered the land Office OF the III.
nois Central Railroad Company. He erected
house on piece Of leased ground on North Clark
street. and when be died last year be left his family
little or nothing beside the house In which they
still live. For q considerable period previous %
his death, il is stated that Mr. Dickens's relations
with bis distinguished brother were not intimate,
though not positively unfriendy. Augustus heard
from bis brother very seldom, though be Invited
correspondence BY frequent letters. tits said that
when their mother died Charles did not at once
inform his brother Of the fact which the latter
learned only accidentally some four or five months
after. The death Of her husband left Mrs. A. N
dickens, as has been shown, in az embarrassed
condition. Her father dying soon after and de-
lay ensuing in the settlement of bis estate, which
was BY nd means large, she, with three small
children. bad before her future dreary enough.
When Mr.. Charles Dickens visited this country
she wrote him, rendering him the hospitality she
had TO offer, In case he should visit this city. His
reply Il stated to have been extremely formal.
BE replied that he did not know what arrange
ments bis agent tMr. Dolby had made, and that
his coming 10 Chicago was uncertain. Since then
ii has been learned that Mr.. Dickens viii not visit
this city. He has not sent Mrs. Dickens 5000 nor
$1,000; nor $lo0; nor one cent. Mrs. Dickens
Lives IN small cottage, on rented ground, on
North Clark street. With her live Mr. and Mrs
Lawrence, the former book-keeper on q small
salary. and Mrs. Lawrence, an own cousin Of Mr.
Charles Dickens, and his only blood relation 10
this country, except the children Of his now dead
brother. Mrs Dickens is now in poor health, and
Is PROSTATE upon a bed Of sickness She has not
been concerned. directly or indirectly in the pub
LEGATION OF the facts here recited. She has made
no appeal to any person for AID, nor will she do
so. We suggest as proper toast for the pro-
posed press banquet 70 Mr.. Dickens 10 New York:
The Relatives Of Charles Dickens in America"
An ALPHABETICAL DIVINE VISITS WASHINGTON.
'.backY tells the following story Of Cincinnati
clergyman:
He came to Washington few days ago. and
proceeding to the Seaton House, registered his
name thus: 1
REV. DR.. -, d. D., IL. D., Cincinnati,
Ohio.p ~ -
This, through large pair Of goldirimmed spec
tacles, and with a ponderous gold-headed cane
balanced under his left arm as he wrote. Then to
the clerk, who gazed IN astonishment from behind
the counter at the alphabetc entry, and wondered
why the few remaining letters Of the twenty six
were omitted. said the doctor, in q tone OF voice
more grandy sonorous than pen can hope to
describe, - Sir. If any reporters come here to
tiers right. il i ID. d., LII. d. There may be
other doctors. and wish to be distinguished frOm
them. would like to have II mentioned in the
papers that have arrived.p II needed not an
announcement in the hotel arrivals TO tell the
readers Of the daily papers that the reverend
doctor was in town. That fact came very near
being chroncled In less desirable part OF the
dailes-in fact, that portion devoted 70 the police
news-for the reverend doctor, overcome by the
excessive fatigue Of his journey sought the sOlace
of stimulants. and came home between two friends
on the evening Of his first Gay in Washington.
Next day be announced that he wouid hold divine
service in the paror OF the Seaton House. but he
came to bis task In such condition of dishdDile
that a. he entered the parlor the female portion
OF his congregation left in a condition bordering
on disgust. he was unabashed, however, by this
little occurrence, and proceeded with the sermon,
first expressing the high hope that there re-
? orters present TO take IT down. There were
other little eccertrcities Of the reverend doctor
which ! might mention. but have not space in
this letter. have said enough to call attention
TO the remarkable phenomenon of two distin-
gnished Cincinnati clergymen who are unable TO
resist the temptations which beset the soj0urners
in Washington Why Is this thusl