The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-01-16
MIR. DICKENS READINGS IN WASH.
INGTON.

MIR. DICKENS READINGS IN WASH.
INGTON.
An evening paper of this city states, upon what
authority we know not, that Mr. Dickens will
charge 1--WE dollars q ticket to his readings In
Washington. Although there is no public
notice yet given by Mr.. Dickens as to his pur
pose about the price he will charge for tickets
yet, for the sake Of the argument, we will assume
that our contemporary Is correct, and that Ave
dollars will be the price. Now what are the
factsi
Perhaps no writer who has lived during tho
last hfty years has contributed so largely to
interest the reading masses OF the United States
10 say nothing about other countries, as Charles
Dickens. What has he received for II beyond
the gratuitous remittances of Boston publishing
housed Nothing except the fame he has acquired
Fame will not buy bread unless advantage /,
taken OF IT, Mr.. Dickens, like many men In this
world, has toiled hard but is not rich. He was
repeatedly advised and urged by our leading liz.
erary men to visit the United States, notwith-
standing his "American notes." which many
thin'skinned people find fault with because they
were too true, and give a series OF readings from
his own works. Yielding to those appeals he is
In the United States, and his readings thus far in
the cities Of Boston, New York and PHILADELPHIA,
have proved to be great successes.
With the hope that he might return to Eng.
land with sum OF money SUFFICIENT to recon-
pense him for the unbounded pleasures he has
bestowed upon our people, many American
gentlemen OF distinction urged him when he frst
arrived to establish his prices in the large cities
at three and Ave dollars. Mr.. Dickens posi-
lively declined He said two dollars was enough,
and two dollars only was charged, and whoever
paid more paid 1t to spectators outside. Not
one cent per ticket over two dollars went into
Mr.. Dickens pocket. In those cities he lccturcd
frnm f,pa to- Ace
three thousand people, thus receiving each night
from five to six thousand dollarsi The people
who have attended Mr.. Dickens readings in
those cities, instead Of complaining, have ex-
pressed universal delight, and would vote to-day
to monopolize him during his entire stay in the
country, which Is limited on account OF his lit
erary engagements and private Affairs at home.
Notwithstanding these facts, so nattering to Mr.
Dickens, he decides to come to Washington and
TO visit other places where his nightly receipts
must be from one to two thousand Ave hundred
dollars less per might than in the larger cities
named above.
owing TO the previous engagement OF all
other large halls, where such entertainments
are usually given, Metzerott Hall was &c.
cured After deducting press and other eompli-
mentary tickets, not more than seven hundred
remain to be sold, seven hundred and atty being
about the number Of persons that can be com
to $500, including expenses, Twenty-Five hundred
dollars less than the receipts from single Boston or
NeU York audience! Who makes the sacrifice
the man who pays three dollars (supposing
tickets to be S5) for a ticket which nobody com.
pels him to buy, or Charles Dickens, who could
read on the same night In Boston, New York or
Philadelphia, and receive Twenty-Five hundred
dollars morei We think MI Dickens Is dealing
iairiy' He makes very large sacrifice each
night, as we have shown, and only asks each
person who comes to hear him read to pay three
dollars more than the same person would be
charged In the large cities where large halls can
be obtained. Mr.. Dickins 10 not compelled to
come here. If he does come, he has a right to
charge what he pleases, and no man 10 obliged
to buy ticket unless he chooses. This Is a free
country.
Now, to show that Mr.. Dickens Is not aysri-
cious, we are able and permitted to state that q
wealthy merchant Of this city offered him
three thousand dollars per night for FIVE nights,
and Mr.. Dickens could have choice OF the eve
nings, but he respectfully declined The cDsr It being
contrary to his taste to LOB" his readings out,
and against all his settled plans for conducting
his entertainments when he came to the United
States.
We have extended these remarks beyond the
space intended when we began the article, but
we think they are justly due to Mr.. Dickens.
We are glad he Is coming, and SO are thousands
OF his admirers in this city. II he carries home
fortune from America he will not be too well
rewarded for his many heart iaddening tales,
now as familiar as household words wherever
the English language Is understood.
The above was written for yesterdays REPuB-
LIcAN. In the meantime Mr.. George Dolby, bus
iRess agent OF Mr.. Dickens, has arrived In the
city and engaged Carroll Hall, on q street, be-
tween Ninth and Tenth streets, for Mr.. Dickens,
readings. As will be observed IN our advertising
columns, the price OF tickets will be %. About
eleven hundred people can be comfortably seated
in Carroll Hall. We congratulate the admirers
OF Charles Dickens in the District OF Columbia
that he has been able to procure a hall that will
hold enough to enable him to place the tickets at
so reasonable price.
1t appears that the sale OF tickets will COM
mence ON Tuesday morning next at the store OF
Mesars. Philip solomons.
From this city Mr.. Dickens makes a brief Wes-
tern tour as far as Chicago, and positively sails
from New York, in the steamer Cuba on the 2ad
OF April next
A Vote Of Censure.
Hon. Fernando Wood, OF New York was
yesterday, by a vote Of the House, censured by
fnr vi ,phI Ia l.