Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-08-11
THE GREAT NOVELIST.
"Reminiscences of Dickens Stay I'm
ROstOu


Boston.
Mr.. Fields, in the August Atlantic
says: On clustering evening in No
vember, 1867, Dickens arrived in Boston
Harbor, on his second visit to America.
A few of his friends, under the guidance
of the collector Of the port, steamed
down in the custom-house boat to meet
him, 1t was pitch dark before we
sighted the Cuba, and ran alongside.
The steamer stopped few moments and
took us on board, and Dickens CHEEKY
voice greeted ME before | had time to
distinguish him on the deck of the YES
sci. The news of the excitement Of the
sale of tickets to his readings had been
carried to him by the pilot, twenty miles
out. He was in capital spirits over the
cheerful account that all was going on
80 we'll; and | thought he never looked
in better health. The voyage had been
a good one, and the ten days rest on
shipboard had strengthened him amaz-
ingly, he said. AS we we're told that a
crowd had assembled in East Boston,
we took him in our little tug and landed
him safely at Long Wharf in Boston,
D Rooms had been taken for him at the
Parker House, and in half an hour after
he reached the hotel he was sitting down
to dinner with half dozen friends quite
prepared, he said, to give the first read
ing in America that very night, if desi-
rable. Assurances that the kindest feel
ings toward him existed everywhere put
him in great spirits, and he seemed
happy to be among us. On Sunday he
visited the schoolship and said few
words of encouragement and counsel to
the boys. He began his long walks at
once, and girded himself up for the hard
winters work hefore him. Steadily re-
fusing all invitations TO go out during
the week he was reading, he only went
into one other house besides the Parker,
habitually, during his stay in Boston.
Every one who was present remembers
the delighted crowds that assembled
nightly in the fremont Temple, and no
one who heard Dickens during that
eventful month Of December will forget
the sensation produced by the great
author actor and reader.
He went from Boston to New York,
carrying with him severe catarrh, con
tracted in our climate. In reality, much
of the time during his reading in Boston
he was quite i'll from the effects of the
disease, hut he fought courageously
against its effects, and always came up
on the night of the reading all right.
Several times | feared he would be
obliged to postpone the readings, and l
am sure any one else would have felt
compelled to do so; but he always de-
clared no man had a right to break an
engagement with the public, if he were
able TO be out of bed. His spirit was
wonderful, and although he lost his ap-
petite, and could partake Of very little
food, he was always cheerful and ready
for his work when the evening came
round. Every morning his table was
covered with invitations to dinners and
all sorts of entertainments, but he said:
Il came for hard work, and | must try
to fulfill the expectations Of the Ameri-
can public" He did accept dinner
which was rendered TO him by some Of
his literary friends in Boston; but the
dav before il was to come off he was so
IN he felt obliged TO ask that the banquet
might be given mp. The strain upon his
strength and nerves was very great dur
/ ing all the months he remained IN the