New-York tribune., 1880-01-16
yed himself a resoluto opponent

Nr. Waddy has proved himself resolute opponent
of the Government
lam distressed to find myself again discoursinG at
such length on politics but politics have bad pos
session OF the English mind for weeks past Even
at dinner tables little else has been talked and feel
ing Is running higher than ever. Mr.. Sala sec
on being asked why he went to America, replied
that things 50 bad at homo he wanted 10 get
to get out Of the heated atmosphere which
prevails here. and away from the political din
which here you cannot escape. 1t is perfectly true
that party animOsitcs are most bIter. aud that he
bitterness does uot becoue less but greater. MIR Saas
name reminds me that may turn away from 1t all
to say wih what pleasure have read his first two
letters on New-York. RE is perhaps the ouiy man
who could have filled three lively columns with an
account Of his drive rom the steamship wharf To
the BrevOOrt House. and in those three columns
have drawn complete, minute litelike ana artistic
picture Of he cosmopolitan pecuarites OF ihe clty
lie studied under ckens. it Is sometimes SAID, but
DickenSs gross caricaturcs of American Life have
norhing n common with this felicitoUs touch ana
honest handling Of facts.
Whether Dlckcus'S fame has, on the Whole, been
increased hy thc publication Of his Letters may he
doubted have often said that | Thought his lit
erary faire WAS declining; not RAPIDLY declining,
perhaps. bus apprecably less from year to year.
Hi. admirers. who are s,ill the majority. have
now 10 admit that on his own testimony, their
hero was considerably less heroic than they nave
heretofore maintained. There is 4 curious tone o.
regretfnl SUNRISE in the notices that have appeared
of this book ard in the comments one hears pr-
yotelv Your article on 4" Dickens the Man " has
been echoed here over and over again. The III
tense Oveyp0wering egOtsm made manifest
by his letters is painful reyellioh-no'
to those who knew him best, but TO those VINO
loved him through his books Nevertheless, the
two volumes of letters, published here III expensive
form, have had great sale. The hISt cditloh was
all gone before it was ont. Even the circulating
Libraries had to wait for full supplies Till the second
was issued ten days ago. As for the new American
notes in these letters first printed for general
circulation, the feeling they excite may almost be
called disgust Any editors of less pious sentiments
than Mr Dckenis daughter and sister-iu-.a~ wonld,
IL il felt have suppressed them. TO what purpose
did cl.c-is utter his famous palinode and append
his apology as 4 perpetual p0Stscnpt to all fut"Ie
editions Of that foolish book on America. Il fresh
expressions Of his contempt and dislike are thus TO
be poured out after his death On nothing have J
heard hsrSher criticism passed than on his cynical
remark taat the United States are good canp2isn-
ing-groun,l-a good place to hl his own pockets
but an odious place otherwise. The time when such
things uou!d please Tie Enclish. as people Is gone
bv and in Dickens's own interest IT Is pity tiat
some editorial discretion could not have been in
voked in bis behalf.
IfImention General Grants name it is not be-
cause il has any connection with politics, for 90
not know whether i. has or not, but merely 10 s2y
thar the English public has read with much curl
osity tn acconuts teerraphed here of tie PAiiade--
phia pcrfoilnanccs in his honor The naiye6 ot the
account was one ofits ATTRACTIONS. Londoncrs have
50 httl. of that excellent quality that they have
been asking whether Tic Jimes correspondent meant
to bulicslue the pageant. As orc paper says,
truly. General Grants worjCttUi reception is
followed on tLis side with Gel;E Of
sympathy not wholly uutlrC.d with amusement.
The Eue,isim1n permits hlms " an uIcycTe4t gln
when he lc.rs Of procession altering its route ln
order 10 pass ly the principal hotels; Of the display
Of patriotic bunting; OF TIE businos like hiia-
deIphaus turning lie parade 10 account as q gSan-
tic advertising panorama; OF the Grant medals
struck oif IN perpatetic mint; OF Geaeral Grant
shaking hands with $500 persons (the extra 900
convincing him shat the figures to be taken lit
erally); OF the distinguished position occupied by
Mr. George ". Childs, apparently the first citizen
of Philadelphia. and dividing with M. Drexcl the
honor OK entertaining the great American traveller;
above all Of that circular saw, the largest circular
saw in the world; a surprising phenomenon in the
procession and not less surprising in It's cable jour
ney Lencath the Atlantic. and It's final triumphant
appearance III the columns O the leading Journal Of
London. Bat these odd details do not, peIAsl, much
affect tie general belief that the demonstration
worthy OF its object 1hey help to give local color
to the English end of the Grant "booU," MI
CLild,s English friends having announced some
time since ID their paper ha third term 0r Grant
would be accepted ia England with peculiar salts
faction c.w.b.