The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-09-19
A SNUBBING OF DICKENS.

DlCKenS. D.CkenS was, nc says,
"to put it broadly, at one and the same
time, one OF the most marvellous writer's
and unmitigated snobs that ever
breathed."
During his last visit to this country
he gave, among his readings, a series
of four at Washington were he stopped
some weeks, and where, as elsewhere,
he received the most fattering atten-
ton. His apartments were at the
famous Welcker restaurant, and he
was called upon one afternoon, through
previously made arrangements, by a
party consisting of Admiral Farragut,
the Hon. Luke Poland, of Vermont,
Henry Winter Davis, Major John
Fellows, Commissary General Shiras,
Captain Hentzell, of the Scorpion, an
attache of the French Legation, whose
pane is forgotten, and the writer who
can attest to the truth of the story.
When we were shown in the parlor of
the suite occupied by Dickens-after
having been formally announced and
kept waiting some twenty minutes-we
found the novelist standing before the
fire with his legs stretched apart and
his hands under the tails of the most
extraordinarily cloud" walking coat
ever seen at the capital. This garment
was made of brown velvet, trimmed
with black braid and high lapels, in
which was stuck large hot.house rose.
In his vest, also velvet, was drapped a
gorgeous display of gold chain and
locket: immense studs and cuff but
tons ornamented his embroidered shirt,
and al astoundingly bright tie and
vivid check pants completed his re-
markable outfit. In addition to all this
his hair was curled elaborately, his
full beard parted in the middle, his
fingers bore many rings, and a gold
framed pair of eyeglasses swung at his
button.
Taking no notice whatever of the
AdmiraHs extended hand, and merely
favoring the party with curt half inch
nod, he continued talking in loud
dictatorial tone to young man, whom
we atterward discovered to be his
secretary. After standing in IL en-
barrassed group for some minutes,
Major Fellows, venerable, white
bearded man of over seventy, whose
wears should have commanded deter.
ence even if the rank and reputation ol
Farragut did not, stepped forward and
made some remark expressive of regret
that the great writer's visit to the CAPT
tai should be attended by such wealth er
Dickens listened TOR a second with
almost insulting indifference and then.
walking brusquely to the window, said
The weather. Yes, dammit, it.:
going to rain again." and then
abruptly taking up his hat and walk
ing-stick, he said: "I'd better take
my constitutional at once. Good day,
gentlemen" and he rushed out.
"Why, where has he gomez" saio
Winter DAVIS, who had not understood
what had occurred.
"To judge from his costume" saio
Hentzell, whose dry wit nothing
escaped. "I should say he was going
to a masquerade" And leaving th'
young secretary quite appalled, by ths
temerlty of the speech we retired.
Now for the sequel. On the third
day after that the same Captain Ment'
eel Ca better heart and quaintel
humor never met in one breast. Coo
bless his memory and the writer were
shooting ducks from the centre of the
famous Long Bridge that connect!
Washington with the Virginia side o
the Potomac, when we saw the above
described "get up" coming at crack
| ing pace toward US from the city, TO
Dickens, be it known, was redoubt
able walker and took daily tramp o
several miles around the suburbs in all
weathers.
"Here comes the great English end
man," said, soubriquet we hao
sacreligiously given the novelist OF
account Of his clothes.
$50 l see," replied Hentzell
"Don't stare at him an you love me-
Quite unexpectedly, however, Dick
ems stopped and began asking US abou
the shooting and what not, in rathe
patronizing way. Of course he did moi
recognize US as poor mortals, and II
was evident he believed we did mo-
know whom we had the good fortune
to address. Presently sloop passed
with an old river man steering, upol
which Dickens said, with uneasy vanit
very perceptible:
"That old chap reminds me OF
character in David Copperfield
You've read the book, l presumeP"
"Never !"
"Not read DAVID Copperfield ?
said its author incredulously.
Just then a gang of ducks came IL
sight.
"Now. look a here, Dickens SAT-
old Captain Hentzell, composedly, get
ting his gun ready to shoot, "if yot
want to sell US one of your photograph
you'll have to wait till the duck season.
over. We've more important thing
to attend to just now."
And the astonished and comicall
crestfallen expression of the grea
writer's face, as he loitered off, l sha
never forget. l forgave his "Amerlca
Notes" from that day.
"ONCE"