New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-08
BOZ IN LONDON.
AN AMERICAN GIRLS ACQUAINTANCE WITH
CHARLES DICKENS.

AN AMERICAN GIRLS ACQUAINTANCE WITH
CHARLES DICKENS.
| large illustrated "Nlcholas Nickleby' was my
| constant companion when, as naxenharcd baoy'
began TO toddie about old fashioned New-Engiand
house. ont OF that book I learned my letters, That
| | might read 1t "hll TO myself And when grew
| older 1t was my dream TO 90 to England ana meet
the author OF the books loved well. hrst saw
| London In autumn. Everybody" was out OF town.
Mr. Dickens on the continent. Iiut everything
| was so now and 81 delightful that I was perfectly
! happy till thanksgiving Day reminded me OF my home
beyond the sea. Then began 10 ycarn for sght OF
| the Id familiar faces" Tie coming Christmas was
already in the English av every was preparing to
| welcome or to be welcomed, except myself. dared
| not look ut the Stars and Stripes or listen TO doh
save the Queen. which Is America over here: and
finally, worked my home sickness into New England
| story which | sent to Mr.. Dickens as soon as he
| returned.
London literary society then busying Itself over
rumors Of domestic unhappncss In ravlstocI House;
one at least Of Mr.. Dlckens's business ventures had
gone "agleo lie had his editorial work. and was
beginning a new book and was, as usual, overwhelmed
! with soca! engagements OF every kind Yet, In this
work and care, he made time to read story,
mt once and partly, am sure. because was begin
ncr. he accepted It, paid me literally and asked me to
| 80 writing for his magazine, which ! gladl did.
And because a girl. alone in London, unknown
and lolely at that time Of family reunions, the "Piics:
Cf Christmas sent Christmas welcome TO England.
that took all the pain out Of my heart and left nstea!
| loyal loving gratitude that has never lesscned or
| grown cold
| After time Mr. Dickens invited his "Amcrican
| contributor 10 call him at Tavlsock House Not
understanding London distances too late for the
| first appointment The siald butler to the cab
To say that Mr.. Dickens had been forced to to his
Office. after waiting half an hour and would expect
me- at the time, that day week ! wrote my
| apology my card and departed.
| set out the next Thursday In good time. but
| lust beyond Hyde Park encountered one Of Mr..
Guppy's Genuine London Particulars the worst
fog | ever saw during a residence Of nine wears In
| Europe | saw and trees walking on the
| pavcmcnts a stang: coffee cooNd mist darkcncd
| down over everything. our omnibus was lost In
| sea Of vapor-the Of the streets had muheu
sound n II It cam through wool-dhcre seemed TO
| be SCOT or something Hike snuff I'm the atmosphere
tla. could be felt and tasted II rlspcd nv throat
| and brought tears TO nv ewes. and set the people
| near me coughing and sncczIlg rs II &c: wager
| When the omnibus " cad" hshcd me oGt and placed
| nc on the corner Of nv street. stool like posi-
| for "A time daring TO move. The fog biaohenea
| ,oidIy down around me- The street ampa were dun
| yellow points. Tho houses were Invisible. Mulea
erie, and slow rolling wheels went by. In the unseen
| road Ghostly footsteps trampcd past me on inc
| pavement When | mustered courage to move. u
| was WITH outstrctchcd hands. Ike one pima anu
| prcscntl- | stepped oil the high cuIbStone with
dreadful far and fell-into the arms OF gentleman'
| wrnppci I'm cloak We could not sec each other.
| But | knew him for a gentleman when he spoke
| and ;old him OF nv dilemma
| II You will trust 80 far ms to give me your
| hand | will lead to the door, he said.
In this singular fashion walked some distance.
| iii he led me up the steps OF Tavistock House
| Then rclnquishing the hand I Ind given In such
ncrfect trit he knocked rang. uttered courteous
| gorcwc and was gone. Disappointment: awaited me-
| The whole country side drowned In FOG. ana
| Mr. Dickens. not being very we'll had oeeh Pr'
| suodcd 10 remain at Gad's I'LL. cab was sum
ro,ca and with link boy walking before the horses
| nose | reached home Just before the ohihip"9c'
| cc,sed running and the cabs left the stand
| merry letter. headed Try. try agnln!7 was
| ,ho third summons from Mr. Dckcns-to the maya
zinc Office This time. But absences from London OH
bo;h sides caused poStponements OF weeks. bn"s'ns
| that lucky third trial lovely spring morning
| The sky wa, declOusly buc-.he air fragrant Win
| he scent Of sweet growing things. and the hrst
| aovcr. Of the season were everywhere 10 DC S'ch
an, houe,lt Ere, yer yilcts fresh vets! " " Ercs
| yer lilies o the valley. all BLOWN an CROWN
| Is Frc,s yer croctlscs an daiodns ana pretty Prh
rose, ,--sang the wandering vendors ana even very
| moor men and were almost sure 10 s'op anu
,ny - nover There WIS such oy In the air. 1t
,v,s all 40 bright and dcligtful-mt crowucN "p"'u
| svccp Of PiccadillN Yet as | looked out 0t Inc
| ,,ut,.us ,t ,he carriage people, driving to the
qrcat gates Of HYDE Park at the riders io'io"ed p'
| thelr tightly brltcd gruoms at the iaShioh'o'c
Hangers on the broad clean pavementS "ne'' '"c"''
,oa.,.o t,cv were not going 10 Charles Dickens
! Az | clanccd around at ms Fellow PiSsc"S''S'
| wondered what they would saw II the Knew my
,,,, ard my high spirits dubbed over into pleasant
| ,.k oI,out London with nv next nciGhbor-in which
talk prcscntlr nearly all seemed giad 10 lo'n' H'"
the grumpy old gentleman opposite mc' WHO n'u '''
whitening chances Mt the spring bonnetS Oh inc l'uN
| crccrs and muttcrcd malevolen; things about
| . .bIon,s f,ol,--whch all heard ana prctchdeo
| mn, :, hear, rclcntcd far when aIighted. ana
| hdc him a smiling good-morning, rs to inform III"
| r,un,y that my bonnet, with us wr'a'" Vi "Pp''
| l,o.soms was mot 'alf bad!' Fortihcd DIV ANS "h
| c,rccici oppro,al I ncw along the narrow street.
and M the coriscrcw stairs and INTO 'he ois ,,roM
| ".anctrn, shclvcd with books very ihmlar hs"ic
| "a ,,,ro .hc armchair beside the big table at the
| and -, IN, rooni and came TO meet me with irehdS
ou,strtched hands-Charlcs Dickens at last.
.ren minutes mte!" he exclaimed lnushlnrly'
hogan TO fear that you hnd cioI'd VIII" "oA'"""
| .Mokanna," said bcwfdercd
! .Tor ,Ioorc's Yelled Prophet lie must ha'o
, vour friend of the fog" said Dickens ms he pm'en
| ~. In , chair from the "OM Curiosity shop hh"
-, dawn near me for 81 two handed crack about '"o
| crcat country over the sea-
| lie first remarked very kindly that my Story III"
| c,vcn him new and very pleasant Ideas OF American"
cour,rv life and then he began thorough catcch''"'
| ,ch secmcd To trend all way. At last nc
| s,onnca short and looked stiaight In my eyes III
very mn English fashion. Honestly now II WIZ.
to 20 over there agan-to give rcadhsS'-"h"' "o"''
they say or dor ,,,,
| I'D not know till long ancrward how he hesltneu
| over This step To which he was then being urged
| nor how much he apprchended from too h'cp
| recollection Of his American Notes. But rs ,o
asked the question. thought how lovingly anu "o
mIringy his name was mentioned almost every ""'.
| I'm nv country ana how his books were houSenom
,a.pds ~ wei, rs Household Words" all over 'hiS