Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-02
When Charles Dickens Made His Last
Visit 20 America.

Nfurat Halstead has written a very fine
article on the last visit Of the great nov
elist about two years before his death.
He was banqueted by the press at Del
monico's, in New York. and the meeting
was presided over by the veteran Horace
Greedy. George William Curtis, Henry j.
Raymond and Horace Greeley made the
great speeches Of the occasion and Dick
ems parted from his friends in America
with the hveliest feelings OF satisfaction
and content.
There had been. as we all know. some
discomfort growing out of the criticisms
made by Mr.. Dickens in his earlier visit
OF which a lively remembrance remains in
Martin Chuzzlewit." but the visit in 1870
cleared away all these distractions and
the Delmonico banquet has hardly ever
been equaled in later years for original
speeches. brilliant oratory and intense
appreciation Of a guest The novelist
himself was suffering intensely with govt,
and after considerable delay entered the
dining hall with one foot that seemed to
be "a stuffed carpet bag" to quote Mr..
Halstead's idea OF its appearance. He
walked with difficalty. aided by a stick
and leaning on Mr.. Greeiys arm.
II was remarked that Mr.. Greedy, ac-
cording TO his fashion. ate literally and
drank nothing. He had red rose in
wine glass which he frequently held to
his nose. so he had color in his cup"
Mr.. Greedy welcomed the guest in the
happiest words, as one who had come up
from the lower rounds ''of the ladder of
the press (as most OF those present had
done). but who had become 1.-THE muse Of
humanity. past. present and to come. the
elevated, enlightened and glorified hui
manity which must and shall be-
Mr.. Dickens in his reply uttered as a
peroration that famous earthquake. COM
ct iceberg speech so often alluded to.
Said he:
IF I know anything Of my countrymen.
gentlemen. the English heart is stirred
by the fluttering OF those stars and
stripes as IL is stirred by no other flag
that files except its own.
1T would be better for this globe to be
riven by an earthquake, fired by comet,
overrun by an iceberg and abandoned to
the Arctic fox and bear than IL should
present the spectacle Of these two great
nations. each of whom has in its own
way and hour striven so hard and so sue
cessfully for freedom, ever again Of being
arrayed the one against the other
The most beautiful speech was made by
George William Curtis. whose reputation
as an after-dinner orator was never great
er than in his response to the toast in
honor OF The Reporter"
Mr.. Halstead says: The golden chant
of his elocution, the pallor which emotion
gave to his fine face. the elevation of his
awakened passion, the sorrow that dwells
in farewells were overwhelming as he ut
tered these noble words: Let us take
the hand OF our friend at parting. Wher-
ever he may be, whatever fate befall, his
name win be a kind of good, good It'd
ings.' 1t will always have a pleasant.
Christmas sound. Old ocean, bear him
safely Overt English hedges welcome
him with the blossoms Of May! English
hearts. he Is ours as well as yoursl We
stand upon the shore; we say farewell and
as he sails away we pray with love and
gratitude. may God bless himl"
II Is delightful 20 have such pleasant
memories revived for US In a time of ma
tional irritation and uncertainty. II
soothes this irritation in a measure. This
fine oratory. fine feeling and fine senti-
ment so well expressed lifts the mind
into purer. nobler channels.