Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-04

ence of Dickens and his wife at Presi-
dent Tylers levee, the last of that sea
toned in the Madisonian of March IL,
1872 Only those who were fortunate
enough to see Mrs Dickens knew that
she possessed such healthy English ap-
pearance, or that she had high forehead
partly covered by brown hair, or a well
shaped nose and small mouth or blue
eyes with arched eyebrows
At no other reception at that time could
Dickens have enjoyed the occasion more
than at this one, for it was not only a
pleasure to him to talk with President
Tyler. who was known to favor men of
letters. but the writer had the added
satisfaction of spending a great part of
the evening with Washington Irving,
whom he honored and loved to the point
of hero worship. When the English guest
saw the ovation which was made over
the author of The Sketch Book he was
pleased. for later he wrote that he had
never respected a public assembly more
than he did this eager thrOng, when he
saw them turn as single individual from
noisy orators and officials of high degree
to rally with sincerity around a man of
quiet pursuits. That night the levee was
attended by about 5000, for invitations
were unnecessary. All who wished might
join the throng, and many wished. for 1t
had been announced that both Washing
ton Irving and Charles Dickens would
be present
sion to burden the guests with directions,
and yet among all classes that attended
the affair there was no confusion, or, as
Dickens put it, mo rude or disagreeable
incident to break the propriety of be-
havior or decorum of the OCCASION Ev
cry man seemed responsible for the in
stitution and endeavored to appear to
his best advantage. Dickens said that
his carriage reached the porch in turn
without any clustering swearing or
without backing or any similar disturb
ance, and that he and his wife dismount-
ed with as much ease and comfort as
though the whole metropolitan force had
been their escort. This social function
ington for the time allotted, for this part
of his trip soon passed, and he started
south, following line of travel mapped
out for him by his warm friend, Henry
Clay.
Between Dickens first and last visits
to the new world there was a lapse
of over twenty-five years. During this
time the nation had grown older by many
more years than the quarter of a CEN
fury, and the same experience was prob
ably the lot of the novelist. Antebellum
conditions and customs had passed and
the new era was dawmng. This time
Dickens did not come to get material,
but to bring it to America in return for
fame and a share of her wealth. 1t was
the list of February. 1868, that Dickens,
accompanied by Mr.. Osgood, the Boston
publisher, and Mr. Dolly, his financial
agent, arrived in Washington and went
to Welcker's restaurant & small hotel on
18th street above the Avenue. This place
was kept by German proprietor, who
provided French walters and saw, too,
that his cuisine rivaled that Of the finest
in the land.
Dickens first work in the city at
that time was experimenting the sale
of the tickets for his readings. At that
sale. which took place at Messrs. Phlr
and Solomon's Metropolitan book store
322 Pennsylvania avenue. between 9th
and 10th streets. there was no trouble
Dickens had anticipated there
would be. Afterward he wrote that as
there wtr" no New York spe u.:,furs
present. everything went of satisfac-
torily. without any discomfort at the