New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-02-04
Visit of Dickens in 81 as Viewed
By Himself and His Devotees

gallery On the first night not soul
could be induced TO enter It; and 1t was not
until II became known next day that ! was
certainly not going to read there more than
four times that we managed to fill it,
Evidently. Dickens did not come closely
enough in touch with the affairs Of the
church for DR. Rossiter w. Raymond. who
has been connected with the church
throughout his life and who heard Dickens
there does not agree with the English nov
elst's theory regarding the use of the little
gallery i'm the top of the auditorium at
the rear.
Where Mr.. Dickens got the notion that
the upper gallery in Plymouth Church was
the cOlored gallery il is difficult 10 imag-
inc" he has written TO The Tribune. But
since that was never the truth, the trus-
tees could not have suppressed H. 1t Is
hardly necessary TO say that no distinction
of color was drawn in Plymouth Church
during Mr. Beecher's life, or has been
drawn since his death.
1T is not unlikely that the second gallery
was not occupied at the first Of the DICK
ems readings. IL was too far away from
the platform TO be certainly a good place
for q hearer. People did not know before
hand whether Mr. Dickens would be audible
at that distance. Moreover the price OF
tickets was. for that period. very high.
remember that my father could afford TO
buy two course tickets only, and that the
family took turns in enjoying the supreme
delight OF hearing Dickens read Dickens
Very naturally, many persons may have
waited to see whether they could not get
something better than the upper gallery
/ 4. -f., f,ly, no
II was clear that the reader could be heard
anywhere in the house and that the seats
downstairs were generally pre-empted and
when Mr.. Dickenss agent announced that
no extra readings would be given those
who wanted TO hear him at least once took
what they could get.
..Perhaps Mr.. Dickens got his notion of a
'colorcd gallery from Baltimore or some
other Southern city. In applying II 10
Plymouth Church he exhibited a trait not
usually attributed TO him, namely. uncon-
scious humor Dickens had no relations
with or special knowledge OF Plymouth
Church Ills agent simply engaged the
room as the best he could get at that tme
/ and for that purpose in Brooklyn.
| The farewell readings were given In APRIL
1863 and lust before the last one he was
| entertained at a public dinner at Del
monlco's. this city. There were more than
two hundred persons present, Horace
| Greeley acting as postmaster. owing 10
] his physical condition there was some
doubt at the last moment whether Dickens
would be able TO attend. but he appeared
and made a speech. in which he referred to
the changes he had noted In the country,
promising his hosts that no copy OF the
american Notes" or OF Martin Chuzzle-
witt should appear in the future without
reference 10 the changes which he men,
| toned
Among those ut that dinner was Henry
Holt, the publisher, then young man.
I-non TIE invitation OF The Tribune ne has
1 described the dinner as he recalls II In the
! following words:
II was AT the dinner given DICKENS AT
Deimonico's which was then on the hor'h-
east corner of Fifth avenue and l4th street
IN the house originally built by Moses
Grinnell, the patron of the Kane eSpeui-
| ton for the North Pole, Of which most peo-
ple who may read this probably never
| heard There was "A coterie OF young jour
naltsts OF whom the leaders were inc
] Sweetser cousins, who had fouhueu 'ne
| Pound Table (of which the most peoPie
| already alluded TO likewise probably never
heard). and one Of whom later founded tne
present daily Mail. That coterle' Oh "hi'h