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By Booth Tarkington: Dickens

DICKENS CHARLES DICKENS lived a full life. Acting and editing took much of his time, but even more important were his public readings. These started in a modest way, by reading to intimate friends an unpublished Christmas story. He was a born orator and he spoke often at public meetings in support of radical reforms. Gradually the private readings and the public speakings merged into the public readings.

Year after year he appeared before wildly enthusiastic audiences in England, Ireland, and Scotland, but his most ambitious tour was that which began when he landed in Boston in November, 1866. In New England, New York, and as far south as Washington he was acclaimed as no other author ever has been acclaimed in America.

The money rewards were almost irresistible. He received nearly one hundred thousand dollars above expenses for his American journey; his farewell English appearances brought him forty thousand dollars. But he would not have undertaken them if they had not brought him a keener joy. He loved to be assured of his readers' affection. At York a woman who had heard him stopped him on the street and said: "Mr. Dickens, will you let me touch the hand that has filled my house with so many friends?" The "boots" at a Dublin inn asked, "What sort of a house?" "Capital," answered Dickens. "The Lord be praised for the honor of Dublin!" cried the lad. Tributes such as these meant more to him than money. The excitement and fatigue shortened his life, but he could not resist the joy of standing face to face with the thousands who loved him for the sheer happiness he had brought into their lives.