trait is as near faultless as art can make one. As the picture represents him, he is at his desk, pen in hand, the head turned a little one side, wonderfully expressive of the state of mind when considering how to do it.""

The first volume given to readers in that elegant little diamond edition, was "Our Mutual Friend." This contains many fine passages, exquisite in expression, and of lofty sentiment.

One of those sentences which shines like a diamond among pebbles is this: "Evil often stops short at itself, and dies with the doer of it; but good, never." When one reads the inimitable stories of Dickens with an unprejudiced mind and liberal heart, one must adopt the language of Thackeray, and say,—

"I may quarrel with Mr. Dickens's art a thousand times; I delight and wonder at his genius; I recognize in it—I speak with awe and reverence a commission from that divine Beneficence whose blessed task we know it will one day be to wipe every tear from every eye.

"Thankfully I take my share of the feast of love and kindness which this gentle and generous and charitable soul has contributed to the happiness of the world. I take and enjoy my share, and say a benediction for the meal."

In order to pass rapidly on to a mention of Mr. Dick

ens as a reader, only a brief extract from "Our Mutual Friend" is here inserted. It is the close of the chapter speaking of little Johnny's death at the children's hos pital:

"The family whom God had brought together were not all asleep, but were all quiet. From bed to bed, a light womanly tread, and a pleasant fresh face, passed in the silence of the night. A little head would lift itself up into the softened light here and there, to be kissed as the face went by,- for these little patients are very loving, and would then submit itself to be composed to rest again. The mite with the broken leg was restless, and moaned, but, after a while, turned his face towards Johnny's bed to fortify himself with a view of the ark, and fell asleep. Over most of the beds, the toys were yet grouped as the children had left them when they last laid themselves down; and, in their innocent grotesqueness and incongruity, they might have stood for the children's dreams.

"The doctor came in, too, to see how it fared with Johnny. And he and Rokesmith stood together, looking down with compassion upon him.

"What is it, Johnny?' Rokesmith was the questioner, and put an arm round the poor baby as he made a struggle.

"Him!' said the little fellow. 6 Those!'

"The doctor was quick to understand children, and

taking the horse, the ark, the yellow-bird, and the man in the guards, from Johnny's bed, softly placed them on that of his next neighbor, - the mite with the bro

ken leg.

"With a weary and yet a pleased smile, and with an action as if he stretched his little finger out to rest, the child heaved his body on the sustaining arm, and, seeking Rokesmith's face with his lips, said,

"A kiss for the boofer lady.'

66

Having now bequeathed all he had to dispose of, and arranged his affairs in this world, Johnny, thus speaking, left it."

CHAPTER XV.

SECOND VISIT TO AMERICA.

Dickens as a Reader and Actor. - His First Appearance in Boston.-His Last Reading in Boston.

"Land of the forest and the rock,

Of dark blue lake and mighty river,
Of mountains reared on high to mock
The storm's career and lightning's shock,
My own green land forever!"

WHITTIER.

"And he took the book... and read in the audience of the people."-EXOD.

xxiv. 7.

N December, 1867, Mr. Dickens made his second visit to America. His fault in writing the "Notes" had been forgiven, since the common sense and Christian sentiment of the people acknowledged him to be right in most, if not all, his criticisms; and when he came as a reader he was warmly welcomed. The newspaper accounts of his appearance and readings will give the best idea of them. Of his first reading, "The Boston Journal" says,

"Tremont Temple was completely filled; every seat,

and nearly every standing-place, front of the platform, except the central aisles, having an occupant. The wealth, beauty, fashion, and intellect of the city, were present in great numbers. Longfellow, Holmes, Lowell, Quincy, and a host of others of our most eminent citizens, attended to greet the inimitable 'Boz' in his new character of reader of his own works. The audience began to assemble as early as seven o'clock; but not all were seated by eight o'clock: when this was accomplished, the hall presented a magnificent appearance, there were so many splendidly-dressed ladies present.

“The arrangements for the reading were somewhat peculiar. On the rear of the platform was a marooncolored screen about fifteen feet long by seven high, and a carpet of the same color spread in front. Along the front of the platform was a high framework of gas-pipe, with burners upon the inner side, and a narrow screen to cast the light upon the distinguished reader. In the centre of the platform stood a little crimson-colored stand, festooned with a bright fringe, with a tiny desk, which an open book more than covered, on one corner. Upon one side was a shelf, on which stood a glass decanter of water and a tumbler.

"This purple-hued paraphernalia interested the curious and expectant audience till three minutes past eight o'clock; when a slight clapping of hands, like the first drops of a shower, announced the coming of Boz' from the ante-room. With an elastic step he ascended the plat