The story of the Sun, New York: 1833-1928 / by Frank M. O'Brien ; with an introduction by Edward Page Mitchell ...

MOSES Y. BEACH'S ERA OF HUSTLE 105
Boz is coming to America. We hope he will not
make a fool of himself here, like a majority of his
distinguished countrymen who preceded him.
The Sun got out an extra on the day when Dickens
landed, but it was not in honor of Boz, but rather because
of the arrival of the Britannia with a budget of foreign
news. Buried in a mass of Continental paragraphs was
this one:
Among the passengers are Mr. Charles Dickens,
the celebrated author, and his lady.
The ship-news man never even thought to ask Dickens
how he liked America. But society was waiting for Boz,
and he was tossed about on a lively sea of receptions and
dinners. The Sun presently thought that the young author
was being exploited overmuch:
Mr. Dickens, we have no doubt, is a very respectable gentleman, and we know that he is a very
clever and agreeable author. He has written several
books that have put the reading world in most excellent good humor. In this way he has done much
to promote the general happiness of mankind, and
honestly deserves their gratitude.
Having crossed the water for the purpose of traveling in America, where his works have been extensively read and admired, he is, of course, received
and treated with marked civility, attention, and respect. We should be ashamed of our countrymen if
it were otherwise. During his stay at Boston the
citizens gave him a public dinner. At New Haven
he received a similar token of kind regard. In this
city a ball has been given him. All these attentions