American Notes for General Circulation Vol. 1 (hosted by John)

[Sam]

I was able to open a pdf from this page.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/...

Underneath the large yellow box there is a smaller box with the words--
View This Story as a PDF
See this story as it appeared in the pages of The Atlantic magazine.


And to the right of that is a black rectagular box with the word "open" in white. Click on that to view part one of the article bt Putnam.

Below the the box where you click to view the pdf, there is some italics which read--Continue to Part Two of this story, from the November 1870 Atlantic.

Click the underlined Part Two to reach the page that has part two of the article.
If I find an easier way to get the material, I will link it.

[Peter]

John wrote: "Bionic Jean wrote: "That's interesting John! I wonder if it's available to read anywhere."

Here is a link, Jean. I started reading it — it looks fascinating — and will have to devote more time to ..."

Thanks John. This link gives us a very important and insightful look at what was swirling around Dickens as he began his journey to North America.

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

I have been quite startled with Chapter 8. Dickens is no longer the diplomat he was in earlier chapters. He didn't mince words when criticizing what he found wanting in the States:

Granted, spitting is a disgusting habit. 🤢 When Dickens described these "gentlemen" spitting on the carpet, I immediately wondered how women were able to keep the hem of their dresses clean.

I can definitely understand how uncomfortable and intolerable it must have been for Dickens to remain quiet while being served by slaves. I'm sure his conscience was pricked to the core. And I can understand his not wanting to go to South Carolina. But I guess I am confused that he would want to visit the States at all, knowing that he would probably be exposed to the inhumanity of slavery.

Dickens was quite harsh about American politicians, but I loved this part of the chapter as it comforted me to know that politics is and always has been corrupt. This sentence in particular was just brilliant! "It is the game of these men, and of their profligate organs, to make the strife of politics so fierce and brutal, and so destructive of all self-respect in worthy men, that sensitive and delicate-minded persons shall be kept aloof and they, and such as they, be left to battle out their selfish views unchecked.". Wow!!!

I, too, loved the scene of a once-open White House. In a biography on Lincoln I read once, people would come in off the streets, sit on benches in the hallways, and wait their turn to speak to the President. I don't know if Lincoln was the first to say it, but he viewed the President's house as the People's house. I just could not even imagine that way of thinking now.

John, I appreciate you and Sam linking to the article that George Washington Putnam wrote about his time spent with Dickens. I cannot wait to hear his side of the story!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Hi All,

As requested, yesterday I copied all the comments from when we began vol 2 into a new thread LINK HERE, so today I deleted the duplicates. See you there!

Some of us have editions in one volume, so in that case it will begin with chapter 9.

Thanks John and Sam - that's really helpful!

Shirley - I've left yours here, as it relates to chapter 8 - is that alright?

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Hi All,

As requested, yesterday I copied all the comments from when we began vol 2 into a new thread LINK HERE, so today I deleted the duplicates. See you there!

Shirley - I've left yours here, as it relates to chapter 8 - is that alright?"

Yes, indeed, Jean! Thank you.