Dickens’ America, 1842 – Those Were the Days

By Shlomo Maital

     In January 1842, noted author Charles Dickens set sail for Boston, from Liverpool, with his wife Catherine.  He was given a hero’s welcome by Americans, who loved his books.  During his stay in America, he spent time in Washington, and visited both the House of Representatives and the Senate.  He wrote a book about his trip, American Notes, published in October 1842.

      He had hard things to say about the US, mainly about slavery (he hated it) and violence.  But listen to his assessment of the politicians: “There are…some men of high character and great abilities. …they are striking men to look at, hard to deceive, prompt to act, lions in energy, Crichtons in varied accomplishments, Americans in strong and generous impulse, and they as well represent the honour and wisdom of their country at home….” 

       “The Senate is a dignified and decorous body, and its proceedings are conducted with much gravity and order…..”

        Fast forward.  The Senate is an Old Folks’ Home, average age 65.[1] 

        The House?  Marjorie Taylor Greene, far-right conspiracy theorist from Georgia.  George Santos, Representative elected from New York, who lied about everything and is still embraced by his party (they need his vote to keep their slim margin). Steve King, US Representative from Iowa, 2003-2021 (yup —  18 years!) who the Washington Post said was “the Congressman most openly affiliated with white nationalism”.   And believe me, the list is far longer. 

     Oh yes, and “Crichton”?   What is that? “A scholarly person, student. a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines.” 

      Oh yes, lots of those today among US politicians.  Not.

[1] These Republican Senators voted against the bill to raise the debt limit and send America crashing into default:  Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)  Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)  Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.)  Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.)  Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.)  Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)  Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.)  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)  Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.)  Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.)  Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah)  Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.)  Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) Sen. Tim Scott Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Ala.) Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)     Five Democrat Senators voted ‘no’, as well.