"English Writers on America" in Washington Irving's Sketch Book, which was called forth by exaggerated stories propagated by the pens of early British travellers in this country after their return home. Dickens came to Louisville in 1842, and when he had gone up to his room at the Galt House, Major Throckmorton, the proprietor, who was as high spirited as he was polite, appeared at the novelist's door and said, "Sir, I am proud to extend you the hospitality of the house; and shall be delighted to serve you to the best of my ability." "Boz," in spite of his alertness, was not aware of the vast difference there is between the social standing of an American hotel proprietor and that of an English innkeeper. Glancing at the Major he replied, "All right, sir; all right; if I want anything I'll ring for you." Throckmorton's eyes flashed with anger as he exclaimed, "What do you mean by such impudence to me? You don't know whom you are talking to; I'll throw you out of the window." The Major was a powerful man and would doubtless have made good his threat had not Dickens speedily apologized for his mistake.
Among the Englishmen induced to emigrate
