November 19 Tuesday – Charles Dickens arrived in Boston to begin a five-month tour, lecturing and reading from his works [MTL 2: 104n3].

Quaker City arrived at New York City at 10 AM to complete the excursion, 5 months and 11 days long.

At last, one pleasant morning, we steamed up the harbor of New York, all on deck, all dressed in Christian garb—by special order, for there was a latent disposition in some quarters to come out as Turks—and amid a waving of handkerchiefs from welcoming friends, the glad pilgrims noted the shiver of the decks that told that ship and pier had joined hands again and the long, strange cruise was over. Amen [IA, Ch60].

Notes: The excursion was pivotal for Sam. His experiences would translate into his first truly successful book, Innocents Abroad, which would bring national prominence as a writer. With contacts to the Langdons and Mrs. Fairbanks, Sam made inroads into “respectable” society. The inroads were not without friction.