Radio Question

[oldmisery]

Why did a large group of enthusiastic readers gather on a dockside in New York in the 19th Century ?
I wondered if it was the final part in one of the Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes serialised mysteries.
Any help would be appreciated.

[Mr Veritas]

The only possible suggestion I can make is this:~
Charles Dickens stories were issued (usually) in weekly parts.
At once crucial stage of the story "The Old Curiosity Shop",namely the illness (and eventual death) of the heroine (Little Nell);the transatlantic shipments of this were delayed for approx one month due to severe weather conditions.
When the New York public realised that the ship bearing the delayed publications was entering the harbour, they covered the warehouses and wharves.Passengers on the ship were mystified by this reception,until they got closer and hear shouts of "How is Little Nell?" So hooked had they become by Dickens story!
I don't know if this what you are referring to?but it's a great story in itself! LOL

[oldmisery]

Thank You Mr. Veritas, as you say, a great story in itself. I'll try your answer out on Sunday.
Many thanks for your help.

[Mr Veritas]

You are most welcome,and thank YOU for taking the time to respond to my answer (not many do,sadly)

[bibblebub]

Your original answer is the most interesting posting I have read all evening - I never realised that Dickens' stories were that popular outside of this country at that time.

[Mr Veritas]

bibblebub,
I think they were only as popular in USA & Canada (being Englsh speaking),and of course these countries (at that time) had very few,if any,homegrown authors of the stature of Dickens.

If only they knew how much Dickens despised and reviled the USA (after his trips there)! LOL

[VHG]

Many stories by Dickens and Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) were issued in weekly parts, a popular practice at that time.

See "penny dreadful" below (not that these included Dickens or Conan Doyle)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_dreadful

[dundurn]

I think the USA got the message after Martin Chuzzlewit was published!

[oldmisery]

Spot on Mr Veritas! the answer you provided even surpassed the answer given by the presenter, who only knew that it was a Charles Dickens story.
EXCELLENT.