CHAPTER IX.

Commencement of the Series of Early Essayists -- Thackeray as a Lecturer -- The 'English Humourists of the Eighteenth Century' -- Charlotte Brontë at Thackeray's Readings -- The Lectures repeated in Edinburgh -- An invitation to visit America -- Transatlantic popularity -- Special success attending the reception of the 'English Humourists' in the States -- 'Week-day Preachers' -- Enthusiastic Farewell -- Appleton's New York edition of Thackeray's Works; the Author's introduction, and remarks on International Copyright -- Thackeray's departure -- Cordial impression bequeathed to America -- The 'History of Henry Esmonde, a story of Queen Anne's Reign' -- The writers of the Augustan Era -- The 'Newcomes' -- An allusion to George Washington misunderstood -- A second visit to America -- Lectures on the 'Four Georges' -- The series repeated at home -- Scotch sympathy -- Thackeray proposed as a candidate to represent Oxford in Parliament -- His liberal views and impartiality 171