At the New York barriers, where the tickets are on sale and the people ranged as at the Paris theatres, speculators went up and down offering "twenty dollars for anybody's place." The money was in no case accepted. One man sold two tickets for the second, third, and fourth night for "one ticket for the first, fifty dollars" (about seven pounds ten shillings), "and a brandy cocktail," which is an iced bitter drink. The weather has been rather muggy and languid until yesterday, when there was the coldest wind blowing that I ever felt. In the night it froze very hard, and to-day the sky is beautiful. _Tuesday, Dec. 3rd._ Most magnificent reception last night, and most signal and complete success. Nothing could be more triumphant. The people will hear of nothing else and talk of nothing else. Nothing that was ever done here, they all agree, evoked any approach to such enthusiasm. I was quite as cool and quick as if I were reading at Greenwich, and went at it accordingly. Tell your aunt, with my best love, that I have this morning received hers of the 21st, and that I will write to her next. That will be from New York. My love to Mr. and Mrs. Hulkes and the boy, and to Mr. and Mrs. Malleson.[18] [Sidenote: Miss Hogarth.] BOSTON, _Wednesday, Dec. 4th, 1867._ I find that by going off to the _Cuba_ myself this morning I can send you the enclosed for Mary Boyle (I don't know how to address her), whose usual flower for my button-hole was produced in the most extraordinary manner here last Monday night! All well and prosperous. "Copperfield" and "Bob" last night; great success. [Sidenote: Miss Mary Boyle.] BOSTON, _December 4th, 1867._ MY DEAR MEERY, You can have no idea of the glow of pleasure and amazement with which I saw your remembrance of me lying on my dressing-table here last Monday night. Whosoever undertook that commission accomplished it to a miracle. But you must go away four thousand miles, and have such a token conveyed to _you_, before you can quite appreciate the feeling of receiving it. Ten thousand loving thanks. Immense success here, and unbounded enthusiasm. My largest expectations far surpassed. Ever your affectionate Jo. [Sidenote: Miss Dickens.] WESTMINSTER HOTEL, IRVING PLACE, NEW YORK CITY, _Wednesday, Dec 11th, 1867._ Amazing success here. A very fine audience; _far better than that at Boston_. Great reception. Great, "Carol" and "Trial," on the first night; still greater, "Copperfield" and "Bob," on the second. Dolby sends you a few papers by this post. You will see from their tone what a success it is.