Dickens' gradual disillusionment found its way into his American Notes, in which he was critical of the American ... and the banks in summer-time are, I have no doubt, beautiful ... Dickens returned ...

Ever since I was a young boy (many, many years ago, about 60) I would get a proud tear in my eye whenever we sang “America, the Beautiful” in school, church or wherever. The words hold power for me to ...