City Police.

MONDAY, March 7, 1842.

The Expected Interview between the Napoleons of Police

Reporting in both Hemispheres.

[ . . .]

            As I was sitting at Mr. Kenney's desk at half past seven this morning, a little black boy in a red livery came in, grinned, placed the following epistle in my hands and then "slid."

UNITED STATES HOTEL.

Monday morning.

            William Brier, Esq.—Sir: Waiving the formalities of an introduction, and actuated by that feeling of warm enthusiasm, which originates in every mind of talent at the mention of genius like yours, I respectfully solicit an interview with yourself, distinguished sir, at such place and time as you see fit to name, in your reply to, Sir,

Your most, &c.

CHARLES DICKENS.

            Charles Dickens, Esq.,—Sir, You do me proud—(as Mark Antony felicitously observed to the elder Pliny, when he helped him to the wing of a chicken).  You speak of naming the time and place, and that much!  What say you to a sociable talk at Mr. Kenney's desk to-morrow morning, at 7 3/4 o'clock?  You can come incog, you know, and ask for the ugliest fellow in the Police Office, and in a flash, close at your elbow, you will see

BILLY BRIER.

            P. S. I've received an affirmative answer.  So, look out to-morrow for the first meeting of the "two Napoleons of police reporting in both hemispheres," Billy Brier and Charley Dickens. 

Billy Brier.