In what year does the story open? The English Crown and People received a message “…from a congress of British subjects in America, which, strange to relate, have proved more important to the human race than any communications yet received through any of

In what year does the story open? The English Crown and People received a message “…from a congress of British subjects in America, which, strange to relate, have proved more important to the human race than any communications yet received through any of the chickens of the Cock-lane brood.” What message is this? Do you think Dickens is being humorous or sarcastic?

(Book 1 Chapters 1-6)