Dickens, Charles Dickens in America Page 1 of 5 DICKENS IN AMERICA The Charles Dickens Page The Novels Characters American Notes - Dickens account of the 1842 trip to America Read it online I Buy it at Amazon.com Dickens Glossary Illustrations On January 3, 1842 Charles Dickens, a month shy of his 30th birthday, sailed from Liverpool on the steamship Britannia bound for America. Timeline Chicken Dickens was at the height of Reading Dickens Married his popularity on both sides of the Atlantic and, securing Dickens London a year off from writing, Issueds Senton determined to visit the young Dickens London Map Niagara Falls nation to see for himself this Dickens & Christmas Sandusky New York haven for the oppressed Harri Pittsburgh which had righted all the Philadelphia Family & Friends Columbus Cincinnati Ballississ wrongs of the Old World. St. Lossis Washington The voyage out, Dickens in America Louisville Richmond accompanied by his wife, Case Dickens on the Web Kate, and her maid, Anne Dickens American Travels January 29 A June 7 1849 Brown, proved to be one of The Dickens Shoppe the stormiest in years and his cabin aboard the Britannia proved to be so small that Dickens quipped Bibliography / Notes that their portmanteaux could "no more be got in at the door, not to say Site Awards & Honors stowed away, than a giraffe could be forced into a flowerpot". Email The violent seas on the journey can best be described by Dickens' comical account of trying to administer a little brandy to his wife and her traveling companions to calm their fears: "They, and the handmaid before mentioned, being in such ecstasies of. fear that I scarcely knew what to do with them, I naturally bethought myself of some restorative or comfortable cordial; and nothing better occurring to me, at the moment, than hot brandy-and-water, I procured a tumblerful without delay. It being impossible to stand or sit without holding on, they were all heaped together in one corner of a long sofa -- a fixture, extending entirely across the cabin -- where they clung to each other in momentary expectation of being Fire Unformia drowned. When I approached this place with my specific, and was about to administer it, with many consolatory expressions, to the nearest sufferer, what was my dismay to see them all roll slowly down to the other end! And when I Charles Dickens Observations 1849 staggered to that end, and held out the glass once more, how immensely baffled were my good intentions by the ship giving another lurch, and their all rolling Boston - The city is a beautiful back again! I suppose I dodged them up and down this sofa for at least a quarter one, and cannot fail, I should imagine, to impress all strangers of an hour, without reaching them once; and, by the time I did catch them, the very favourably. brandy-and-water was diminished, by constant spilling, to a tea-spoonful." New York - The beautiful Arriving in Boston on January 22, 1842 Dickens was at once mobbed and metropolis of America is by no means so clean a city as Boston, generally given the adulation afforded four other young Englishmen who but many of its streets have the would invade America more than a century later. same characteristics; except that Dickens at first reveled in the attention but the houses are not quite so fresh- coloured, the sign-boards are not soon the never-ending demand of his time quite so gaudy, the gilded letters began to wear on his enthusiasm. He http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/america.html 4/25/2003 Dickens in America Page 2 of 5 not quite so golden, the bricks not complained in a letter to his friend John quite so red, the stone not quite so white, the blinds and area railings Forster "I can do nothing that I want to do, go not quite so green, the knobs and nowhere where I want to go, and see nothing that plates upon the street-doors not quite so bright and twinkling. I want to see. If I turn into the street, I am followed by a multitude". Philadelphia - It is a handsome city, but distractingly regular. After One of the things on Dickens' agenda for the walking about it for an hour or two, I felt that I would have given the Dickens by Boston artist trip to America was to try to put forth the idea world for a crooked street. The Francis Alexander shortly of international copyright. Dickens' works collar of my coat appeared to after arrival in America 184g were routinely pirated in America and for the stiffen, and the brim of my hat to expand, beneath its Quakerly most part he received not a penny for his influence. writing there. Dickens argued that American authors would benefit also as they were pirated in Europe but these arguments generally fell on deaf Baltimore This capital of the ears. Indeed there would be no international copyright law for another 50 state of Maryland is a bustling, busy town, with a great deal of years. traffic of various kinds, and in particular of water commerce. In keeping with his fascination for the That portion of the town which it While in the Boston area most favours is none of the unusual, visits to prisons, hospitals for Dickens visited the cleanest, it is true; but the upper the insane, reform schools, and Perkins Institution and part is of a very different character, schools for blind, deaf, and dumb Massachusetts School for and has many agreeable streets and public buildings. children were high on his list of places the Blind where he observed Laura Bridgman to visit in almost every city he toured. (1829-1889), a blind, deaf, Washington It is sometimes He also toured factories, the industrial and dumb girl. Dickens called the City of Magnificent mills of Lowell, Massachusetts, a Bridgman chronicled in American Distances, but it might with Notes Laura's remarkable greater propriety be termed the Shaker village in New York, and a education through the teaching of Samuel City of Magnificent Intentions; for it prairie in Illinois. While in Washington Gridley Howe, director of the school. 40 is only on taking a bird's-eye view he attended sessions of Congress, years later Captain Arthur Keller and his wife, of it from the top of the Capitol that Kate, read Dickens' account of Laura one can at all comprehend the toured the White House, and met Bridgman and the Perkins Institution. The vast designs of its projector, an President Tyler. In the White House, Keller's blind, deaf, and dumb daughter, aspiring Frenchman. Spacious as just about everywhere he went in Helen Keller (1880-1968), also received part avenues that begin in nothing, and of her remarkable education at the Perkins lead nowhere; streets, mile long, America, Dickens was appalled at the school through Anne Sullivan, a visually that only want houses, roads, and American male passion for chewing impaired teacher and recent graduate of the inhabitants; public buildings that institution. tobacco. He gives this account of a need but a public to be complete; and ornaments of great visit to the Capital building: thoroughfares, which only lack great thoroughfares to ornament are its leading features. "Both Houses are handsomely carpeted; but the state to which these carpets are reduced by the universal disregard of the spittoon with which every honourable Richmond The next day, and the member is accommodated, and the extraordinary improvements on the pattern next, we rode and walked about which are squirted and dabbled upon it in every direction, do not admit of being the town, which is delightfully situated on eight hills, overhanging described. I will merely observe, that I strongly recommend all strangers not to James River; a sparkling stream, look at the floor; and if they happen to drop anything, though it be their purse, studded here and there with bright not to pick it up with an ungloved hand on any account. islands, or brawling over broken rocks. Although it was yet but the middle of March, the weather in It is somewhat remarkable too, at first, to say the least, to see SO many this southern temperature was honourable members with swelled faces; and it is scarcely less remarkable to extremely warm; the peach-trees and magnolias were in full bloom; discover that this appearance is caused by the quantity of tobacco they contrive and the trees were green. to stow within the hollow of the cheek. It is strange enough, too, to see an Cincinnati Cincinnati is a honourable gentleman leaning back in his tilted chair, with his legs on the desk beautiful city; cheerful, thriving, before him, shaping a convenient "plug" with his penknife, and, when it is quite and animated. I have not often ready for use, shooting the old one from his mouth as from a pop-gun, and seen a place that commends itself clapping the new one in its place." so favourably and pleasantly to a stranger at the first glance as this does: with its clean houses of red Dickens wanted to see the South and observe slavery first hand. His and white, its well-paved roads, initial plan was to go to Charleston but because of the heat and the length and footways bright tile. Non does it become less prepossessing on a of the trip he settled for Richmond, Virginia. He was revolted by what he closer acquaintance. The streets saw in Richmond, both by the condition of the slaves themselves and by are broad and airy, the shops the whites attitudes towards slavery. In American Notes, the book written extremely good, the private residences remarkable for their after he returned to England describing his American visit, he wrote elegance and neatness. scathingly about the institution of slavery, citing newspaper accounts of http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/america.html 4/25/2003 Dickens in America Page 3 of 5 runaway slaves horribly disfigured by their cruel masters. Louisville There was nothing very interesting in the scenery of From Richmond Dickens returned to this day's journey, which brought us at midnight to Louisville. We Washington and started a trek slept at the Galt House; a splendid westward to St. Louis. Traveling by hotel; and were as handsomely lodged as though we had been in riverboat and stagecoach the Dickens Paris, rather than hundreds of entourage, which included Dickens, his miles beyond the Alleghanies. wife Kate, Kate's maid, Anne Brown, and George Putnam, Charles' traveling St. Louis In the old French portion of the town the secretary, endured quite an adventure. thoroughfares are narrow and Gaining anonymity and more personal crooked, and some of the houses freedom the further west they went, are very quaint and picturesque: being built of wood, with tumble- Dickens' power of observation provides While visiting St. Louis, Dickens down galleries before the a very entertaining and enlightening expressed a desire to see an American windows, approachable by stairs, prairie before returning east. Finding no view of early America. or rather ladders, from the street. shortage of men wishing to accommodate There are queer little barbers' the great author, a group of 13 men set out shops, and drinking-houses too, in Dickens came away from his American with Dickens to visit Looking Glass Prairie, this quarter; and abundance of a trip of some 30 miles into Illinois. During experience with a sense of crazy old tenements with blinking the trip the entourage stayed at the casements, such as may be seen disappointment. To his friend William Mermaid House, an inn in Lebanon, Illinois in Flanders. Some of these Macready he wrote "this is not the built by retired sea captain Lyman Adams ancient habitations, with high in 1830. Dickens described the hotel in republic I came to see; this is not the garret gable windows perking into American Notes: "In point of cleanliness the roofs, have a kind of French republic of my imagination". On returning and comfort it would have suffered by no shrug about them; and, being lop- to England Dickens began an account comparison with any village alehouse, of a sided with age, appear to hold homely kind, in England". their heads askew besides, as if of his American trip which he they were grimacing in completed in four months. Not only did Dickens attack slavery in astonishment at the American American Notes, he also attacked the American press whom he blamed Improvements. for the American's lack of general information. In Dickens' next novel, Niagara Falls It was not until I Martin Chuzzlewit, he sends young Martin to America where he continues came on Table Rock, and looked to vent his feelings for the young republic. American response to both - Great Heaven, on what a fall of books was extremely negative but eventually the passion subsided and bright green water! -- that it came upon me in its full might and Dickens' popularity was restored. majesty. Then, when I felt how near to my Creator I was standing, the first effect, and the enduring Steamboat Trip one -- instant and lasting -- of the Read Dickens' account of his fascinating 1842 trip aboard the steamboat tremendous spectacle, was Messenger down the Ohio river from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati during the Peace. heyday of the American steamboat. Pictures of Niagara Falls about the time of Dickens' visit. Digital Collection of Niagara Falls Second American Visit - 1867-68 Guidebooks from the 19th Century After the end of the Civil War, Dickens began to feel that he should visit America again. This trip would involve a series of readings of his works. Montreal - Montreal is pleasantly These readings he had been giving in England with much success. situated on the margin of the St. Lawrence, and is backed by some He arrived in Boston on November 19, 1867. bold heights, about which there Though a few articles appeared in the press are charming rides and drives. concerning Dickens' comments following his first The streets are generally narrow and irregular, as in most French American visit, more than a quarter of a century towns of any age; but, in the more before, these were quickly forgotten and he was modern parts of the city, they are again adored by the American public. His health, wide and airy. All the rides in the vicinity were made doubly however, was in rapid decline and he suffered interesting by the bursting out of greatly during this trip. This time he did not venture spring, which is here so rapid that from the east coast and staved five months giving http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/america.html 4/25/2003 Dickens in America Page 4 of 5 it is but a day's leap from barren winter to the blooming youth of 76 performances. Mark Twain saw Dickens summer. perform in January, 1868 at the Steinway Hall in New York and gave this report. Dickens - taken during At a dinner in his honor in New York on April 18, the 2nd American visit 1868 Dickens noted that both he and America had undergone considerable change since his last visit. He commented on the excellent treatment he had received from everyone he came in contact with on this trip and vowed to include these words as an appendix to every copy of the two books in which he refers to America (American Notes and Martin Chuzzlewit). Hard Times Hard Times The Last Disre of Daniel Panger (2000) Mrs. Wherles Pickens An entertaining fiction based on Dickens' 1842 trip to America as seen through the eyes of his wife Catherine. Excerpt: Catherine describes a scene on the trip home from America aboard the sailing ship George Washington Thirteenth June (1842) Atlantic Ocean Dickens' will stipulated that no memorial be erected to honor him. If I did not know him as well as I do, I would begin to suspect that Mr. Charles The only statue of Dickens, cast in bronze in 1891 by Edwin Elwell, is Dickens has taken leave of his senses and is headed in the direction of the located in Clark Park, madhouse. He cavorts like a six year old child. From morning til night he is Philadelphia. engaged in pranks irrespective of the victims' age, sex, or condition. But his popularity is such that even the use of an India rubber device that when placed beneath the cushion of a chair and sat upon gives forth an unmentionable sound elicits only a good-natured laugh from various ones who, under different circumstances, might even resort to administering a drubbing to the trickster with their walking sticks. The children, and there are a baker's dozen of them, idolize him. And why should they not? He gets down on his hands and knees without regard to who may be watching and plays horsey, catch the bear, leap frog and games of his own invention. The Haves and the Have Nots Near the end of Dickens' 1842 travels in North America he observed, on a steamboat between Quebec and Montreal, emigrants from England crowded between decks. He recorded his thoughts, in this beautiful passage in American Notes, on the burden poor families face over those blessed with plenty. Read Dickens' traveling secretary, George Washington Putnam's (1812- 1896) account of the 1842 American visit: Four Months with Charles Dickens. An article he wrote for Atlantic Monthly in October 1870, shortly after Dickens' death. Back to Top http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/america.htm 4/25/2003 Dickens on the Web Page 4 of 4 With the promise of big money, A Journal of the Life of Charles Dickens - Kirk Witmer's very along with stage manager George interesting year by year timeline of Dickens' life Dolby, he undertook a reading tour in America from December 1867- April The Conservation of Charles Dickens' Manuscripts - By the Victoria 1868 which earned him 19,000 and Albert Museum-London pounds. Gad's Hill Place - by Perry Internet Consulting On his return to England, and with Victorian Station-Charles Dickens - Attractive and informative site declining health, he began a farewell tour of Britain in October 1868. This on everything Victorian tour included a new addition, a very Pauline Dubelbeis: The World of Charles Dickens passionate and dramatic performance of the murder of Nancy The Robert D. Fellman Dickens Collection - A Resource for from Oliver Twist. Many believe that Scholars the energy expended in this performance, which he insisted on Charles Dickens - Top-biography: Biography, Special Features, including even as his health Struggle, Chronology, Quotations & Sketches worsened, hastened his early death in June, 1870. Charles Dickens: An Annotated Bibliography - Margaret Borgeest Dickens Made Simple Mark Twain saw Dickens perform in January, 1868 at the Steinway Hall BBC Dickens Page in New York and gave this report. AllReaders.com - Detailed analyses of the plots, settings, themes, and characters of Dickens' books Dickens Family Records - View documents showing Dickens in the UK census including his will Back to Top Note concerning links to external sites: In linking to other web sources I have tried to include only sites of a scholarly or informational nature which further the reader's understanding and enjoyment of Dickens' life and works. Sites of a commercial nature, while of interest to many, have been excluded. If you have a Dickens resource that you would like to see linked here, or if you notice that any of the links above are no longer available let me know Links last verified April 4, 2003 amazon.com Charles Dickens Earth's Biggest Jane Smiley Selection! Privacy Information Back to Top copyright © 1997-2003 David A. Perdue FREE URL: :hhttp://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/dickens_web.html Mail to: David Perdue's Charles Dickens Page WEB SITE David Perdue's Charles Dickens Home Page COUNTER http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/dickens_web.html 4/25/2003 Dickens on the Web Page 3 of 4 Dickens and Catherine David Copperfield is available in html on George Valsanis' honeymooned here in 1836. The forge here was Dickens inspiration beautifully done site for the setting of the opening The Life of Charles Dickens - By John Forster (1872-74) chapters of Great Expectations. The Immortal Dickens - By George Gissing (1925) Dale Powell's sequel to "A Christmas Carol" called "Timothy Cratchit's Christmas Carol, 1917" The Letters of Charles Dickens to Wilkie Collins Attractively done Great Expectations e-text by Fabrice World Wide School - Dickens major and minor works online Gad's Hill Place Classic Bookshelf's Dickens Page - A great way to read Dickens As a child Dickens would walk with online, check this out! his father by Gad's Hill Place, a large impressive mansion outside Marley's Ghost by Mark Osmun - San Francisco Chronicle review Rochester. His father told him that of Mark's new book, a prequel to A Christmas Carol, telling with perseverance and hard work he could live in such a house. Marley's story Dickens' works in PDF format - The Electric Book Company Thirty-six years later, in 1857, Dickens bought it. The PDF Project - Dickens' books in 4 pdf formats on CD-ROM Classic Novels - Re-publishing Oliver Twist in the original monthly installments via email starting Jan 14, 2002 - Free! Classic Reader - Charles Dickens Dickens' Speeches - World Wide School The English Letters Collection: The Letters of Charles Dickens - from InteLex Discovering Dickens - A Community Reading Project: Stanford University, serialization of Dickens' Great Expectations (12/02) The University of Adelaide Australia - Dickens E-Books online Public Readings Scrooge & Cratchit: An original short story conceived as a sequel Dickens was, first and foremost, an to A Christmas Carol by Matt McHugh entertainer. From childhood and into adult life he loved the stage and loved and needed the outpouring of Back to Top adulation he received. He performed in amateur theatricals throughout his life and had he not achieved early Dickens Web-Based Activities fame as a writer would almost certainly have made a career on the stage. Discovering Dickens - Learn more about Dickens by doing some In 1853 he began giving public structured web surfing and then doing projects using what you have readings of his works, first for charity learned and beginning in 1858, for pay. Before this time no great author had Hunt for Charles Dickens - an Internet Treasure Hunt on Charles performed their works in public but Dickens - Joy Erwin, Santa Fe School Dickens works were uniquely suited for performance, as they later would Dickens E-mail discussion group: Inimitable Boz - we plan to successfully adapt to the screen. organise group reads of Dickens' novels, short stories, etc, etc! - Throughout the 1860s he undertook Judy Geater several reading tours in Britain, Charles Dickens Quiz - based on the popular TV show - No money making more money from the but lots of fun! readings than he could from writing, even though he always made sure that seats were available at working- Back to Top class prices. The performances included scenes Other Good Dickens Resources from A Christmas Carol, Nicholas Nickleby, Pickwick, and his favorite, David Copperfield. Charles Dickens - By Ritva Raesmaa: Many good Dickens links http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/dickens_web.html 4/25/2003 Dickens on the Web Page 2 of 4 and his friendship with Charles Smithson. Ellen Ternan The Pub in Literature: England's Altered State - Steven Earnshaw Dickens met "Nellie" Ternan in 1857 when she was hired as an actress in one of his amateur plays. They were Back to Top frequent companions for the rest of his life. Performances and Events Dickens Filmography - Films made from Dickens' novels: Internet Movie Database A Christmas Carol and Its Adaptations - Dickens's Story on Screen and Television: Fred Guida Charles Dickens Live! - Kirk Witmer recreates Dickens' reading tours Dickens and America: Literature, Industry, and Culture - An Interdisciplinary Conference to Commemorate the 160th HI Anniversary of Charles Dickens's Visit to the Mills of Lowell, Massachusetts. (April 4-6, 2002) Dickens: From Page to Screen by Robert Giddings - Originally published in Canadian Notes & Queries Dickens Birthplace Great Expectations (1999): Dramatized by Tony Marchant - Portsmouth Review by Robert Giddings Dickens was born here February 7, Oliver Twist (1999) - David Copperfield (1999): Reviews by Robert 1812. The house has been restored and furnished with period pieces. Giddings Nicholas Nickleby (2001) - Dramatized by Martyn Edward Hesford - Review by Robert Giddings Dickens and the Classic Serial - by Robert Giddings Micawber (2001) - Review by Robert Giddings The Last Christmas Carol - A musical re-interpretation of the Dickens story: Book & lyrics by David Meyers, Music by Scott Michal New Twist on Great Expectations - Sean Cawelti, honors stage direction student at University of California at Irvine The Mystery of Ackroyd and Callow by Robert Giddings: 'The Mystery of Charles Dickens', by Peter Ackroyd, BBC Radio 4, BBC-4 Television, starring Simon Callow, together with a few Broadstairs words about 'Dickens', BBC-2's three part dramatized documentary television series written and presented by Peter Ackroyd. An annual Dickens Festival is held to celebrate the town's connection with Cape May, NJ - Dickens Christmas Extravaganza - December 8- the writer. 10, 2002 Back to Top Books and E-Text Project Gutenberg - Dickens' works online Chalk Village Bibliomanio - More Dickens' works online http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/dickens_web.html 4/25/2003 & Dickens on the Web Page 1 of 4 DICKENS ON THE WEB The Charles Dickens Page The Novels Characters Dickens' Societies and Organizations Dickens Glossary The Dickens Fellowship Home Illustrations The Philadelphia Branch of the Dickens Fellowship - Philadelphia Timeline branch of the fellowship that was founded in 1902 The Dickens Society Reading Dickens The Friends of Dickens - An organization dedicated Dickens' life Dickens London and works - New York Charles Dickens Heritage Foundation - Operated by descendants Dickens London Map of Dickens Dickens & Christmas Haarlem Branch of the Dickens Fellowship in the Netherlands Rochester Dickens Fellowship Family & Friends Dickens in America Back to Top Dickens on the Web Dickens' Scholarly Pages The Dickens Shoppe Bibliography / Notes The Victorian Web - A very interesting site on the Victorian Site Awards & Honors experience Charles Dickens - The Victorian Web's in-depth study of Dickens Email The Dickens Page - Mitsuharu Matsuoka's very informative Dickens site The Dickens Project - From the University of California Charles Dickens Page - Very informative site by Spartacus Educational Charles Dickens Information page - From the Internet Public Library Dickens Quarterly - Dickens Society Back to Top Catherine Dickens Dickens married the former Places Catherine Hogarth in 1836. They had 10 children together before separating in 1858. Catherine died in Charles Dickens' Birthplace Museum - Dickens birthplace in 1879. Portsmouth Dickens' ties to Broadstairs are celebrated in the annual Dickens Festival Discover Dickens's Kent The Dickens House Museum - Dickens and his family lived at 48 Doughty Street from April 1837 to December 1839 Alston in Cumbria, England - Used in the recent television production of Oliver Twist, Alston, despite being the highest market town in England was transformed into Bruntmarsh! Bleak House Museum Dickens' links to Malton, which hosts an annual Dickens festival, http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/dickens_web.html 4/25/2003 Dickens' Bibliography Page Page 2 of 3 Citidel Press, Carol The Christmas Carol Trivia Book 1994 Paul Sammon Publishing Group mazon.com Penguin Putnam Inc, New Charles Dickens 2002 Jane Smiley York Dickens Works: Oxford Illustrated Dickens, Penguin Classics Dickens 30 Etext of Dickens Works - Project Gutenburg Etext of Dickens Works - Bibliomania The Friendly Shakespeare Back to Top Norrie Epstein Only $6.99! Note concerning scope of this Web site: (Prices May Change) This Web site is not presented as a scholarly resource or as a critical Privacy Information analysis of Dickens or of English literature. Links to sites of this nature can be found on the Dickens on the Web page of this site. David Perdue, author of this site, is not affiliated with any college, university, or professional/academic society or organization. This site is intended solely as a fun and informational enhancement to the reading of Dickens' work. Note concerning old or rare books: I love to read books but know nothing of what old and rare books are worth. Please don't email asking what the old book you found in your grandmother's attic may be worth because I don't know. There are some links on this page that may help you (thanks to Perry Internet Consulting) Note concerning your homework assignments: These web pages represent many hours of work which I enjoy providing to those wishing to learn more about Charles Dickens' life and works. While I am happy to provide answers to specific questions where I can, I do not have the time or inclination to do homework assignments for readers of this site. I have 4 children of my own and must spend any free time I have helping them with their homework! These pages, and the links to external sites I provide, contain a wealth of information to help you in your studies. Beyond that I suggest you try reading the works for yourself you'll learn more and you just might enjoy it! Note concerning use of this Web site: The sole purpose of this Web site is to educate and increase awareness of Dickens' life and works to a new generation of readers. Permission to use content and images from this Web site is freely given for all non- commercial use. A link crediting this site is all that is required. Note concerning copyright: I have made a good faith effort to understand copyright laws in developing this web site. Images used are either believed to be in the public domain, are linked directly to the web sites where they were obtained, or are used by permission. Textual passages are either my own, using facts taken from the works listed in the above bibliography, taken directly from Dickens works, letters, and speeches, or other works believed to be in the public domain, or are attributed to the author within the text. Please be advised that this site exist solely for educational purposes and is not for profit. If any copyright violation is found please notify me and the image/passage will be deleted immediately, or proper credit will be given. http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/bibliography.html 4/25/2003 Dickens' Bibliography Page Page 1 of 3 BIBLIOGRAPHY / NOTES The Charles Dickens Page The Novels Title Date Author Publisher Characters Baedeker's Great Britain and 1994 Baedeker Stuttgart Prentice Hall Travel Northern Ireland Dickens Glossary Kings and Queen of England and 1990 Plantagenet Grove Weiderfield Illustrations Scotland Somerset Fry The Book of London Michael Leapman Weiderfield and Nicolson Timeline London, A Social History 1994 Roy Porter Harvard University Press Reading Dickens Dickens, A Biography 1988 Fred Kaplan William Morrow and Co. Dickens London Dickens of London 1976 Wolf Mankowitz Weidenfield and Nicolson Dickens London Map The Life and Times of Charles 1991 Alan S. Watts Crescent Books Dickens Dickens & Christmas The Dickens Dictionary 1928 Philip/Gadd Crescent Books Family & Friends Michael and Mollie The Dickens Encyclopedia 1973 Wordsworth Editions Ltd Dickens in America Hardwick The Dickens Encyclopedia 1924 Arthur L. Hayward Chartwell Books Inc Dickens on the Web Michael Patrick The Annotated Christmas Carol 1976 Avenel Books The Dickens Shoppe Hearns Bibliography / Notes What Jane Austen Ate and 1993 Daniel Pool Simon and Schuster Charles Dickens Knew Site Awards & Honors 1872- The Life of Charles Dickens John Forster London: Cecil Palmer 74 Email The Immortal Dickens 1925 George Gissing London: Cecil Palmer Dickens 1990 Peter Ackroyd HarperCollins Publishers The City of Dickens 1971 Alexander Welsh Harvard University Press The World of Charles Dickens 1997 Martin Fido Carlton Books Limited Enclosed Shoppe Dickens Fir Coat and Charlottes 1997 Daniel Pool Many of the books listed HarperCollins Publishers Unanswered Letters in this bibliography are The Friendly Dickens 1998 Norrie Epstein Viking Penguin available for sale in The Dickens Shoppe The English Novel 1954 Walter Allen E.P. Dutton & Co, New York Oxford Reader's Companion to 1999 Paul Schlicke Oxford University Press, Dickens New York The Charles Dickens Page - Information: Penguin Dickens Companion 1999 Paul Davis Penguin Books Contains a timeline Charles Dickens and His showing how this site 1978 Robert L. Patten The Dickens Project Publishers evolved and charts that American Heritage show the number of Daily Life in Victorian England 1975 Christopher Hibbert Publishing Co. visitors to the site since its debut on the web in Carroll & Graf Publishers, Star-Spangled Eden 2000 James C. Simmons Inc, New York December 1997. Dover Publications Inc, New Victorian London Street Life 1994 John Thomson York http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/bibliography.html 4/25/2003 Family and Friends Page 1 of 5 FAMILY AND FRIENDS The Charles Dickens Page The Novels Characters Scenes of family harmony and cozy firesides in many of Dickens' stories seem in stark contrast to Dickens Glossary his own family life. Growing up, the family situation Illustrations was often precarious due to his father's trouble with debt, which landed him in debtors' prison in 1824 Timeline when Charles was 12. Reading Dickens Later Dickens' own family was marked by strife as Dickens London his relationship with his wife deteriorated and his sons seemed to have inherited their paternal Dickens London Map grandfather's trouble handling finances. Dickens Dickens with daughters once lamented that he had "brought up the largest Dickens & Christmas Katie and Mamic , 1800 family with the smallest disposition for doing Family & Friends anything for themselves". Dickens' extended familie's constant drain on his finances, along with his built-in anxiety Dickens in America about money caused by his childhood, resulted in Dickens never feeling comfortable enough about his financial situation. Dickens on the Web The Dickens Shoppe Dickens' circle of friends consisted of people prominent in the arts, journalism, publishing, politics and public life. A loyal friend who Bibliography / Notes demanded loyalty in return, lines were drawn during Dickens' very public separation from Catherine. Those not sympathetic to Dickens' side soon Site Awards & Honors felt his wrath, in some cases, forever. Email Parents Siblings I Wife Children Catherine's Sisters Friends Parents John Dickens (1785-1851) - Dickens' father, was a clerk in the Navy Pay Office. In 1809 he married Elizabeth Barrow with whom he had eight children. John loved to live the good life but was frequently unable to pay for it. He was imprisoned for debt in 1824 in the Marshalsea Debtor's Prison. After his release from prison he returned to the Navy Pay Office, retired, and later worked as a reporter. His money problems continued and when Charles gained fame as a writer he frequently embarrassed his son by seeking loans from Charles' friends and publishers behind his back. Charles retained a warm affection for his father while deploring his inability to manage money. John was the source of Charles' character Mr. Micawber in the autobiographical novel, David Copperfield. Gad's Hill Place As a child Dickens would walk with his father by Gad's Hill Place, a large impressive mansion outside Rochester. His father told him that with perseverance and hard work he could live in such a house. Thirty-six years later, in 1857, Dickens bought it. Gad's Hill Place Elizabeth (Barrow) Dickens (1789-1863) - Dickens' mother, married John Dickens in 1809. Charles was the second of their eight children. Charles was taken from school to work at Warren's Blacking Factory to help support the family during John's imprisonment for debt. When John was released and a quarrel with Charles' http://www.fidnet.com/~dap1955/dickens/family_friends.html 4/25/2003 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SARASOTA LIBRARY To Doctor Athea Jenkins 12102 60202 6128 with respects and Thanks Signaturry Ma PR CHARLES DICKENS 4585 Curry Z9 Charles Dickens and AND C976 Annie Fields. 1988 ANNIE FIELDS GEORGE CURRY 1988. you E at Henry San Marino CE USF Sarasota/New College LIBRARY GIFT OF DR. GEORGE CURRY CONTENTS Foreword by Philip Collins Beginnings of a Fascination, 1859-1867 A Refuge in Charles Street: Dickens in America, November 1867-April 1868 "The Pain of Parting": April-June 1868 "A daily companion to our thought": Correspondence, June 1868-April 1869 "At last we can rest": The Fields in England, May 1869 Farewell to the "Peopled Paradise": Gad's Hill, October 1869 "All was over-except eternity": November 1869-June 1870 tington Library Quarterly, Volume 51, Winter 1988. Huntington Library and Art Gallery iii THE LIFE water OF CHARLES DICKENS. BY JOHN FORSTER. VOLUME THE THIRD. 1852-1870. Teaching LONDON: CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, PICCADILLY. 1874. [The Right of Translation and Reproduction is reserved. American Notes 115 CITIES Nate: References the Christmas 1867 dinner with Charles 28. Boston and Mavy DORR as CHAPTER 3 among the guests Harlequin and Columbine are characters from the Italian commedia dell'arte who were imported into English pantomime. When I got into the streets upon this Sunday morning, the air was SO clear, the houses were SO bright and gay; the signboards were painted in such gaudy colours; the gilded letters were SO very golden; the bricks were SO very red, the stone was SO very white. the blinds and area railings were SO very green, the knobs and plates upon the street doors SO marvellously bright and twinkling; and all SO slight and un- substantial in appearance - that every thoroughfare in the city looked exactly like a scene in a pantomime. It rarely happens in the business streets that a tradesman, if I may venture to call anybody a tradesman, where everybody is a merchant, resides above his store; SO that many occupations are often carried on in one house, and the whole front is covered with boards and inscriptions. As I walked along, I kept glanc- ing up at these boards, confidently expecting to see a few of them change into something; and I never turned a corner suddenly without looking out for the clown and pantaloon, who, I had no doubt, were hiding in a doorway or behind some pillar close at hand. As to Harle- quin and Columbine, I discovered immediately that they lodged (they are always looking after lodgings in a pantomime) at a very small clockmaker's one story high, near the hotel; which, in addition to vari- ous symbols and devices, almost covering the whole front, had a great dial hanging out - to be jumped through, of course. The suburbs are, if possible, even more unsubstantial-looking than the city. The white wooden houses (so white that it makes one wink to look at them), with their green jalousie blinds, are SO sprinkled and dropped about in all directions, without seeming to have any root at all in the ground; and the small churches and chapels are SO prim, and bright, and highly varnished; that I almost believed the whole affair could be taken up piecemeal like a child's toy, and crammed into a little box. The city is a beautiful one, and cannot fail, I should imagine, to im- press all strangers very favourably. The private dwelling-houses are, for the most part, large and elegant; the shops extremely good; and the public buildings handsome. The State House is built upon the 118 American Notes summit of a hill, which rises gradually at first, and afterwards by steep ascent, almost from the water's edge. In front is a green sure, called the Common. The site is beautiful: and from the top nil is a charming panoramic view of the whole town and neighbourhood In addition to a variety of commodious offices, it contains two some chambers; in one the House of Representatives of the State tie their meetings: in the other, the Senate. Such proceedings as I here, were conducted with perfect gravity and decorum; and certainly calculated to inspire attention and respect. An A westerly view of Harvard Univer- sity, Cambridge des to no int the Mai To boa sho ficti There is no doubt that much of the intellectual refinement and con periority of Boston is referable to the quiet influence of the University of Cambridge, which is within three or four miles of the city. The resident professors at that university are gentlemen of learning and varied attainments; and are, without one exception that I can call a mind, men who would shed a grace upon, and do honour to, any of hi ciety in the civilised world. Many of the resident gentry in Boston and natio its neighbourhood, and I think I am not mistaken in adding, a large phot majority of those who are attached to the liberal professions there first have been educated at this same school. Whatever the defects of Dick American universities may be, they disseminate no prejudices; rea In lich no bigots; dig up the buried ashes of no old superstitions; never inter- be atu pose between the people and their improvement; exclude no man of love/ cause of his religious opinions; above all, in their whole course that study and instruction, recognise a world, and a broad one too, lying touch beyond the college walls. his re It was a source of inexpressible pleasure to me to observe the almos future imperceptible, but not less certain effect, wrought by this institution among the small community of Boston; and to note at every turn humanising tastes and desires it has engendered; the affectionate friend ships to which it has given rise; the amount of vanity and prejudice has dispelled. The golden calf they worship at Boston is a pigmy 222 Second impressions, 186-/68 77. Boston revisited ter in is To his subeditor on All the Year Round, W. H. Wills, 21 Novem- ber 1867. Dickens was staying at the Parker House; in 1842 be bad stayed at the Tremont. Boston, as a City, is enormously changed since I was here, and is far more mercantile. I do not yet notice any special difference in man- ners and customs between my old time and this time - except that there is more of New York in this fine City than there was of yore. The Hotel I stayed at in my first visit has now become contemptible. This is an establishment like one of our Termini Hotels, with the ad- dition of an immense quantity of white marble floors. I live on the third storey - our three rooms together - and have hot and cold wa- Dickens caricature by "Spy," Leslie Ward, 1870 Fiel Second impressions, 1867/68 223 ter laid on in a bath in my bedroom, and other comforts not known in my former experience. The cuisine is very good. The cost of living is enormous. Ten Pounds sterling a day for Dolby and me is by no means a large estimate. (It was our original calculation.) Happily, ovem- Dolby has seen reason to make up his mind that the less I am shown be - for nothing - the better for the Readings! So I am fended off and kept - SO far - unexpectedly quiet. In addition to which I must say that I have experienced - SO far - not the slightest intrusiveness, and nd is far everywhere the greatest respect and consideration. There is the ut- in man- most curiosity about the Readings. and I should not wonder if they ept that proved to be a great surprise. seeing that the general notion stops at of yore. a mere "Reading," book in hand. emptible. 1 the ad- e on the cold wa- 78. Dining customs To his elder daughter, Mary, I December 1867. For Mr. and Mrs. Fields see the introduction. James Fields a I have been going on very well. A horrible custom obtains in these parts of asking you to dinner somewhere at half-past two, and to sup- per somewhere else about eight. I have run this gauntlet more than once, and its effect is, that there is no day for any useful purpose, and that the length of the evening is multiplied by a hundred. Yesterday I dined with a club at half-past two, and came back here at half-past eight with a general impression that it was at least two o'clock in the morning. Two days before I dined with Longfellow at half-past two, and came back at eight, supposing it to be midnight. To-day we have a state dinner-party in our rooms at six, Mr. and Mrs. Fields, and Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow. (He is a friend of Forster's, and was American Minister in Paris.) There are no negro waiters here, all the servants are Irish - willing, but not able. The dinners and wines are very good. I keep our own rooms well ventilated by opening the windows, but no window is ever opened in the halls or passages, and they are SO overheated by a great furnace, that they make me faint and sick. The air is like that of a pre-Adamite ironing-day in full blast. Your re- DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON A Record of Daily Events BY EDWARD F. PAYNE PRESIDENT OF THE BOSTON BRANCH OF THE DICKENS FELLOWSHIP With Illustrations BOSTON AND NEW YORK HENRY DEXTER'S BUST OF DICKENS HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY Modelled at the Tremont House, Boston, on Dickens's first visit, in The Riberside Press Cambridge 1842. Said to be a perfect likeness 1927 140 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON BOSTON PREPARATIONS IN 1867 141 overflowing with good nature and bursting with jollity She repeatedly decorated his rooms at the Parker House - a gladsome gorilla. Dolby had been agent for Concerts with flowers, gave dinners and parties in his honor, and and Theatres and Charles Dickens and all sorts of shows with her husband did all she could to make his stay in and attractions for years. He had known the human be- ing in many respects and he didn't much believe in him. Boston pleasant. Then there was Osgood, Fields's partner in the pub- Dolby was of the utmost aid to Dickens. He attended lishing business, who represented Ticknor and Fields in to every detail of business arrangements and found time the Dickens readings and accompanied the author on to act as a sort of valet. He always assisted Dickens to most of his tour. Many of the friends he had made on the platform when he was ill and sat in the wings watch- his first visit were still here to greet him, and one of the ing him, during his readings, with all the care of a nurse. greatest of these, Henry W. Longfellow, wrote in his Whenever his duties did not take him to other cities, he diary on Monday, November 18, 1867: had his meals in the parlor of the suite with the author. After the snow of last night there was a bleak west At Dickens's request, he had rushed over from Eng- wind. I saw great crowds waiting, in line, outside of land on the Cunarder Java, August 3d, had been royally Ticknor and Fields at Tremont Street, to buy tickets for entertained because he represented Dickens, had looked Dickens's readings. Dickens himself being expected to- morrow, as the steamer was at Halifax on this day. over the possibilities of a Dickens reading tour in Amer- ica with the help of Fields, Osgood, and Ticknor, and had It is difficult in 1927 to understand this enthusiasm sailed home on the Cuba, September 11th, with a fav- over a writer, but when we consider that in 1867 every orable report, which finally decided Dickens in favor of one read Dickens, had done so for years, and that all the project. were perfectly familiar with every one of his books, and Dolby then sailed back again on the China on October especially SO with the selections he was advertised to 12th, having secured passage and fine quarters for Mr. read; that very few had ever seen the author, and that Dickens, who was to follow him, November 9th, on the here was an opportunity to hear these beloved and fa- Cuba. It is recorded that on all these trips he was ex- miliar things, like the 'Christmas Carol' and the 'Trial tremely popular with everybody and was the personifi- from Pickwick' read by Dickens himself - it was an cation of a hustling, energetic showman. He managed irresistible combination. the Dickens readings with all the pomp and circum- While Longfellow was walking past the crowd on Tre- stance of a Metropolitan Grand Opera Company. mont Street, Mrs. Fields had come over from Charles Next, certainly, should he noted Mr. and Mrs. James Street and was busily at work adorning the rooms re- T. Fields. Mrs. Annie Fields, the charming young wife served for Dickens at the Parker House with flowers and of the publisher, was Dickens's greatest admirer and filling a bookcase with a little collection of fine books closest friend among the women that he knew in America. from Ticknor and Fields's. Dolby, the tireless manager, 156 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON This was Number 148, a brick house with stone trim- mings, high-set and bare, in a row of similar houses, SO near the street that the mud in the spring was occasionally splashed across the narrow sidewalk and up against the doors and windows. On this night there were probably piles of snow before the door. But no matter how cold and dark the street, within the house all was warmth, gaiety, and joy, and as they entered Mrs. Fields came forward to greet them. That delight- ful hostess, whom Dickens said 'had a rare relish for humor and a most contagious laugh,' soon led the famous guest into the drawing-room that faced on the Charles River, and in this spacious and beautiful room were waiting Agassiz, Emerson, Judge Hoar, Holmes, Norton, Greene, and Longfellow to welcome Dickens. As the proud young hostess presented him to this group of friends, his portrait, painted by Alexander twenty-five years before, looked down from the wall; for the devoted Fieldses had found it - the canvas cut from its original stretcher- - rolled up on a stick in the loft of a house on Pinckney Street, where Alexander once had his studio. With loving care they had reclaimed fate the painting, had it restored and framed, and it hung for many years in the drawing-room of the famous house that entertained SO many celebrated guests. 21/18/27 Mrs. Fields wrote in her diary a most complete ac- count of this dinner, which appears in the book 'Mem- MRS. JAMES T. FIELDS ories of a Hostess' compiled by Mr. M. A. DeWolfe From it crayon by Rowse drawn in 1867 Howe. In this she says that Dickens sat on her right at dinner and was most entertaining and full of fun, giving imitations of Carlyle as well as of the seasick curate trying to read the service on the Cuba the pre- DINNER AT THE FIELDSES' 157 ceding Sunday. He also told of burning all his private letters the year before, and he must have mentioned to Agassiz that all of Felton's letters to him were included in that conflagration. When the laughter at some re- mark of his was at its height, he suddenly rose, seized Mrs. Fields by the hand, and said good-night. The reason for this sudden departure was that Dolby was waiting to see him at the Parker House before he took the night train for New York to attend to the prelimi- nary details of the ticket sales which were to start on November 29th and 30th. But abrupt though he was in leaving, it caused no comment, for to Dickens's Boston friends anything he did was above criticism. The other guests, leaving afterward, took their sev- eral ways. It was said that on these late evenings Emer- son and Judge Hoar took a train from the Lowell depot for Waltham, from whence the Judge drove them home to Concord in his capacious buggy, which procedure must have kept the Sage of Concord up rather scan- dalously late. Holmes had not SO far to go, but if they sat as late as they sometimes did at Fields's and the Cambridge horse cars had stopped running, Agassiz, Norton, Greene, and Longfellow probably walked out to Cambridge. When he finally reached his study, the poet made this brief entry in his diary: Thursday, 21. Dined with Fields. A dinner of welcome for Dickens. Guests to meet him - Emerson, Agassiz, Holmes, Judge Hoar, Norton, Greene, and myself, a beautiful dinner. And at the Parker House, the great author, following his conference with Dolby, went to bed, rather out of sorts to think that he had not planned to start his read- 158 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON SUPPER AT LONGFELLOW'S 159 ings sooner. He longed to be at work, for any sort of could be in Boston, covering his retreat by instantly inaction was always a sort of torment to Dickens. pouncing upon any stranger who presumed to rush up and speak to the great author. Friday, November 22d Once out upon Beacon Street there were no crowds to We know for a certainty that Mr. Dickens had all his follow him as in 1842, but he attracted much attention, meals in the sitting-room of his suite at Parker's, SO for he wrote home: 'If I stop to look in at a shop-window this morning he breakfasted there alone at about nine- a score of passers-by stop.' thirty; after which he started his daily rehearsal of the On this day he was accompanied by his friend and parts he was to read in Boston. There was a great publisher, Mr. James T. Fields, and they walked down mirror framed in decorated black walnut on one side of Beacon to Charles, around Charles to the bridge, and the parlor, and before this mirror he went over and over over that to Cambridgeport and to Cambridge and to the lines and business of his wonderful impersonations. Craigie House: over the same route that he had taken There were also letters to begin and a general arrang- with Felton twenty-five years before. What was open ing of his effects in his new quarters that lasted until country then was now largely built up. Dickens was noon, when after a light luncheon he started out for his always trying to recognize scenes in this New America, daily constitutional. For this appearance he was care- but without much success. fully dressed in the following manner: Light trousers It was late in the afternoon when Fields and Dickens with a broad stripe down the side, a brown coat bound reached Longfellow's house and they found quite a party with wide braid of a darker shade and faced with velvet, of friends waiting to greet them. a flowered fancy vest with what has since become known Longfellow's diary for this day reads: as a 'Dickens watch chain,' which was of heavy twisted Evening, Dickens came out to a little supper. Had to gold links hooked by a bar into a vest button and part- meet him Darley, Lowell, Fields, Howells, Uncle Sam, and E. W. L. It was very pleasant and satisfactory. ing to go to both the left and right pockets, with a large 'charm' of a locket pattern depending down the centre. Of this party F. O. C. Darley was the artist who was A sort of four-in-hand necktie secured with a jewelled soon to illustrate a new set of Dickens's works; James ring and a loose kimona-like topcoat with wide sleeves Russell Lowell, who had been chairman of the Boz and the lapels heavily embroidered, a silk hat, and dinner committee in 1842 and was now thoroughly es- very light yellow gloves completed the costume. The tablished as an author; W. D. Howells, who had but manner of taking his leave of the Parker House was recently joined the staff of the 'Atlantic Monthly," as something like this: He came down the back stairs from assistant editor to Mr. Fields; Samuel Longfellow, the third floor and marched directly through the lobby brother of the poet, and Ernest W. Longfellow his son, and out the School Street entrance, Dolby, when he a young artist, then only twenty-two years of age. 160 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON It must have been a pleasant evening for this young man, this fine opportunity to meet the great author, who it is certain was most cordial to his friend's son, for he had sons of his own and a real fondness for young people. He took a real interest in the young artist's career and doubtless saw some of his sketches and paint- ings, for his pictures hung on the walls of those rooms then as they do to-day. Ernest also had opportunity this evening to talk with Darley, then forty-five years old, and famous as an illustrator. How they must have discussed art and mediums and theories while the others talked of books! This time the supper was not served in the upstairs room, for now Longfellow owned Craigie House and occupied it all, SO the guests passed from the study, on the wall of which a portrait of his friend of '42, Cornelius Conway Felton, looked down, through the historic hall to the dining-room. In these rooms Felton's laughter had mingled with his own twenty-five years before. Around the study hung portraits in crayon, made by Eastman Johnson, of Longfellow, Sumner, and Felton in the early forties, and these must also have carried Dickens back in memory to his first visit to Craigie House. There must have been much in the conversation around the board of those earlier days and not a little of book news of London for the benefit of Howells, who thus had his first meeting with Dickens. JAMES T. FIELDS Dickens, Fields, and Howells walked back to Boston, not because Mr. Howells was an eager pedestrian, but because C. D. absolutely believed that he should get in eight to ten miles every day and Fields accompanied AN ENTHUSIASTIC PEDESTRIAN 161 him whenever possible. There have been those since that time who have advanced the theory that Dickens walked himself to death. Certainly he died years before he should and certainly he was the most violent of pedestrians. He believed that extreme mental effort should be attended with extreme physical effort and that if taken in equal quantities perfect health would ensue; therefore, although suffering all this winter from a very troublesome influenza, he continually indulged in these strenuous walks, frequently in the most severe weather. Probably both of his companions accompanied him to the Parker House, where, it now being late, he quite promptly went to bed. Fields and Howells, discussing their famous guest, walked up Beacon and through Joy down Mount Vernon Street to Howells's home near the corner of Louisburg Square, where he said good-night, leaving the genial Fields to go on alone down Pinckney Street, around into Charles and back to his own home. As he passed down the steep and narrow sidewalk past 84 Pinckney, he may, glancing up, have seen the midnight oil burning in the bay window of the room where Thomas Bailey Aldrich was writing 'The Story of a Bad Boy.' Saturday, November 23d Breakfast in the sitting-room of his suite and some hours devoted to study and writing consumed the morning - and at noon after luncheon Dickens sallied out on his daily walk with Fields. On this day the 'press work' from the Parker House first made its ap pearance in the daily press. 170 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON A STORY FOR THE ATLANTIC 171 an achievement which again proved that he was a Monday, November 25th valuable manager and would have been priceless in this Young Mr. Morgan had breakfast with Dickens in arid year of 1927. the parlor of 338 this morning and then left to attend to After luncheon the three friends probably went for a business matters in the city while the author went to his walk, a vigorous four or five miles into the suburbs and writing-table. back, with Dickens setting the pace. Whether he actually wrote a story or not at the They were back at the hotel in time for a short rest Parker House may perhaps be a question, but it is cer- before Mr. and Mrs. James T. Fields arrived for Sun- tain that the 'Boston Journal' of to-day had this item: day night supper, which may have been served in the 'Mr. Charles Dickens is writing a story for the Atlantic Dickens parlor, but it is more likely that the size of the Monthly which will be commenced in the January issue.' party made it necessary to move down to one of the priv- Looking up the January, 1868, issue of that publica- ate dining-rooms facing School Street on the first floor. tion we find that the story was 'George Silverman's Mr. and Mrs. Fields were absolutely in love with Explanation,' and then reading Dolby's own volume Dickens and there is the strongest evidence in all the 'Charles Dickens as I Knew Him,' we see a dramatic books they left, in the letters of Dickens, and even in account of how Dolby in the preceding summer had Forster's 'Life,' that they were his greatest American brought the manuscript of 'George Silverman' to friends. America, had been nearly swindled out of it by an Later in the evening Osgood came in, as he was going unprincipled publisher in New York, and had finally over to New York with Dolby that night, and SO the placed it in the safe hands of Ticknor and Fields. So conversation must have taken on a business-like air. it is perhaps best to believe that the 'Journal' par- The readings were evidently going to be SO very agraph was 'press work' both for Mr. Dickens and the successful that it was decided to have Osgood act as 'Atlantic Monthly.' permanent treasurer, thus leaving Dolby free to devote It is, however, certain that he spent a part of this his entire time to the many other duties; an arrangement morning in writing a letter to Miss Georgina Hogarth. that was to throw the three men together during their PARKER HOUSE, BOSTON tour and lead to many hilarious incidents. Twenty-fifth November, 1867 My DEAREST GEORGY: Dolby and Osgood took their leave to go to the train I cannot remember to whom I wrote last, but it will not and the Fieldses soon followed suit and walked back over much matter if I make a mistake; this being generally to the hill to Charles Street. Dickens and Morgan sat for report myself so well, that I am constantly chafing at not a while before the marble fireplace and talked of England having begun to-night instead of this night week. Dolby is over at New York, where we are at our wits' end and of the young man's father, until it was time to say how to keep tickets out of the hands of speculators. The good-night. Bostonians having been duly informed that I wish to be 172 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON DICKENS'S FAME AS A WALKER 173 quiet, really leave me as much so as I should be in Man- any companion who had rashly ventured to start on a chester or Liverpool. This I cannot expect to last else- walking expedition with him. where but it is a most welcome relief here as I have all the But the companion of the daily constitutional in Bos- readings to get up. ton is fully his match. A friend driving through Long- It is sad to see Longfellow's house (the house in which wood a few days ago met the pair striding along with his wife was burnt) with his young daughters in it, and great vivacity and with such velocity that he stood one the shadow of that terrible story. The young undergrad- side under the impression that a wager was impending uates of Cambridge (he is a professor there) have made between the two and that it was a fresh start between representation to him that they are five hundred strong Boston to Chicago. and cannot get one ticket. I don't know what is to be done for them. I suppose I must read there somehow Walking was a popular sport in those days and Agassiz is one of the most natural and jovial of men. I Weston had just achieved fame by his long-distance go out a-visiting as little as I can, but still have to dine, performances. Coming back to Parker's, Dickens said and what is worse, sup pretty often. Socially I am (as I was before) wonderfully reminded of Edinburgh when I good-bye to Fields, and once in his rooms took up his had many friends in it. The Cuba does not return letters, adding a paragraph whenever he could. He until Wednesday the 4th December. You may suppose continued to Miss Hogarth: that every officer on board is coming on Monday and that Dolby has provided extra stools for them. His work is Osgood and Dolby were despatched together last very hard indeed. Cards are brought to him every min- evening for New York, whence they telegraph every other ute of the day, and he is jerked off to New York and I hour about some new point in this precious sale of tickets. don't know where else on the shortest notice and the most So distracted a telegram arrived at three that I have unreasonable times. Moreover, he has to be at 'the bar' telegraphed back, 'Explain yourselves,' and am now every night and 'to liquor up with all creation' in the waiting for the explanation. small hours. He does it all with the greatest good humor and flies at everybody who waylays the Chief furiously. A little indication as to how great an extent Dickens was his own business manager. He continued to 'get up' the readings to-day and spent some time studying and rehearsing before the Tuesday, November 26th great mirror which may still be seen in the Dickens This morning after breakfast his friend, young Mor- Room of the new Parker House. gan, left for home and the energetic Dolby appeared At noon came James T. Fields, all ready for his stren- from New York with further news of the glowing uous walk with the author. This item appeared in the prospects in the metropolis and still more elaborate 'Boston Journal' of to-day: accounts of his difficulties with speculators. The price of tickets had been arbitrarily set by Mr. Dickens at DICKENS ON HIS LEGS! Every day at noon the author of 'Pickwick Papers' quietly leaves the Parker House for $2.00 for seats and $1.50 for admission, with the idea a ten-mile walk into the country. He has always been that this would put the opportunity to hear him within noted for a vigorous pedestrian, easily tiring down almost reach of all, a commendable and generous thought, but 174 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON THE DICKENS COSTUMES 175 one that created a wonderful situation for the ticket started out for his daily constitutional, walking this speculators, a powerful body, although probably not time alone up over Beacon Hill and along the new SO highly organized and SO thoroughly efficient as it is Beacon Street that was but a dismal swamp when he to-day. was here before. Dolby tried in every way to keep the tickets out of It may have been this day that a hurrying boy met their hands, but to no avail, and in consequence, was him and, struck by his unusual appearance, turned to blamed himself for most of the trouble. Indignant look at him again. The boy was Mr. John Torrey individuals wrote to the newspapers daily saying they Morse, Jr., a prominent Bostonian, and he remembers could get no tickets and even the newspapers attacked distinctly that Dickens was the most magnificently at- him for his ineffective methods. At first Mr. Dickens tired pedestrian that he had ever seen. was greatly annoyed and somewhat frightened at the The Dickens costumes always attracted attention and uproar, but got after a while to look at it as an evil that much comment. During the 1842 visit, Kate and Anne, could not be corrected. her maid, evidently looked after them, but in 1867 In the afternoon he took his accustomed walk with Dickens had a dresser and valet combined named Fields, and no doubt the constitutional was SO planned Scott. He was also a tailor, expert with needle and that it left him at the home of one of his Cambridge and thread, and was SO devoted to the elaborate garments Boston friends, Mr. Charles Eliot Norton, where a din- entrusted to his care that he wept profusely when the ner party had been arranged in his honor. rude American 'baggage smashers' were unduly reck- Fields left him here and continued on to his home, less with Dickens's 'boxes.' He was with Dickens for and Dickens, entering the beautiful Norton house, several years, and the author's faultless appearance found Henry W. Longfellow, James Russell Lowell, both day and evening was due largely to his devotion W. James, Miss Sedgwick, and others. The Nortons and loyalty. he had met at Mrs. Fields's and a warm friendship re- In the evening with Dolby he set out from Parker's sulted; he visited them more than once and they went and walked up Beacon Street over the Hill and down to Gad's Hill the following summer. There is no re- to Fields's on Charles Street, for Mr. and Mrs. Fields cord of this dinner at the Nortons' or how late the were giving another supper party in his honor. Mrs. guests tarried, but with such company it must have Fields has said that there were seven guests, Helen been a delightful affair. Bell and Mrs. Silsbee, Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow, Mr. Hillard and Louisa, and Mr. Beal. Mrs. Bell sang be- Wednesday, November 27th fore the supper which began at nine o'clock. After this Breakfast with Dolby in his rooms at nine-thirty and was over, Dickens told several ghost stories and was in a general discussion afterward. At eleven o'clock he great good humor. 176 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON Of these guests Hillard and Fields had attended the great Boz dinner twenty-five years before. Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow had lived in Paris where Bigelow was American Minister, and he was an old friend of John Forster's, Dickens's lifelong mentor and companion. After this party Dolby said au revoir to the 'Chief' once more and took the night train for New York. Thursday, November 28th Mr. Dickens had breakfast alone in his rooms on this morning, and, knowing him to be alone, his friend James T. Fields set out from his home on Charles Street to call upon him, this being Thanksgiving Day and the Tick- nor and Fields offices, of course, closed. Mr. Fields, leaving his house, perhaps at about 9 A.M., walked along Charles to Pinckney Street, and, turning to the left, went on up the steep, narrow little sidewalk on his way over Beacon Hill to the Parker House. As he climbed the Hill, he came to Number 84, a narrow house set in the block with its jutting bay window taking in three floors. This was the home of Thomas Bailey Aldrich, who had joined the Ticknor and Fields forces as editor of 'Every Saturday' just two years before, and had with his charming young wife established a delightful home in this house on Pinckney Street. As the most cordial relations always existed between Mr. Fields and his staff, he could not pass the door of 84 without stopping, and he was most warmly welcomed by the owners of the beautiful home. Mrs. Aldrich has said in her book 'Crowding Memories' that the table was set for the Thanksgiving feast with flowers and all the wedding presents of silver and glass, and that the CALL ON THE ALDRICHES 177 whole effect SO appealed to Fields that he exclaimed, 'Dickens must see this!' and proceeded along over the Hill to fetch the great author back. He found Dickens quite ready for a walk, although it was a cold day and snowing, but, muffled up in his great-coat and shawl, he and the publisher left the hotel, went up Beacon through Joy to Mount Vernon Street, down to Louisburg Square, through the square and down the Hill to Number 84 again. Of course the young Aldriches were delighted to wel- come the great author, who in turn was equally charmed with everything he saw. At his request they showed him over the whole house, and he left assuring them that nothing in this country had interested him more. A few minutes' walk through the storm brought the two friends to the Fields house, where the gracious young hostess, Mrs. Annie Fields, was awaiting them. No doubt this lovely home also was decorated in honor of the day, and Dickens, always revelling in anything that partook of the holiday spirit, was in great form. He told Mrs. Fields of his visit to the Aldriches, and he had been so charmed with what he saw there that he there and then sat down and wrote a letter to his daughter Kate in London, describing his visit. At two o'clock he was due at Longfellow's house in Cambridge. While he would have enjoyed walking over even through the storm, better judgment prevailed and he drove over the bridge and up through the Port and Square to Brattle Street and Craigie House. As he came up the long walk from the street, Long- fellow was at the door to meet him, and the two friends were soon chatting before the open fire in the study. 180 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON A CALL FROM HIS OLD SECRETARY 181 Readings and by employing several persons to buy, they I had (unacknowledged) grand children, he laughed and secured a large share of the tickets. One speculator had cried together My love to Bessie and to McKitty, twenty men in line. It required about three hours' wait- and all the babbies. I will lay this by until Tuesday ing to make a purchase. morning, and then add a final line to it. Ever, my dear Charley This was cheering news, and he was soon writing it in Your affectionate a letter to his eldest son. FATHER PARKER HOUSE, BOSTON It will be remembered that Anne was Mrs. Dickens's Thirtieth November, 1867 My DEAR CHARLEY: maid 'whose smartness was beyond belief' in 1842. The tickets for the first four readings here (the Putnam himself had become a fresco painter and at this only readings announced) were all sold immediately and time was living in Lynn and working as an interior de- many are now re-selling at a large premium. The tickets corator. He also, as was the almost universal custom for the first four readings in New York (the only readings announced there also) were on sale yesterday and were in those days, tried his hand at poetry, and in 1882 all sold in a few hours. The receipts are very large in- Whittier praised one of his songs and said, 'I thank thee deed. Dolby is nearly worked off his legs, is now at for sending me a copy of thy verses and I heartily New York and goes backwards and forwards between this approve them.' place and that (about the distance from London to Liver- pool, though they take nine hours to do it) incessantly. Putnam in his reminiscences of 1842, published in the Nothing can exceed his energy and good humor and he 'Atlantic Monthly' in 1870, remembered Kate Dickens is extremely popular everywhere. My great desire is to pleasantly, but there is no mention of her in this day's avoid much travelling and to try to get people to come to conversation. me instead of my going to them. If I can effect this to any moderate extent, I shall be saved a great deal of knock- Dickens's usual midday luncheon and walk were ing about As they don't seem (Americans who have omitted to-day as he was to be the guest of honor at the heard me on their travels excepted) to have the least idea famous Saturday Club, that group of Boston's great of what the readings are like, and as they are accustomed to mere readings out of a book, I am inclined to think the literary and legal figures which held its monthly dinners excitement will increase when I shall have begun. Every- in the private dining-room that was afterward the li- body is very kind and considerate, and I have a number brary at the Parker House. of old friends here, at the Bar and connected with the After Emerson had suggested the desirability of a University. I am now negotiating to bring out a dramatic version of 'No Thoroughfare' at New York. It is quite club where the famous group of Boston and Concord upon the boards that it may turn up trumps. writers could meet, dine together, and indulge in con- versation impossible with ordinary mortals, the 'Sat- I was interrupted in that place by a call from my old urday Club' was formed by Horatio Woodman, a secretary in the States, Mr. Putnam. It was quite affect- ing to see his delight at meeting his old employer again. Boston lawyer, in 1855. Agassiz, Emerson, Lowell, And when I told him that Anne was married, and that Motley, Dana, Judge Hoar of Concord Samuel Ward, 182 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON DINNER WITH THE SATURDAY CLUB 183 John Dwight, E. P. Whipple, and Benjamin Peirce were left in the dining-room, and went up to Number 338, the original members. Longfellow, Holmes, and Cor- where Dickens was at work. They came down the stairs nelius C. Felton, Dickens's great friend, were elected in together into the parlor on the Chapman Place side, 1857; Prescott, the historian, and John G. Whittier, then along the corridor a little way, and going down a in 1858; Nathaniel Hawthorne, John Murray Forbes, step turned sharply to the right and entered the dining- Nov.30, and the Boston wit, 'Tom' Appleton, in 1859. room, the windows of which looked out on King's Later notables who were members in 1867 were Chapel and City Hall. 1867 Charles Eliot Norton, Samuel Gridley Howe, whose Here were gathered twenty-two members of the Club, work for the blind Dickens SO much admired, a very large attendance, due to the distinguished guest, Charles Sumner, who it will be remembered was such an and they all rose as Dickens entered. Fields quickly in- aid to Dickens on his first visit, Henry James the elder, troduced him to those of the party he had not met and James T. Fields, William Morris Hunt, John A. the company took their seats at the table. Andrew, and Charles Francis Adams. There were more This entry in Longfellow's diary for this date gives members, but this list shows what an organization it an idea as to how the guests were seated: was. Saturday 30. A cold windy day. Dined at the Club And although these truly great men were supposed with Dickens on one side of me and Richard Dana, Sr., to 'live simply and think deeply' as becomes philoso- on the other. Next to Mr. Dickens sat Dr. Holmes and phers, these monthly dinners never consisted of less than next to him Bigelow. The handsome man on the left next to Dana, was Greene, then Fields, then Norton, seven courses with sherry, claret, and sauterne. Harvey Lowell, Strutt the Englishman, W. Holland also there and D. Parker and his chef Sanizan offered their richest a dozen more. Emerson, Whipple, Professor Wyman, Dr. before the Gods of Olympus. Howe. A delightful dinner, we stayed till near ten o'clock. When these feasts had disappeared, poems, speeches, It will be imagined that the conversation took on its essays, etc., passed across the board that afterward be- usual brilliant tone and that all hung on Dickens's came part and parcel of our national literature. From words. He must have said something at least in response 1855, the club's history was one brilliant procession of to Longfellow's introduction, for it is evident from the great men, as may be easily seen in reading Edward manner in which they were seated that the poet pre- Emerson's book, 'The Early Years of the Saturday sided. Club.' And it was the great members of this great club Was the party grave or gay? One imagines that there that were gathering this blustering November day, was considerable reserve at the beginning, for Dickens coming in from all directions to the Parker House to was apt to be quiet except when he was in the com- greet this greatest guest of the year. pany of friends who knew him well. James T. Fields arrived with three guests, whom he Was anything unusual done in his honor? Any poem 184 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON VISIT TO THE SCHOOL SHIP 185 of welcome read such as Emerson wrote on Lowell's The ever-genial Dolby cheered him up immensely, fortieth birthday, Longfellow on Agassiz's fiftieth, or and while he was at first disturbed at the leading articles Holmes's parting health to Motley? in the 'Herald' and 'World,' he soon overlooked those No; and neither were there any such elaborately pre- and found comfort in the reports of a complete 'sell out' pared speeches as Josiah Quincy and others delivered for the New York engagement. The whole forenoon was at the Boz dinner of 1842. The old oratorical age had spent in going over the situation. vanished along with the youthful Boz that prompted all Here is Dolby's own account of the proceedings: those old-time tributes; this Dickens was not a character to provoke poems or after-dinner sentiments. Perhaps A mass of correspondence was awaiting me, containing offers of engagements for Readings in Canada, Nova the sentinel outside his door had something to do with Scotia and outlying places in the far West, all of which the change. This selection from a letter he wrote the had to be attended to and respectfully declined for we following day seems to indicate that he did not stay as had decided to accept no offer, no matter how brilliant. In addition to these there were over two hundred letters long as the others. He wrote: 'Yesterday I dined with a containing requests for Mr. Dickens's autograph. club at half-past two and came back here at half-past eight.' Still, sitting at the table six hours shows that he But again the Dickens of to-day was not the en- gave a large part of his day to the party. thusiastic 'Boz' of 1842 and each and every request was This domestic touch from Mrs. Fields's diary calls completely ignored. attention to the fact that there were no telephones in After luncheon he and Dolby went down to the water- 1867, for the use of husbands who were delayed in front, where his friend Judge Russell, Collector of the getting home at the accustomed hour: Port of Boston, was waiting to take him to visit the Saturday, November 30th. J's evening at the Satur- School Ship. When it was proposed that he make this day Club. His guests were old Mr. Dana, Mr. Dickens, visit, he said he would be pleased to go if he was not Mr. Bigelow, and I think Grosvenor Musgrave. He has never stayed SO late before. The dinner begins at past called on to make a speech, but the Judge had scarcely 2 and here it is half past nine. finished introducing him before he was on his feet talk- ing to the boys in his most interesting manner. Sunday, December 1st Mrs. James T. Fields was one of the party and she As soon as Dickens had finished breakfast, Dolby thus describes the occurrence in her diary of this day: arrived from New York with more news of the ticket Went to School Ship in the afternoon with Mr. Dickens sale and bundles of newspapers denouncing Dolby for and party. He had not thought that he could speak, but his 'stupidity' or 'dishonesty' in the whole matter. He the sight of the boys moved him to address them. His re- found Dickens very weary of waiting and looking for- marks were inspiring and he concluded them with these words: 'Boys, if you have ever cause to remember me, ward to beginning the readings with great impatience. think of me as a visitor who has sincere interest in your y 204 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS 205 these dinings and winings, mostly among the crême de la crême of the literati, Mr. Dickens has devoted himself to mas letters from home awaiting them. They had a late business. He means business. He meant it in getting dinner in the Dickens parlor and afterward sitting be- $20,000 for his four readings in Tremont Temple. fore the fire they read their letters and speculated on He also says that at the Parker House the 'cooking is good.' Let him remember this important fact and not what the loved ones in England were doing at this say something else in Volume 2 of 'American Notes.' It Christmas season. may or may not be known that Dickens is particular as to his food. What Englishman is not? He wants what he Sunday, December 22d wants as he wants it, otherwise there is conversation of a pointed character. When Dickens sat down to breakfast this morning, he found beside his plate a large branch of real English Another interesting paragraph from the 'Boston mistletoe which Captain Dolliver, of the custom house, Transcript' of a little later date chronicles an act that had secured from England as a Christmas remembrance may have occurred on this day: for the author. He was greatly pleased by this cordial A lady of Charlestown, a great admirer of Dickens, and thoughtful act. writes that she is unfortunately paralyzed in her limbs After breakfast he began a letter to Miss Hogarth: from an accident so that she cannot walk and writes to Mr. Dickens to ask if the doors of Tremont Temple could BOSTON, Twenty-second December, 1867 be opened to her earlier than the usual hour, that she might My DEAR GEORGY: be lifted into the hall, unobserved by attendants before Coming here from New York last night (after a detest- the Reading, mentioning her infirmity. Mr. Dickens able journey) I was delighted to find your letter of the sympathetically acknowledged her note, gave orders that 6th. I read it at my ten o'clock dinner with the greatest her request be granted and presented her with compli- interest and pleasure, and then we talked of home till we mentary tickets of admission. went to bed. When we got here, we found that Mrs. Fields had not only garnished the rooms with flowers, but The same paper also stated, February 3d: also with holly (with real red berries) and festoons of moss dependent from the looking glasses and picture frames. Mr. Dickens sent $1000.00 to Mrs. Clemm, Edgar A. She is one of the dearest little women in the world. The Poe's mother-in-law, who is in needy circumstances. homely Christmas look of the place quite affected us. Dickens worked with Dolby and Osgood a part of the Saturday, December 21st Dickens and Dolby arrived from New York at about day rearranging his route to include Baltimore, Wash- 9 P.M., having left at noon in order that he might not be ington, and a few other places not up to this time hurried in the morning. At the Parker House they were thought possible, and in the afternoon the three went pleasantly surprised to find their rooms decorated with for another Dickens 'constitutional.' flowers and Christmas greens by Mrs. Fields and Christ- Coming back to the Parker House, Dickens and Dolby dressed and drove around to the Fields house where 206 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON THE CHRISTMAS CAROL' ON CHRISTMAS EVE 207 Mrs. Fields had planned a Christmas dinner party for here, when one of them yesterday morning had, as an this the only available night that the author would have item of news, the intelligence: 'Dickens Readings: The chap calling himself Dolby got drunk last night, and was for such a festival. Mr. and Mrs. Fields, James Russell locked up in a police station for fighting an Irishman't I Lowell and his daughter Mabel, Mr. and Mrs. Dorr don't find that any one is shocked by this liveliness. were the other guests. The charming hostess had prepared a real Christmas The day turned out to be very pleasant with a change feast, with roast turkey and all the attendant delicacies, to much warmer weather, SO when Fields called, Dickens and a real English plum pudding, blazing in brandy, was delighted to go for a walk which was all the more brought in at the end. All this, flanked by punch made enjoyed as he was feeling much better. That night he by Dickens, began an evening that was long remembered read 'David Copperfield' and 'Bob Sawyer's Party' to by hosts and guests. Dickens was at his best and piloted a large and brilliant audience. the conversation into all manner of pleasant channels and led the merrymaking until, in the small hours of the Tuesday, December 24th morning, the two 'D's' made their way back over the It is an instance of the artistic planning of James T. historic Hill and down to Parker's. Fields that gave Bostonians the opportunity of hearing Dickens read 'The Christmas Carol' on Christmas Eve. Monday, December 23d One cannot imagine an event that would appeal more He spent a part of this forenoon adding this continua- strongly to the imaginations of the people of any age. tion of his letter of Sunday to Miss Hogarth: It is quite safe to assume that even in this day of jazz Did I tell you in a former letter from here, to tell Anne such an attraction would draw a packed house. Then with her old master's love, that I had seen Putnam, my if the radio feature was added, it is quite overpowering old secretary? to think how many people would be thrilled. Our hotel in New York was on fire again the other Dickens wrote home concerning this reading: 'The night. But fires in this country are quite matters of course. There was a large one there at four this morning Bostonians were quite astounding in their demonstra- and I don't think a single night has passed since I tions. I never saw anything like them on Christmas have been under the protection of the Eagle, but I have Eve.' heard the fire bells dolefully clanging all over the city. Just as many people as could possibly crowd into the [Boston in a few years was to experience one in earnest.] Dolby sends his kindest regards. His hair has become Tremont Temple laughed, wept, and applauded. The quite white, the effect, I suppose, of the climate. He is SO receipts were said to be $3500 which was a record au- universally hauled over the coals (for no reason on earth) dience even for Dickens. A 'Boston Post' reporter was that I fully expect to hear him, one of these nights, as- present and wrote his impressions which were printed sailed with a howl as he precedes me to the platform steps. You may conceive what the low newspapers are in that paper the next day, Wednesday afternoon, De- 208 DICKENS DAYS IN BOSTON A DICKENS PLAY AT THE SELWYN 209 cember 25th, which proves that Boston newspapers While he was reading 'The Carol' at the Tremont printed afternoon editions on holidays in those days. Temple on Christmas Eve, the stock company at the The article shows, even though written in an exag- Selwyn Theatre, which Dickens had visited a month gerated and satirical vein, how Dickens and Dolby before, was playing 'The Cricket on the Hearth," with 'staged' the readings, and built up an entrance for Mr. Mrs. Chanfrau playing 'Dot' and young Stuart Robson Dickens. It is also another example of the 'smart' was, strange to say, doing the famous slavey part of journalism which C. D. did not altogether admire. 'Tilly Slowboy.' Any theatre-goers who recall Robson's THE ORDER OF DICKENS READING AT THE TEMPLE high-pitched voice can realize what he would do with First the audience all bustle and fervor - women this grotesque female impersonation. crowding, pushing, wishing everybody out of the way. After the reading there was a great demonstration on A little before 8 the Dickens gas man appears, takes a view, at the side of platform and contents. Returns to the part of the audience before it left to go home to fill anteroom. In one minute and a half comes out again. the Christmas stockings and to put the finishing touches Look No. 2. Retires. Comes out again and goes upon on Christmas dinners and decorations. the platform. Lets on gas. Blandly surveys the gorgeous spectacle. Returns quite satisfied. Audience all eyes and The 'Boston Post,' commenting on this evening, said expectation. Enter Dolby and views the scene SO charm- the next day: ing with a tremendous air of importance - in fact several MR. DICKENS'S 6TH READING: Christmas Carol; airs. Retires, reports progress, reappears, takes a con- Pickwick Trial. The audience were at times in one centratedly tremendous look, says to himself, 'All right complete roar of laughter in which Mr. Dickens could - perfect," and retires. Eight o'clock and three minutes, hardly refrain from joining. The best impression however Dickens appears book in hand, rose in lapel, white vest and the one that will be most permanent was made by and necktie, shiny diamond, blooming face, sparkling eye. the Christmas Carol. Trips up to platform as lively as a gazelle. Trips to desk ditto. Applause, more applause. Dickens bows - bows On their return to their rooms Dickens and Dolby sat once, twice, three times. Begins, 'Ladies and Gentlemen: a while before the blazing fire in the marble fireplace and I have the honor to read from," etc. Reads two hours. Runs down to anteroom, takes some beer, says to Dolby, were rather unhappy on this Christmas Eve SO far from 'Dolby, big business this $3500.00 for a couple of hours. home. Before he retired he wrote this letter to the donor People must think it good. Dol, we must make hay while of the mistletoe: the sun shines, you know.' They then walk around to the Parker House and dine and wine. BOSTON, Christmas Eve, 1867 DEAR CAPTAIN DOLLIVER, It is safe to say that Boston newspaper humor had im- Accept my cordial thanks for your kind remembrance of Home and Christmas time. It was highly acceptable proved since 1842. At any rate, the pun had somehow to me when I saw it lying on my breakfast table. disappeared and 'Jonas and the Deacon' had vanished With all good wishes in (and out of) season, Believe with the years. me, Faithfully Yours Always CHARLES DICKENS 12/31/2014 Gerald Charles Dickens (actor) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Gerald Charles Dickens (actor) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Gerald Roderick Charles Dickens (born 9 October 1963) is a British actor and performer known in the United Kingdom and the Gerald Dickens presents United States for his one man shows based on the novels of his "His internationally great-great-grandfather, Charles Dickens. He was the President of acclaimed theatrical tour-de-force the Dickens Fellowship from 2005 to 2007. [1] Pharon Contents 1 Life and career A Christmas Carol 2 See also by Charles Dickens 3 References CD cover for Dickens' A Christmas Carol 4 External links Life and career Born in Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent, the fourth child and second son of David Kenneth Charles Dickens (1925-2005) and his wife Betty (1927-2010), Gerald Dickens is the grandson of Sir Gerald Charles Dickens RN (after whom he was named) and the great- grandson of Sir Henry Fielding Dickens KC; he is also the cousin of author Monica Dickens, biographer and writer Lucinda Hawksley and actor Harry Lloyd. [2] Dickens attended Huntleys Secondary School for Boys in Tunbridge Wells in Kent and West Kent College. Inspired to be an actor by a performance of Nicholas Nickleby by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Gerald Dickens first performed his solo version of A Christmas Carol in America in 1993, [3] returning annually to perform at historic hotels, libraries, theatres Dickens in his one-man show of A and Dickens festivals. In 2009, Dickens' American tour included Christmas Carol (2010) such Christmas companies as Vaillancourt Folk Art [4] and Byers Choice [5] and has yielded national and local press. [6][7] Based on the readings performed by Charles Dickens himself during his own British and American tours, Gerald Dickens performs extracts from The Pickwick Papers, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, Nicholas Nickleby and A Christmas Carol among others, [8] in the latter creating 26 characters in a performance described by The New York Times as "a once in a lifetime brush with literary history. [9] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Charles_Dickens_%28actor%29 1/3 12/31/2014 Gerald Charles Dickens (actor) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dickens has recorded unabridged audiobooks of The Pickwick and Nicholas Nickleby. In December 2011 he appeared on the BBC's Songs of Praise. [11] Dickens lived in Goudhurst in Kent with his former wife Lucy Marsh. He was stepfather to Georgia and Jasmine Goldsmith and father to Cameron Thomas Charles Dickens (born in 1999). He now lives in Abingdon in Oxfordshire with his partner Liz Hayes, a pianist who sometimes accompanies his performances. See also Dickens family References 1. ^ The Dickensian No. 482 Vol. 106 Part 3 Winter 2010 pg 285 2. ^ Dickens Family Tree website (http://www.myheritage.com/FP/family-tree.php?s=50445521&familyTreeID=1) 3. Dickens's biography on Jackprises.com (http://www.jackprises.com/printerhistory.html 4. ^ Dickens Performing at Vaillancourt Folk Art (http://valfa.com/2009/11/dickens/) 5. ^ Dickens Performing at Byers Choice (http://www.byerschoice.com/Page-Dickens-Returns_47.aspx) 6. ^ 'A Real Dickens' (Telegram and Gazette) (http://telegram.com/article/20091124/NEWS/911240393/1116 7. ^ Hear The Radio Interview (http://valfa.com/2009/11/dickens-interview-with-jim-polito/ 8. ^ Dickens on the Lichfied Garrick Theatre website (http://www.lichfieldgarrick.com/Shows/Charles-Dickens/) 9. ^ Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities website (http://www.uml.edu/Dickens/events.htm 10. ^ Classic FM website http://www.classicfm.co.uk/Article.asp?id=998607&spid=) 11. ^ BBC Songs of Praise- 'A Dickensian Christmas' 11 December 2011 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0186x68) External links Dickens's official website (http://www.geralddickens.com/) Dickens's biography on Jackprises.com (http://www.jackprises.com/printerhistory.html) Dickens interviewed in the (http://articles.latimes.com/1997/dec/19/news/mn-183)Los Angeles Times Interview with Dickens on the (http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/content/articles/2008/12/15/dickens_feature. BBC website Dickens performs (http://huntsville.about.com/od/entertainment/ss/dickens.htm)A Christmas Carol Dickens in the footsteps of Charles Dickens (http://www.delaforum.com/2000/archives/articles/dickens.htm) Dickens performs at the Dickens Festival in Lowell, MA (http://www.uml.edu/Dickens/events.htm) Gerald Dickens and the controversy over Dickens memorials (http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2008/03/080324_dickens_nh_sl.shtml) BBC World http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Charles_Dickens_%28actor%. 2/3 Fezziwig - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Page 1 of 2 Fezziwig From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mr. Fezziwig is a character from the novella A Mr. Fezziwig Christmas Carol created by Charles Dickens to provide contrast with Ebenezer Scrooge's attitudes towards business ethics. Fezziwig, who apprenticed Scrooge is everything that Scrooge is not [1] and is portrayed as a happy, foppish man with a large Welsh wig. In stave 2 of A Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Scrooge to revisit his youthful days in Fezziwig's world located at the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. Dickens used Fezziwig to represent a set of communal values and a way of life which was quickly being swept away in the economic turmoil of the early nineteenth century. [2][3] Scrooge is reminded how his own values have diverged greatly from those of someone he once admired. Fezziwig is also a capitalist, but he moderates profit maximization with kindness, generosity, and affection for his employees. Fezziwig cannot go too far in ignoring profitability - if his Fezziwig dances with his workers products cost too much he will be out competed. If First appearance A Christmas Carol 1843 his margins are too low, he will be unable to secure loans to continue operations. [4] In the early 19th Created by Charles Dickens century such small owner-controlled traders were being swept up. In the 1951 screenplay for the movie Scrooge by Noel Langley, Fezziwig is advised to bend with the times and sell out, but Fezziwig resists this call to progress: Jorkin: "Mr. Fezziwig, we're good friends besides good men of business. We're men of vision and progress. Why don't you sell out while the going's good? You'll never get a better offer. It's the age of the machine, and the factory, and the vested interests. We small traders are ancient history, Mr. Fezziwig." Fezziwig: "It's not just for money alone that one spends a lifetime building up a business It's to preserve a way of life that one knew and loved. No, I can't see my way to selling out to the new vested interests, Mr. Jorkin. I'll have to be loyal to the old ways and die out with them if needs must. "[[]]] In the end, Jorkin hires away Scrooge and buys out Fezziwig's business, moving it from private to shareholder ownership. As agent of shareholder interests, Jorkin and his managers Scrooge and Marley are constrained from diverging from the goals of profitability, making it more difficult to be a Fezziwig even if they were inclined to. [4] Fezziwig's successor Jorkin demonstrates the weakness of self-interest when he announces to the Board of directors that the company is insolvent after years of embezzling. Scrooge and Marley demonstrate their cunning self-interest by using the crisis to attain controlling interest in the company. In Langley's and director Brian Desmond Hurst's Scrooge, these new managers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fezziwig 12/9/2013 Fezziwig - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Page 2 of 2 replacing the Fezziwigs are predatory towards shareholders and employees alike, the product of a process and a mindset that Dickens felt was at odds with humanity itself. [3][6] In A Christmas Carol starring Kelsey Grammer, Fezziwig, following a downturn in his business, comes to Scrooge for a business loan. Scrooge, starting to turn into his greedy self, refuses the request, stating that he (Scrooge) would be throwing good money after bad. Appearance in The Autobiography of Fezziwig (Novel) Fezziwig is the subject of an historical novel by Danny Kuhn, written as memoir. This incarnation of the Dickens character was born in Lincolnshire in 1721, [7] and eventually travels to colonial America to promote his warehouse business before returning to London. Along the way, he befriends and has adventures with numerous influential eighteenth century figures, including Lawrence Washington, George Hadley, Samuel Johnson, Erasmus Darwin, Henry Fielding, and, especially, Benjamin Franklin during Franklin's years in England. Toward the end of his life, Fezziwig returns to his childhood home, accompanied by his apprentice Ebenezer Scrooge. Footnotes 1. Lowe, Scott C. (Autumn 2009), "Ebenezer Scrooge- Man of Principle", Think: 32, retrieved June 2012 2. Musil, Caryn McTighe (Fall 2003), Presidents' Message: Disciplining Virtues, Association of American Colleges and Universities, retrieved June 2012 3. b Guida, Fred; Wagenknecht, Edward (2006), A Christmas Carol And Its Adaptations: A Critical Examination of Dickens's Story And Its Productions on Screen And Television, MacFarland, p. 107, ISBN 9780786428403, retrieved June 2012 4. a b Brenkert, George G. (November 2009), "Competitive Markets and Corporate Responsibility", Oxford Handbook of Business Ethics, p. 93, ISBN 9780195307955, retrieved June 2012 5. ^ Winters, Robert (July 2009), "The Philosphy of Fezziwig", Cambridge Civic Journal Forum, retrieved June 2012 6. Hopley, Stephen (2005), Scrooge (1951) synopsis, Alistar Sim.net, retrieved June 2012 7. Kuhn, Danny (2013). The Autobiography of Fezziwig. Favoritetrainers.com Books. p. 315. ISBN 978-0- 9891696-1-5. References Dickens, Charles. A Christmas Carol, 1843. Kuhn, Danny. The Autobiography of Fezziwig, 2013 Retrieved from"http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fezziwig&oldid=584446124" Categories: Fictional characters introduced in 1843 A Christmas Carol characters Fictional English people This page was last modified on 3 December 2013 at 23:59. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fezziwig 12/9/2013 Page 1 of 3 Search collection Home Museum Collection Research About Support Shop Contact News alog You The tube Margar Library Museum The Morgan Shop Yo Join the Morgan You are not logged in and save 10% My Account Search shop Login Categories Mr. Fezziwig's Ball Size: 5 3/4 X 4 1/5 inches Accessories 16 cards and envelopes Books and media Cards Product Code: x20010 Children Current Exhibitions $18.95 Desk From the collection 1 Order Holiday Household Morgan souvenirs Tell a friend Sale Street Banners Featured Products Salinger SALINGER David Shields and Illustration by John Leech for A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Shane Salerno 2013. 720 pages. 9.25x6.25 Customers who bought this item also bought inches. Hardcover. Nativity Price: $19.95 Size: 6 3/4 X 5 1/5 inches 16 cards and envelopes See more Price: $37.50 http://www.themorgan.org/shop/shopexd.asp?id=553&gclid=CIjZoeO9z7sCFQrxOgodO. 12/26/2013 12/7/2014 The Hotel Henshey Since 1933 HOLIDAY WITH Tea with Dickens DICKENS Tea Sandwiches Tea Sandwiches Shaved Rosemary Ham Country CuredHan Fig Mostarda With Roasted Apple, Chutney, Country Style Bread Smoked Salmon with Peoper-Orange Cream Cheese Dijon Mustard Dill Egg Salad Smoked Salmon Roasted Turkey and Cranberry Salad With Apricot Mostarda Cucumber With Lemon Mint Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cranberry Scones Cranberry Chicken Salad White Chocolate Apricot Scones , On Multi Whole Grain Bread Served with Clotted Cream I Marmalade Chocolate Chip Cranberry Scones White Chocolate Cherry Scones Dessert Selection Served with Clotted Cream I Marmalade Pomegranate Curd Meringue Tartlet Dessert Apricot Butter Cookie Pomegranate Curd Meringue Tartlet Gingerbread Spice Tea Cake Apricot Butter Cookie Mini Chocolate Peppermint Stick Cupcake Gingerbread Spiced Tea Cake Mini Chocolate Peppermint Stick Cupcake Chocolate Decadence Torte Chocolate Decadence Torte The Hotel Hershey I ine Tea Selection The Hotel Hershey's Fine Tea Selection 12/8/13 3.00 pm. THE MORAVIAN BOOK SHOP Presents Performed Bu Berali Charles Dichens December 11, 2016 Moravian College Foy Hall Pickeus Studies Annual 24 (1996). 197-214 References in Longfellow's Journals (1856-1882) to Charles Dickens Edward L. Tucker Edward Wagenknecht stated of the Longfellow-Dickens relationship: "What- ever reservations may have been made upon either side, there is no room for doubt that for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Charles Dickens was the most important of all novelists" (19). Andrew Hilen, in agreement, concluded that Dickens was Longfellow's "closest literary friend in England." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born at Portland, Maine, 27 February 1807, and died at Cambridge, Massachusetts, 24 March 1882. The two men met four times: Dickens visited Boston twice and saw Longfellow, first in 1842 and then in 1867-68; Longfellow visited England and saw Dickens twice, first in 1842 and then in 1868, shortly before Dickens' death. At the time of their first meeting, between "the most widely read English novelist and the most widely read American poet of that day" (Dana 55), Longfellow was 34 and Dickens 29. By 1842, the date of the first trans-Atlantic visit, Dickens had written some successful novels, was married, and the father of four children. By this same date, Longfellow had written two prose works of some interest: Outre-Mer (1835) and Hyperion (1839). Although his popular, full-length poems were to appear after 1842, he had received much acclaim for some short selections, notably "A Psalm of Life" and "The Beleaguered City" in Voices of the Night (1839) and "The Skeleton in Armor," "The Wreck of the Hesperus," "The Village Blacksmith," and "Excelsior" in Ballads and Other Poems (1841). He was made an early widower. He had married Mary Storer Potter (1812-35) on 14 September 1831, and she had died on a trip to Rotterdam on 29 November 1835. There were no children by the marriage. Although this article concentrates on the 1867-68 visits, a few comments about the earlier ones seem appropriate. In September 1841 Dickens wrote: 197 1/-8/20 Huntington hubrary Quarterly 51,#1 (1988):1-71, Charles Dickens and Annie Fields by George Curry Those interested in Dickens's personality and emotional life in the years af- ter the failure of his marriage are likely to be intrigued by references in various sources to his relationship with Annie Adams Fields, the second wife of his American publisher, James T. Fields. Mrs. Fields, who married the Boston edi- tor in 1854 a few months after her twentieth birthday, was a sensitive, percep- tive, and attractive woman of abundant charm and intellect.¹ Her marriage to Fields, some seventeen years her senior, was a decidedly happy one and though childless, "was sustained," as the biographical dictionary of Notable American Women states, "by a mutual, lifelong devotion." Their union, continues the same source, "projected Mrs. Fields into the great world of literature then in its full flowering in New England. Fields's youthful bride brought more than her superior mental and physical attributes to their partnership: "She belonged to an established Boston family-President John Adams was one of her ances- tors-and her social poise counterbalanced Fields's slight shyness. Under her influence the Fields's home on Charles Street became the most delightful gath- ering place for literary people in Boston."3 Annie Fields soon began to number among her friends virtually every major and minor figure in American arts and letters and her two visits to Europe with her husband, one in 1859-1860, the other in 1869, introduced her to many important English writers, including the Brownings, Thackeray, Trollope, Ten- nyson, and Dickens- "The Inimitable. During his second visit to the United States, in the harsh winter of 1867-1868, the Fields's house became a refuge for an ailing Dickens, easing the strains of his reading tour and of his absence from home. Here his friendship with James Fields, one of the bright young men who had greeted him so enthusiastically in Boston some twenty-five years previ- 1