Volume Ii Part 28 (2/2)
We regret very much having no letters to Lady Molesworth, who was an old and dear friend of Charles d.i.c.kens. But this lady explains to us that she has long ceased to preserve any letters addressed to her.
The ”Mr. and Mrs. Humphery” (now Sir William and Lady Humphery) mentioned in the first letter for this year, were dear and intimate friends of his eldest daughter, and were frequent guests in her father's house. Mrs. Humphery and her sister Lady Olliffe were daughters of the late Mr. William Cubitt, M.P.
We have in this year the first letter of Charles d.i.c.kens to Mr. Percy Fitzgerald. This gentleman had been a valuable contributor to his journal before he became personally known to Charles d.i.c.kens. The acquaintance once made soon ripened into friends.h.i.+p, and for the future Mr. Fitzgerald was a constant and always a welcome visitor to Gad's Hill.
The letter to Mr. Charles Reade alludes to his story, ”Hard Cash,” which was then appearing in ”All the Year Round.” As a writer, and as a friend, he was held by Charles d.i.c.kens in the highest estimation.
Charles d.i.c.kens's correspondence with his solicitor and excellent friend, Mr. Frederic Ouvry (now a vice-president of the Society of Antiquaries), was almost entirely of a business character; but we are glad to give one or two notes to that gentleman, although of little public interest, in order to have the name in our book of one of the kindest of our own friends.
[Sidenote: Miss d.i.c.kens.]
PARIS, HoTEL DU HELDER, RUE DU HELDER, _Friday, Jan. 16th, 1863._
MY DEAREST MAMIE,
As I send a line to your aunt to-day and know that you will not see it, I send another to you to report my safe (and neuralgic) arrival here. My little rooms are perfectly comfortable, and I like the hotel better than any I have ever put up at in Paris. John's amazement at, and appreciation of, Paris are indescribable. He goes about with his mouth open, staring at everything and being tumbled over by everybody.
The state dinner at the Emba.s.sy, yesterday, coming off in the room where I am to read, the carpenters did not get in until this morning. But their platforms were ready--or supposed to be--and the preparations are in brisk progress. I think it will be a handsome affair to look at--a very handsome one. There seems to be great artistic curiosity in Paris, to know what kind of thing the reading is.
I know a ”rela-shon” (with one weak eye), who is in the gunmaking line, very near here. There is a strong family resemblance--but no muzzle.
Lady Molesworth and I have not begun to ”toddle” yet, but have exchanged affectionate greetings. I am going round to see her presently, and I dine with her on Sunday. The only remaining news is, that I am beset by mysterious adorers, and smuggle myself in and out of the house in the meanest and basest manner.
With kind regard to Mr. and Mrs. Humphery,
Ever, my dearest Mamey, your affectionate Father.
P.S.--_Hommage a Madame B.!_
[Sidenote: Monsieur Regnier.]
PARIS, _Sunday, Feb. 1st, 1863._
MY DEAR REGNIER,
I was charmed by the receipt of your cordial and sympathetic letter, and I shall always preserve it carefully as a most n.o.ble tribute from a great and real artist.
I wished you had been at the Emba.s.sy on Friday evening. The audience was a fine one, and the ”Carol” is particularly well adapted to the purpose.
It is an uncommon pleasure to me to learn that I am to meet you on Tuesday, for there are not many men whom I meet with greater pleasure than you. Heaven! how the years roll by! We are quite old friends now, in counting by years. If we add sympathies, we have been friends at least a thousand years.
Affectionately yours ever.
[Sidenote: Miss d.i.c.kens.]
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