Volume Iii Part 34 (1/2)
In the spring Charles d.i.c.kens took a short holiday again, with his wife and sister-in-law, at Brighton, from whence he wrote to Mr. Wills, on ”Household Words” business. The first number of this journal appeared on the 30th March.
This autumn he succeeded, for the first time, in getting possession of the ”Fort House,” Broadstairs, on which he had always set his affections. He was hard at work on the closing numbers of ”David Copperfield” during all the summer and autumn. The family moved to Broadstairs in July, but as a third daughter was born in August, they were not joined by Mrs. d.i.c.kens until the end of September. ”David Copperfield” was finished in October.
The beginning of his correspondence with Mrs. Gaskell is in his asking her to contribute to ”Household Words,” which she did from the first number, and very frequently afterwards both to ”Household Words” and ”All the Year Round.”
The letter to Mr. David Roberts, R.A., is one thanking him for a remembrance of his (Mr. Roberts's) travels in the East--a picture of a ”Simoom in the Desert,” which was one of Charles d.i.c.kens's most highly prized possessions.
A letter to Mr. Sheridan Knowles contains allusions which we have no means of explaining, but we publish it, as it is characteristic, and addressed to a literary celebrity. Its being inscribed to ”Daddy”
Knowles ill.u.s.trates a habit of Charles d.i.c.kens--as does a letter later in this year to Mr. Stone, beginning, ”My dear P.”--of giving nicknames to the friends with whom he was on the most affectionate and intimate terms. Mr. Stone--especially included in this category--was the subject of many such names; ”Pump,” or ”Pumpion,” being one by which he was frequently addressed--a joke as good-humouredly and gladly received as it was kindly and pleasantly intended.
There were no public amateur theatricals this year; but in November, the greater part of the amateur company played for three nights at Knebworth Park, as the guests of Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton (afterwards Lord Lytton), who entertained all his county neighbours to witness the performances. The play was ”Every Man in his Humour,” and farces, varied each night.
This year we have our first letter to Miss Mary Boyle, a cousin of Mrs.
Watson, well known as an amateur actress and an accomplished lady. Miss Boyle was to have acted with the amateur company at Knebworth, but was prevented by domestic affliction. Early in the following year there was a private play at Rockingham Castle, when Miss Boyle acted with Charles d.i.c.kens, the play being ”Used Up,” in which Mrs. d.i.c.kens also acted; and the farce, ”Animal Magnetism,” in which Miss Boyle and Miss Hogarth played. The letters to Mrs. Watson in this year refer chiefly to the preparations for the play in her house.
The accident mentioned in the letter addressed to Mr. Henry Bicknell (son-in-law of Mr. David Roberts, R.A., and a much-esteemed friend of Charles d.i.c.kens) was an accident which happened to Mrs. d.i.c.kens, while rehearsing at a theatre. She fell through a trap-door, spraining her ankle so badly as to be incapacitated from taking her part in the theatricals at Knebworth.
[Sidenote: Mr. David Roberts, R.A.]
DEVONs.h.i.+RE TERRACE, _January 3rd, 1850._
MY DEAR ROBERTS,
I am more obliged to you than I can tell you for the beautiful mark of your friendly remembrance which you have sent me this morning. I shall set it up among my household G.o.ds with pride. It gives me the highest gratification, and I beg you to accept my most cordial and sincere thanks. A little bit of the tissue paper was sticking to the surface of the picture, and has slightly marked it. It requires but a touch, as one would dot an ”i” or cross a ”t,” to remove the blemish; but as I cannot think of a recollection so full of poetry being touched by any hand but yours, I have told Green the framer, whenever he shall be on his way with it, to call on you by the road. I enclose a note from Mrs. d.i.c.kens, which I hope will impress you into a country dance, with which we hope to dismiss Christmas merrily.
Ever, my dear Roberts, Faithfully yours.
[Sidenote: Mr. James Sheridan Knowles.]
DEVONs.h.i.+RE TERRACE, _January 3rd, 1850._
MY DEAR GOOD KNOWLES,
Many happy New Years to you, and to all who are near and dear to you.
Your generous heart unconsciously exaggerates, I am sure, my merit in respect of that most honourable gentleman who has been the occasion of our recent correspondence. I cannot sufficiently admire the dignity of his conduct, and I really feel indebted to you for giving me the gratification of observing it.
As to that ”cross note,” which, rightly considered, was nothing of the sort, if ever you refer to it again, I'll do--I don't exactly know what, but something perfectly desperate and ferocious. If I have ever thought of it, it has only been to remember with delight how soon we came to a better understanding, and how heartily we confirmed it with a most expressive shake of the hand, one evening down in that mouldy little den of Miss Kelly's.
Heartily and faithfully yours.
”Daddy” Knowles.
[Sidenote: Mrs. Gaskell.]
DEVONs.h.i.+RE TERRACE, _January 31st, 1850._