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THE LETTERS

OF

Charles Dickens

[Illustration]




THE LETTERS

OF

CHARLES DICKENS.

EDITED BY

HIS SISTER-IN-LAW AND HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER

VOL. III.

1836 TO 1870.

        London:
        CHAPMAN AND HALL, LIMITED,
        11, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
        1882.

[_The Right of Translation is Reserved._]

        CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS,
        CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS.




PREFACE.


Since our publication of "The Letters of Charles Dickens" we have
received the letters addressed to the late Lord Lytton, which we were
unable to procure in time for our first two volumes in consequence of
his son's absence in India. We thank the Earl of Lytton cordially for
his kindness in sending them to us very soon after his return. We also
offer our sincere thanks to Sir Austen H. Layard, and to the senders of
many other letters, which we now publish for the first time.

With a view to making our selection as complete as possible, we have
collected together the letters from Charles Dickens which have already
been published in various Biographies, and have chosen and placed in
chronological order among our new letters those which we consider to be
of the greatest interest.

As our Narrative was finished in our second volume, this volume consists
of Letters _only_, with occasional foot-notes wherever there are
allusions requiring explanation.

                                                     MAMIE DICKENS.
                                                     GEORGINA HOGARTH.

   LONDON: _September, 1881._




ERRATA.

VOL. III.


  Page 87, line 5. For "J. W. Leigh Murray," _read_ "Mr. Leigh Murray."
    " 111, line 8. For "annoying," _read_ "amazing."
    " 243, line 10. For "Tarass Boulla," _read_ "Tarass Boulba."
    " 259, line 6, and in footnote. For "Hazlett," _read_ "Hazlitt."
    " 261, line 2. For "procters," _read_ "proctors."




THE

LETTERS OF CHARLES DICKENS.




1836 to 1839.


[Sidenote: Mr. John Hullah.]

                          FURNIVAL'S INN, _Sunday Evening (1836)_ (?).

MY DEAR HULLAH,

Have you seen _The Examiner_? It is rather depreciatory of the opera;
but, like all inveterate critiques against Braham, so well done that I
cannot help laughing at it, for the life and soul of me. I have seen
_The Sunday Times_, _The Dispatch_, and _The Satirist_, all of which
blow their critic trumpets against unhappy me most lustily. Either I
must have grievously awakened the ire of all the "adapters" and their
friends, or the drama must be decidedly bad. I haven't made up my mind
yet which of the two is the fact.

I have not seen the _John Bull_ or any of the Sunday papers except _The
Spectator_. If you have any of them, bring 'em with you on Tuesday. I am
afraid that for "dirty Cummins'" allusion to Hogarth I shall be reduced
to the necessity of being valorous the next time I meet him.

                                    Believe me, most faithfully yours.


[Sidenote: The same.]

                 FURNIVAL'S INN, _Monday Afternoon, 7 o'clock (1836)._

MY DEAR HULLAH,

Mr. Hogarth has just been here, with news which I think you will be glad
to hear. He was with Braham yesterday, who was _far more full_ of the
opera[1] than he was; speaking highly of my works and "fame" (!), and
expressing an earnest desire to be the first to introduce me to the
public as a dramatic writer. He said that he intended opening at
Michaelmas; and added (unasked) that it was his intention to produce the
opera within _one month_ of his first night. He wants a low comedy part
introduced--without singing--thinking it will take with the audience;
but he is desirous of explaining to me what he means and who he intends
to play it. I am to see him on Sunday morning. Full particulars of the
interview shall be duly announced.

Perhaps I shall see you meanwhile. I have only time to add that I am

                                                Most faithfully yours.


[Sidenote: The same.]

                                   PETERSHAM, _Monday Evening (