Charles Dickens as a Reader
Kent Charles Foster 1867-1925
English
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CHARLES DICKENS
AS A READER.
By Charles Kent.
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Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co. London: Chapman & Hall, 193,
Piccadilly.
1872.
LONDON: BRADBURY, EVANS, AND CO., PRINTERS, WHITEFRTARS,
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TO
JOHN FORSTER,
THE BIOGRAPHER OF CHARLES DICKENS,
PREFACE.
As the title-page of this volume indicates, no more is here attempted
than a memorial of Charles Dickens in association with his Readings.
It appeared desirable that something in the shape of an accurate record
should be made of an episode in many respects so remarkable in the
career of the most popular author of his generation. A commemorative
volume, precisely of this character, was projected by the writer in the
spring of 1870. Immediately after the Farewell Reading in St James's
Hall, on the 15th of March, Charles Dickens wrote, in hearty approval
of the suggestion, "Everything that I can let you have in aid of the
proposed record (which, _of course_, would be far more agreeable to me
if done by you than by any other hand) shall be at your service."
All the statistics, he added, should be placed freely at the writer's
command; all the marked books from which he himself read should be
confided to him for reference. In now realising his long-postponed
intention, the writer's endeavour has been throughout to restrict the
purpose of his book as much as possible to matters either directly or
indirectly affecting these famous Readings.
The Biography of Charles Dickens having been undertaken by the oldest
and dearest of his friends, all that is here attempted is to portray, as
accurately as may be, a single phase in the career and character of one
of the greatest of all our English Humorists. What is thus set forth
has the advantage, at any rate, of being penned from the writer's own
intimate knowledge. With the Novelist's career as a Reader he has been
familiar throughout. From its beginning to its close he has regarded
it observantly. He has viewed it both from before and from behind the
scenes, from the front of the house as well as from within the shelter
of the screen upon the platform. When contrasted with the writings of
the Master-Humorist, these readings of his, though so remarkable in
themselves, shrink, no doubt, to comparative insignificance. But simply
considering them as supplementary, and, certainly, as very exceptional,
evidences of genius on the part of a great author, they may surely be
regarded as having been worthy of the keenest scrutiny at the time, and
entitled afterwards to some honest commemoration.
CONTENTS.
CHARLES DICKENS AS A READER 1
THE READINGS IN ENGLAND AND AMERICA 36
THE CHRISTMAS CAROL 92
THE TRIAL FROM PICKWICK 109
DAVID COPPERFIELD 120
THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH 131
NICHOLAS NICKLEBY 140
MR. BOB SAWYER'S PARTY 152
THE CHIMES 162
THE STORY OF LITTLE DOMBEY 176
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