"Broadstairs, Thursday, 16th September 1841.
"My Dear Sir,—Know for your utter confusion, and to your lasting shame and ignominy, that the initial letter HAS BEEN provided, that it was furnished to the artist at the same time as the subject—and that it is a
D
—which stands for Double—Demnible—Doubtful—Dangerous—Doleful—Disastrous—Dreadful—Deuced—Dark—Divorce—and Drop—all applicable to the Precipice on which you stand.
"Farewell! If you did but know—and would pause, even at this late period—better an action for breach than—but we buy experience. Excuse my agitation. I scarcely know what I write. To see a fellow-creature—and one who has so long withstood—still if—will nothing warn you?
"In extreme excitement
C. D.
"My hand fails me.
P.S.—PAUSE
PUT IT OFF
P.P.S.—EMIGRATE
P.P.P.S.—AND LEAVE ME
THE BUSINESS—
I MEAN THE STRAND ONE."
On the conclusion of the second volume of "Master Humphrey's Clock," a dinner was given by Dickens to celebrate the event. Serjeant Talfourd presided, and the guests included those engaged in the production of the work. "Phiz," in accepting the invitation to be present, wrote as follows:—
33 Howland Street [1841].
"My Dear Dickens,—I shall be most happy to remember not to forget the 10th April, and let me express a disinterested wish that, having completed and established one 'Shop' in an 'extensive line of business,' you will go on increasing and multiplying suchlike establishments in number and prosperity till you become a Dick Whittington of a merchant, with pockets distended to most Brobdignag dimensions.—Believe me, yours very truly,
"Hablôt K. Browne.."
Plate XXXIV
"MR. PEGGOTTY'S DREAM COMES TRUE"
Facsimile of the Original Drawing for "David Copperfield" by H. K. BROWNE ("Phiz")
In the published version the figure of Rosa Dartle (on the left) is omitted, and David's hat is placed upon the table.
Lent by Her Grace the Duchess of St. Albans.
Through the courtesy of Mr. J. F. Dexter, I am enabled to reproduce in facsimile one of the original designs for "Master Humphrey's Clock," depicting Master Humphrey and the Deaf Gentleman. This drawing, executed in pencil, differs slightly from the engraving; underneath it Dickens has written, "Master Humphrey ADMIRABLE. Could his stick (with a crooked top) be near his chair? I misdoubt the deaf gentleman's pipe, and wish he could have a better one."
To the first cheap edition of "Barnaby Rudge," 1849, "Phiz" contributed the frontispiece,—a drawing on wood (engraved by W. T. Green) representing Dolly Varden, with Hugh hiding in the bushes. In the Library Edition (1858-59) the stories were published independently, each in two volumes, with pretty vignettes on the title-pages, specially designed by the same artist and engraved on steel. The original drawings were delicately tinted in water-colours, the subjects being Little Nell and her Grandfather, Dick Swiveller and the Marchioness, Dolly Varden and Joe Willet, Barnaby and Hugh. In these engravings the female characters are much more charmingly conceived than are those in the woodcuts.