"I cannot tell you how admirably I think Master Humphrey's room comes out, or what glowing accounts I hear of the second design you have done.[30] I had not the faintest anticipation of anything so good, taking into account the material and the despatch."
The text of "Master Humphrey's Clock" afforded the artist many congenial themes for his pencil. The story of Little Nell evidently fascinated him, and the various subjects selected for illustration were lovingly dealt with. An interval of several months elapsed before the following instructions were received by him respecting future designs:—
"I sent the MS. of the enclosed proof, marked 2, up to Chapman & Hall from Devonshire, mentioning a subject of an old gateway,[31] which I had put in expressly with a view to your illustrious pencil. By a mistake, however, it went to Browne instead.
Plate XXXIX
QUILP'S WHARF
Facsimile of the Original Sketch for "The Old Curiosity Shop" by GEORGE CATTERMOLE
Lent by Mrs. Edward Franks.
"The subject to which I wish to call your attention is in an unwritten number to follow this one, but it is a mere echo of what you will find at the conclusion of this proof marked 2. I want the cart, gaily decorated, going through the street of the old town with the wax brigand displayed to fierce advantage, and the child seated in it also dispersing bills. As many flags and inscriptions about Jarley's Wax Work fluttering from the cart as you please. You know the wax brigands, and how they contemplate small oval miniatures? That's the figure I want. I send you the scrap of MS. which contains the subject.
"Will you, when you have done this, send it with all speed to Chapman & Hall, as we are mortally pressed for time...."
For some reason, the drawing of Mrs. Jarley's cart was not executed by Cattermole; perhaps he was otherwise occupied at the moment, so that the work fell to Browne, whose initials are appended. Concerning the frontispiece the novelist offered some valuable suggestions, of which the artist readily availed himself:—