The Cricket on the Hearth, 1846."The Cricket on the Hearth" is embellished with seven designs by Leech. The original sketch for one of these illustrations, representing John and Dot seated by the fire, indicates that it was Leech's intention at first to introduce Tilly Slowboy nursing the baby; but it was apparently considered that her presence in the picture destroyed the domestic harmony of the scene, so the figure was omitted, and a separate woodcut made of the subject for a subsequent chapter. It is interesting to compare Leech's illustration of Caleb Plummer and his blind daughter at work with a similar design by Doyle in the same chapter, the vigorous character of the former happily contrasting with the more restrained treatment of the latter. In the final woodcut of "The Dance," Leech's sense of humour (not always devoid of exaggeration) has free play, for here not only do we see the human characters in the story indulging in the pleasant exercise, but observe that, in one corner, the carrier's pets, Boxer and the cat, are similarly disporting themselves, while even the artist's signature (in the opposite corner) of a leech in a bottle is placed upon a couple of lively legs, and is kicking away with an abandon worthy of the occasion.
The Battle of Life, 1846.In Dickens's fourth Christmas Book, "The Battle of Life," John Leech is represented by three illustrations, all of which are designed in the manner characteristic of these little volumes, in having one scene superimposed upon another. The original sketches for two of these woodcuts, viz., "The Parting Breakfast" and "The Night of the Return," are in the South Kensington Museum,[37] while the third drawing has found its way to America, whither so many Dickens relics have departed. When, in June 1893, some highly-finished replicas of these designs were disposed of at Sotheby's, they realised the extraordinary sums of £35, 10s., £17, 10s., and £20, 10s. respectively. In the Forster Collection at South Kensington there are two very interesting letters, addressed by Leech to the biographer of Dickens, having special connection with these illustrations. The first (dated November 16, 1846) refers to the breakfast scene, and from it we gather that there was a very limited time for preparing the designs:—
Plate XLV
"JOHN, DOT, AND TILLY SLOWBOY"
Facsimile of the Original Drawing for "The Cricket on the Hearth" by
JOHN LEECH
The figure of Tilly Slowboy was omitted in the published Drawing, a separate Illustration being made of that portion of the Design.
Lent by Mr. W. H. Lever.
"My Dear Forster,—I really cannot say off-hand how many illustrations I can make within the week; indeed, I am so embarrassed by the conditions under which I am to make my share of the drawings that I hardly know what to do at all. Conscientiously, I could not make Clemency Newcome particularly beautiful. If you will read a little beyond the words 'plump and cheerful,' you will find the following: 'But the extraordinary homeliness of her gait and manner would have superseded any face in the world. To say that she had two left legs and somebody else's arms, and that all four limbs seemed to be out of joint, and to start from perfectly wrong places,' &c., &c. Again, she is described as having 'a prodigious pair of self-willed shoes,' and a gown of 'the most hideous pattern procurable for money.' The impression made upon me by such a description as I have quoted certainly is that the character so described is both awkward and comic. Of course I may be wrong in my conception of what Dickens intended, but I imagine the lady in question a sort of clean 'Slowboy.' The blessed public (if they consider the matter at all) will hold me responsible for what appears with my name; they will know nothing about my being obliged to conform to Maclise's ideas. I cannot tell you how loath I should be to cause any delay or difficulty in the production of the book, or what pain it would give me to cause either Dickens or yourself any annoyance. I confess I am a little out of heart.—Believe me ever yours faithfully,
John Leech."
"John Forster, Esq."