"My Dear Forster,—I wonder if it would be possible to make the paper of the book an inch bigger, that is, to increase the width of margin around the letterpress, without much additional expense. I wish you to put the question. I do not think my design too large, but it would marvellously increase the elegance of the look of the book. I must say the 'Carol' book is the very climax of vulgarity in its mise en planches.—Au revoir..
D. M."[40]
It was, of course, considered inadvisable to depart from precedent by acting upon the above suggestion. Dickens was highly pleased with the artist's designs, and, writing to his wife on December 2, 1844, he said: "Mac's frontispiece is charming."
The Cricket on the Hearth, 1846.To the third Christmas Book, "The Cricket on the Hearth," Maclise also contributed the frontispiece and decorative title-page, which were engraved on wood instead of steel. These designs are replete with quaint fancy, the frontispiece being especially worthy of attention, comprising, as it does, no less than ten miniature tableaux, the chief of these representing a homely scene, where the Carrier and his wife are seated by the fireside, their babe being rocked in its cradle by the fairies, while above the steaming kettle is perched that good spirit, the Cricket. The following undated letter is interesting on account of its connection with this Christmas story:—
"My Dear Forster,— ... I write to ask if you have a moment to see B[radbury] and E[vans] about these blocks for my little designs. I wrote to D[ickens] Saturday, and there came to me such a small pair that I instantly sent them back. Then on Saturday evening two more came; one of them will do—but as you understand the matter, and last year even got the book enlarged a little,[41] I want you to say that I must have a block for the frontispiece the exact size of the leaf on which the frontispiece of the 'Chimes' is. I have made a little sketch to be placed on the wood, and some of the little shapes come as close to the edge of the page as this line I make—|. I want the wood as high and as wide as that page—but oh! my I—on, if it could but be—the page I mean, not the wood,—a little—so much larger, ah! I should be happy for life. Tell B. and E. this and ask D. to insist on it. Mind, I am not exceeding the present paper of the 'Chimes,' but for the look of the book it would be very important—and they have sent me a block much smaller than that page, whereas I cannot afford one-hundredth part of a pin's point. I know 'tis vain to write to them—so trouble you, and I want the blocks—in an hour!!!—Ever most faithfully,
D. M."
The Battle of Life, 1846.The artist prepared for "The Battle of Life" not only the customary frontispiece and title-page, but two additional designs for the later portion of the story. Dickens, who was in Paris at the time, was delighted when he heard of this, and in a letter to a friend observed: "Forster writes me that Mac has come out with tremendous vigour in the Christmas Book, and took off his coat at it with a burst of such alarming energy that he has done four subjects!" Of these, the principal is the frontispiece, representing the Dance round the Appletree, but the most successful design is that depicting "The Sisters,"—a graceful composition, and the last drawing produced by the artist for Dickens.
Remembering the novelist's keen appreciation of Maclise's illustrations in the preceding Christmas Books, it seems somewhat strange that the artist should have thus emphatically expressed himself to Forster in the following letter, evidently indited in a moment of pique:—
"My Dear F.,—It is clear to me that Dickens does not care one damn whether I make a little sketch for the book or not. However, if you think that the appearance of the volume should be as like the former ones as possible, I will with even pleasure gulp down my jealousy and draw on the wood that apple-tree, &c., for a frontispiece. In which case you must shut up that same subject to Doyle—as I saw in his sketch last night. But I do this at your bidding, and not at all for D., and on the whole would much prefer not engaging in the matter at all.—Yours truly,
D. M."
Apparently some little misunderstanding had hurt the susceptibilities of the artist, but, happily, it was speedily removed, for he presently wrote in a more conciliatory spirit:—