In 1846 Thackeray took a house at 13 (now 16), Young Street, Kensington, where he established a home for his daughters. “Vanity Fair,” “Pendennis,” and “Esmond” were written there. “Vanity Fair” made its appearance in yellow covers, being brought out in monthly parts by Messrs. Bradbury & Evans. The first number was issued in January 1847, the last in July 1848.
When passing his house in Young Street with Mr. J. T. Fields, the American publisher, Thackeray exclaimed, “Go down on your knees, you rogue, for here ‘Vanity Fair’ was penned, and I will go down with you, for I have a high opinion of that little production myself.”
Mr. Michael Angelo Titmarsh as he appeared at Willis’s Rooms
see page 21
The first number of “Pendennis” appeared in November 1848, but the author’s severe illness at the end of 1849 interrupted its publication, which was not concluded until 1850. “Pendennis” was followed by “Esmond” in 1852. Whilst residing in Young Street Thackeray delivered his famous lectures on the English humorists at Willis’s Rooms. On page 21 an admirable caricature by John Leech is reproduced from The Month representing Mr. Michael Angelo Titmarsh as he appeared in these rooms in his celebrated character of Mr. Thackeray:
Mr. Thackeray, of Vanity Fair, announced a simple course of lectures on a purely literary subject; and for the reason that Mr. Thackeray, living entirely by his pen, was still recognised as a fine gentleman by all—and they were many—who knew him in private, so accordingly his room was filled by an audience as brilliant and fashionable, as intelligent and judicious—in fact, after the lecturer, the agreeable sight of the excellent set of people who gathered about him with such thoughtful attention was really an attraction.
Château de Brequerecque, Boulogne-sur-Mer
see page 20
No. 36, Onslow Square, Brompton
see page 19