8. One of the most popular of Dickens's books is "David Copperfield," which is supposed to contain many reminiscences of the author's own early days. In this book occur some of the most famous of Dickens's characters.
9. Among his other works Dickens produced a series of tales called "The Christmas Stories." The first of these, "A Christmas Carol," appeared in 1843, and for a number of years he published a story of this kind every year. The most celebrated of these stories are "A Christmas Carol," "The Cricket on the Hearth," and "The Chimes." In these stories Dickens did more than give to the world pleasant and interesting tales of domestic life; he portrayed the true spirit of Christmastide, with its lessons of peace and good will.
10. Dickens also wrote "A Tale of Two Cities," "Nicholas Nickleby," and "A Child's History of England," which is a great favorite with young people. He died suddenly in 1870 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
This selection is from "Bleak House," one of the best of Dickens's novels.
Shĭll´ĭngs̝: the shilling is a silver coin of Great Britain, equal in value to about twenty-four cents of our money. Ĭn tŏl´ẽr ȧ ble: not to be borne. Pōr trāy´al: description. Rĕm ĭ nĭs´çĕnç ĕs̝: recollections. Çĕl´ē̍ brā tĕd: famous; well known.
Little Charley
By Charles Dickens