The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-12-11

PIcKwIcK, Boz, AND OTHER Matters
In the course OF the last dozen years, says
Mr.. Dickens, ia the preface to the new edi-
ton Of his works, have seen various &C
counts Of the origin Of these Piokscick Pa
pers which have, at ell events, possessed, for
me, the charm OF perfect novelty. As !
may infer, from the occasional appearance
OF such histories, that my readers have an
interest in the matter, will relate how they
came into existence.
wss young man Of three and-twenty,
when the present publishers, attracted by
some pieces was at that time writing in
the Morning Chronicle newspaper, (ofwhich
one series mad lately been collected and
published in two volumes, illustrated by my
esteemed friend, MIR. George Cruikshank,)
waited upon Inc to propose something that
should be published in shilling numbers
then only known to me, or, believe any
body else, by dim recollection Of certain
interminsble novels in that form, which
used, some five-and-twenty years ago, to be
carried about the country by pe1lars, and
over some Of which remember to have
shed innumerable tears, before served my
apprenticeship to life.
When opened my door in Fumival's
inn to the managing partner who represent
ed the firm, recognized in him The person
from whose hands / had bought, two or
three years previously, and whom had never
seen before OF since, my first copy Of the
magazine in which my first efusion-drop-
ped stealthily one evening at twilight, with
fear and trembling, into dark letter box,
in dark Office, up a dark court, in Fleet
street-appearing in all the glory Of print
on which occasion, by.the-b ye-how we'll |
recollect it IL walked down to Westmin-
ster hall, and turned into il for half an hour,
because my eyes were so dimmed with Joy
and pride, that they could not bear the street,
and were not fit to be seen there. told
my visitor Of the coincidence, which we
both hailed as a good omen; and so fell to
business.
The idea propounded 10 me was, that the
monthly something should be vehicle for
certain plates to he executed by Mr.. Sey-
mour; and there was notion, either on the
part Of that admirable humorous artist, or
Ofmy visitor, Il forget which, that "Ninn-
rod Club" the members Of which were TO
go out shooting. fishing, and 50 forth, and
getting themselves into difficulties through
their wan, Of dexterity, would be the best
means Of introducing these. objected, on
consideration, that, although born and partly
bred in the country, was no great sports
man, except in regard of all kinds Of loco
motion; that the idea was not novel, and had
been already much Used; that it would be
infinitely better for the plates to arise natu-
rally out Of the text and that | should like
to take my own way, with freer range of
English scenes and people, and was
afraid / should ultimately do so in any case,
whatever course might prescribe to myself
at starting.
My views being deferred to, though Of
Mr.. Pickwick, and wrote the first number,
from the proof sheets Of which Mr.. Sey-
mour made his drawing Of the club, and
that happy portrait Of its founder, by which
he is always recognized, and which may be
said to have made him a reality. ] connect
ed Mr. Pickwick with club, because of
the original suggestion, and | put in Mr..
Wrinkle expressly for the use Of Mr.. Sey-
mour.
We started with a number Of twenty
four pages instead Of thirty-two, and four H.
Illustrations in lieu OF couple. Mr.. Sey-
nour's sudden and lamented death, before
the second number was published, brought
about quick decision upon point already
in agitation; the number became one Of
thirty-two pages, with two illustrations, and
remained so to the end. My friends told me
it was a low, cheap form Of publication, by
which | should ruin all my rising hopes; and
how right my friends turned out to be every
body now knows.
"Boz," my signature in the Morning
Chronicle, appended to the monthly cover
Of this book, and retained long afterwards,
was the nickname of my pet child, young
er brother, whom had dubbed Moses, in
honor OF the Vicar Of Wakefield, which
being facetiously pronounced through the
nose, became Boses, and being shortened,
became Boz. "Boz" was very familiar
household word to me, long before was an
author, and so | came to adoptit.