The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-07-29

DothfDoyss HAL.
Dickens, in the preface to aew edition Of
Nicholas Nickleby, just published in London,
gives an interesting account Of pilgrimage made
into Yorkshire, to see for himself the condition
Of the schools there, which, as child he had
conceived vague notion, were wretched in the
the extreme. We find portion of this Preface
In notice of the new edition in an English pa
per, and copy IL. Ii is almost an added chapter
TO tho novel itself
q was always curious about them-fell,
long afterwards and at sundry times into the
way Of hearing more about thenl-at last,
having an audience, resolved to write about
them. With that intent, went down into
Yorkshire before began this book, in very
severe winter time, which is pretty faithful
ly described herein. As wanted to see a
schoolmaster or two, and was forewarned
that that those gentlemen might, in their
modesty, be shy Of receiving visit from the
author of the 'Pickwick Papers, consult
ed with a professional friend here, who had
Yorkshire connection, and with whom ]
concerted pious fraud. lie gave me some
letters OF introduction. in the name, think,
of my travelling companion; they bore refer
ence TO supPositious little boy who had
been left with widowed mother who didn't
know what to do with him; the poor lady
had thought, as means Of thawing the tar
dy compassion Of her relations in his behalf
Of sending him to Yorkshire school;
was the poor lady's friend, travelling that
way; and if the recipient Of the letter could
inform me of school in bis neighborhood,
the writer would be very much obliged
One of those letters brought to the inn
where the author took his ease, after his
cold journey, the original Of John Brow
die
d recollect he was jovial, ruddy, broad
faced man; that we got acquainted directly;
and that we talked on all kinds of subjects
except the school, which he showed a great
anxiety to avoid. Was there any large
school near? asked him in reference to the
letter. oh yes he said; there was pref
ty big un.'-'Was it good one?' asked
Ely! he said, it was matther Of opinion
and fell to looking at the fire, staring round
the room, and whistling little. On my
reverting TO some other topic that we haC
been discussing, he recovered Immediately
but though | tried him again and again,
never approached the question Of the school
even if he were in the middle Of laugh
without observing that his countenance fell
and that he became uncomfortable. AT last
when We had passed couple of hours O
so, very agreeably, he suddenly took up hi
hat, and leaning over the table and looking
me full in the face, he said in a low voice
'Weel, Mis,her, we've been very pleasan
J toogather, and ar'll spake my moind tiv'ee
Dinnot let the weedur send her latte boy t,
yam O. our school-masthers, while there
harse to hoold in a Lunnun, or a goother 4
lie asleep in. Ar wouldn't make i'll word
amang my neeburs, ar speak tiv'ee quie
loke. But I'm dom'd il ar can gang
> bed, and not tell'ee for weedurs SAX I
keep The latte boy from sike a seconded
while there's hsrse to hold in a Lunnm
or goother to lie asleep inl' Repeatin
these words with great hoartineSs, and wit
a solemnity on his Jolly face that made
look twice as large as before, he shooI
hands and went away
And, says the notice, Mr.. Dickens return
ed home, and with his goose-quill so tatooe
the visage of the Yorkshire school-masler
, that the savage has been ashamed to shov
his face among us since.