Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-10-29
MISCELLANEOUS.
SKETCH or

Mr. Dickens, in private life. is good tempered and hos
pi'able; he has n striking face; his hair ia DARK aud long;
bis eyes. which are Tho great feature Of hs ooun,enance,
is hazel; he Is rather under the middle s'xe, Is neatly made
and very active; his lavorlte time for composition is Ia The
mo, ming; he writes I'LL abou, one OF two! lunches. then
takes n walk for n couple Of hours. returns 10 dinner, and
gives Tho evening 10 his own OF a friends 6rosiJe.
Tie is n very gay dresser-eschews collars rej,ices
in bright scarlet rolling iaclngs 10 his wai4lcoat-is M
f,ud of mugs and gold chains as a Mosaic jew. Indeed
he dresses in a manner which, II ~indulged IN by another,
would inevitably call l,It, snIna of his genial hantef.-
lie is fond of country dances aud similar amusements.-
by his own irestdo he ~ as pleasant aud culnpanionnhle
MS ais wnrmcsi admirer cuuld wish; his conversation
however. is moi what might DO expected of n man Fl, Justly
celohrated; he tells a story well. and with ever fresh va
rlatl0ns nr humorous eNnrgcidilons, lie Is n strong ad-
mirrr Of Irnnyson and Browning, we have heard him
declare that no would rather have written Blot, IN iha
Scutcleon" han any work Of molern times. We have
heard similar admiration expressed IN tho other side of
HE Atlantic. Taking this for what it is worth, il still
shows how highk5 that unpopular poet Is esteemed by
some Of the leading lotellocls of England and America.
Mr.. Dickens lives in good st sic in the Regents Park,
aud IL reported to live mot wisely, hut too wel,'. Men
Of quick feeling and ardent sympa,hies are ni expected
To be Cookers Arithmetic in the flash ~ have the caIcu-
latiug mind of n London or Now York merchant.
lie abomiu,tcs argument; delights in walking in the
crowded lhoroughfares Of life; aud noting the humors Of
his fellow creatures. lie has n strong sympathy with
all the oppressed classes, and has no liberation Tor The
mIsanihfope or The eold-hoared afslocint. He now aud
then administers II liiile gentle febuke 10 afftciaiion in n
pleasant bat unmistaheahlo manner. In general. lowav-
er. his remarks arc not happy. notwithstanding This mp
parent theoretical sympathy will, the ower classes, he
pays an absurd defence 10 men Of rank, and thinks no.
dinner table complete without n lord; ~ a very rich mar-
chant or banker. This has been decidedly injurious To
his writing; it has crnmped his hand "and Checked The
Numbering mid volley."
A little anccIote will illustrate this "amiablo weak
ness" better than a heightened disqu,si,ion.
An acquaintance of his, calling one morning upon n
celebrated writer. distinguished for his plain speaking.
was astonis,ed by the latter sa aging in his mos, plainiive
Scotch, IN the course Of conversation Poor ID ckeps ,
! am sorry for him ; | could have spared a bsller mon %
'Yos amaze me ~ replied Tho other, "why saw him
las, week in good health. For Gods sake toll me all
about it-when did he dial" die mon /" roared the
philosopher, 81 never said he was dead | meant thai
I was all over with him as a graf auihor." What do
you mean ~ inquired The vsi or. "Why, | mean this
he has dined with a real live lord. and Us in thu news
papers! say again. am truly sorry for ppor Dickens!"
His mosi intimate companions are Mr.. A1acready ,Fors-
ter, Rogers, landon, Harley and Ialfourd ;his %acquain.
lance. however. extends throughout tho whole range Of
the literary circles.
Notwithstanding the attention he receives from a few
Of he mobility. such as Earl Carlisle, Den,nan aud Ash
ley, he is unpopular with the fashion bile circles. aud is
asked as they would invite Tom Thumb, the Siamese
Twins. or any other lusus natura,, merely 10 increase the
dramatic attractions oi the evening bni the weakness Of
feeling 1aitered by the attentions Of rank or wealth, is a
common falling with most men. especially when they
hnvesprung from mn lu nblc class in society and whete the
mind is deficient in The highest qualities. or not fortified
by great sell-respeci: or this latter requisite. Mr.. Dickens
has less than most III, n so widely renowned.
To sum up his capabilities in a few words; as a man,
he is good tempered. vain, tickle, Whicl, makes him at
times appears To be insncere; on the other hand. it must
in Justice be stated that he iorgels with kindly facility an
offence; but the Impressions on the minds Of those who
have known him longest. if, that he is deficient in all
tn Sc striking qualities Of The heart which sanctily the
memory Of man. Sketches Of Character.