Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-11-05
From the phiIadeIpbia Press,

From the Philadelphia Press.
Charles Dickens He Was, and Is.
The personal appearance of Charles Dickens may here
be briefly described: Next February he will have COM
peed his forty seventh year, having been born In 1872
at Landport, Portsmouth When in this country, sew
eneen years ago. Mr. Dickens somewhat resembied the
portrait by Maclse which was prefxed we believe to
the original edition of " Nicholas ickeby." 1t was
taken when Dickens twenty years old and the
artist succeeded in poetizing features which, though
regular were common place. and in throwing expression
into face which really had scarcely any, That Mac
se portrait with which American readers are very ia
miliar simply showed overdressed young gentleman
with long hair hanging down in the fashion, commonly
called dogs ears-the French, we think, call them
oreies. This hair, which was then very profuse, was
darker than chestnut and lighter than brown. 1t was
flowing and silky, with tendency to curl The painter
represented his subject rather gorgeouy got up
respects all extensive front of black satin, garnshed
with brilliant ewery. The original when he condo
seconded to visit u.s. literally had meteoric appearance
so brightly flashed his many ornaments brooches,
breast pins and sparkling rings. We have often won
dered that his days of puppysm, Charles Dickens did
not adopt the Italian fashion OF wearing earrings. He
should have cut off his love locks however to display
these ornaments and probably had not sufficient strength
of mind to make that terrible sacrifice.
| Seldom did more highly dressed young gentleman
glitter on Broadway than the Charles Dickens of l84l
Were we satirical-which we certainly are motive
might even say that he was overdressed Addicted to
that description of fashy vests described by Young
England very loud stuck into coat and pants or
which the genius of Stuz had evidently been employed
wearing the talest and ossiest of chimneyppe hats,
the thines morocco boots the gayest kid gloves and
the niest of all delicate canes Charles Dickens as he
emerged from the Carlton House. IA great hotel of the
time much affected by English visitors to New York
was remarkable looking young man. He would have
struck passing stranger actor, fully dressed to
represent the character Of top in comedy or farce
where the dramatist desired to have fling at young
men who aping at fashion, into wild extravaganza
of attire-out Brummelng Brummel, and out-D Orsay-
ing Orsay. At that time, too, Dickens closely
shaven and shorn as if he really actor, and
his face was deeply lined the faces of actors often
are from the wear and tear which the muscles pro-
fessionaIy subjected to-
1t is very different Seventeen years have chan
ged Dickens and improved his personal appearance. He
has become stouter, without being too fu-robus but
not bulky. The grizzlies have disappeared. Either Time
or the barber has hnned his flowing hair. His taste
in dress has become mltigaed and he exhibits limited
supply of jewelry, exhibiting only a single ring He
wears a kossuth instead Of chmneypipe hat The
flash, cloud vests of bygone years may now be caa-
logued among Dickens's abandoned habits. The face
once so smooth, now is hirsute He rejoices in full
beard and moustache though he still is whskerless-
The hair which is very sparsely sprnkled with gray
has retired little off his forehead, so as to give full
view of that
{" Dome of thought that palace of the mind
His features, too, have greatly been improved as to
their expression, by the advance of time He looks
what he is a shreWd clever, observant manner. You
mgh easily give him credit for being humorist-wit
ty himself and the cause of wit in others but few gaz-
ing upon Dickens, the living likeness of man of the
world, would suspect what depths of imagination poetry
and pathos lie within his hear Had you the opporl-
nifty OF studying that face you might imagine that Charles
Dickens was an astute lawyer, a ShreWd merchant
keen specuator, clever engneer-anythng, in short
but the teareXctng author of Little Nell, the mirth-
making creator of Sam Weller. For his expressions is
what may call kee He looks if no one need try
to oyerreach him. You would readily take him for a
hard close, worldly man, and you would greatly mistake
him.
Charles Dickens may have been oppsh, vain and full
of pretence, but he is OF the most goodnatured OF
mOrtas with tender heart as ever beat within a
human BOSOM Among the many points of difference
between him and Thackeray, the most undenabe is that
Dickens is whoesOuled genial man, of large humanity
whereas Thackeray is cynic and satrist, who simply
goes in for enjoying himself and with undoubted ability
writer prefers porrayng the dark features of the
family of man. Dickens heart overfows with the milk
of human kindness, while Ihackerays is living foun
tain of Ol-Of VitriOl
The advance of years, too has not only modified the
expression of Dickens face but improved his features
The lines about the mouth deeply marked in youth
have not become greater and not unsuitable tC
lis time of life Dickens has had much to be thankful
for in the way of health Perhaps he never had two
days consecutive illness in his life. He is fond of socie
ty but never came within many degrees of what is called
hard liver" He is as aborous as he is gifted and
the quantity of his writing much marvel as its
superior quality
Some of our readers may desire to have list of
Dickens writings, with the dates of publication. They
are as follows:
l. Sketches by Boz, 1886 q Village Coquette, a
comic opera in two acts, 1886 g. The Posthumous
Papers Of the Pickwick Club 1897. 4. Oliver Twist
1888, published originally in Bentley's Miscellany, Of
which Dickens was the first editor) 5. Memoirs Of
Joseph Grimaldi, 1888. 6. The Life and Adventures
of Nicholas Nckeby, 1889. I. Master Humphreys
Clock, containing The Old Curiosity Shop and Barna
by Rudge 1910. s. American Notes for General Cir
culation, 1912. 9. The Christmas Carol, 1843. 10
The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzewit, 1874
IL. The Chimes, Christmas Story, 1874 II. Pic
lures from Italy 1916. Is. The Battle of Life, Love
Story 1916. IA. The Cricket on the Hearth, lS46.-
10. Dealings with the Firm of Bombey & Son. l847-8
l6. The Haunted Man, or the Ghosts Bargain. II
David COpperfeld, l049-50 Is. A Childs History
of England, 1852. 10. Bleak House. 1853. 90 HARD
Times 1854. 81. Little Dorrit 1857 Besides this Mr.
Dickens edited the Picnic Papers, 104l. He conduc
ted the London Daily News for few months, in 1916
and has been the proprietor and nominal editor O
II ousehold Words, of which the first number appeared
March 40, 1850 We believe too that he wrote LITTLE
volume called Sunday in London published with illus
trations by Cruikshank, in 1886.
AS to Ghat Dickens reads and hon. our friend Lyra
must wait until another time. We cannot help being
discursive, and have nearly outrun space.
B%Large quantities of dried fruits are arriving in
Norfolk from North Carolina.