The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-06-04
WHOLE NUMBER 265
Dickens's Story of the Origin of, Pick.


Of the origin Of Pickwick:
Il was young man Of three and twenty
when the present publishers, attractedrby
some pieces l was at that time writing III
the Morning Chronicle newspaper, (ofwhich
one series had been collected and published
in two volumes, illustrated by my esteemed
friend, Mr.. Geo. Cruikshank,) waited upon
me TO propose something that shouldsbe
published in shilling numbers-then only
known to me, or believe to anybody else;
by dim recollection of certain interninable
novels in that form Which used to be CARR:
ell about the country hy pedlers, and over
some Of which remember to have shed in
Vulnerable tears before had served my sp-
premiership to F;fe. =.
"Nhcn ri.ened my door in Furnival'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 or since, my first copy Of
the magazine in which my first cffusion.-
dropped stealtliy one evening at twilight;
with fear and trembling, into dark letter
box, in a dark Office, up dark court in
Fleet street-appeared in all the glory Of
print; on which memorable occasion-how
well recollect it II walked down" to-
Westminster Hall and turned into it for
half an hour, because my eyes were so DIM
med with joy and pride that they could
not bear the street, and were not fitto be
seen there. told my visitor Of the co;nci-
dencc, which wc both hailed rs good omen;
and SO fell to business.
"Thc idea propounded to me was that
the monthly something should be vehicle;
for certain plates to be executed Mr.. Sey-
mour; and there was notion, either on
the part o: that admirable humorous artist
or OF my visitor Il forget which,( that a
"Nimrod Club,"" the members of which
were to go cut shooting, fishing, and SO
forth, and getting themselves into difficult
ties through their want Of dexterity, would
be the beet means Of introducing these. T
objected, on considerations, that, although
born and partly bred in. the country, was
no great sportsman, except'in regard: of air
kinds of locomotion; that the idea was not
novel, and had been already much used !
that it would be infinitely better for the
plates to arise naturally 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 Z ImighE
prescribe to myself at starting. My views
being deferred to;I thought OF Mr.. ricsSE
wick, and wrote the first number, FROM tlis'
proofsheets Of which Mr.. Seymour made LIS
drawing Of the Club, and that happy pof--'
trait Of its founder by Which he is always.
recognised, and which may be said to have
made him a reality. Tconnected MIR. Pick.
wick with a club because of the original
suggestion, and l put in Mr.. Winkle exA-:
pressly for the use Of Mr.. Seymour. We
started with number of twenty-four pagess'
instead OF thirty-two,, and four ilustratioiis'
in lien Of couple. Mr.. Seymour's sudden
and lamented death before the second niim.:
Der was published, brought abouteaiquiGk
decision upon point already in: agtati6h';;
the number became one Of fthirty.two pagsts,'
with two illustrations and remained SO 10,
the end. My friends told me it was loswS,.
cheap form adjudication, by whichD DsNSald
ruin all UPRISING hopes : and, hbw right
my friends turned out to be cterybo1ysribw
knows.
"'Boz," my signature in the Morning
Chronicle, appended to the monthly cover
Of this book,' anu retained long aftdpward,
was the nickname of pet child, ayohhgsr
brother, whom hadsdabbed MosesiiH hon.
or Of the Vicar of Waksfeld, whiEBss baing
facetiously pronounced through; tkh: nose,
became Bosses, and being shortened: :Bgssms
Boz. "Boz" was very faniishq hopgsh6N
word to me long bsfore ! .@hsasS aat. aas6os,
and SO came to adopt.ii.ns ss1j:i :. 90
lFYsrERIos.-Dr. Marsh says Tie Best
cure for Mysteries is to- discharge ths ser
want girl. III his opinion, thefs; il hb,hing
like work to keep ,Laspervouis system. ffohar
becoming unstrmg.- Some, Hsoasnsthinh
they want a physician. When. tlsy os nssa
a scrubbing-brusb.. 81 >2so@,
- . .s.s-a-zzE.1tv! = y$9sll,
Tulips NEhsJtbS Rosss.-A fashionable
countess asking a9oaag nSsbltsshbian Ssl tshbian which
he thought The ppIstliest- aoWss;; rosSs @sy-
lipss he replied, ~hk .;gtas agaalsssty,
''Youjr la5ysaMiKs aMi Ksss't#eliStb Ssi6 Si6 sif1 sss
lin the woykEn iyUJJ! - tst,d,ss efaiataa
---i.s ---iS.. : - - ( 4s-irrssr i1s al os /.
|hgCouinsellsr efspdd Of tlse Irjshs wv, Vas
equally rems,ssbls Ri. tisis ~ 81 yalli sSsd
i .,.,.hs . M Il.