The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-12

| had lons felt On ardent desire to mako
tho acousinssnce OF the eminent author
whose works, and especially whose David
CopperHcld," / had read and reread. In
formed Of this desire, my old neighbor
Paul FevAl, who Is the most obiiging fell
low In Christendonl, offered me letter Of
introduction to Charles Dickens, which l
accepted with alacrity.
The moment reached London asked
for the celebrated novelist's address. was
told that "Charles Dickens lives at Gads-
hill, about twenty -four miles from London
by rail-" ! wrote to Mr.. Dickens the next
day.
in very good French, and in fine, regular
hand. which formed marked contrast
with the terrible scrawl Of your humble
servant, Mr.. Dickens informed me IN TINS
note that he was scarcely ever absent from
home except on Saturdays, when he went
to London to superintend the publication
of his last novels, which appeared in num-
bers. and invited me to come out 10 80
him.
The railway from London to Gadshill u
built on the right bank of the Thames, and
rms parallel with the river almost the
whole way; consequently the jaunt is
very pleasant one. The trains take about
an hour to run the distance; 80 at the end
Of sixty minutes got out of the railway
carriage at Gadshill station; and as had
not Informed him of my coming, | had to
walk ND the hill, on whose summit lies the
village in which is Mr.. Dickens's residence.
ASH drew near the first houses of the
village, and was about to ask my way, L
saw gentleman coming up the hill be-
hind me with firm and rapid step. He was
man about fifty years old, Of average
height, good shape, straight as an arrow,
with moustaches and goatee turning slightly
gray, and having the energetic look and
decisive air ofOur officers of the Chasseurs
d'Afrique. asked him, in execrable Eng
lish, "Will you please tell me which is
Mr.. Dickens's house?"
The gentleman replied, in very good
French, "Allow me to show you the way
there, am Charles Dickens"
On the way he talked in the most friendly
manner about Paul Feval, whose talents he
esteems very highly; and about Fechter,
with whom he is extremely intimate. l
noticed that he had very sympathetic
tone of voice, and clear and abrupt way
of talking, which added to his military
manners.
We reached his house, Situated at an
angle of the village. In front of it lay
lawn stretching to the road. A large gar.
den, likewise belonging to Mr.. Dickens,
lies on the other side Of the road it is
reached by subterranean passage under
the road. The stable-yard, the stables,
and carriage houses are on the right OF the
house.
Like most English cottages, Mr.. Dickens's
is plainly built up, and kept with the most
perfect order. 1t is not more than two
stories high. AS you enter, there is small
drawing-room on the right, containing Mr..
Dickens's library; next is Mr.. Dickenss
study, which is very plainly furnished, and
has no ornament except two or three
bronzes. The windows open on sort of
garden surrounding the house, and as the
house stands on high piece of ground, an
extensive view of the neighboring country
may be enjoyed from them. On the left is
large drawing-room, filled with every
thing to make one comfortable, and deco
rated with great luxury, but with no at
tempt at show. Perfect taste reigns over
everything. The drawing-room opens into
the dining-room under the dining-room is
the kitchen. Above these rooms are the
bed-chambers, which are irregularly dis
tributed, but they are exceedingly COM
Portable and profusely furnished with those
numerous and vast utensils which are in
dispensable to the toilette Of every Eng
liShman.
After talking for few minutes in his
study, Mr.. Dickens introduced me to his
family. 1t consisted that day of his daugh-
ter and sister-in-law. He has several
other children, as many as six or eight,
believe; but his sons, kept in London by
their profession, rarely come out to see
him except on Sundays. Another of his
daughters is married to cousin of Wilkie
Collins, the author of 60 The Woman in
White" The daughter I had the honor to
meet at Gadshill is young and beautiful
lady of twenty, whose courteous and kind
features are a good deal like those of her
father. Both of the ladies spoke French,
and their. conversation had French turn,
which was probably due to the annual
visit they make to Paris. Dickens is very
fond of France and the French.
Whatever may be the popularity he en-
joys in his own country, he has too vigor-
ously attacked hypocrites, pseudo Chris
tians, and humbug philanthropists to be
free from enemies. He gives them no
thought, and none the less continues his
crusade against abuses. I need scarcely
say, that while attentively reading his
works, without being carried away by the
charm of events he enr0lls before ones
eyes, one may discover great many phi
lOsophical views and observations upon
social economy. While writing in tone
of raillery, he sometimes advances very
practical ideas, which would be esteemed
very highly were they suggested by the
official pen Of political writer.
Dickens's favorite time for working is in
the morning. He rises very early and sets
to work at once. He lightly breakfasts at
about half-past 9, and continues to work
until IL o'clock. At this hour he lunches.
After lunch he goes out into the fields,
and does not return home until half-past
6o'clock. He walks every day some eight
or ten miles. He walks rapidly.
Dickens's writing is, as ! have said, fine
and regular. 1t is not unlike Paul Fevars
hand. He keeps and has had bound the
manuscript Of some of his works. 1t
seems to me his favorite novel is "David
CopperHeld." However, he rarely speaks
of his works; but when he is driven to
talk Of them. he talks about himself with
rare impartiality, without vanity, and
without false modesty. His conversation
is striking by its vivacity, natural tone,
and the absence Of everything like hum
bug and studied attitude.