New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-14
History Of "Pickwick.o

GADs HILL PLACE March 49, 1866.
As the author Of the "Pckwick Papers" (and OF
two other book send you few facts and no com
mentS having reference TO a letter signed X Seymour,
which your editorial discretion you published last week
any way had to Do wh of what devised
incident character Except the sporting tastes OF MI
Winke phrase, or word, 10 be fOuhu III the
Ineyer saw Mr Soymour's handwriting believe in my
never even Mr. Seymour but in my life and tha.
within eight and foxy hours of his untimey death Xwe
persons both still yinf were present on that occasion
Mr. Seyu wien only the first twenty four printed
pages Of the "Pcwic Papers" pubshcd think be-
fore the next three or foar pages were completely wren
before subsequent line Of the book was invented
In the Preface 70 the Cheap Edition OF the 'fickWlek
Papers" published in October lsl7 thus described the
origin Of that work Twas ayoang nof three twenty
when The present Publishers attracted by some pieces was
at that time writing The Morning Chronicle newspaper (f
which series had lately been collected and published IN
two volumes illustrated by my esteemed friend Mt George
Cruit benk waited upon me TO propose something that
me- or believe 70 anybody else by DIM recollection OF
oertan interminahe novels in that FORM which used some
pedders. of which remember ave shed in
Vulnerable before served apprenticeship to Life
thing should be vehicle for certain plates be executed by
Mr. seymour and there notion, either the part OF
which, that 'Nnrod Club the members of which were to
30 shooting fishing and forth and getting themselves
would be The hes: means Of introducing these
ssEtly bred in tie country was no great sports.
except in regard Of all kinds Of locomoton that the idea
novel and bad been already much ued that would
be infinitely better for the plates arise naturally ont Of the
text and that should like to take own way with freeI
range of English and people and afraid should
ultimately do whatever might prescribe
myself starting Ny views being deferred TO- thought
pf Mr. Pckwck aud the first numbers from the proof
sheets of which MIR seymour made his drawing OF the Club
snd that happy portrait of its founder by which be is always
recognized which may be said 10 have made him reality
connected Pckwok with club because OF the original
suggestion in Mr. Wrinkle expressly for the Of
hr Seymour We started with number of "a instead
Of 32 and four in lieu of couple Mr. Seymous
amented death before the second number was
published brought quick decision upon point already
in agation the number became Of 81 pages with two
Illustrations, and remained so TO the end"
In July 1919 ncoheren assertions made By the widow
Of Mr. Seymour Of certain endeavors OF hers to
raise money induced address letter to Mr. Edward
Chapman then the only surviving business partner IN the
original firm OF Chapman Hall. who first published the
Piokwick Papers requesting him 10 inform me In writing
whether the foregoing statement was correct.
In Mr. Chapmans confrmatory answer Immediately writ
Gen. he reminded that had given Mr.. Seymour more
credit As this letter is TO be historical
he wrote Il well claim what little belongs to me IN
the matter and that is the figure of Pckwck Seymours
first sketch made from the proof Of r chapter was OF
long thin The present immortal one he made rom my
description of a friend of mine al Richmond"
CHARLES DICKENS