Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-10-20
CHAS. DICKENS AT HOME.

From the French.
l had long felt an ardent desire to make
the acquaintance of the eminent author
whose works, and especially whose
David Copperfed," had read and re
read. Informed of this desire, my old
neighbor, Paul Feval, who is the most
obliging fellow in Christendom, offered
me letter Of introduction to Charles
Dickens. which accepted with alacrity.
The moment reached London ! asked
for the celebrated novelist's address. /
was told that g Charles Dickens lives at
Gadshill, about twenty-four miles from
London by rail | wrote to Mr.. Dick
ems the next day.
The following morning | received
note, in very good French, and in a fine,
regular hand, which formed marked
contrast with the terrible scrawl OF your
humble servant Mr.. Dickens informed
me in his 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 numbers, and invited me to
come out to see him.
The railway from London to Gadshill
is built on the right bank of the Thames,
and runs parallel with the river
the whole way consequently the
jaunt is very pleasant one. The train
takes about an hour to run the distance,
80 at the end of sixty minutes got out
of the railway carriage at Gadshill sta
ton and as | had not informed him Of
my coming, | had to walk up the hill, on
whose summit lies the village in which
is Mr.. Dickens residence.
As | drew near the first houses of the
village, and was about TO ask my way, /
saw a gentleman cOmingup the hill be-
hind me with firm and rapid sep. He
was man about fifty years old, of ave
rage hight, good shape, straight as an
arrow, with mustache and goatee turn
ing slightly gray, and having the ener
cetic look and decisive air of one. of our
officers of the Chasseurs d d'Afrique. |
asked him, in execrable English, "Will
you please tell me which is Mr.. Dickens
house2"
The gentleman replied, in very good
French, ALLOW me to show you the
way there i am Charles Dickens. :"
On the way he talked in the most
friendly manner about Paul Feval,
whose talents he esteems very highly,
and about Mr.. Fechter, with whom he is
extremely intimate. | noticed that he
had very sympathetic tone OF voice,
and a 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
garden, likewise belonging to Mr.. Dick
ems, 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.. Dick
ems is plainly built up and kept up with
the most perfect order. 1t is not more
than two stories high. As you enter,
there is a small drawing room on the
right, containing Mr.. Dickens library;
next is Mr.. Dickens study, which is very
plainly furnished, and has no ornament
except two or three bronzes. The win.
dows open on sort Of garden surround
ing 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 q
large drawing-room, filled with every
thing to make one comfortable, and dec
GRATED with great luxury; but with no
attempt 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 distributed; but they are ex-
ceedingly comfortable and profusely fur
nished with those numerous and vast
utensils which are indispensable to the
toilette of every Englishman
After talking for few minutes in his
study. Mr.. Dickens introduced me to his
family. 1t consisted that day of his
daughter and sister-in-law. he has sew
eral 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. An
other of his daughters is married to q
cousin Of Wilkie Collins, the author Of
"The Woman in White. The daughter
/ had the honor to meet at Gadshill is a
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 a 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
enjoys in his own country, he has too
vigorously attacked hypocrites, pseudo
Christians and humbug philanthropists
! to be free from enemies He gives them