Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-11-29
cHAKLEs DICKENS

In Kent, cmbowered in sloping hop fields,
stands Staplehurst, a thorough English vii
lage. On q steep cmbankment hard by the
quiet hamlet long noisy trains rush daily
from London to the sea, aud from the sea
coast towns 70 London again, bearing mails
ana continental passengers. One bright
sumner morning some three years ago there
was much disorder in Staplehurst by reason
OF a sad accident on the high embankment.
a long tram with large tourist freight
bad tumbled over into the meadows below.
a painting crowd rushed eagerly from the
village to the scene Of wreck and disaster.
the hrst sight that meets their ewes is a
knIsy 1gurc, tai and somewhat stooping,
crowned with an anxious face, bare headed.
with griZzled hair aud beard futtering in
the breeze. His dark, thoughtful eyes are
very pitIiui and sympathetic, and his slen-
der hands bear welcome water to parched
and IN some cases dying lips in a most un-
usual goblet
Perhaps some who had drank with de-
light the draught administered Gy Charles
Dickens brain are among those who quench
their thirst from the dripping hat wherein
he brings them cool water from neirhbor-
lug brook. In his pocket is white parcel,
wrapped IN paper, and bearing traces of re-
cent crushing; parcel which is no less than
our as yet unborn Mutual Friend nearly
stItied ln his birth. In truth, both our com
mon friends, the creator and created, were
terribly near utter obliJeration.
Yet, forgetful of his dangers and his
bruises, Charles Dickens stands there filing
his battered hat at the brook, living re-
Proach to those who accused him Of lacking
the softer attributes Of humanity Utterly
groundless and uumeasurably base are the
generally believed tales that charge him
with domestic unhappiness. At his pleas
ant hentish home, Cad Hill, a most cheer
iul family party is gathered around him
every night. In the morning he works
hard at his desk in the afternoon he walks
abroad; IN the evening he is always with his
family, opening their various amusements
and happy chiefly in their happiness.
Ills son Charles IS a clever, popular
young man, English to the backbone, given
to athletic pursuits, and president Of a
principal London boat club. His eldest
daughter is generally understood to have
written Aunt Margaret Troubles, y and
Is also credited with the novel at present
appearing in All the Year Round and Har-
per S Weekly, entitled Mabel Progress. %
Charles Dickens, the elder is uuquestioua-
bly, the ablest amateur actor In England, and
a favored few describe with genuine admira
ton his wonderful representation, at his
own house, Of some characters created by
his friend Wilkie Collins. Dickens has
once personally given the lie to willul asser-
tons OF his domestic intelicity, and we have,
from personal knowledge, no hesitation IN
branding similar statements as counterfeit
and untrue
Ia society, Dickens Is reserved and
thoughtful even to melancholy His voice
is sweet and very clear, and its greatest
charm Is that it rings with his Individuality
lie enters into everything he says. So that
in his readings bis own apparent enjoyment
il fqtfs qRittRfs eRtldrfR%etivS, 5n Ills maEyeloasly
(which is . most unfreqUent concession) his
earnest, sympathetic manner Of narration
enlists everybody S interest.
His knowledge Of human nature Is won
doTiul, exceliiug even that Cf Ihackeray in
uni9ersaity If scope His Kindness is
buundlcs= Sitting in the editorial chair Of
All the Year Round he has written TO
poverty stricken contributors in terms Of ad-
vice and sympathy, pointing out their short
c0mings with tender touch, and giving
their merits a condescension unhapplly too
rare.