The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-02-26
The Dickens Family.
THE STORY OF THE SEPARATION FROM THE WIFE
AS TOLD BY THE HUSBAND.

The following letter is said to have been writ
len by Mr.. Dickens in explanation of the differ
ences which led to his separation from his wife.
We publish it as matter OF interest, as ailu-
sons have been constantly mado to this un-
happy circumstance since Mr.. Dickens arrival
in this country:
TAv1srocK HOUSE, TAvIsTocK SQUARE,
LONDON, w. E., Tuesday, May rs, 1858. .
MY DER ARTHUR: You have not only my full
permission to show this, but beg you to show
to any one who wishes to do me right, or to any
one who nav have been misled into doing me
wrong. Faithfully, yours, Z. u.
TAv1sTocK HOUSE, TAv1srocK SoUAnEi
LONDON, W. E., Tuesday, May 25, 1858. I
10 Arthur Smith, Esq:
Mrs. Dcko Ms and have lived unhapply to-
gether for many years. Hardly any one VINO
has known us intimately can fail to havo known
that We are, in all respects OF character ana
temperament, wonderfully unsuited to each
other. I suppose that no two people,, not
vicious in themselves, ever were JClned TO-
eether who had greater difficulty in under
standing one another, or who had less IN com
mon. An attached woman servant (more
friend to both of US than servant), who lived
with US sixteen years, and is now married, anu
who was, and still is, in Mrs. Dickens conii-
dence and mine, who had the closest familiar
the country, in France, in Italy, wherever We
have been, year after year, month after month,
week after week, day after day, will bear testl-
mony to this.
Nothing has, on many oc ,aSions, stoodH be-
tween US and o separation but Mrs. Dickens
sister, Georgine Hogarth. From the age CT
fifteen she has devoted herself to our house
and our children. She has boen then play
mate, nurse, instructress, friend, protectress,
adviser, and companion In the manly con-
sideratlon toward Mrs. Dickens which l owe to
nv wife. I will merely remark OF her that the
popularity OF her character has TIN own all the
children on some ono else. l do not klow-l
cannot by any stretch OF fancy lmagine-what
would have become Of them but for this aunt,
who has grown up with them, TO whom they
are devoted, and who has sacrificed The best
part Of her yo. tin and life to them.
She has demonstrated, reasoned, suffered End
toiled, aud came again 10 prevent ser ira
ton between Mrs. Dickens and me. Mrs.
Dickens had often expressed 10 her her sense
of her atfec.lonate care and devotion in the
house-never a.oro strongly than within the
last twelve months.
For some years past Mrs. Dickens has been
in the habit of representing to me that 1t would
be better for her to 20 away and live apart;
that her always increasing estrangement made
a mental disorder under w.llch she sometimes
labors: moro that she felt herself unfit for the
life she had to lead as my wife, and that she
would be better far away. have uniformly
replied that shs must bear our misfortune, and
fight the fight out to the end; that the chlldron
we're the first consideration, and feared they
must bind US together Sin appearance"
At length within these three weeks it was
suggested to me by Forster, that evon Tor
their sakes it would surely be better to recon-
struct, and re .rrange their unhappy home
I empow red hun to treat with Mrs. Dickens
as the friend OF both OF us for one and twenty
wears. Mrs. Dickens wished to add, on her
part. Mark Lemon, and did 30. On Saturday
last Lemon wrote to Forster that Mrs. Dickens
"gratefully and thankfully accepted" the terms
proposed to her. Of the pecuniary part OF
them I will only say that I believe they are as
generous as if Mrs. Dickens were lady of dis
tinction and man of fortuna. Tho remaining
parts OF them are easily described-my eldest
boy to live with Mrs. Dickens and to tako care OF
her; my eldest girl 10 keep my house, both my
girls and all my children, but the eldest son,
to live with me in the continued companion-
ship OF their Aunt Georglne, for whom they
have all the tenderest affections that have
ever seen among young people, and who has
higher claim (as I have often declared for
many years) upon my affection, respect and
gratitude than anybody in This world.
l hope that no ono who may become ac-
auainted with what write here, can possibly
be 30 cruel and unjust rs to put any miscon-
children all understand IL perfectly, and oil
accept it inevitable.
There is not shadow of doubt or conceal
ment among US. My eldeJt son and are one
as to it all.
Two wicked persons, who should have spoken
very differently Of me, i'll consideration OF earn
ed respect and gratitude, have las am told,
and, indeed, to my personal knowledge)
coupled with this separation the name OF
young lady for whom have great attachment
and regard. will not repeat her name-I
honor it too much. Upon my soul and honor,
there is not on this earth moro virLuous and
spotless creature than that young lady. |
know her to be innocent and pure, and as good
as my own dear daughters.
Further, am quito sure that Mrs. Dickens,
having received this ass,lr nee from me, must
now believe it in tho respect know her to have
for me, aud in the perfect confidence | know
her in her better moments to repose in my
truthfulness.
On this head, again, there is not shadow of
doubt or concealment between my children and
me. All is opeu and plain among US, as though
we were brothers and sisters. They are per-
fcctly certain that would not deceive them,
and the confidence among us is without fear.