Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-05
SEgs. AUGUSTA DICKE3s.
Who she Eas-syhsl SiAe Vas as
Companion aRa Wife.

Considerable unfavorsble comment has
been made from time to time by por-
ton OF the American press on the treat
ment accorded Mrs. Augustus Dickens,
Of Chicsgo, whose sudden death by su
overdose Of morphine was noticed few
days ago by her husbands brother, the
celebrated novelist, Charles Dickens. A
letter published in the New York World
bv Mr.. Horace White, editor of the Chi
esgo Tribune, throws considerable light
on the subject, snd will relieve Mr.. Dick
ems OF coed share Of the censure which
puhiic opinion seemed TO think he mer-
tied. 8Ic. White says that Mr.. Augustus
Dickens was brilliant scape grace, who
abandoned his own wife in England and
ran awey to America with Miss Bsrtha
Phillips, the daughter of an insurance
agent iu Lond0n-a young lady OF many
attractions aBd accomplishments. He
heard. but had no personal knowledge Of
the fact. that after living for socle time
in Illinois, AIr. Augustus Dickens OBJ
tsined q divorce from his wife in E1g-
land. and married Miss Phillips. Mr..
White also says it is certain that she was
thancsfory treated by her own parents
"a Mrs. Dickens, aGd that she received q
small bsquest 10 heF issnsris will ss
=" Mrs. Bsftha Phillips Dickens.N New
ertbeless, the former Mrs. Dickens lived,
and sill lives in london. she ia now
sfi fe.ed With blindness, and Is supported
~ Charles Dickens. Mr.. White closes
his letter as follows.
at only remains r. add that Ms.
! BssthA P-..''...ps Dickens whom L never
4 saE) bore an unblsmished reputetian st
/ CHICAGO. Ueon the deusase of her nus
/ bsnd She was left destitute, with thre5
( infant childre0 y support and educate,
She was faithful 70 those whom God
/ committed 20 her care. Her noble strug'
] yis with poverty was Rlleviated 10 )
e,rsat degree by the kind hearted gentle
men Of The land department Of the lli
nois Central Rail way, Of which Mr.. An
gustus Dickens had been an employee
and il is safe to assume that her deAl
children will not come to want. lt ap
nesrs 20 me thst Mrs. Dickens died Of |
h-oKen heart, ard that 10 contribution
of money from Charles Dickens, or tn
/ pe5ple Of Caicago, could nave healed he
The New York Post gives the follow
ipg In raiation to Mrs. Dickens and ne
( husband
: knew heF, that the late Mrs. Dickens wa
: Z n highly eQuGAttu anu esSOotu PAi''S
waman she was OF blameless lie, ar
: = ledy Ia manners and conversation
Her husband, Augustus Dickens, was
, drunken and worthless creature, Wa
, Cosde his wifs's life miserable, kept ne
ia poverty, and left her to want. Tnos
J ,gbo xney both persons in Chiesgo ST
/, ,sar IA have no doubt that she was tn
snperioT Of her husband in education, re
, aneurent and virtue. Fer the sake
: the The Iistle children she has LETT benin
her, It is to be hoped that America
{ newspapers will not attempst 70 DlaeAs 5.
: her character cut of mere love e
scandal. Whether she was the lawn
4 vie of Augustus Dickens OF not, she We
. bis faithful and loDg-suftsring compar
: ion for many years; he always intri
dueed her to his ffienos as nis VIE 81
: was the mother Of his children; 81
bore patiently WITH his very serious an
j often disgusting faults; her labor SUI
!. .nortsd his children when his did not"