The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-06-13
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| his :" Amar;oe Impression on his mind. In
L. LIZ Ill. ean eilcan Notes for General Circulation,
ne dealt severely with our fanIts a,,S ~ IT.
Lille ana Adventures of Mor,;, 5I,,..J;.,,
he drew such pictures of Anarioo1, IT, VIZ, ~
manners as hepel create that m Iiie ,aoiiIc. unu
which broke out so strongly during The reno6S
tlon week. Yet the mcst odiuus American
characters in that story are not so had .s
many of the English characters. The storv
itself is hard, but it contains some Of the best
things that ever came from the authors pen.
The "Christmas Carol" came out at the
close of 1913, and is the finest OF all his lesser
tales, being perfect gem. 1t was the first Of
long series of Christmas stories, not one Of
which approached it in excellence.
Mr.. Dickens went to Italy at the close of
1874, and resided there some months. AT the
beginning OF 1916 he took editorial charge of
the Ddaty News, liberal journal, the publi-
cation of which then began. 1t was an ab-
surd undertaking, as the drulgery of editorial
lie was altogether unsuited to a man whose
imaginative powers were so strong. He con-
tributed his "Picture of Italy" to the Ne,cs.
but it is not work of much merit He soon
discontinued his connection with the Nelos,
and turned TO more congenial work, produc-
ing Dealings with Dombey 6S Son." in 1S47-
4S. On this work he bestowed great care,
and it is said that it stood next TO David
Copperfield' in his estimate of his novels. 1t
is a book that takes hold of the readers mind
very strongly, and some of his most popular
creations figure in it, as Captain Cutie, Mr..
Toots. and Susan Nipper. Florence Dombey
ic a very fine feminine character. Little Paul
bears no resemblance to Little Nell, the cir
cumstances of the lives of the two children
being entirely unlike. The "EIistory of David
CopperhelP' appeared in 1850. 1t was con-
sidered the best of his works, and it is written
with more artistic finish than belongs to any
other OF his many stories. IL was understood
that he was spurred to great exertions by the
success of MIR. Thackeray, who, after much
hard labor and many failures, had come TO be
recognized as man of genius. The same
year he began the publication of "Household
Words" very successful weekly magazine, of
which he had charge till it was extinguished
by himself, and new one started of the same
character, called "All the Year Round.n In
"Household Words" appeared his novel of
"Hard Times" the weakest OF all his writings,
yet containing some excellent matter, and
three or four very powerfully drawn charac-
tiers. His "Child's History of England" also
appeared in this magazine.
BLEAK House" was issued in monthly num-
bers in 1928, and proved in every way
great success. In the preface he said ''In
Bleak House have purposely dwelt upon the
romantic side of things. l believe / have
never had so many readers as in this book.
May we meet againr' They did meet again
O.
and was well received. During the year that
followed the appearance of the "Christmas
CaroP he issued several Christmas books
"The Chimes" "The Cricket on the HEARTH"
"The Battle Of Life," and "rhe Haunted
Man." With the exception of "The Battle
of Life" all these stories indicate a steady
decline in power and interest that is really re-
markabe, which is the more strange because
works OF his written much later show no fall
iutpllppfn1I
clever things in them all, but the "CaroP' is
better than all combined. "Great Expecta-
tions" introduced us to manv strongly drawn
characters, and sour Mutual Friend" COM
menced in 1864, indicated a renewed power
and great fertility. "The Mystery of Edwin
Drood' was commenced but few weeks
since, and will never be finished The chap
tiers published indicated the intent of Mr..
Dickens to make it worthy of his great repu-
l tation.
| The readings given by Mr.. Dickens brought
| the author face TO face with the great public
who previously knew him only through the
medium of his books He thus establised re-
lations with his readers which increased the
bond of sympathy between them, and by be-
coming the interpreter of his own creations
he initiated a mutual confidence (which
strengthened his hold upon the public. The
success of these readings in London and Par
is induced his friends to urge him for many
years to make second visit to this country
but he refused their urgent appeals. He fl
nally, however, listened to the suggestions of
Mr.. James Il. Fields of this city, and an
nounced his intention to give series Of read
ings in this country. The farewell dinner ex-
tended to him by his literary friends in Eng
land collected the most brilliant assembly of
| literary men that had assembled in London
for quarter of century. Bulwer presided,
Lord Ho'lghton, Charles Knight, Layard and
| Others renowned in literature and art crowd
| ed the tables. His speech on that occasion,
| was, like all his occasional addresses, very
| happy. "If l have left anything unsaid," he
remarked, ''let me quote one short sentence
l from myself, and let it, putting girdle round
| the world, comprehend both sides of the At
| lantic at once, and, as Tiny Tim observed,
| God bless us every one."
Mr.. Dickens arrived in Boston by the Cuba
| Nov, 10, 1867, and sailed from New York in
| the Russia, April %, 1868. We need not
dwell upon the success of his readings, or the
qualification derived from them by tue Amer
| lean people. The Press dinner given to him
| in New York previous to his departure, was
a compliment which was endorsed by every
one.
In early life Mr.. Dickens married Miss Cath
crime Hogarth, daughter of Mr.. George Ho-
gartb gentleman of distinction in music
and literature. After living together two and
twenty years, separation took place, mainly
owing to incompatability of temperament
Seven children from this union are still living,
| two daughters and five sons, the elder, Charles
Dickens, Jr., already mani.estng many traits
| which promise to make him known hereafter
| in the literary world. One of his daughters
| married Mr.. Charles Collins, brother to Will
ke Collins.
In his domestic circle, ne man was ever
more loved than Charles Dickens. He was
hn fnn6acf of ont ha tr,,ap &C c.;1 l.
| In the last number of "Edwn Drood," speak
| ing of Grewgious, he SAYS: "The largest fidel-
| ity to a trust was the life-blood OF the man.
| There are sorts of lfe-blood that course more
| quickly, more gayy, more attractvely; but
| there is no better sort in circulation" This
| life-blood coursed through the veins of Mr..
| Dickens. He was true to every trust, and the
| most exact of men in fulfilling any duty I'M
posed upon him. Unlike many literary men,
| he was man of method. His household was
| wonderful illustration of his power of sys
| tematizing everything, and his visitors at
Gadshill were not more impressed by the SIM
/ pie elegance of the style which marked the
| daily course of events, than they were by the
| precision and ease which distinguished every
| department. He kept his own accounts with
| a precision which denoted the incest mathe-
| matical accuracy, and a more industrious man
perhaps never lived. He enjoyed life in ra-
| tiOnal manner, avoiding all eXcesses. He liy-
| ed with high sense OF the mission which he
ought to perform, though sometimes doubtful
of his own ability to meet the expectations
| of others, or the aspirations which he honest
| ly sought to realize. Refusing titles and hlgh
| honors, he amassed large wealth. and died as
| he was bOrn-CUARLES DICKENS.