New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-17
ORIGIN OF PICKWICK.

To the EdiIOr Of The Tribune.
SIR: Every incident in the literary career of
the great author who has just passed away from the
world he much adorned is matter Of public interest
The story OF his leading triumph in the republic OF letters
has never yet fully recOrdedfOr Mr. Dickens only
partially tells IT in bis preface to the later editions Of
"Pickwick and the writer who is acquainted with all
the facts believes that he is beTaying confidence in
now giving them to the world.
Early in the year 1896 Messrs. Chapman Hall, who
few years previously were both engaged in the
famous publishing house of Baldwin q CradOck were
established booksellers and publishers in the Strand,
London and among their literary ventures then in
preparation a magazine to he illustrated and sold
for shilling and 10 he called The Library Of Fiction.
II be filed with short stories and sketches by the
popular authors Of the day. and under the editorial
charge of Mr. Charles Whitehead, HHGrdte1r Of the
period. In making selection of authors who to
be requested to contribute to the work, Mr. Chapman
called Mr. whteheads attention to the "sketches then
being published under the signature Of "BOz"
in The Monthly Mogd1ne (Which TIE TRB-
IHE, in its interesting obituary Of Mr.. Dickens,
naccurately states published by Chapman
& HalD and in The Morning Chronicle and
desired that he should be applied to for contributions
Ellis name Is Dickens and know where to find him."
was the editors reply Mr. Dickens acceded to the
quest and contributed the serial The Tuggs at
Ramsgate," with which the initial number opened and
which eventually contained in the collected edition
Of sketches by Boz" published by the house.
Such Mr. Dickenss first engagement to write for the
publishers with whom he alterward SO closely
nected.
Shortly before this time M. Seymour whose humorous
echngs OF cockney life and character were then very
popular had partly arranged with MeSsrs. Chapman d
Hall for the publication of series of etchings of
like nature, TO be accompanied by illustrative letter
press, and issued in monthly numbers at shiling
and in view of the publication author OF the day.
Win Il 10 he To nd
requested to undertake the literary department OF the
work. but he replied TO the application. when
The Library Of Fiction underway, Seymour called
upon the publishers and urged that his proposed work
should be proceeded with at or not he should be
compelled engage upon other abors he had offered
him. but which he did not much fancy. Mr.. Chapman
told Seymour that he had reply from the author
he would at call upon Dickens, and
tain If be would be willing 10 write the descriptive letter
press. He fulfilled his mission, and grated TO find
that the young author entered enthusiastically into the
scheme. suggesting modification Of the plan, and prom
sed TO let him have the copy for prospectus Of the work
the following day, which promise he fulfilled This is
the visit alluded TO by Mr. Dickens his preface which
you have quoted.
Many works had Just then been issued with either the
Of the author appearing the title under
guse Of editor when they from the pens of
known writers, under the editorial sponsorship Of we'll
known authors and IL decided that the new book
should follow in the wake and it consequently appeared
as edited by Boz" The title written ont by Mr..
Chapman, and scarcely altered except in the leading
word, that Of Nimrod" having Mr. Dickens asserts,
been first proposed. better found Mr..
Dickens rushed into the publishers Office day ex-
claiming, with evident delight "Tve got IT, Moses Pick
wick Bath-coachman" he had just seen painted on the
door Of stage coach that passing along the street
the name and address Moses Pckwick d Co., Bath"
that worthy firm being the prOpretors Of line of stages
running from the great metropolis to the welknown
OF fashion In he West OF England Ten fifteen years
the present writer witnessed the inscription
painted coach doors in the ancient city of Bath to
neighbOrhOOd Of which Mr.. Pickwicks enterprise had
then confined by the Entertainments of the steam
horse.
And with the first name, Moses changed 10 Samuel
originated the cognOmon Of character whose fame Is
eoextensive with the English language.
Dickens often asked Douglas Jerrold TO contribute 10
Household Words, but Jerrold invariably declined. In