The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-07-08
Dickens and n. II. Wi1lfs-Enterestins
"Reminiscences.

In one of Mr.. Nathaniel p. Willis's let
tiers to the National E~nteHlgenccr,. written
from London, he gave the following into
resting description OF the circumstance
under which he met MIR. Dickens on TWO
different occasions: :.
I was following o fvorite amusement OF
mine one day in the Strand, London--stroii-
Ing toward the more crowded thorough
fares, with cloak and umbrella, and looking
at people and shop-WindOws. l heard my
name called by passenger in the street cab.
From out the smoke of the wet straw
peered the head of my publisher, MIR. Ma
crone (a most liberal and noble-hearted
fellow. since dead). After q little catechism
as to my damp destiny for that morning ne
informed Inc that he was going to WISH New
cate. and asked me to join him. l will
inrly agreed, never having seen this
famous prison, and after l was seated
in the cab he said he was to pick up on the
way a young paragraphist for the morn
inn Chronicle who wished to write de-
scription of it. In the most crowded part OF
Holborn, within q door OF wv OIL the bua
and Mouth Inn (the great starting u
~stonnine-place of the stage-coachesl we
pulled up at the entrance of a large build
ing used for lawyers chambers. MOI 10
leave me sitting in the rain, Macrone asked
me to dismount with him. 1 followed by Q
long flight of stairs to an upper story, and
was 1shered into an uncarpeted and bleak
looking room, with q deal table, two or
three chairs and q few books. o small
bow and Mr.. Dickens, for the contents. j.!
was only struck at first with one thing (and
T made y memorandum OF it that evening
as the strongest instance L had seen OF Eng
lish obsequiousness to employers, tne ue-
gree to which the poor author was over
powered with the honor OF his puDiisner ;
visit | remember saying to myself as !!
sat down on q ricketty chair, "My good
frIIoW. If you were In America with that
fine face and your ready quill you Would
have no need to be c0ndescended to be q
nrhlisher,u Dickens was dressed very.
much rs he has since described Dick Swiv-
nIIerN1ninus the swell look. His hair was
cronned close to his head, his clothes seant,
tboi,rh i~auntily cut, and after changing u
raoSed office coat for o shabby blue ne
| stood bv the door, collarless and buttoned
| up, the very personitication, l thouShI, oil U
| close sailor to the wind. We Went Gown
| and crowded into the cab Zone passen ger
| more than the law allowed, ana DICKENS
partly in my lap and partly IN Macrone,sl,
! and drove on to Newgate, In nus VOTES; Il
| vou remember, there is o Description OF Tue
| prison drawn from this days obseivation
/ We were tESIe ui hOth '" ="
shown some Of the celebrated
confined for life, and one young sosdiei
swaiting for execution and in one or the
nassares We CHANGED to- meet Mrs. Fly 0,
her usual GRAND Of benevolence. Iheugi
interested In Dickens's face, l forgot MN
naturally enough, after we entered h .s
nrison, and I do not think l heard nin
sneak during the two hours. l parted ron iaa
him at the door Of the prison, ana con
timed nv stroll into the city: Not ION!
after this, Macrone sent me the sleets .
thee the sketches :as1 by Boz with . note say a
that they were by the gentleman WIN
went with us to Newgate. l read the DOG,
with amazement at the genius dlsplayea !
Il and in my note OF reply assured aae
rome that Thought his fortune was aiaa
as q publisher IL he could monopohze U
author. u,-ta ! was Il
Iondon. and was present at the eompl
nentary dinner given to Macready. sainae
Iaver. who sat next me, pointed gu
Diekens. II looked up and down the ADDS
J hat was wholly unable to single INN y y
without getting my friendts number ta
people who gas shoye him. ne Was