The New York herald., 1870-06-11
SKETCH OF CHARLES DICKENS.

Charles Dickens was born in the month of Feb
ruary In the year 1912, at place called Landport
one Of the large suburbs OF Portsmouth, where his
father. Mr.. John Dickens held position in the Navy
Pay Department, the duties of which required fre.
quent changes OF residence. Thus it was that the
infant years Of the future novelist were spent at
Plymouth, Sheerness, Chatham and other seaport
towns. This was at the time OF the war with France
but after the exile OF Napoleon to st. Helena the
father retired on pension and went to London
where he obtained employment as parliamentary re-
porter for the daily papers. In the British metropo
lis Charles received a moderately fair education.
We doubt IL he learned the classics AMI it is certain
that he never studied at any college.
ENTRANCE INTO JoURNArIsM.
1t the desire OF his father that the late novelist
should follow the legal profession, and when he had
reached the proper age he was placed as clerk in
attorneys office. For a brief period he remained
there; but the law was not congenal to a lad OF
Dickens ideas, and he soon abandoned its study by
permission of his father and engaged In the occupa.
tion OF newspaper reporter. HIS first engagement
was on the True sun, liberal journal then struS
Cling for existence. His connection with this paper
however, was brief and not very profitable Dickens
next attached himself to the Morn,ng Chronicle. and
IL was while asso ciated with this paper that he first
earned reputation for ability and originality He at
racted the attention OF the editor, who requested
regular performance Of his reportoral duties Dick
ems complied with this request and published In the
Morning Chonicle series OF papers under the title
became quite popular. These he subsequently re-
vsed and collected into the two well known volumes
OF sketches by Boz" The success OF these works
created much curiosity as to who the writer was,
and strong desire was expressed that he might
cast aside his fictitious title and reveal himself in
propria persona. About this time the following
witty epigram appeared in the Carthusidn in rela-
ton to the public excitement
Who the Dickens 'Boz' could be
But time unveiled the mystery.
And "BoZ" appeared AS Dickens' self.
The adoption OF the nom dc plume OF "Boz" also
attn acted some degree OF attention. and In answer
TO The inquiry OF friend on the subject Mr. Dickens
gave the following as his reason for Its adoption
lie had younger brother who resembled so much
the Moses in the .vicar Of wakeneld that he used
could not at the time speak plainly, was
In the habit OF calling Moses "Boz"
TO assume the title appended to his maiden effort,
and under this name ne was introduced to the
public. These works were produced in 1887, and
almost simultaneously with their introduction the
comic opera OF .The Village Coquettesn appeared
from the same fruitful pen: In these the genius Of
of the composition and the versatility displayed gave
evidence OF an intellect Of unusual power.
CAREER AS AN AUTHOR
was the next attempt at authorship. This work was
the suggestion Of Mr. Hall member Of the pub
ment engaged Mr.. Dickens to write the story. The
manner In which It was written, the now OF natu,
the tae 'u subject tn brought fame to the rising
young writer and fortune to his publishers
From this time Dickens began to rise rapidly. He
was fast advancing to an envable position In the
literary world. His style was original and distinct
from the writer's of those days. twas peculiarly
his 0wn-natural, easy simple. Many excellent
offers from publishers, arising from his successes,
were made to him.
in this work ne depicted the atrocous cruelties then
and 1t is feared even AZ the present day, prac
tised upon the helpless children and neglected
orphans Of the middle classes OF England In the
cheap schools scattered throughout that land This
work was written from personal observation
and from information received from those living In
neighborhoods where these schools were allowed to
exist. In Bentley's Magazine OF which Dickens
was the first editor, the story OF "oliver & Iwisn'
secrets OF low life were treated in romance. The
gloomy haunts OF the dismal wicked dens with
lie view. This work did not attain very great dc.
gree or popularity. Soon after the appearance OF
"Maser Humphreys Clock" which was the general
title for collection Of tales, joined by connecting
narrative, and by the publication Of which Mr:
Dickens sought to carry out long cherished plan OF
price. he paid visit to this country. On his return
to England In ls42 he published his american Notes
never penned this work neither his own nor the
American people would have been losers. In these
notes he attempted to describe the customs man
ners and habits Of o people he did not understand;
Or understanding pandered to the prejudices OF the
English people, then willing TO accept anything
Oo1e and gross as characteristics OF the citizens OF
the American republic.
immediately alter he published "Martn Chuzzle.
WITH and In 1874 he paid visit TO Italy. In the
following year, his return TO England, he engaged
In the publication OF q cheap daily newspaper 1.-THE
Ddiiv Ne,cs). He surrounded himself with corps
OF popular writer's, and abored energetically to
make the paper success, but failed In the attempt
Withdrawing from the editorial chair OF the Daily
Neps, he again turned to purely literary pursuits,
and RECOMMENDED the publication OF humorous
serials. At intervals he produced tales OF
an imaginative character. "Christmal Carol" was
the first This was published In 1s43 "The Chimes"
''The Cricket on the HEARTH ''The Haunted Man
and the Ghosts Bargain" and The Battle Of Lfe'
| followed. ''Dombey aud Son" appeared In 1S4s,