The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-13

800.
in my books, shall cause to be republished as
an appendix to every copy OF those Two DOCKS
of mine in which have referred to America
my loving thankfulness, but because regard
it as an act of plain justice and honor"
GOODBYE TO AMERICA.
Taking leave ofhis last American audience,
in New York, April 20, 1868, Mr.. Dickens
closed his Reading with this touching speech:
Ladies and Gentlemen shadow OF one
word has impended over me all the evening,
and the time has come at last when the sha-
dow must fall. It is but very short one, but
the weight of such things Is not measured oy
their length; and two much shorter words eX-
press the whole realm OF our human eXis-
tence: When was reading 'Davld M copper.
was more than usual significance for me In
Mr.. Peggotty's declaration: My future life
lilies over the sea- And when I closed this
book just now, I felt keenly that was
shortly to establish such an abb as would
have satisfied even the elder Mr.. Well
been set up betwee us in this place-rela-
tions sustained on my side, at least, by the
most earnest devotion of myself to my task;
sustained by yourselves, on your side, by the
readiest sympathy and kindliest acknoWledS-
ment-must now be broken forever. But l
entreat you to believe that in passing from my
sight yeu will not pass from my memory. l
shall often. often recall you as see you now,
equally by my winter fire, and In the green,
English summer weather. shall never recall
you as mere public audience, but rather as
host of personal friends, and ever with the
greatest gratitude, tenderness and considera-
tlon. Ladies and gentlemen, beg to bid you
bless the land in which / have met you"
HIS LAST FAREWELL.
After his return home he continued to give
readings in different parts of England, but on
the evening of March 18th last he brought to a
close at ST. James's Hall, in London, his se"ies
of public readings. He said, in his remarks at
the close:
shave thought it well. at the full food-tide of
your favor, to retire upon those older RSSocla-
tions between u5, which date from much fur
ther back than these, and henceforth to devote
myself exclusively to the art that first brought
us together. [Great applause.] Ladies and
gentlemen, in but two short weeks from this
time hope that you may enter, in your own
houses, on new Series of Readings at
which nv assistance will be Indispensable; but
from these garish lights vanish now for ever
more, with a heartfelt, grateful, respectful and
atfecti0nate farewell"
THE PRIVATE LIFE OF DICKENS
was singularly unobtrusive and withdrawn
from the public eye. Years ago his domestic
troubles made his family circle painfully con-
spicuous before the British people. In 1858.
Mr.. Dickens separated from bis wife amicably,
after baving lived with her for twenty years,
several children being born to them. MI
Mali hoe otp or1x ynIo
which led to 1t was uncongeniality OF temper,
and that no special blame attached to either
party. Censure was, however. freely bestowed
upon one or the other party TO the de-
plorable conjugal quarrel by the intimate
friends Of either. But Dickens lived down the
scandal, and 1t Is q sufficient refutation OF 1t,
perhaps. that his children have always mani
tested for him the tenderest affection. One
of these, son, has grown to mans estate,
and is an honored member Of society. Another
is the wife of Mr. Charles Collins. author oil
"After Dark - "a Cruise on Wheels" and
other novels, which have been overshadowed
BY the greater popularity of the writings OF
his brother, Mr, Wilkie Collins.
IN LONDON.
Dickens lived mostly at the Garrick Club,
where he 1lled as large place az John Dryden
usedto fill at Wills cotfee-house. There was. at
one time, some alarm created lest he should
whispered, Of the fact that one OF bis friends
and publishers had been back-balled there;
but the trouble was composed, and Garrick
knew him to the last. His town apartments
were comfortably fitted up, but were not IN
The fashionable quarter. They constituted
ton street, Strand, the lower part Of which
was occupied by the business offices OF
t.All the Year Round" Mayfair saw little of
Dickens, nor was Belgravia one Of his familiar
haunts We believe he was never presented
at court; but 1t was not long ago, since his last
return from the United States, that the Queen
invited him to come and see her, ana M ne spents t
London, Dickens might be seen at dinner
more frequently than anywhere else at Yer
rey's. O restaurant in the upper part OF Regent
street, where, often with Wilkie Collins. he sat
at a little table In the corner reserved for him
especially by the n,aitre dhotet.
HIS LAST GREAT WORK.
The first question that will be asked, after
the natural expression of regret at the loss of
Dickens, is, Had he finished Edwin
brood? p A reasonable apprehension might
well exist that this work had been left mere
fragment, like the "Dennis Duval' oil Thacke-
ray. But the assurance was given by the Eng
lish press, at the time the first sheets were
sent to the printer, that the whole work had
seen completed and we have since had little
elimpses Of the author resting from his task,
In careless freedom and the exercise ofhospltal-
ity, at his country home In 1t 1t. That the frame
work of Edwin brood was laid out, If not
actually joined together, we do not doubt; but
whether he had put the final and finishing
touches, in his own way and with his own
hand, TO the perfected structure, or not, will
probably never be known. For if he had not,
that fact will most likely be kept from the pub
lie, and the services OF. some other writer Sc
cured to finish it according to bis original plan.
The difficulty of this undertaking is not so
great as would at first appear, when it Is re-
menbered that the contributions of one or
two writer's for his serial publications were for
o long time and by shrewd Judges accepted as
Mr.. Dickenss own. Let us hope, however,
that the work upon which he was engaged
when the dread message came may reach the
world not only as conceived by his wonder,
tul brain, but finished to the minutest detail
by his master hand.