Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-11
DEATH or CHARLES DICKENS.

DEATH OF CHARLES DICKENS.
We have the news by cable ofthe death
of Charles Dickens. He who has moved
more hearts than any other man of his gen
Grafton has ceased his labors here. I'm
numbered households will mourn him, and
his memory will receive the richest tributes
that pen or tongue can bestow. The name
of Charles Dickens will be cherished as
long as literature lasts. The marble that
marks his grave will crumble into dust
while his memory will remain fresh and
green. The large sympathizing heart, that
beat true to the claims of humanity, JUS
tice, truth, right, and made itself felt in
every manly and noble breast touched by
the work of his genius, is at rest, but its
influence viii last forever. Next to Shak-
speare the world quotes most frequently
from Charles Dickens, AMI the more it
reads the more it admires and the brighter
will become his fame. He had his faults
as all mortal men have, but these will be
forgotten, while the magic glow of his gen
ius will blaze clearer and steadier before
generations to come. Lay the fairest
flowers upon his tomb and cherish lovingly
his memory, for he was one ofthe great
inspired whom the world is the better for
having.
Charles Dickens was born at Portsmouth,
England, Feb z, 1872, and was therefore
in his 59th year when he died. His father
held an Office in the navy pay department,
from which he retired on a pension and
afterwards became q reporter on the daily
press of London The son, he intended for
an attorney and placed him in an office for
hatpurpose, but a taste for literature which
the lad had led him at length to become a
newspaper critic and reporter. He was
attached to the ''True Sun" and afterwards
to the Morning Chronicle" The first
articles in which he evinced his talent were
a series of sketches Of London life under
the signature of Boz" They were after
wards collected and published in book
form Then followed the "Pickwick
Papers, which set England and America
laughing and laid the foundation of the
fame and fortune of the author. After
this came '.Oiver Twist, nicholas Nick
leby," .Old Curiosity Shop, "and "Barnaby
Rudge." In 1912 Dickens visited Ameri-
ca, and at his return to England published
his .sAmercan Notes. In lS43 he wrote
his s.Christmas Carol !" in 1916 he assumed
the place of editor of the "Daily News
but did not remain long in that position.
While there his pictures of Italy were
published. In 1917 and 1913 "Domby and
Som were printed in monthly numbers,
and in 1850 followed David Copper
field.'' That year he commenced the
publication of a weekly paper called
Household Words, which continued to
be published under his charge. In 1852
appeared hise'Childs History OF England, >
and Els story of '.Ilard INES" in 1853
"Bleak House. and in 1856 and 1857 ''Lit-
tie DogiH''s was. given to the public. In
1865 he visited this country again and
gave reading from his works, which were
listened to with pleasure by large audi
ences. In 1858 he separated from his
wife, by whom he had several children.
At his death he was engaged upon his
new novel 1.-The Mystery of Edwin Drood,'
but the Summons came and left the work
unfinished.