National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-12-13
MRS. CAMP IN AMATEUR THEATRE.
GALS.

In lsl7 Dickens thought of writing
small illustrated volume. describing hi
amateur theatrical tour, with Lemon
Forster, Leech, Jerrold and others. ]
was to be called "Piljians ProJiss :" auC
was to bear upon the title page its de
scription as an Account of late Expedi
ton into the North, for an Amateur
Theatrical Benefit, written by Mrs
Camp (who was IN eye vitness), In
scribed to Mrs. Harris, Edited by Char
les Dickens. 1t was never finished, ant
the following delicious fragment OF it i,
now for the first time published.
/. MRS. CAMPS ACCOUNT OF HER coSYEc,
TIoN WITH THIS AFFAIR.
Which Mrs Hurss own words to mt
was these "Sairey Camp says she,
why not go to Msrgate Srimps, says
TINT dear creetur, is to your liking,
Sairev why not 60 to Margate for Il
week, bring your CONSTRUCTION up with
sIimps. and come back to them loving
arts as knows and wallies of you, bloom
ing sairey,' Mrs Harris says, "you are
but poorly. Don't denige it, Mrs. Camp,
for books is your locks. You must have
rest. Your mind" saws she, "is too
strong for you it gets you down and
treads upon You, Sairey 1t is useless to
disguigc the fact-the blade is wearing
out the sheets" Mrs. Harris" say
to her, :" could not undertake to say,
aud vii not de ceive You, ma am, that ]
am tie woman | could wish to he. The
time OF woillt as | had with NJ =. Coli
h,r, the bakers lady, which was so bad
in her mind with her first that she would
moi So much as look at bottled stout, and
' ept to Cruel through the month, has
ugued me, Mrs. Harris. But ma am" !
says to her, {" talk not of Margate, for if
| do go anywheres. it is elsewheres and
not there. "Sairey,' says Mrs Harris,
solemn, "whencc this my ystery? II have
er deceived the hardest working,
soberest and best of women, which her
name is well benown is S. Camp, Mid
wife, King5gate street, High Holborn,
mention it. II not" says Mrs. Harris,
with the tears standing in her eyes,
"reweal your Intentions
Yes, Mrs. Harris, / says, Il will.
Well | knows YOU. Mrs Harris well
YOU knows me well we both knows wot
TIN characters Of one another is. Mrs.
Ha "lis them / said. 4 hare heerd as
there is a expedition going down to
Manjestir and Liverpool play-acting.
If goes anywhere for change, it is along
with that Mrs. Harris clasps her hands,
and drops into chair rs If her time was
come-wLich / know'd it couldn't be,
by rights, for six weeks old. And have
] lived to hear she says, of Sairy
Camp, as always kept herself respecta-
ble,in company with play actors = Mrs.
Harris, says to her, be not alarmed
not reglar play-actors-hammertoors.
Thank Evans = says Mrs. Harris AID
bustiges into a food of tears.
When the sweet creetur had compoged
herself with a sip of brandy aud water
warm, and sugared pleasant with little
nutmeg did it,, I proceeds in these
words. Mrs. Harris, | am told that
these hammerto'rs are litter'ry and
artistickle.' 'Sp'rv, says that best of
wimmin, with n shIver and slight re-
lasp, 90 on, it might be worse y
likewise hears, | says to her. that
they're agoin play acting for the benefit
of two littel'ry men one as has had his
wrongs a long time ago, all h S cGs his
rights at last, and one is has made q
many people merry ia his time, but is
dull and SICK and lonely his own sef.
indeed. Sairy,' says Mrs. Harris,
you're an Iuglish woman, and that nos
no business of you'rn.
"No, Mrs. Harris" / says "that's very
true; hope l knows my dooty and my
country. But" 1 says, 81 am in
formed as there is ladies in this party,
and that hal dozen OF 'em. if net more
is in various stages of an interesting
state. Mrs. Harris, you and me wei
knows what lngeins often does. III ac-
companies this expedition, unbeknown
and second cladge, may | not combine
nv calling with change of air, and prove
a service to my fellow creeters?" "Sairy."
was Mrs. Harris's reply, "you were born
to be blessing to your sex, and bring
'em through it. Good be with You
But keep your distance till CALLED in,
Lord bless you, Mrs. Camp; for people
is known by the company they keeps, ,and
LITERARY and artistickle society might be
the ruin of you before you was aware,
with your best customers. both sick and
monthly, if they took a pride in them
selves
II. MRS. CAMP Is DESCRIPTIVE.
The number of the cab had a seven in
it, | think, and ought to know-and if
this should meet his eye, (which it was a
black 'un new done, that he saw with;
the other was tied up,) gave him warn
ing that he'd better take that umbrelleI
and patten to the Hackney. coach Office
before he repents it. He was young
man in a weskit with sleeves to it and
striprs behind, and needn't fatter him
self with suppogition of escape. as 1
give this description of him to the po-
lice the moment / found he bad drove
off with my property; and if he thinks
there amt laws enough he's much mis-
to..k 1 {aIl him that