Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-01-11
Charles Dick enS's Aut0biOgraDhy and
''DaVid COpperfield.''

A London journal mentions as a noticeable
hsre. n m tse Of
ter's biography Of him, that wherever it differs
from the version OF it published in "David Cop
perfield," it differs from it by being more
wrought up. Most men having thus to deal with
chapter from their own life would have found
it necessary to dress it in more vivid colOrs, t.
make the feeling more intense, to strive to ex.
for the hero of the novel than could be created
by unvarnshed facts. Dickens felt no sucl
need: Wherever the autobiography and the
EOvel part company it is by reason of omissions
or soffenings down in the novel. 1t is worth
while TO compare few passages. This il
David Copperfeld speaking.
1t is matter OF some surprise to me, even
now, that can have been SO easily thrown aw ay
at such an age. A Child of excellent abilities,
ard with strong powers of observation, quick
eager, delicate, and soon hurt bodily or men.
tally, IL seems wonderful to me that no one
should have made any sign in my behalf.
This is the autobiography:
1t is wonderful to me how could have been
SO easily cast away at such an age. 1t is wonder
full to me that even after my descent into the
Door little drudge had been since we came to
London, no one had compassion enough on me
child of singular abilities, quick, eager, deli
cate, and soon hurt, bodily or mentally-to sug-
gest that something might have been spared, as
certainly it might have been, to place me at any
common oni school My father and mother
been more SO if had been twenty years of age,
distinguished at a grammar school and going to
Cambridge.
Or take the sentence in which David Copper
field describes his Loneliness: " From Monday
morning to Saturday night had no advice, no
counsel, no encouragement, n consolation, no
assistance, no support OF any kind, from any
one that I can call to mind, as hope to 60 to
heaven" And compare with it the parallel
sentences in the autobiography. 81 suppose
my lodging was paid by my father. / certainly
did not pay it myself; and certainly had no
other assistance whatever 1.-THE making of my
clothes, think, excepted), from Monday morn
ing until Saturday night. No advice, no coun-
sci, no encouragement, no consolation, no sup
port. from any one that l can call to mind, so
Again in "David Copperfeld," the chapter
which deals with his life at NJ urdstOne and Grim
by's are thus INTRODUCED now approach q
remembrance Of while l remember anything;
and the recollection Of which has often, without
haunted happier times" This retains the pur-
autobiography, but the details given in the lat
extremity Of horror Which the recOllections
always awakened in him:
Until old Hungerford Market was pulled
down, until old Hungerford Stairs were de-
stroyed, and the very nature of the ground had
MAD 60
saw it. 1 could not endure TO 60 near 1t. For
many years, when / came to Robert Warren's.
In the Strand; Itae rival Sl.cking warehouse
avoid . certain smelf OF the cement they put
upon backing corks, which reminded nue. Of
what was once. It was very long time before
1 liked to 20 mp Chandos street. My old yay
home by the Borough made me cry after nv
eldest child could speak.
This feeling has nothing In common with that
which sometimes leads successful men to nut
aside f.om them all recollections of their less
fortunate youth. On the contrary, upon every
other part Of his childish life Dickens seems a.
ways to have dwelt with extreme pleasure. The
sense of rcpugnance excited by the thought Of
these particular incidents Is strangely strong,
considering that Dickens sustained NO perinan-
eDt injury from having undergone them. 1t Is
more like the feeling with which man loo.s
back to period Of poverty which cost him the
life of o wife or child.