Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-05-16
Charfes Dickens.

ana, When III Ahici'S", sCa'Ccis u
day passed, no matter what the
weather, that hc did not accomplish
his eight or ten miles, 1t was ON
these expeditions that he liked to re-
count to the companion of his ram
bles stories and incidents of his early
life; and, when he was in the mood ,
his fun and humor knew no bounds.
lie would then frequently discuss the
numerous characters III hls delightful
books, and would cnt ont, On the road,
dramatic situations, where Nitkieby
or Copperheld or SwiseiIer would
play distinguished parts. lromem
Der he said, on. one Of these occa
sious, that during the composition OF
his first stories he could never entire
" dismiss the characters about whom
he happened to he writing; that,
while The "Old Curiosity Shop" was
in process of compositiolL Little Nell
followed him about everywhere; tha;
while he was writing Oliver Twi-;," "
Fas,n the Jew would never let him
rest, even in his most retlted mo-,
ments; that at midnight and in the
morning on the sea and on the land,
Tiny Tim and little Bob Cratuhitt
we're ever tugging at his coat sleeve,
as If impatient for him to get back to
lis desk and continue the story OF
their lives. But he sald, after he had
published several books, aud saw
what serious demands his characters
we're accustomed To make for the
constant attention of his already over
iasked brain, he resolved that the
phantom individuals should no longer
intrude on his hours ut recreation and
rest. but when he closed the do " OF
hi, study he would shut them all in,
and only meet them again when he
came back to resume his task. That
force of will with which he was 50
preemineutly endowed enabled hun
10 ignore these manifold eXlstences
till he chose to renew their arqHant'
an3e. He said, also, that when the
children Of his brain had once been
launched, free and clear Of him, int"
;hs world, they would sometimes turn
up in the most unexpected manner TO
look their father in the face.
Sometimes he would pull my arm
while we were taking together. and
whisper, "I.et US avoid Nj. pumble-
,hook. who is crossing the street -
meet u.s. or" Mr.. Micawbcr Is
coming; /; let us turn down this al.ey
to get out Of his way" lie always
seemed to enjoy the fan Of his comic
people, aud had unceasin2 nftE over
Mr.. Pickwick's msadventur's. In
answer one day to a question,
prompted by psychological curlo~l,
ty, il he eyel dreamed OF any OF lIis
characters, his reply was: - Never
aud | am convinced that no writer
tiudging from my own experience,
which clnnot he altogether singular,
but mus. be type Of the experience
Of othcrs) has eve. dreamed OF the
creatures oI his own Imagination. Il
would" he wen. On t, say, - boasiEe
n mans dreaming OF meeting himself,
which is clearly an lmpo@sibllIl'y
Things exterior TO ones Sell must al
wa%s be the basis Of dreams" The
growing up of characters in his mind
never lost for him sense OF tle mar,
vciI0us. What an un!athomabIr
mystery there is in it all y be sad
one day Taking up wlneglass, he
continued: Suppose ! choose to
call this a character, fancy It man,
endue it with certain qulIitls; and
.oon the fine iilmy webs OF thought,
almost impslpable, coming from every
direction, we know not whence, spun
and weave about II, until 1t ASSUMES
form and beauty, and becomes IN.
stinct with life"
In society Dickens rarely referred
to the traits aud characteristics OF
people he had known; bat, during u
lony walk in the country, he delighted
TO recall and lcscribc the pecuIlar'>
,ies, eccentric and otherwise, OF dead
and gone as well as living friends.
Then sydney Smith, aud jeffrey, aud
Christopher Nortn, and TaIiourd, and
Hood, aud Rogers SCENE" 10 i've
over again in his vivid reproductions,
made so impressive by his marveIon"
memory and Imagination. As he
walked rapidly along the roal, he ap,
peared to enjoy the keen zest OF his
companion in the numerous imperson-
atoms with which no was induleing
him.