The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-02
CHARLES DICKENS,

The Author Of David Copperfi eld's Per-
sonal Character-Forster's Dick ems Not
the Live Man.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In last Sundays issue OF the HERALD ap-
pears an editorial discussing the views of certain
critics WHO question Charles Dickens sanity on ac
count of his strange treatment OF his vile. You
remark that Mr.. Forster has passed over the sub
ject as II too painful to dwell upOn and endeavor
TO draw a contrast between Charles Dickens mes
alliance aud Lord Byron's, Sir Edward Lytton's
and other noted ttteyateurs unfortunate mar
riages. I have carefully read Mr.. Forsters lie OF
Dickens, which s all tinted an coeur de rose, but
cannot refrain from recalling the many stories
have heard about Charles Dickens from my father
and Mr.. Thackeray who all three were once Robe
mians on the London Morning Herald and C1aoni.
Gle.
There was nothing In Charles Dickens character
to inspire one with any great admiration. He was
the beau ideal OF the smart cunning, nervous,
terprising, fearless reporter, OF which there are
few in this country He was born newspaper
man, and inherited the fckleness, love OF ostenta
tion pride OF rising to the head Of his profession,
which the English press so largely encourages. AS
q reporter he was considered the most artul and
cunning. and Tor man OF his vivid Imagination he
had wide field in the slums OF London and the
farm houses OF the PLAIN, simple folks OF the old
country.
The history Of Charles Dickens marriage is
simple enough. He was at that time earning about
thirty shillings week. and met Mrs. Dickens, then
a moon laced, far.haired, even-tempered, round
WASTED. good-natured, but very commonplace
English girl; one OF those women the height OF
whose ambition is large family little cottage,
a new dress, big bow and merry Christmas.
She was an honest virtuous, simple minded,
slightly romantic woman, whose heart was in her
home Charles Dickens at this time was young
man OF o very nervous temperament, with un-
bounded seliesteem, and who would have made
alter the birth OF their second child that Die kens
began to realize the Importance OF doing
has 70 aae to n 9' GI whale s
lear and trembin2--having sick vie and two
crying babes to provide for at home and an I'M
limited number Oh small creditors watching him
how he approached the great big, yawnng edl.
tors box OF Chapman Hail and threw Ia his first
asonshed he was few days after to see an ADJ
vertisement requesting BOZ" to call on the editor.
and with what JOY and trembling he returned
EGO a chapter for his Sketches The era of
Dickens sketches" constituted the happest days
how Dickens would read them to his vile and
dance wildly round the room. With the close OF
the sketches" began MRS. Dickens troubles
10 better understand the gradual change IN
Charles Dickens treatment OF mis- wife 1t - neces-
sary to analyze the character and training OF the
sOcalled commonplace English girl. In this
country the women easily adapt themselves to
their positions IN il c. In fact, in this country the
woman generally rises superior TO the man. Not
So however, with the dull good-natured, loving
English girl. She, from her earliest childhood ~
brought up in circle whose views are narrow
and whose education is extremely limited. The
monotony OF her existence is only broken by her
regular attendance AT church and the counting or
the household linen on Washday. Ii she goes TO
the Crystal Palace she Will stare vaguely at
CorregRo and make quaint remarks Wnen
brought IN contact with q chefd0uUre her
eyes VIII only sparkle as she SITS IN
the bt0ei diving room. Her circie
OF acquaintance viii be among her CLASS,
and that class OF society, like herself, sees no
beauty IN art, nor can appreciate true genius
This is the character Of Mrs Dickens-a truly goo.
natured, loving, motherly woman. 20 ioug 90
Charles Dickens mad to buffet against auversnsN. ~
long was he contented with his little VIE. but as
soon az Charles Dickens began to be courLea as
soon as lie found that he was on the Toau 10 I'M
mortality and fortune as soon as ne pcgah 20 INK
In society ana realized the extraordinary lascha-
ton mixing among the higher Ten, rnen Omar,e ;
tt1e vile o who could not do justice to the name OF
her husband. 1nerehs no mystery attached to the
separation; there Is no ihsahity 10 MR.;
Dickens actions: but there Is the painful