Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-07-13
DICKENS ssMICAWBER.''
The Original of that Character Still
Living in New York CITY.

A letter to the Springfield Republican
says: The man who sat for the portrait OF
wilkins Micawber" is living in this city
and a very interesting old gentleman he is
His name is Thomas Powell, and he was born
in London way back in 1907. He early de-
veloped strong literary tastes, and became a
frequent contributor to the magazines and
reviews. At twenty-nine he published
his book, a volume of poems, and this heads
a long list of works which occupies about
half column in "Allibone's Dictionary of
Authors" He soon became the companion
of the chief literary lights of that day, and
he was associated with Wordsworth, Leigh
Hunt, and R. Fl. Horne in the preparations
Of "Chaucer Modernized' which appeared
in 1842. During the same year he published
'The Wifes Revenge" a tragedy; "The
Shepherds Well" drama, and "The Blind
Wife," romantic DRAMA which last went
through five editions. After much other lit
erary work in London, he came to this coun-
try in 1849, and added to the fast lengthen-
ing list of his published volumes ''The Liv-
ing Authors Of England" and "The Living
Authors of America" They were followed
by romance called "The Ambassadors
Daughter" and other books. Meanwhile,
Mr.. Powell was engaged in newspaper work
During 1850 and 1851 he was editor of the
Figaro, and the next two years he was asso-
ciated with John Brougham in conducting
The Lantern. He was also for awhile con-
nected with the Daily Ners, and afterward
was editor of theHudson County Democrat
When Frank Leslie started his publications
he picked out Mr. Powell to help him. and
he has been connected with the establish
ment now for many years. He used to write
a good deal under the name of pierce Pun
gent" and some readers OF the Republican
may remember the proverbs attributed to
that worthy. I believe that a full score of
books have appeared from his pen, while the
fugitive tales he has written and his contri-
buttons of one sort and another to newspa-
pers and magazines would make a good
sized library, if gathered and collected be-
tween covers. Two of his plays have been
acted in Europe and one in this country, and
he also wrote years ago, for minstrel
troupe, a burlesque on "Lucretia Borgia,"
and the Bohemian Girl" which proved
very successful. 1t is safe to say that there
is not another man in this country, if indeed
there be in England who enjoyed wider
with the famous Englishmen
Of that generation. He was the boon COM
panion of Dickens he knew Disraeli when
nothing seemed more unlikely than that the
young Jew would some day be Premier; he
worked with Wordsworth, Hunt and Herne
le has many personal "reminiscences of Car
yle Thackeray, George Henry Lewis and 1
lon't know how many other notable men.
he has wonderfully retentive memory, and
lis recollections of famous people he has |
Known are full of interest.
Mr.. Powell is now seventy-fve, but he is a
old gentleman. hear that
le goes around to the Leslie establishment
4lmost every day, and still makes regular
contributions to some of the publications.
n short, "Mr. Micawber' is enjoying COM
ortable old age.