The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-17
EDMUND YATEs's MEMOIRS.
An Interesting Book--His Recollections of
Charles Dickens.
review of Book in New York Herald.

dAAb OAChGASs
Review Of Book in New York Herald.
In 1858 he was married. The happy couple
took up their abode in a little nutshell of a hous;
in Gloucester place. They were present al
many receptions given by Mrs. Miner Gibson
where they met such men as Louis Blanc. Alex
ander Cockburn, MaZzini, Planche, and "a host Of
celebrities. Mr.. Yates became a contributor &c
Chambers journal, Bentley's Miscellany and
other papers. A collection of sketches which
had been published in these was brought out
in book form by Mr.. Bogue. The little volume
was kindly received by the press, and its publ
cation formed an epoch in the authors life.
That same year, 1854, was a memorable one.
Mr.. Yates made the acquaintance of Dickens.
lie called on him at Tavistock House. There
were no photographs of celebrities to be pur-
formed my idea of Dickens personal appearance
on the portrait of him by Maclise, ~pre6xed
to 'Nlckelby;' the soft and delicate face,
with the long hair, the immense stock
and the high-collared waistcoat. He was
nothing like that = = His hair, though
worn still somewhat long. was beginning to be
sparse; his cheeks were shaved; he had q mus
tache and a 'doorknocker' beard encircling his
mouth and chin. His eyes were wonderfully
bright and piercing, with a keen and eager out
look; his bearing hearty and somewhat agrees
I've. He wore on that occasion a loose jacket
and wide trousers, and sat back in his chair with
one leg under him and his hand In his pocket,
very much as in Frith's portrait. Good God
iNN ikhN lOuI ldttlCIs WtIG HIS mOIuS.
Dickens remained his warm friend until death.
Mr.. Yates now became better known in journal
ism. He wrote for the Illustrated London
Times and Household Words. He published in
collaboration with Mr.. Frank S~medley. a vol
uIne Of floating verse eutitled 'Mirth and Metre
by Two Merry Men, which captivated the town.
lie was also permanently engaged as dramatic
critic on the staff of the Daily News at a salary
of "a a week, which made him 'isupremely
happy"
Mr.. Yates tells some good stories of Douglas
Jerrold, which are Well worth quoting. Mr..
Yates was escorting him one night to the Bed
ford Hotel. "As we went up New street we
met two or three drunken roisterers, one of
whom, after tumbling up against me, apologized
and asked the way to the Judge and Jury, a
popular entertainment Of the day. Instantly
Jerrold benz forward and addressed him:
Straight on, young man; continue in the path
you are now pursuing and you can't fail to come
to them" 1t was to Peter Cunningham, men
tioning his fondness for calves feet. that Jerrold
said Extremes meet!' To Mrs. Alfred Wigan,
expressing her fear that her hair had been
turned gray by the application of some strong
stimulant, he said; i know, essence of thyme"
Mr.. Yates introduced us next to Bohemia, a
country in which he Travelled much, even if he
was never naturalized- As editor of the Comic
Times, which sought to rival Punch in its own
particular field, his intercourse with literary
Bohemia of course became closer. Many are the
anecdotes which he tells of the clever men and
women with whom he was thrown. This chap
ter is exceptionally bright and amusing reading,
The life of the Comic Times was brief, but II
was brilliant while it lasted.
Next comes the story of his difficulty with
the Garrick Club" which arose from a little
article he wrote on Thackeray, in Pow Talk,
grazing the too sensitive cuticle of the great
novelist Mr.. Dickens in this difficulty stood by
Mr.. Yates, and, on calm reflection, it will pretty
generally be conceded that Thackeray through
out comes out second best.
Mr.. Yates dramatic recolleetions are quite en-
PERTAINING. His own work for TIE stage had
been successful. He became editor of Temple
Bar and made it a sparkling magazine. In the
chapter, People l Have Known" Mr.. Yates
tells US of Sir Alexander Cockburn and of q
lively little incident of that jurist's visit to Sil
Richard Bethel. Sir Richard and his son Dick
and Cockburn went pheasant shooting. The
keeper happened to get shot. Cockburn asked
the keeper by which of his masters he had beer
peppered and got the reply. On 'em! both O.
EN-" Next term time Sir Richard Bethel
while addressing a number of legal dignitarie,
on the subject of an important reform in thu
law, said he was to have the support in the mat
ter of his friend Cockburn. Cockburn protested
Bethel said, in his mcgt'mincing and affected
tones, You must recollect it, my dear friend; i
occurred on the morning you shot my keeper!'
And so the book goes on, with good stories OF
every page.