The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-20

bench. A vice. Tools. Bones, various.
Skulls, various. Preserved Indian baby.
African ditto. Bottled preparations, wa
rious. Everything within reach Of your
hand in good preservation. The moldy
ones atop. What's in those hampers over
there again, ! don't quite remember. Say,
human various. Cats. Articulated En-
glish baby. Dogs. Ducks. Glass eyes,
various. Oh, dear mel That's q general
panoramic. yiew." Mr.. Percy Fitzgerald
has identified the shop as No. AZ ST. An
describes as shop whose window is
objects as was found in the estab-
lishment OF the apothecary in Gro
meo and Juliet'-skulls, Jaw and
thigh bones, skeletons of monkeys, stuffed
birds, horns Of all kinds, prepared skins,
and everything unpleasant in the anatom-
ical line. The proprietor OF this miscel-
laneous stock.in-trade was, OF course, the
prototype OF Mr.. Venus. "This original
character" writes Mr.. Fitzgerald, Tex
cited much attention.; and friend Of the
great writer, as we'll rs OF the present
cbronicler, passing through this street was
irresstibly attracted by this shop and its
contents-kept by one ]. Willis. When
he next saw Mr.. Dickens, he said: i am
convinced | have found the original OF
"Venus" ! on which said Mr.. Dickens
You are rightl'" Any one who then
visited the place could recognize the dingy,
gloomy interior, the articulated skeleton
in the corner, the genial air OF thick CRIME
and dust; but now the place is changed
Mr.. Venus has departed, and his successor
deals in secondhand clothing for ladies.
In the unfinished story OF edwin
Brood" considered by Longfellow as one
OF the novelsts most beautiful works,
there are given but very slight indications
OF the prototypes of the characters. The
picture OF the opium-eater and her den was
drawn from nature, the former being thus
described by Mr.. Fields, who accompanied
the novelist TO the spot 1--WE found q
braggart old woman blowing at kind of
pipe made OF an old ink bottle; and the
words which Dickens puts into the mouth
Of this wrctched creature in edwin
Groom we heard her Groom as We leaned
over the tattered bed in which she was ly-
ing
A visitor, on being shown over Roches-
ter Cathedral few years ago, by chance
asked the gossiping old vcrger whether
Dickens had not got him for one Of the
characters in his last novel. Said he:
| "The question is whether am not Tope. "
| II is suggested that some OF the better
qualities and peculiaritics OF Durdles may
be recognized in Mr.. John Brooker, OF
Higham. The origin of some OF the
names may be traced TO Rochester and
neighborhood, for that of Jasper is a COM
mon one in the old city, and brood is an
adaptation OF Trood, the cognomen Of the
late landlord Of the Sir John Falstah, al
Gad's hill.
| Note. Since this article was written, an
item OF Dickensan interest was elected by
an amusing DEPRESSION in an action fol
damages recently heard in the high court
of Justice before Baron Huddleston. This
was nothing less than the identification oI
the origin OF the name OF PIckwick. Mr.
Henry Fielding Dickens, son OF the
novelist, was retained rs counsel for the
defense, and in the course OF the trial hG
| intimated that he meant TO call as a wit
ness a Mr.. Pickwick.
Baron Huddlcston-Pickwick Is n very
appropriate witness 10 be called by
Dickens. Laughter Mr.. Dickens
! fully believe that the sole reason why
was intrusted with this case was that
might call Mr.. Pickwick. Laughter.
And il may interest your lordship TO learn
that the witness is n dcscendant-a grand
nephew. bolieve-oi Mr.. Moses Pick
wick, who kept a coach at Bath, and that
have every reason 70 believe that IL was
from this Moses Pickwick that the name
OF the immortal pickwick was taken.
daresay your lor,lship will remember that
that very faithful follower Of Mr. Pickwick
Sam Weler-secing the name outside
the coach, was indignant because he
thought IL was personal reflection upon
his employer and he was accordingly anx.
ious TO inilict condign punishment upon
the offender.
Mr.. Dickens, having apologized for the
DEPRESSION, and admitted that the tcmpta.
ton was too strong for him. resumed the
conduct OF the case.