The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-15
DICKENS.
Recollec.ions of His FANNY and Friends.
I1oannr II Ch.iotian A 1pmplp nAr


house of relative of iaint, and wildly
recall the fiutter of delght that felt
when told that l was meet BOZ" and
dine at the same table with the great
author and his wife. Ny introduction TO
Mrs. Charles Dickens took place in the
bedroom before dinner, while fixing"
our respective toilets. Shr was pretty
little woman, plump and fresh colorcd;
with the large, heavy-ltidqd blue eyes so
much admired by men. The nose was
slightly retrousse, the forehead good,
mouth small, round and rcd-lpped, with
genial, smiling expression of counto-
nance, notwithstanding the sleepy look in
the slow moving eyes.
Her manner to me was friendly and in
formal, but could not quite allay my merry
BUSINESS us i went down 10 be introduced
to her husband.
The first thing that riyctod me was the
marvellous power OF his eyes. Nondescript
in color, though inclning TO warm gray in
repose; but lighting NJ suddenly into a
luminous depth of hue, they instantly ar
rested me, and could see nothing else for
the moment. Then | became aware of a
rare harmony OF features, combination
OF strength and delcacy Of perception, II
breadth and grandeur united TO spiritual
lied refinement, which compelled pro-
longed study Of the whole countenance.
When at last the attention wandered TO
the costume and style OF the man, there
was disappointing mental shock. Every
thing seemed marrcd by his get up"
Young ms | was, ] was aware Of the vagJl-
ries OF dress INDUCED IN by authors and
artists; but this was something unusual.
The general mistake OF men who pose US
not of the Common herd is TO attempt
the picturesque; but here was mcrclya per-
verted idea OF what ought to be fashionable
utterly unfit for dinner dress, and only
proving taste for what was loud" The
collar and lapels OF his surtout were very
wide and thrown back 80 rs to givo full
effect to a vast expanse oil white waistcoat.
lie wore drab colOred trousers, ditto boots,
with patent leather toes, all most inconsist-
ent with the poetic heal and its flowing
locks and the genius that glowed In his
fine, well opened eyes.
lie talked but little during the evening
seeming rather TO allow the lead TO bC
taken by Mr.. Forster, who was also one o
the guests, and whose greater fucncy
seemed TO interest and impress him. Ills
own speech had certain thickness
WAS family characteristic as II the tongue
was too large for the mouth, aud his tones
were low and hurried, rs though his idea,
and words were racing against each other
His humorous remarks were generally de
ivered in an exaggerated, stilted style, and
sometimes with complete pcrversion %
facts quite astounding "a matter-ol-fac
minds, and were accompanied bya twink,
in his eyes and comid lifting OF one eve
brow. | was surprised To find that, in
stead of the piercing, satrical expression
one expected, lac usually wore upt, pre-
occupied far-oif look which was exceed
ingly misleading. When came 20 know
him better found this wax nothing but d
trap for the unwary. During these out
ward scmblanccs OF rcNeric, nothing es
capped him; he was quietly aud uncxpect
cdly taking in every Incident going on
around and making notes thereon. ManN
times were We dupcd by this false appear
ancc OF abstraction andNcm deluded int
talking nonsense, arguing illogically an,
making silly jokes under the impression
that he was miles awayin q land OF hi
own peopling, surrounded by character
OF his own creation. Then suddenly ~
would 20 the curtain fronl his yelled visiol
and he would break forth into most anus
ing, but merciless criticisms OF all our con
yensation; such twisting and distorting o
every thoughtlcss word and uniledgcd idei
that We were covered with confusion
though convulscd with laughter.
When lac really did indulge in a revert,
or when engaged IN any difficulties .
composition, he would pull yiciously n
his manc-likc hair, running his fingcn
through II till his ideas became salts
iactorily evolved, at the same time In
dulging in his habit Of sucking his tongue
Soon after I became acquainted will
him and his family, they went, ~ they
usually did every autumn, 10 BrOadstair,
and they induced my friends, Mr.. and
Mrs. Smithson, TO follow them, after find
ing a suitable house for their occupation
fhe Smithsons took the house goon
after, and ], TO my delight went viii
them on visit 10 which ! look back a,
one Of the plcasaniest epochs In my life
bringing me, as Il did, into constant asso
citation with "Boz" and his family. w,
were daily together, and on the most
friendly footing. AZ this time, too, hi'
mother aud sister, Mrs. Burnett, with hoI
husband, came 10 stay with him, and
these two latter added greatly 10 the gen
eral enjoyment, ~ both sang extremely
well. They were students ut the Roya
Academy Oi Music, wheTc they iirst met
She was very sweet and amlable, In deli
cate health, and she died quite Young
Old Mn. Dickens was very agreeable, and
entered into youthful amuscmonts will
much enjoyment she bad awOrn, deeply
lined face, evidently roughly plowcd by
''carking care" Dickens sister Letitia
(Mm. AUSTIN came also for short time
She struck me M not being 10 full Of fur
NJ the rest Of the family. She was lik,
Frederick Dickens, but rather tall. Mrs
Dickens senior had a most sensible face
and In after years Charlcs grew to rcsom
bio her greatly, though his Battle o.
Life" could not have been such a tough
struggle with poverty and priyaiion a.
hens had been.
II las been said that Ns. Nicklcby ant
Mr.. Micawber were drawn from Charles
parents, aud, indeed, BE- admitted the iaci
but saw no rcsemblanCc. She seemed e
mo 10 possess good stock Of common
sense, and mattoroi,l,u manner. j onll
detected one little wSskncss-a love q
dancing. And though shc never indulge
In Il with any other panBcr than her sou
in.law, or with some rlaton, Charlie
always looked NJ sulky ~ bear the who'll
time.
Her husband appear Younger than SD
did, aud was plump gpod looking man
rather an "old buck in drss, but ~
| r...-.a..l.lnnnn 90 MInn..l.-. Innl 1 InnII do