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

her and Mrs. NicLleby is simply the exag-
geration OF somes slight peculiarities. "She
possessed an extraordinary sense OF the
ludicrous, and her power OF imitation was
something quite astonishing. On enter
ing room, she almost unconsciously took
an inventory OF its contents; and II any
thing happened to strike her as out OF
place or ridiculous, she would afterward
describe il in the quaintest possible man.
ner In like manner she noted the per-
sonal peculiarities OF her friends and nc
quaintances. She had also fine vein OF
pathos, and could bring tears to the eyes
OF listeners when narrating some sad
event"
As Che original Of Miss la Creevy, the
good natured little miniature painter,
would suggest Miss Rose Emma Drum
mond, who practiced the same genteel
profession at the time "Nickleby" was
written. This suggestion carries some
weight on the discovery Of the interesting
fact that, in 1885 (about three years prior
| TO the commencement OF the novel),
! Dickens sat TO Miss Drummond for his
portrait on ivory, which was executed as
an engagement present for Miss Gather
inc Ilogarth, afterward Mrs Charles Dick
ems.
Another character in "Nckleby," con-
corning whose prototype clew Is afforded,
is Newman Noegs, the confidential clerk
and iactotum OF Mr.. Ralph Nickleby,
whom lac served "for rather less than the
usual wages Of boy of thirteen" His
name, as well as personality, was suggested
by that Of Newman Knott, an impoycrish-
cd gentleman who went regularly to the
Offices OF Messrs. Ellis and Blackmore dur
ing the period OF Dickens clerkship there,
for the purpose OF receiving the sum Of
seven shillings weekly. given, II is be-
| lioycd, by friend at Chichester who had
known him in his prosperity. Knott had
previously held fairly good position as Il
| tenant farmer in Sussux, but his expensive
tastes ruined him. His cccentricities and
personal history were n source OF great
amusement to the clerks, and the tricks
aud manouyers he rcsorted TO in endeavor-
ing TO forcstall the weekly allowance
highly delighted Dickens, who doubtless
awaited himself OF the hints thus afforded
him in the portrayal Of Newman Nogs.
During the time that Dickens and
'Phiz" were investigating the subject OF
the Yorkshire schools they lodged at the
principal hotel in Barnard Castle, in the
county OF Durham, and Immediately OPP
posite the hotel was watchmakcr's shop,
easily seen by the novelist from his sitting
room window Over the shop front was
conspicuously placed the name Of "lIum-
phrcys, Clockmaker," which fixed itself 80
indelibly on the authors mind that he
gave II 10 tho clockmalSor in the next story,
and wrote TO tell master Humphreys"
what he had done, sending him at the
same time a copy OF Nicholas Nicklcby."
As for the original OF the famous clock IT,
self, we learn that lis manufacture was be-
gun in 1928 by William Humphreys, son
Of Thomas Humphreys, the then pro-
prietOr Of the shop. On its completion the
following year II was placed in niche on
the right hand side Of the glass shop.door,
where Dickens first saw Il, and where In
passing he frequently consulted Il for the
correct time, thus becoming acquainted
with the owner aud his son, Master Hum
phroys. The shop WIS yeritable "curi-
osity shop" containing, rs il did, such a
miscellaneous collection Of toys, clocks,
philosophic instruments and relics in
Vulnerable.
One Of the most amusing characters in
the "Old Curiosity Shop" is that OF the
small, slipshod girl who wore "a dirty,
coarse apron and bib, which left nothing
OF her visible but her face and feet" and
who was called "rho Marchioncss' by
that choice spirit, Mr.. Richard Swiyeller
| In order ito mako II seem more real and
pleasant" The novelist took ms first i'm
preston OF this domestic young person
from maid-of.all-work possessed by the
! Dickens family when living in Bayham
street. Camden town. She was IN orphan
| from the Chatham work-house, and con-
! tinucd 10 wait upon her employers during
their incarceration In the Marshalsca.
Like young Charles Dickens, she had a
lodging in the ncighborhood OF the prison.
that she might be early on the scene OF
her duties; and when Charles met her, as
lac would do occasionally in his lounging.
place by London bridge, he would occupy
the time before the gates opened by telling
her most astonishing fctions about the
wharvcs and the tower. "But | hope I
believed them myself" lac would say.
Tho room which young Dickens then
occupied was u back attic In the house Of
an insolvcnt court agent, in LIANT street,
lloro', where Bob Sawyer lodged many
years altcrwarl. Ills landlord WIS "a fat,
good.naiurcd, Kind old gentleman. He
was lame, and had aquict old wife, and
lac had very innocent gruwn.up son, who
was lame too The elderly couple aud
their only son were dead when these par.
ticular were related by Dickens 10 his
biogmphcr, who informs us that they live
still very pleasantly In another form as the
Garland family In the "Cld Curiosity
shop" Turning To minor character In
the story, u is said that the first study for
the poet of Mrs Jarlcy's waxwork was
made from one OF the rhymcsicr rcgu.
larry employed by Robert Warren, the
backing manufacturer, whom Dickens ~.
mcmbcrcd 20 well.
In the preface 10 nm early edition OF
MARTIN Chuzzlcwit' Dickens speaks OF
Mu. Camp NJ a fair representation, nc the
time the book was published, OF the hired
attendant on the poor In sickness; but, ~
Mr.. Forster SAYS hc might have added
that the rich worc no better on, for Mrs.
Camps original WIS in reality person
hind by n most distinguished friend oi
his own, n lady, 10 take charge Of an In.
valid very dear 10 her; and the common
habit OF this nursc in the sick room,
among other Gampish pcculiaritics. was
10 rub her nose along the top oi the tall
fender. In spite Of Mn. Camps propcn.
atty for strong drink aud other human
weaknesses, We cannot rsist the humor.
Gus side Of her character, nor deny that
i eho IA A rgugral iaVorifa