The Somerset reporter., 1890-01-23
A Character from Dickens
TIE OEiGISAL 81 "SNIkE,7 Or Dorm
BOYS HALL


The original Of "Smike," one Of Dick
ems characters In Nicholas Slckleby,
is living at Bury st. Edmunds. He is 4
toy-shOp keeper named johnson. Inter
viewed by representative Of the Burs
and Norwich Post. he stated that he wa
undoubtedly the original ''Smike." liz
gives graphic account Of bis life at The
Yorkshire school kept by d Mr.. Garrison
t"Squeers-") In reply To question how
long 1t was since he knew that he was the
original Of Smike," Mr.. Johnson assured
his interrogator that be never knew
Nicholas Sckleby' was written until
about ten years ago, when he was told by
Mr Gibbs, a confectioner, who borrowed
the work for him 10 read. He had pre-.
vlously related TO him the history of bis
life in Yorkshire, and Mr. Gibbs said
why, your life Is written by Charles
Dickens in Nicholas Nlckleoy, aud after
Mr. Johnson had proved the matter for
himself, he betook himself 10 a sister at
Brighton TO get additional information
and verify the conclusion to which he mad
come. He paid his sister a surprise visit,
and said II have come to have my din.
ner with you, and TO ask you whether you
know that my life has been written BY
any author" She said Yes, it ha.
been written" BY whom: said our
friend "Smike at has been written by
Charles Dickens, In Nicholas Nickleby.
said she. That is all want To know 81
was the satisfied reply. Previous to this
surprise visit he had not been to see hi,
sister for forty years, and during 10 par,
OF this time had She ever mentioned the
tact to him Of his having been adopted by
Dickens as one of his characters
And is the character Of 'Smike,' a.
given by Dickens. a faithful portrayal OF
the facts as you know them:" was the
next question submitted. To this Mr..
johnson replied that it was undoubtedly
based upon actual facts but, Of course,
there was deal of fiction thrown in by
way Of padding
Dickens did not exceed the truth In de.
scribng the condition of affairs at Dothe
boys Hall, and might have easily made i,
much worse than he did. His charac ter
ization of the porridge as brown com
position, which looked like diluted pin.
cushions without the covers" wa. thor.
oughly justified; for it was. indeed
''wretched tackle" and the "stir-abou,
and potatoes, which formed part of the
dietary, were no imaginary quantity
says, that We used TO break out at night
and rob bean and pea stalks, in order to
supply our wants and to make up for the
deficiencies Of the larder at the Hall
But there was thorough esprit de corps
among the 'boarders.' and those who
gathered these supplementary luxuries
were loyal to their companions in misery
and the understanding respecting the fail
aud equal distribution of the spoil was al.
ways faithfully carried out. OF course,
he continued, I'VE were never allowed to
SIT at The table to eat our meals. We
were ranged in two rows at long dea
table, and we had to stand while eating
"a privilege which probably was not in
cluded in 1.-THE thanks for what we have
received
Pressed on the point respecting the al
ministration of the -four of birthstone
aud molasses," Mr.. Johnson replied that
it was perfectly accurate. Brmston,
and treacle was our medicine" said he
''and it was administered by Mrs
ss77liaoeTs, aud. ne dryiy added, "a half
days holiday was always given on the oc
casion.' OF his escape from the schoo
and subsequent adventures he also gives
lively account. Asked as to what age be
was when he ran away from the school
he replied that he was fifteen. When he
was old enough to be able to realize his
surroundings there were about forty
boys in the school, but at the time he lief,
there were not more than twenty scholars
receiving instruction, 1.-THE first class In
English spelling and philosophy" having
become proportionately reduced in nun
bers. The terms were twenty guineas
which included board, washing, and
everything, not excepting the flour Of
birthstone and molasses," which, while
purifying the blood, had the additional
advantage of being valuable substitute
for breakfast and dinner.-.St. James Ga