The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-08-28
DICKENS MICAWBER.
The Novelist's Father Was the Original
Micawber.

was, as we know, modelled directly
from nature, and Dickens indeed
might have answered, as Sam did Jus
tice Stareleigh, 81 rayther think it's in,
fatherl" Sam was threatened with
commttal if he did not point his par
ent out. But every one can point tc
Mr.. John Dickens, "member of the
gallery" as the original of this sketch
1t used to be said that Mr.. Micaw
Der was caricature, much overdrawn
not resembling anything we are likely
to encounter in life. The truth is, the
portrait was an exact copy, and, if any.
thing, fell rather short of the original.
The delightful portion of him was not
his odd, fantastic speeches and quaint
formulas SO much as the character,
exhibited chiefly in odd views of
pecuniary transactions, the essence be-
ing that an obligation could be satisfied
by rotund and flowing phraseology,
and the setting forth in a stately style
his own Indebtedness as though he
were proud of it.
AS letter writer Mr. Micawber, we
know, reveled in such Furnishings, and
his most amusing pecuiarities were
exhibited when he found himself seated
e at his desk. In one or two places in
his letters Dickens, the son, has noted
characteristic speech or two of his
sire, which mighthave been appropriately
put in the mouth of Mr.. Micawber.
These paternal utterances the son
relished hugely and even reveled in.
Messrs. Conway & Noel, autograph
dealers in Birmingham, have a few
relics of this amusing parsonage
Among these is fragment of little
burlesque styled "O'Thello" written by
young Charles for the Theater Royal
back drawing room. Its date is 1898,
so it is fairly claimed to be the earliest
scrap of the novelists handwriting in
existence. He was then twenty-one
years old. 1t is even more interesting
from the fact that Mr. Micawber, or
Mr. John Dickens, the sire, took part
in the little piece, that of "The Great
Unpaid" who was discovered at table
on opening scene" "The Great IN
paid" was of course the Duke of Venice,
under grotesque conditions
G. U.-Begin the business.
(Brab--Rushes in and says "Ruin !
Confusion ply
G. U.-What charge can warrant
such gross intrusion?
Brab.- Warrant.
G.. U.-You're not warranted
In making noise enough to
wake the dead.
Tell US (irst having made a
proper bow,
What is the meaning of this
precious row.
Brab.- Stol'n my daughter
G. U.-Who has done this7
Brab.- O'Thello.
G. U.-Call the man in and now
command silence.
What can you say, sir in
your own defense
Music. (IVait till he comes in, and
music stops
Mr. Dickens, Sr., presented this
scrap to friend, one Mr.. Hayden, in
the year IS4a, indorsing it with much
solemnity, "Ths page is from an I'M
niIhIichaH fro hx, NJ
Charles Dickens for private performance
in his own family 1889, and it is in
his own handwriting. The Great I'm
paid was your humble servant, John
Dickens, Alphington, June 1S42."
have never hitherto seen letter
of the real John Dickens TO put beside
one of the racy epistes given in the
novels. By rare chance, however,
one of these documents lately came
into my possession. Nothing more
"characteristical," as Ella has it, could
be desired, and l am certain that all
lovers of "Boz" will welcome with
pleasure the epistolary specimen of this
choice characters
"34 EDWARD STREET, PoRTMAN |
SQUARE, ID February, 1887.
"GENTLEMEN-It has occurred to
me that at moment of some difficulty
you may be willing to extend to me
your obliging assistance. If not in,
convenient, or inconsistent with your
arrangements, will you do me the
favor to deduct the Four Pounds |
owe you from the inclosed Bill for Y2o,
due 18th April, with fore shillings, the
amount of the interest, and let me have
the balance, y15 I5s.? Do not sup
pose / ask this on any other footing
than that of an act of obligation con-
ferred on me, and assure you, though
small in amount, its effects on me are
matters of grave consideration, because
anything that should occasion my alb
sence from my duties in the Gallery
would be productive of fatal effects.
'You may consider it an intrusion
that | should apply to you in moment
of difficulty, and | feel it to be so, but,
recolecting how your interests are
bound up with those of my son,
flatter myself if you can confer favor
upon the father without transgressing
any rule that you have laid down, and
without any inconvenience, you may