The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-03-27
"REMINISCENCES OF BOZ
DIoKENS' OLD T0UR MINAGER ON
THE GREAT NOVELIST.

Dickens Was in His Happy MOods-Some
of His Idioryncrasies Related-Wouid
Read His own Works with Pleasure.
Doesanyone remember George Dolby?
| imagine not. Thirty years ago this
very winter he was one Of the busiest
and best-known men in America. In
1867 Charles Dickens determined to give
a series of readings in the United
States, Mr.. Dolby, as manager, pre-
coded him and assumed entire charge
Of the business arrangements. That
the venture was success may be
judged by the result. Dickens remain
ed five months in America, during
which period he gave seventy-six read
ings. The total receipts for these en-
tertainments were $22S, 900, the total eX-
penses 5000.
/ went to call upon Mr. Dolby not long
ago, because everything pertaining to
the personality Of the novelist has for
me a wonderful fascination. have
talked with Scott, who was Dickens
valet, and so have formed a new and
pleasant idea Of the genius of the mas
ter as viewed from the standpoint of
his servant. Prior to his death | sat
for two hours with the late Frederick
Chapman,the head of the firm who were
Dickens earliest publishers, and listen
ed entranced as he related "reminiscences
of the great authors career. But nei-
Their of these men knew Dickens so init
mately as did George Dolby, nor had
they such opportunity Of studying his
varying moods and characteristics.
Time and fortune have been unkind
to the former manager. [ found him
in humble lodgings, broken in health
and spirit and partially dependent up
on charity. Yet he received me gra-
clously, and once aware of the object
of my visit he became enthusiastic. 1t
was easy to divine that his connection
with the novelist had formed the chief
episode in the life of the white-haired
old man sitting before me.
II became acquainted with Dickens
in 1866" said Mr.. Dolby. I'm that year
the firm of Messrs Chappell offered him
Ell 500 for thirty public readings in
London and the provinces. 7 was Sc
lected as manager. I shall never forget
the first Interview l had with him in re-
lation to the project. / went to the
office of All the Year Round in We'll
llngton street, and submitted my plans,
with which he expressed himself thor
oughly satisfied When I took leave he
shook me heartily by the hand and with
a deep, earnest look in his eyes he said:
I hope we shall like each other on the
termination Of the tour as much as we
seem to do now
Thereafter Until his last public APP
pearance, / was his only manager.
accompanied him everywhere while en-
gagged in reading and went to America.
My experience with him was ever de-
lightful, and | love to recall it while
sitting alone here. He was the kindest-
hearted man have ever known. Many
and many a time while on tour we
came across old associates of his who
were down on their luck.
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