Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-03-28
CHARLES DICKENS.
One Of the Greatest Story Writers Of
Modern Times.

how much we do but now we DO IL
that should measure our life-success;
in other words 1t Is not quantity but
quality that should enter into our es-
innate Of a mans life work. Viewed
in either way, Charles Dickens's rec
ord is a remarkable one.
Dickens wrote fourteen novels, and
such novels! Seven or eight other
books, at least thirty-two detached
stories, some half dozen others with
wilkie Collins as collaboration, one or
two original plays and at least one
opera The last years Of his life
he was senior editor of a weekly
journal with very large circulation
which was first called Household
Words" and was subsequently merged
into what was known as "All the
Year Round" a... ..s.
Charles Dickens always took to- any
deed in hand with indefatigable in
dustry and tireless energy.
He was one of large family and
was born February Z, 1912, at Port
sea. He was a precocious child. The
flowers Of maturity were merely the
blossomed out hopes Of childhood. AS
child he was fond of reading and
took a keen delight in miniature
tragedy. His father was affectionate
and while he took pride in his sons
manifest talents, he did not seem to
realize the necessity Of giving him
proper education. He was given un-
dignified duties to perform and was
turned into drudge. One may kill
the body, but one cannot kill the
spirit. Young Dickens's early associ-
ations with the humber things OF
life were in his later years turned to
an exalted advantage.
When he was about twelve years
old he was sent to school, and while
he Is not remembered as showing
signs of distinguished scholar, the
many -sidedness of his large nature
was much in evidence.
After two years spent in this school
he went to another, then he was
reporter, and finally by securing an
appointment on the Morning Chroni-
Gle, his literary career was started.
After the acceptance and publica-
ton of his first sketch In 1884, Dick
ems wrote during the next year and
a half q dozen or more short sketches.
These sketches won him sufficient
recognition to warrant the Times Of
London In engaging him to write a
series of papers for their columns.
These were the famous "Pickwick
Papers," and from the time when In
the fourth or fifth number Of them
the Immortal Samivel, who spelled
his name with a 1--WE, my Lord" was
introduced the success Of the venture
was assured.
Foster said Of it: Judges on the
bench and boys in the street, those
who were entering life and those
who were quitting 1t. alike found 1t
irresistible and waited with impati-
ence the issue Of the Times In order
to get the next thing in "Pickwick."
Carlyle relates at this time a clergy
man visited a sick man who had not
many more days to live. He had ad-
ministered all spiritual consolation,
and hoping he was leaving the pa
tient in a reconciled, peaceful state,
was shocked after leaving the room
to hear the sick man exclaim, "Well,
thank God, Pickwick will be out In
a few days"
Dickens was instrumental in bring
ing about In the city Of London some
much needed reforms through his
first novel, "Oliver Twist" In many
respects it is not a pleasant story
but 1t is powerful, and In many
parts dramatic. The social evils as
they were then will live longest In
this work. Nicholas Nickleby' was
so strikingly different from its pre-
decessor and yet so fully up to 1t,
II not SURPRISING 1t in merit, that
Dickens's worst enemies surrendered
to his wonderful versatility Of genius.
Sydney Smith, from jealousy or
similar motives, from the first de-
cried Dickens, but after reading
"Nickleby," wrote to friend: II held
out against Dickens as long as
could, but he has conquered even
me-" This book, like nearly all OF
Dickenss, had an own special moral
or hit. That object was the crushing
out and rendering impossible OF ex-
istence all such schools as that rep
resented in "Dotheboy's Hail."
The character of Little Nell in "Old
Curiosity Shop" Is said to have done
more than any other to make the
bond between Dickens and his readers
one of personal attraction. She had
become to him a living reality and
the word picture death Of Little Nell
has been read by many a mourner
through binding tears. but with hal
lowed comfort flowing into the GRIEF
stricken soul.
Doubtless the reason for David
Copperfield" being the most read and
admired Of all his novels Is due to the
autobiographical touch In its charac-
ter, giving much Of the real life and
actual experiences of Dickens's earlier
years. Dickenss favorite characters
| IN the book are Peggctty anc her
humble friends-and no wonder for In
their lives there Is such mingling OF
lumor and pathos, such homely truth
and loyalty.
"A Tale Of Two Cities" Is III many
| ways one Of the most II not the most.
remarkable achievements Of Dickens's
genius. It Is a marvellous portrayal of
how love, pure unselfish adoring love,
so transforms. ennobles, transfgures a
selfish nature that Is indolent and
even dissipated In character until It
Is capable Of sacrificing all. even life
itself, that the object Of its devotion
may be made happy.
A protest in pamphlet form, made
with all the hot impetuosity of his
early youth, against a proposed at
tempt to close up on Sunday the pub
lie bake ovens for the poor produced
the desired effect of stopping such ac-
tions
NIL qualification ~ a,,,orioap Notes