The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-08-27
kkNF ALL my books" writes
Dickens, II like this best.
~ It will be easily believed


that / am a fond parent to every
child of my fancy, and that no one car
ever love that family as dearly as
love them; but, like many fond par
ents, I have in my heart of hearts q
favorite child, and his name is David
Copperfield.'
The world in the main agrees with
the opinion Of the great, kindly define
ator Of humanity, for David Copper
field and 'Pickwick Papers hold first
and second choice with most lovers Of
this English author of the middle of
the nineteenth century. The reason is
not hard to discover. The memory of
the sad childhood of the writer forms
the basis of the novel and provides
the personal flavor. It is in many re.
spects his ablest and clearest book
The narrative, moreover, moves from
beginning to end In full swing with
mingled pathos and humor. The spirit
throughout Is kindly, sympathetic, and,
above all, human. Mr.. G. X. Chesterton,
writing of David Copperfield' and its
author, says: "He has created erea-
lures who cling to us and tyrannfze
Over us, creatures whom we would not
Forget if we could, creatures whom we
could NOT forget if we would, creatures
who are more aftaall than the man
who made them" .... ssiSssss' =
The novel begins with the birth Of
Its hero, David Copperfeld, six months
after the death of his father. An &C.
centric great aunt, Miss Betsey Trot-
wood, is present in the house, but de-
parts quite as suddenly as she ar
rived when she learns that the child
is boy and cannot bear her name.
David's mother is quite alone in the
world with the exception of plain Peg
gotty, her devoted serving woman :
Peggotty, with no shape at ALL and so
very plump that when any little ex.
ertion is made after she is dressed,
some Of the buttons on the back Of her
gown fly off. -, = ri. -~"-,
Being however youthful and pretty,
Clara Copperfield soon marries the
stern Mr.. Murdstone, who proves to be
not only stern, but hard and cruel
On the occasion Of his mothers mar
riage David is sent with Peggotty tc
visit her brother at Yarmouth, where
he, with his niece, little Emily, anC
nephew Ham, occupy superannuatet
old boat now converted into mos
delightfully."- coy home. Little Emil!
with her winning ways grows very deal
to David, as do the honest fisherfoll
with whom she lives.
Returning home, David at once be
comes an object Of detestation to hi
stepfather, and in consequence is pack
ed off to school. Here his misery con
tinues under a master, or rather bully
Creakle, whose chief zest in life con
sists in the infection of pain on some
helpless victim. The one bit Of bright
ness in school life is attachment fol
James Steerforth, a handsome, deb
OMAR, dashing lad, with the facult!
Of making everyone his friend. Blu
school days are brought to sudder
halt by the death Of David's mother
crushed by her husbands careless tyr
rany. Peggotty is dismissed and Bar
kis, the stage driver, whose courtshiI
has consisted in the singular message
sent through David Of "Barkis is will
Ing" finally succeeds in making Peg
gotty willing also.
After months of utter neglect Davit
Is sent to London, where he becomes
at ten years of age, little laborin,
hind in a dilapidated old warehouse, II
the service Of Murdstone and Grimby
wine merchants. Half starved, weariet
by long hours Of labor amid repulsiv'
companions, including Mick Wake
and Neatly Potatoes, David's life is
continued torture. He lodges with
Mr.. and Mrs. Wilkins Micawber ant
their numerous progeny. Mr.. Micawber
always in pecuniary difficulties ant
always expecting something to "turl
up" and always in possession Of a fin
--v~~~