Year: 1870

THE sudden and unexpected decease of the famous


popular novelist, Mr.. CHARLES DICKENS, is, for the


present. the universal topic of conversation in all


countries where the English language is spoken


In the moment of general gloom and afiiction,


everyone seeks to do honor TO the genius of the de-


parted and this is only consistent with the admit


ted rule "de Dortuis nil Hisi bor1ni.'' The best


writers in the leading European and American


journals vie with another in using the most ex


ubcrant euogiums on the novelists talent, to some


Of which we would take slight exception. There


is no doubt that whilst grief is the all-pervading


element for our national loss, any attempt to


modify the present public estimate of the genius Of
/ the lainented Mr. Dickens, developed in his nu-


merons literary productions, might be regarded as


inopportune, ILL natured, and unknd; but we have
little fear that when the present feeling of sorrow


and regret is mitigated by time more correct


Judgment will be formed than that which is now de-


lvered by the leading Journals 1t is very far from


our desire TO deny the originality OF thought or
style, or the intellectual abilities Of Mr. Dickens;


neither do desire TO underrate the large and ben


efcial influence which his works have exercised in


the cause Of humanity, nevertheless, can not


indorse the sentiment of that influential organ of
public opinion the London Times that statesmen,
savans and benefactors of the human race can leave
no such void when they die" We happen TO know
something of the earlier days-the dawning we may
say-of the novelist's future fame; and whilst we
admit his almost nimitable power of portrayng the
human character in all its phases, it must also be
allowed that his position in early life afforded such
favorable opportunities for the development of his
talents that writer before, or perhaps since his
time, has bad presented 10 him At the age of %
%, Mr.. Dickens what is called, in London
third-class reporter the Morning Chronicle his
special duty being to report the police at the
bead Office in Bow Street. Into these reports he
threw such vein Of humor, and of SATIRE that
the Bow Street Office reports became a special at
traction TO newspaper readers. We think, although


if Mr.. Dickens alive he might not agree to it,
that these reports ought to be collected and pub
lished in permanent form with his general works,
for in these fugitive extracts can be seen the
elements of his future greatness. We know this
much for fact that when these police reports came
under the particular notice of the Editor it became
a subject of long consideration whether they should
be received in their then form for publication for
Mr.. Dickens had been getting deeper and deeper
into the ludcrous and satirical vein His consum-
mate wit, and perhaps the increasing popularity of
the Chronicle settled the point and be was allowed
a carte Jidnche to report police cases in his own pc
cuar style. What splendid theatre, or rather,
living panorama, was this Bow Street office to the
astute and reflective mind of the young reporteri
What happy idea TO found on such experience an
altogether field Of English literature 1t is due
TO the eminent London publishers, Messrs. Chapman
* Hall, to say that they were the first TO give a
profitable and practical turn to the abilities Of
young Dickens, who, at their suggestion, wrote his
Sketches by Boz" and afterwards, "The Pickwick
Papers" This latter work abounds in fine humor
and the celebrated Of breach of promise of
marriage-Barden VS.. Pickwick--is a notable bur
lesque upon of this stamp. We leave to others
the task of critically examining his numerous
works; we will content ourselves with saying that
the production OF Nicholas Nickleby,"-his first
novel in a complete form, stamped his reputation
as an author. We of opinion that q Nicholas
Nickleby' is the best, as it was the first, of his
efforts and the most true to nature. His christmas
Carols" we never thought much OF.


Fashion changes in literature as well as in dress,
and we doubt very much whether the later produc-
tions Of Dickens were popular his earlier
works; and if the truth were known, it may be
that he did not very complacently look on at the
growing appetite for novels of what are called a
sensational character There is no denying the fact
that this is essentially the age Of Sensational Lera-
ture, as far as the masses are concerned. Charles
Dickens, however, has place in the history of En-
glish Literature, and other author is more en-
titled TO it but not content to admit that
many Of our great authors, whose fame is impersh-
able to be forgotten or overlooked as the Times
insinuates in comparing the merits of those of the
nd