Year: 1872

CHARLES DICKENS AND BIS BI0GRAPHER.


The announcement is made that Mr.. Forster
proposes to give, in the second volume Of his
"Life Of Dickens" q version OF the distinguish
ed novelist's difficulties With his wife, charging
the responsibility Of the separation upon the
latter. It is stated at the game time, that young
Charles Dickens will avail himself Of his edito-
rial control Of Al the Year Round to controvert
Mr.. Forster's statements, and present to the pub
lie version Of the unfortunate disagreement Of
his parents that shall be favorable to his moth
er, with whom he has always taken sides, It is
to be hoped that so useless controversy will
not be started at this or any time, but particu-
larly now when so many persons are living who
would be seriously mortified and harasBed by
any verdict that public opinion might render
But the morbid curiosity that the public has al
ways exhibited concerning the intimate person.
al relations Of public men, and the patronage
that has been bestowed upon all publications
OF this character, regardless OF the real merits Of
the controversies, render it highly probable
that the promised exposition Of Charles Dick
ems domestic life cannot be aTerted.


Is there any reason why public men should
be denied the immunity from public scrutiny
OF their private lives which is conceded to COM
mon mortals7 Can it be that devotion to the
interests or amusement Of mankind include,
among many other sacrifices, that Of every rela-
ton which is regarded as most exc1u-
sive and sacred. II the answer ia
to be based upon results, it should
be in the negative. The newspaper
interviewer Of to-day is but a different embodi-
ment OF spirit that is as old as the disposition
to meddle in everybody's business, which has
been found in all ages. He is a modern counter
part Of Samuel Pepys, who revelled in the gos-
sip and scandal OF his time. The popular
knowledge Of great men OF the past is an indica-
ton that the revelations Of inner life are not
new to the world. Mark Antony is not 30 we'll
known for his martial exploits as for his
amour with Cleopatra. Thousands Of people
who have not the remotest idea who and
what Abelard was, are familiar enough with the
particular episode OF his life in connection with
Elose. There are many sympathetic and senti-
mental souls that have slipped the sweetness Of
sGrazie1la," }" who have never heard Of the fact
that it's author-confessor, Lamartine, once con-
trol1ed the entire population Of Paris at pitch
OF excitement when no other man would have
been heard. Alexandra Dumas social life is
even batter known than his novels.
Thackeray's domestic troubles, 80 much like
those OF Dickens in outward aspect, are
more familiar than the character OF Becky Sharp.
There are many Americans ignorant OF the fact
that Aaron Burr Was ever Vice President OF the
United States who can retail all the scandal about
him. The wretch who uncovered Byron's dead
body to rereal to the world the deformity Of his
limb will be remembered as long as the poet
himself, So, in all times, and in the treat
ment Of all classes Of public men, there
seems to be popular desire that their folies,
foibles, and private misfortunes shall have as
prominent place in history as the evidences OF
their grentness and goodness.


Though results such as we have indicated ap-
pear to be responses to the general curiosity Of
mankind, there is no doubt that they are encour-
aged and stimulated by the very agencies which
should do most to repress them. Mr. Forster ia
notably. to blame for the proposed revival
Of d scandal that should long since
have been buried beneath the regrets, remorse,
and suffering which it must have occasioned.
He is man who should rise above the tempta-
ton to pander to any vicious tastes. He does
not need the attraction OF this feature to render