ts before.
To keep the Chuzzlewit going, and to do this little book the Carol, in
the odd times between two parts of it, was, as you may suppose, pretty
tight work. But when it was done I broke out like a madman, and if you
could have seen me at a children's party at Macready's the other night
going down a country dance with Mrs. M. you would have thought I was a
country gentleman of independent property residing on a tip-top farm,
with the wind blowing straight in my face every day."

At our holiday frolics he used sometimes to conjure for us, the equally
"noble art" of the prestidigitateur being among his accomplishments. He
writes of this, which he included in the list of our Twelfth Night
amusements, to another American friend: "The actuary of the national debt
couldn't calculate the number of children who are coming here on Twelfth
Night, in honor of Charlie's birthday, for which occasion I have provided
a magic lantern and divers other tremendous engines of that nature. But
the best of it is that Forster and I have purchased between us the entire
stock-in-trade of a conjuror, the practice and display whereof is
entrusted to me. And if you could see me conjuring the company's watches
into impossible tea-caddies and causing pieces of money to fly, and
burning pocket handkerchiefs without burning 'em, and practising in my
own room without anybody to admire, you would never forget it as long as
you live."

One of these conjuring tricks comprised the disappearance and
reappearance of a tiny doll, which would announce most unexpected pieces
of news and messages to the different children in the audience; this doll
was a particular favorite, and its arrival eagerly awaited and welcomed.

That he loved to emphasize Christmas in every possible way, the following
extract from a note which he sent me in December, 1868, will evidence.
After speaking of a reading which he was to give on Christmas Eve, he
says: "It occurs to me that my table at St. James' Hall might be
appropriately ornamented with a little holly next Tuesday. If the two
front legs were entwined with it, for instance, and a border of it ran
round the top of the fringe in front, with a little sprig by way of
bouquet at each corner, it would present a seasonable appearance. If you
think of this and will have the materials ready in a little basket, I
will call for you at the office and take you up to the hall where the
table will be ready for you."

But I