in seeing me; and
that I shall consider all opportunities of becoming better known to you
among the most fortunate and desirable occasions of my life. And that I
am with your conviction about the probability of our liking each other,
and, as Lord Lyndhurst might say, with "something more."

Ever faithfully yours.

FOOTNOTE:

[5] This alludes to a theatrical story of a second-rate actor, who
described himself as a "chained lion," in a theatre where he had to play
inferior parts to Mr. Macready.

1846.

NARRATIVE.

In the spring of this year Charles Dickens gave up the editorship of,
and finally, all connection with _The Daily News_, and went again abroad
with his family; the house in Devonshire Terrace being let for twelve
months. He made his summer residence at Lausanne, taking a villa
(Rosemont) there, from May till November. Here he wrote "The Battle of
Life," and the first number of "Dombey and Son." In November he removed
to Paris, where he took a house in the Rue de Courcelles for the winter,
and where he lived and was at work upon "Dombey" until March, 1847.
Among the English residents that summer at Lausanne he made many
friendships, in proof of which he dedicated the Christmas book written
there to his "English friends in Lausanne." The especially intimate
friendships which he formed were with M. de Cerjat, who was always a
resident of Lausanne with his family; Mr. Haldimand, whose name is
identified with the place, and with the Hon. Richard and Mrs. Watson, of
Rockingham Castle. He maintained a constant correspondence with them,
and to Mr. and Mrs. Watson he afterwards dedicated his own favourite of
all his books, "David Copperfield." M. de Cerjat, from the time of
Charles Dickens leaving Lausanne, began a custom, which he kept up
almost without an interval to the time of his own death, of writing him
a long letter every Christmas, to which he returned answers, which will
be given in this and the following years.

In this year we have the commencement of his association and
correspondence with Mr. W. H. Wills. Their connection began in the short
term of his editorship of _The Daily News_, when he at once fully
appreciated Mr. Wills's invaluable business qualities. And when, some
time later, he started his own periodical, "Household Words," he thought
himself very fortunate in being able to secure Mr. Wills's co-operation
as editor of that journal