visitors at Gad's Hill was the famous writer,
Hans Christian Andersen. In January "The Frozen Deep" had been played at
the Tavistock House theatre with such great success, that it was
necessary to repeat it several times, and the theatre was finally
demolished at the end of that month. In June Charles Dickens heard, with
great grief, of the death of his dear friend Douglas Jerrold; and as a
testimony of admiration for his genius and affectionate regard for
himself, it was decided to organise, under the management of Charles
Dickens, a series of entertainments, "in memory of the late Douglas
Jerrold," the fund produced by them (a considerable sum) to be
presented to Mr. Jerrold's family. The amateur company, including many
of Mr. Jerrold's colleagues on "Punch," gave subscription performances
of "The Frozen Deep;" the Gallery of Illustration, in Regent Street,
being engaged for the purpose. Charles Dickens gave two readings at St.
Martin's Hall of "The Christmas Carol" (to such immense audiences and
with such success, that the idea of giving public readings for his _own_
benefit first occurred to him at this time). The professional actors,
among them the famous veteran actor, Mr. T. P. Cooke, gave a performance
of Mr. Jerrold's plays of "The Rent Day" and "Black-eyed Susan," in
which Mr. T. P. Cooke sustained the character in which he had originally
made such great success when the play was written. A lecture was given
by Mr. Thackeray, and another by Mr. W. H. Russell. Finally, the Queen
having expressed a desire to see the play, which had been much talked of
during that season, there was another performance before her Majesty and
the Prince Consort at the Gallery of Illustration in July, and at the
end of that month Charles Dickens read his "Carol" in the Free Trade
Hall, at Manchester. And to wind up the "Memorial Fund" entertainments,
"The Frozen Deep" was played again at Manchester, also in the great Free
Trade Hall, at the end of August. For the business of these
entertainments he secured the assistance of Mr. Arthur Smith, of whom he
writes to Mr. Forster, at this time: "I have got hold of Arthur Smith,
as the best man of business I know, and go to work with him to-morrow
morning." And when he began his own public readings, both in town and
country, he felt himself most fortunate in having the co-operation of
this invaluable man of business, and also of his zealous friendship and
pleasant companionship.

In July,