him into the table,
and to enable him to use the trap in the table through which his head
comes into the box, the two hands of a confederate are necessary. That
confederate comes up a trap, and stands in the space afforded by the
interval below the stage and the height of the little draped table! his
back is towards the audience. The moment he has assisted the hidden man
sufficiently, he closes the trap, and the conjuror then immediately
removes the little draped table, and also the drapery of the larger
table; when he places the box on the last-named table _with the slide
on_ for the head to come into it, he stands with his back to the
audience and his face to the box, and masks the box considerably to
facilitate the insertion of the head. As soon as he knows the head to be
in its place, he undraws the slide. When the verses have been spoken and
the trick is done, he loses no time in replacing the slide. The curtain
is then immediately dropped, because the man cannot otherwise be got out
of the table, and has no doubt had quite enough of it. With kindest
regards to all at Penton,

Ever your most affectionate.

FOOTNOTES:

[14] Now Captain E. Newton Dickenson.

[15] This was a circular note which he sent in answer to innumerable
letters of enquiry, after the accident.

[16] This letter was written in reply to the Committee's congratulations
upon Mr. Dickens's escape from the accident to the tidal train from
Folkestone, at Staplehurst, just previous to this date.

1866.

NARRATIVE.

The furnished house hired by Charles Dickens in the spring of this year
was in Southwick Place, Hyde Park.

Having entered into negotiations with the Messrs. Chappell for a series
of readings to be given in London, in the English provinces, in Scotland
and Ireland, Charles Dickens had no leisure for more than his usual
editorial work for "All the Year Round." He contributed four parts to
the Christmas number, which was entitled, "Mugby Junction."

For the future all his English readings were given in connection with
the Messrs. Chappell, and never in all his career had he more
satisfactory or more pleasant business relations than those connected
with these gentlemen. Moreover, out of this connection sprang a sincere
friendship on both sides.

Mr. Dolby is so constantly mentioned in future letters, that they
themselves will tell of the cordial companionship which existed between