Affectionately ever.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] The part played in "The Frozen Deep" by its author, Mr. Wilkie
Collins.

[2] The Earl of Carlisle was at this time Viceroy of Ireland.

Book III.

1858 TO 1870.

1858.

NARRATIVE.

All through this year, Charles Dickens was constantly moving about from
place to place. After much and careful consideration, he had come to the
determination of, for the future, giving readings for his own benefit.
And although in the spring of this year he gave one reading of his
"Christmas Carol" for a charity, all the other readings, beginning from
the 29th April, and ever after, were for himself. In the autumn of this
year he made reading tours in England, Scotland, and Ireland, always
accompanied by his friend and secretary, Mr. Arthur Smith. At Newcastle,
Charles Dickens was joined by his daughters, who accompanied him in his
Scotch tour. The letters to his sister-in-law, and to his eldest
daughter, are all given here, and will be given in all future reading
tours, as they form a complete diary of his life and movements at these
times. To avoid the constant repetition of the two names, the beginning
of the letters will be dispensed with in all cases where they follow
each other in unbroken succession. The Mr. Frederick Lehmann mentioned
in the letter written from Sheffield, had married a daughter of Mr.
Robert Chambers, and niece of Mrs. Wills. Coming to settle in London a
short time after this date, Mr. and Mrs. Lehmann became intimately known
to Charles Dickens and his family--more especially to his eldest
daughter, to whom they have been, and are, the kindest and truest of
friends. The "pretty little boy" mentioned as being under Mrs. Wills's
care, was their eldest son.

We give the letter to Mr. Thackeray, not because it is one of very great
interest, but because, being the only one we have, we are glad to have
the two names associated together in this work.

The "little speech" alluded to in this first letter to Mr. Macready was
one made by Charles Dickens at a public dinner, which was given in aid
of the Hospital for Sick Children, in Great Ormond Street. He afterwards
(early in April) gave a reading from his "Christmas Carol" for this same
charity.

The Christmas number of "Household Words," mentioned in a letter to Mr.
Wilkie Collins, was called "A House to Let," and contained stories
written by Charles Dickens,