in the "bitty" literature of the last quarter of a century.

To treat it exhaustively would be impossible; the changes and progress of
the times will not permit of this. Nothing would be final, and new shadows
would constantly be thrown upon the screen.

Dickens' observation, as is well known, was most keen, but he mostly saw
only those things which, in some degree, actually existed,--towns,
villages, streets, localities, and public and private houses. Not an
unusual method of procedure for many an author of repute, but few have had
the finesse to lay on local colour to the extent used by Dickens, without
tending toward mere description. This no one has ever had the temerity to
lay to Dickens' door.

Mention can be made herein of but a few of the localities, many of which
had existed to very near the present day.

To enumerate or to even attempt to trace them all would be practically
impossible, but enough has been authenticated to indicate a more
substantial reality than is found in the work of any other modern English
author.

If one is so minded, he can start out from the very hotel,--"The Golden
Cross" at Charing Cross,--from which Pickwick and Jingle started on their
coach ride to Rochester, and where Copperfield and Steerforth also stayed.
The "dark arches of the Adelphi," the Temple, and Fountain Court, remain
much as of yore.

Fleet Street was well known to Dickens, and has changed but little, and
Lincoln's Inn Fields, Bloomsbury, and many other localities have in
reality changed not at all in their relation to their environment. In
matters of detail they have, of course, in many instances undergone a
certain remoulding, which is no greater perhaps than the usual liberties
taken by the average author.

Dickens, in the main, changed the surroundings of his scenes--which he
may have given another name--but little.

"Copperfield" is redolent of his own early associations and experiences in
London. The neighbourhood of Charing Cross will be first called to mind.
Hungerford Market and Hungerford Bridge (as the present Charing Cross
Railway Bridge is often called by the old resident), and the "Adelphi,"
with its gruesome arches beneath, all give more than a suggestion of the
sights and scenes which met Dickens' own eye when his personality was
closely associated therewith.

Hence, regardless of whether it is biography or pure fiction, there are
to-day substantial reminders throughout London, not only of his