herein made to present in an informal manner such facts of
historical, topographical, and literary moment as surrounded the
localities especially identified with the life and work of Charles Dickens
in the city of London, with naturally a not infrequent reference to such
scenes and incidents as he was wont to incorporate in the results of his
literary labours; believing that there are a considerable number of
persons, travellers, lovers of Dickens, enthusiasts _et als._, who might
be glad of a work which should present within a single pair of covers a
resume of the facts concerning the subject matter indicated by the title
of this book; to remind them in a way of what already exists to-day of the
London Dickens knew, as well as of the changes which have taken place
since the novelist's time.

To all such, then, the present work is offered, not necessarily as the
last word or even as an exhaustive resume, knowing full well the futility
for any chronicler to attempt to do such a subject full justice within the
confines of a moderate sized volume, where so many correlated facts of
history and side lights of contemporary information are thrown upon the
screen. The most that can be claimed is that every effort has been made to
present a truthful, correct, and not unduly sentimental account of the
sights and scenes of London connected with the life of Charles Dickens.

In Praise of London

"The inhabitants of St. James', notwithstanding they live under the same
laws and speak the same language, are as a people distinct from those who
live in the 'City.'"

_Addison._

"If you wish to have a just notion of the magnitude of the City you must
not be satisfied with its streets and squares, but must survey the
innumerable little lanes and courts."

_Johnson._

"I have often amused myself with thinking how different a place London is
to different people."

_Boswell._

"I had rather be Countess of Puddle-Dock (in London) than Queen of
Sussex."

_Shadwell._

"London ... a place where next-door neighbours do not know one another."

_Fielding._

"London ... where all people under thirty find so much amusement."

_Gray._

"Dull as London is in summer, there is always more company in it than in
any other one place."

_Walpole._

"London! Opulent, enlarged, and still--increasing London!"

_Cowper._

"What is London?"

_Burke._

"I began to study a map of London ... the river is of no a