Item Info

Accession Number: 87-1678
Physical Description: [4] pages
Transcription:

 Devonshire Terrace

Twenty Third July 1848

My Dear Talfourd

I can't imagine what you mean by "a card from me". But I suppose it is some precious proceeding of Miss Kelly's, of which I have no more knowledge than the Emperor of China. And apropòs of that lady, I am sorry to say that my observation of her assures me she is not to be trusted. There is a moral sinuosity about her--a kind of corkscrewism--that leads her, as in the case of Durrant's nephew, to make, for her own purpose, mountains of molehills.

Exactly and precisely what you understand to be our promise to her, I understand too. There can be no doubt about it. I should have written it down, if much--between ourselves--that when you come back, I think we had best meet these creditors and wash our hands of the affair. If you will write to me at Broadstairs, I will "make an appointment to" meet you in town at your convenience. And we might perhaps dine together, in the old style.

She told me that the greater part of that thousand pounds--within a hundred, if I remember right--was paid away, immediately, for arrears of rent and taxes. This may be true. God knows. She fumbles about, in a basket full of what is apparently theatreical snow, but which she calls "documents", and pretends that they are vouchers for all she says. The inside of them, however, is a mystery to me.

I have been in Scotland, and am only now come home, or I should have written sooner. Hearty thanks for the Memorials of Lamb, which arrived last night, and which I am now going to read luxuriously, in the garden.

Affectionately always

CD.

 

MssDate: Twenty Third July 1848
Media Type: Letters
Source: Rare Book Department
Recipient: Talfourd, Thomas Noon, Sir, 1795-1854
Provenance: Hamill & Barker 5/55

Bibliography:

 The Letters of Charles Dickens, Volume Five: 1847-1849, ed. Graham Storey and K. J. Fielding. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1981,  p. 375.

Country: Creation Place Note:Devonshire Terrace
Country:England
City/Town/Township:London

Creation Year: 1848
Call Number: DL T143 1848-07-23
Creator Name: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Author