Item Info

Accession Number: 87-149
Physical Description: [4] pages
Transcription:

Dear Sir
I have delayed answering your letter until the return of the Honorary Secretary to the Guild, Mr. Wills, who has been absent making some arrangements for representations in the North of England.  I have now gone over your proposal with him, and have very carefully considered all the details. 
You greatly misconceive the cost of such an expedition, and the number of unseen people necessary to the state of completeness to which our little Theatre has been brought.  The expenses would be more than twice your estimate.
I am very anxious indeed to visit Ireland in connexion with the Guild, because your assurances only confirm my confidence in the warm-hearted reception we should have; and because it seems but right that Ireland, which sends so many young men into the struggles of literary aspiration here--to say nothing of the Fine Arts--should be especially addressed in such a cause.  For this reason I would have made a great exertion to have effected a trip to Cork with the whole Amateur Company, and to have proceeded thence to Dublin.  By going to the two places we might have made the expedition sufficiently remunerative, if the receipts at Cork could have been raised to a larger amount.  But, as it is, and on the scale of returns you set before me, I do not feel justified in proposing the hazard to the gentlemen associated.  The result in figures, on the creditor side of the account, would scarcely warrant the trouble, wear and tear, and inconvenience.
Allow me to thank you for all the trouble you have taken, and, through you, to acknowledge all the valuable co-operation so readily and cordially proffered.
I have the honor to be / Dear Sir / Your faithful Servant
J. W. Bourke Esquire                                                                                    Charles Dickens

MssDate: Eleventh June 1852
Media Type: Letters
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Record entered by BZ

Recipient: Bourke, John WIlliam, b. ?1807
Provenance: Gift of Mrs. D. Jacques Benoliel, 12/56.

Bibliography:

The Letters of Charles Dickens, Pilgrim Edition, Volume Six, 1850-1852, p. 693.

Country: Creation Place Note:Tavistock House
Country:England
City/Town/Township:London

Call Number: DL B667 1852-06-11
Creator Name: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Author