Item Info

Accession Number: 87-316
Physical Description: [3] pages + envelope
Material: paper
Transcription:

London, 1 Devonshire Terrace
  23^rd. December 1850.
My dear Miss Gotschalk
  I should have written to you long ago, but that I had mislaid your former letter (in the midst of a great mass of correspondence) and could not remember your address. When you wrote again, on the third of this month, and did not mention it, I began to despair of ever being able to write. But I made another search, and found what I wanted.
  As I believe that you are happier than when you first wrote to me, because you are better, I shall not say much as to those darker shadows of your mind. If we all sat down to brood on Death, this scene of Duty would become a dismal place – no Duty would be done – mankind would soon sink into ignorance and misery – and Death would find us with a poor account to render, of our work. I apprehend it is because we are placed here to work (all of us in our spheres of action can work, whatever those spheres be) that it is so natural to us to dismiss the contemplation of that end that must come in the fulness of God’s time. Our business is to use Life well. If we do that, we may let Death alone.
  Action, in an earnest spirit, is the refuge from Gloomy thoughts. My fair young correspondent, trust me no one can be more useful in the World’s byeways (from which its highways are made) or can act to better purpose, than an affectionate, true-hearted woman. I believe you to be full of the qualities that make one; and I have no fear of your happiness, and usefulness, and peace.
  And so may God bless you, and the true spirit of this Christmas season influence your heart!
  Faithfully Your friend
  Charles Dickens
Miss Emmy Gotschalk

MssDate: 23rd December 1850
Media Type: Letters
Source: Rare Book Department
Recipient: Gotschalk, Emmely
Provenance: Sessler 1959. Gratz Fund.

Bibliography:

Volume 6, p. 244, The Letters of Charles Dickens, edited by Madeline House & Graham Storey ; associate editors, W.J. Carlton … [et al.].

Country: Creation Place Note:1 Devonshire Terrace
Country:England
City/Town/Township:London

Call Number: DL G712 1850-12-23
Creator Name: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Author