Item Info

Accession Number: 86-2793
Physical Description: [2] pages
Material: paper
Transcription:

Tavistock House
                Saturday Fourth December 1852
My Dear Mrs. Gaskell.
                I have received yours and its enclosures, safely, this morning.
                I have no doubt, according to every principle of art that is known to me from Shakspeare downwards, that you weaken the terror of the story by making them all see the phantoms at the end. And I feel a perfect conviction that the best readers will be the most certain to make this discovery. Nous verrons. But it is greatly improved, and in making up the Xmas No. finally to day, I shall of course be careful to preserve the New Ending, exactly as you have written it. (I had considered that point about the child’s describing what she saw, but had regarded the child as under a supernatural impulse to do so.)
                You will find it, I think, a very pretty No. As soon as some copies are “worked” and pressed, I will send you one, a week or so in advance of its publication.
                Your introduced reference on the child’s part to the Lady of the Fells, strikes me as particularly good and picturesque.
                Ever Faithfully Yours.
                                Charles Dickens

MssDate: Saturday Fourth December 1852
Media Type: Letters
Source: Rare Book Department
Recipient: Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn, 1810-1865
Provenance: Purchased at Sotheby Sale 17/18, Feb 75, through Maggs, Mar 75. Gratz Fund.

Bibliography:

Volume 6, p. 815, The Letters of Charles Dickens, edited by Madeline House & Graham Storey ; associate editors, W.J. Carlton … [et al.].

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

Call Number: DL G212 1852-12-04
Creator Name: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Author