Item Info

Accession Number: 87-0782
Physical Description: [4] pages + envelope
Material: paper
Transcription:

    chateau des molineaux
            Rue Beaurepaire. Boulogne
                 Thursday Twenty Third June 1853.

My Dear Pumpion,

         I take the earliest opportunity after finishing my Number—ahem!—to write you a line, and to report myself (thank God) brown, well, robust, vigorous, open to fight any man in England of my weight, and growing a moustache. Any person of undoubted pluck, in want of a customer, may hear of me at the bar of Bleak House, where my money is down.
         I think there is an abundance of places here that would suit you well enough; and Georgina is ready to launch on voyages of discovery and observation with you. But it is necessary that you should consider for how long a time you want it, as the folks here let much more advantageously for the tenant when they know the term—don't like to let, without.     It seems to me that the best thing you can do, is to get a paper of the South Eastern Tidal Trains —fix your day for coming over in five hours (when you will pay through to Boulogne at London Bridge) — let me know the day— and come,  and see how you like the place. I like it better than ever. We can give you a bed (two to spare— at a pinch three—) and shew you a garden and a view or so. The town is not so cheap as places further off, but you get a great deal for your money, and by far the best wine at tenpence a bottle that I have ever drunk anywhere.    I really desire no better.

        I may mention for your guidance (for I count upon your coming, to overhaul the general aspect of things) that you have nothing on Earth to do with your luggage when it is once in the boat, until after you have walked ashore. That you will be filtered, with the rest of the passengers, through a hideous, whitewashed, quarantine-looking custom-house, where a stern man of a military aspect will demand your passport.  That you will have nothing of the sort, but will produce your card with this addition— "Restart à Boulogne, chez M. Charles Dickens, Chateau des Moulineaux." That you will then be passed out at a little door, like one of the ill-starred prisoners on the bloody September night, into a yelling and shrieking crowd, cleaving the air with the names of the different hotels—exactly seven thousand, six hundred, and fifty-four in number. and that your heart will be on the point of sinking with dread, when you will find yourself in the arms of the Sparkler of Albion.

                        All unite in kindest regards.

                       Ever affectionately.
                       Charles Dickens
(I thought you might like to see the flourish again). 

MssDate: Thursday Twenty Third June 1853
Media Type: Letters
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Pumpkin refers to a large man (OED).  

"September night" refers to 2 Sept 1792, the first night of the massacre of prisoners in the Prison of the Abbaye and other Paris prisons after summary "trial" on the spot, described by Carlyle in his book, The French Revolution.  

Recipient: Stone, Frank, 1800-1859
Provenance: Gift of Mrs. D. Jacques Benoliel, 12/6/54.

Bibliography:

Volume 7, p. 100, The Letters of Charles Dickens, edited by Madeline House & Graham Storey; associate editors, W.J. Carlton…[et al.].

Country: Creation Place Note:Chateau des Molineaux Rue Beaurepaire
Country:France
City/Town/Township:Boulogne

Call Number: DL St71F 1853-06-23
Creator Name: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Author