Item Info

Accession Number: 87-878
Physical Description: [2] pages
Transcription:

49 Champs Elysees, Paris
           Thursday Thirty First January 1856
Dear and highly esteemed correspondent.
           My having been away from here, much occupied with Little Dorrit, has prevented my receiving and replying to your letter as soon as I could have wished.  I believe I have never received a more delightful letter in my life, or one that has awakened within me a deeper sense of the loftiest responsibilities and triumphs of a writer.  For the earnestness of your feeling towards me, I can never feel sufficiently proud or sufficiently greateful; and for the love you bear to my favorite book (for your sympathy has truly divined that it is my favorite), I must love you - if I may in return.
           I gratefully accept the proposal you make to me.  To be associated in that way with the first production of so fervent a head and heart as yours must be, is a high grace and privilege.  Whatever my deserts and claims to it may be, at least no man could possibly prize it more.
           I write briefly, in order not to lose another Post.  But I cannot refrain from adding that you do your English great injustice, if you suppose it to be anything less than a natural, eloquent, and charmingly unaffected expression of your feelings.
                                          Dear Madam Ever believe me
                                             Your faithful and affectionate
                                                Charles Dickens

As I cannot clearly read your adopted name, I have cut it from your letter to place on this envelope, that there may be no mistake.

MssDate: Thursday Thirty First January 1856
Media Type: Letters
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Pilgrim attributes this letter to Frau Alberti.

Notes:

Record entered by KS 9/18/11.

Recipient: Unidentified
Provenance: Maggs 1957, Matlack Fund.

Bibliography:

The Letters of Charles Dickens, Pilgrim Edition, Volume Eight, 1856-1858, pp. 40-41.

Country: Creation Place Note:49 Champs Elysees
Country:France
City/Town/Township:Paris

Call Number: DL Z 1856-01-31
Creator Name: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Author