Item Info

Accession Number: 83-1839
Physical Description: [2] pages
Material: paper
Transcription:

       Tuesday Twenty Fourth November 1857
My Dear Webster
         My razors, my razors! Don't forget my pair of razors!!
         I have something to say to you. There is a Christmas N.° coming out here—the whole N.° one story of which I have done the greater part: Wilkie Collins having written one chapter—which I clearly forsee will be dramatized everywhere. I think it will make prodigous noise, and I am sure it will be laid hold of by all sorts and conditions of Theatres. Now, I don't want it done upon the Stage at all: because I never do want to see any composition there, which is not intended for it. Nevertheless, I can't help its being done; and, done at all, I should like it done well. It would be a three act piece, requiring three very curious scenes. It lights up all the fire that is in the public mind at this time, and you might make your Theatre blaze with it. If you would like to try to do it thoroughly well, supposing it to answer this description, you shall have it in Proof some week or tend days before the Public, so as to get a good start in the adapting of it and preparing for it. I make this offer as a friend, and not with any idea of accepting any money.
         Your arrangements may be such, and you may be so much behind with your Pantomine (for even YOU, I believe, are occasionally procrastinative in the slightest degree), as to be in no position to contemplate the possibility of getting out such a thing. This the reason why I write to you at all. In that case, I would not send it to you to read. But if it be on the cards that you could, if you saw reason, undertake such a dash, I know I can trust you to read it, and you should have it at the end of this week. An hour and a half of next Sunday, would carry you through it.
         Don't leave this note lying about. I may possibly be able to get down to you tonight, If I can—I will.
                                         Faithfully Yours always
                                     Charles Dickens                                                    

MssDate: Tuesday Twenty Fourth November 1857
Media Type: Letters
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Written on the stationery of the "Office of Household Words".
"Razors" are a reference to John Poole's (1786?–1872) one act farce, which was never performed or published. Poole's sketches which appeared in the New Monthly Magazine (1826–34) featuring amateur sportsmen and their comic experiences in London among the highest and lowest of society,  is said to have influenced Dickens in works such as  Sketches by Boz and the Pickwick Papers.  The Christmas story referenced is Perils of Certain English Prisoners’ a collaboration between Wilkie Collins and Dickens.

Recipient: Webster, Benjamin, 1797-1882
Provenance: Holmes, 12/2001, Gratz Fund.

Bibliography:

Volume 8, pp. 481-482, The Letters of Charles Dickens, edited by Madeline House & Graham Storey; associate editors, W.J. Carlton…[et al.].

Country: Creation Place Note:No. 16. Wellington Street North-Strand
Country:England
City/Town/Township:London

Call Number: DL W391 1857-11-24
Creator Name: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Author