Item Info

Accession Number: 79-1125
Physical Description: [4] pages
Material: paper
Transcription:

 Kennedy’s Hotel, Edinburgh
  Monday Fourteenth Decr: 1868
   My Dearest Georgy
                   I am very sorry to hear such bad tidings of that unfortunate mouth of yours. It is, in the main, some remainder (I think) of that severe influenza, or catarrh, or what not, that has so long troubled you. I would by all means go to Cartwright as soon as the swelling subsides. Also I would see Frank Beard and try quinine, or a new tonic that they give now to people who cannot take quinine. 
                   The dinner party of Saturday last was an immense success. Russell swore on the occasion that he would go over to Belfast, expressly to dine with me at the Finlays. Ballantine informed me that he was going to send you some Scotch remembrance (I don’t know what) at Christmas!
                   The Edinburgh houses are very fine; but Glasgow limps dismally behind, and will certainly destroy the profit of the first Scotch trip, as far as the Chappells are concerned.  The Glasgow room is a big wandering place, with five prices in it: which makes in the more aggravating, as the people get into knots which they can’t break —as if they are afraid of one another.
                    Forgery of my name is becoming popular. You sent me this morning a letter from Russell Sturgis, answering a supposed letter of mine (presented by “Miss Jefferies”) and assuring me of his readiness to give, not only the Ten Pounds I asked for, but any contribution I wanted, towards sending that lady and her family back to Boston!!
                    I wish you would take an opportunity of forewarning Lady Tennent that the first night’s reading she will attend is an experiment quite out of the way, and that she may find it rather horrible.
   As to the Cook’s tickets, Dolby can only ask Chappell to send them to Gads. He has exactly as many St. James’s Hall tickets here, as he has autographs of the Emperor of China; and it is clear that the Chappells do not encourage him to ask for any.
                    The Keeper of the Edinburgh Hall, a fine old soldier, presented me on Friday night with the finest red camellia for my buttonhole,  that ever was seen. Nobody can imagine how he came by it, as the Florists had had a considerable demand for that colour—from ladies in the stalls—and could get no such thing.
                    The day is dark, wet, and windy. The weather is likely to be vile indeed at Glasgow, where it always rains, and where the sun is never seen through the smoke. We go over there, tomorrow at 10.
                            Best love to Mamie
                             Ever My Dearest Georgy
                              affectionately
                                           CD

MssDate: Monday Fourteenth Decr. 1868
Media Type: Letters
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

The forewaring of the first night's reading to which Lady Tennent is to attend is a reference to Sikes and Nancy from Oliver Twist. 

Recipient: Hogarth, Georgina, 1827-1917
Provenance: Sotheby Sale Through Maggs, June/1977, Gratz Fund.

Bibliography:

Volume 12, pp. 244-245, The Letters of Charles Dickens, edited by Madeline House & Graham Storey; associate editors, W.J. Carlton…[et al.]

Country: Creation Place Note:Kennedy's Hotel
Country:Scotland
City/Town/Township:Edinburgh

Call Number: DL H678g2 1868-12-14
Creator Name: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Author