Item Info

Accession Number: 87-109
Physical Description: [3] pages
Material: paper
Transcription:

Devonshire Terrace
  Sixth March 1844.
My Dear Barham.
  The Garrickers and the Aldermen are wonderful temptations; so are the Vintages, if not the Vintners. But I fear I must not go out to dinner next week. It is the week in every month in which I never go out to dinner, except on some tremendous provocation – such as a twin brother’s coming home from China, and having appointed to return next Morning. Which does not often happen.
  On one side I perceive a clearhead, looking forward to the end of Chuzzlewit. On the other, a blear-eyed (but amiable and pre-possessing) Youth, drinking Soda Water and incapable of any greater mental exertion than ordering it. On the one side, a solitary chop. On the other a gregarious and aldermanic spread.
  I strike myself on the breast – beat the stage doubtfully with my right russet boot – shake the feathers in my slouched hat – look darkly at you – suddenly cry “Tempter! No More!” – cross – defy you by tapping the hilt of my sword – and go off through a very little door, which has previously been shoved on sideways, by a man in scarlet plush.
  Faithfully Yours ever
  Charles Dickens
The Reverend R. H. Barham

MssDate: Sixth March 1844
Media Type: Letters
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Thomas Ingoldsby was the pen name of Richard Harris Barham, and the name by which he was better known.

Recipient: Ingoldsby, Thomas, 1788-1845
Provenance: Gift of Mrs. D. Jacques Benoliel, 12/1956.

Bibliography:

Volume 4, pp. 63-64, The Letters of Charles Dickens, edited by Madeline House & Graham Storey ; associate editors, W.J. Carlton … [et al.].

Country: Creation Place Note:Devonshire Terrace
Country:England
City/Town/Township:London

Call Number: DL In4 1844-03-06
Creator Name: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Author