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Charles Dickens

Madeline House and Graham Storey (eds), The British Academy/The Pilgrim Edition of the Letters of Charles Dickens, Vol. 1: 1820–1839

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To JOHN FORSTER, [?25 NOVEMBER 1839]

MS Victoria & Albert Museum. Date: Very probably CD was making an arrangement cancelled later in the morning: see next.

My Dear Forster.

I should have been with you on Saturday night, but there was a false alarm regarding Mrs. Burnett,1 and I was obliged to stop and keep Kate company.

I have news also—about Cruikshank—and Ainsworth too. I am going to take Chapman up to Devonshire Terrace to day for the second time; he is a genius in houses, and has made a suggestion relative to the Water closet, which is to be forthwith carried out. Will you go with us? I am to be with him at two—shall have the carriage—and will call on you in passing—that is to say, about ten minutes before the hour.

aBarnaby moves—not at racehorse speed, but yet as fast (I think) as under these unsettled circumstances could possibly be expected.a

All other news when we meet.

  •                                              Faithfully Yours always
  • John Forster Esquire.                              Charles Dickens

bI return the form2—it's the right Temple, I take for granted.b

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Notes

Editor’s Note
1 Her first child, Henry Augustus, was born on 25 Nov at 33 Argyle Street.
Editor’s Note
aa bb Given in F, ii, v, 133.
Editor’s Note
2 His application to join the Middle Temple: see To Chapman, 27 Dec 39. Forster was no doubt one of his referees.
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