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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 MACRONE, [11 FEBRUARY 1836]

MS Morgan Library. Date: Hogarth's review appeared in the Morning Chronicle of Thurs 11 Feb. Address: John Macrone Esqre.

Furnivals Inn | Thursday Morning

My Dear Macrone.

I forward you a Chronicle with Hogarth's beautiful notice.1 I will keep my eye on the Evening papers to-night.2 There will be a notice in The Court Journal,3 and I hope in The other Morning Papers, whenever they can squeeze it in.

pg 130 I have been busy with a Magazine Paper during the last three days; I shall finish it today I hope; and if you are likely to be at home at One O'Clock tomorrow, I will call on you then. I want to see you.

  •                                                   Ever Yours
  • John Macrone Esqre.                                  Charles Dickens

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Notes

Editor’s Note
1 A few extracts will show Hogarth's enthusiasm: "These 'Sketches' are evidently the work of a person of various and extraordinary intellectual gifts. He is a close and acute observer of character and manners, with a strong sense of the ridiculous … He has the power, too, of producing tears as well as laughter. His pictures of the vices and wretchedness which abound in this vast city are sufficient to strike to the heart of the most careless and insensible reader. His disposition, however, evidently leads him to look on the bright and sunny side of things; … witness his 'Christmas Dinner' a charming paper, which might have been written by Washington Irving in one of his happiest hours…. The most remarkable paper in the book is that entitled 'A Visit to Newgate'…. The concluding picture of a condemned criminal passing his last night on earth in his solitary cell is drawn with terrible power."
Editor’s Note
2 There were no reviews in that night's papers.
Editor’s Note
3 This did not appear until 20 Feb. It particularly praised Cruikshank and found the two vols "the merriest of the season. 'Boz' is a kind of Boswell to society—and of the middle ranks especially".
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