has actually consulted authorities learned in the law as to
     his having good grounds on which to rest an action for libel.” 
     But Squeers, as Dickens insisted, was the representative of a
     class, and not an individual.  The Brothers Cheeryble were “no
     creations of the author’s brain” Dickens also wrote; and in
     consequence of this statement “hundreds upon hundreds of
     letters from all sorts of people” poured in upon him to be
     forwarded “to the originals of the Brothers Cheeryble.”  They
     were the Brothers Grant, cotton-spinners, near Manchester. 
     “Nicholas Nickleby” was completed in October, 1839.

I.—­A Yorkshire Schoolmaster

Mr. Nickleby, a country gentleman of small estate, having endeavoured to increase his scanty fortune by speculation, found himself ruined; he took to his bed (apparently resolved to keep that, at all events), and, after embracing his wife and children, very soon departed this life.  So Mrs. Nickleby went to London to wait upon her brother-in-law, Mr. Ralph Nickleby, and with her two children, Nicholas, then nineteen, and Kate, a year or two younger, took lodgings in the Strand.

It was to these apartments that Ralph Nickleby, a hard, unscrupulous, cunning money-lender, came on receipt of the widow’s note.

“Are you willing to work, sir?” said Ralph, frowning at his nephew.

“Of course I am,” replied Nicholas haughtily.

“Then see here,” said his uncle.  “This caught my eyes this morning, and you may thank your stars for it.”

With that Mr. Ralph Nickleby took a newspaper from his pocket and read the following advertisement.

“Education.—­At Mr. Wackford Squeers’ Academy, Dotheboys Hall, at the delightful village of Dotheboys, in Yorkshire, youths are boarded, clothed, booked, furnished with pocket-money, instructed in all languages living or dead, mathematics, orthography, geometry, trigonometry, the use of the globes, algebra, single-stick (if required), writing, arithmetic, fortification, and every other branch of classic literature.  Terms, twenty guineas per annum.  No extras, no vacations, and diet unparalleled.  Mr. Squeers is in town, and attends daily from one till four, at the Saracen’s Head, Snow Hill.  N.B.—­An able assistant wanted.  Annual salary, L5, A Master of Arts would be preferred.”

“There!” said Ralph, folding the paper again.  “Let him get that situation and his fortune’s made.  If he don’t like that, let him get one for himself.”

“I am ready to do anything you wish me,” said Nicholas, starting gaily up.  “Let us try our fortune with Mr. Squeers at once; he can but refuse.”

“He won’t do that,” said Ralph.  “He will be glad to have you on my recommendation.  Make yourself of use to him, and you’ll rise to be a partner in the establishment in no time.”

Nicholas, having taken down the address of Mr. Wackford Squeers, the uncle and nephew at once went forth in quest of that accomplished gentleman.