“CHARLES DICKENS.”

An agent had come out from New York with offers to induce him to arrange for a speedy visit to America, and Dickens was then waiting to see the man who had been announced as on his way to him.  He was evidently giving the subject serious consideration, for on the 20th of July he sends me this note:—­

“As I have not yet heard from Mr. ——­ of New York, I begin to think it likely (or, rather, I begin to think it more likely than I thought it before) that he has not backers good and sufficient, and that his ‘mission’ will go off.  It is possible that I may hear from him before the month is out, and I shall not make any reading arrangements until it has come to a close; but I do not regard it as being very probable that the said ——­ will appear satisfactorily, either in the flesh or the spirit.

“Now, considering that it would be August before I could move in the matter, that it would be indispensably necessary to choose some business connection and have some business arrangements made in America, and that I am inclined to think it would not be easy to originate and complete all the necessary preparations for beginning in October, I want your kind advice on the following points:—­

    “1.  Suppose I postponed the idea for a year.

    “2.  Suppose I postponed it until after Christmas.

“3.  Suppose I sent some trusty person out to America now, to negotiate with some sound, responsible, trustworthy man of business in New York, accustomed to public undertakings of such a nature; my negotiator being fully empowered to conclude any arrangements with him that might appear, on consultation, best.

“Have you any idea of any such person to whom you could recommend me?  Or of any such agent here?  I only want to see my way distinctly, and to have it prepared before me, out in the States.  Now, I will make no apology for troubling you, because I thoroughly rely on your interest and kindness.

    “I am at Gad’s Hill, except on Tuesdays and the greater part of
    Wednesdays.

    “With kind regards, very faithfully yours,

    “CHARLES DICKENS.”

Various notes passed between us after this, during my stay in London in 1859.  On the 6th of August he writes:—­

“I have considered the subject in every way, and have consulted with the few friends to whom I ever refer my doubts, and whose judgment is in the main excellent.  I have (this is between ourselves) come to the conclusion that I will not go now.

“A year hence I may revive the matter, and your presence in America will then be a great encouragement and assistance to me.  I shall see you (at least I count upon doing so) at my house in town before you turn your face towards the locked-up house; and we will then, reversing Macbeth, ‘proceed further in this business.’ ...

    “Believe me always (and here I forever renounce ‘Mr.,’ as having
    anything whatever to do with our communication, and as being a mere
    preposterous interloper),