of one of the most delightful books ever written found once again
the fullest appreciation. The usual burst of merriment responsive
to the blithe description of Bob Cratchit’s Christmas day, and the
wonted sympathy with the crippled child “Tiny Tim,” found prompt
expression, and the general delight at hearing of Ebenezer
Scrooge’s reformation was only checked by the saddening remembrance
that with it the last strain of the “carol” was dying away. After
the “Trial from Pickwick,” in which the speeches of the opposing
counsel, and the owlish gravity of the judge, seemed to be
delivered and depicted with greater dramatic power than ever, the
applause of the audience rang for several minutes through the hall,
and when it had subsided, Mr. Dickens, with evidently strong
emotion, but in his usual distinct and expressive manner, spoke as
follows:-]
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, – It would be worse than idle – for it would
be hypocritical and unfeeling – if I were to disguise that I close
this episode in my life with feelings of very considerable pain.
For some fifteen years, in this hall and in many kindred places, I
have had the honour of presenting my own cherished ideas before you
for your recognition, and, in closely observing your reception of
them, have enjoyed an amount of artistic delight and instruction
which, perhaps, is given to few men to know. In this task, and in
every other I have ever undertaken, as a faithful servant of the
public, always imbued with a sense of duty to them, and always
striving to do his best, I have been uniformly cheered by the
readiest response, the most generous sympathy, and the most
stimulating support. Nevertheless, I have thought it well, at the
full flood-tide of your favour, to retire upon those older
associations between us, which date from much further back than
these, and henceforth to devote myself exclusively to the art that
first brought us together. Ladies and gentlemen, in but two short
weeks from this time I hope that you may enter, in your own homes,
on a new series of readings, at which my assistance will be
indispensable; but from these garish lights I vanish now for
evermore, with a heartfelt, grateful, respectful, and affectionate
farewell.
[Amidst repeated acclamations of the most enthusiastic description,
whilst hats and handkerchiefs were waving in every part of the
hall, Mr. Charles Dickens retired, withdrawing with him one of the
greatest intellectual treats the public ever enjoyed.]
Page 117
Dickens, Charles – Speeches, Literary & Social
SPEECH: THE NEWSVENDORS’ INSTITUTION, LONDON, APRIL 5, 1870.
[The annual dinner in aid of the funds of the Newsvendors’
Benevolent and Provident Institution was held on the above evening,
at the Freemason’s Tavern. Mr. Charles Dickens presided, and was
supported by the Sheriffs of the City of London and Middlesex.
After the usual toasts had been given and responded to,
The Chairman said that if the approved order of their proceedings
had been observed, the Corporation of the City of London would no
doubt have considered themselves snubbed if they were not toasted
by themselves. He was sure that a distinguished member of the
Corporation who was present would tell the company what the
Corporation were going to do; and he had not the slightest doubt
they were going to do something highly creditable to themselves,
and something highly serviceable to the whole metropolis; and if
the secret were not at present locked up in the blue chamber, they
would be all deeply obliged to the gentleman who would immediately
follow him, if he let them into it in the same confidence as he had
observed with respect to the Corporation of the City of London
being snubbed. He begged to give the toast of “The Corporation of
the City of London.”
Mr. Alderman Cotton, in replying to the toast, said for once, and
once only, had their chairman said an unkind word about the
Corporation of London. He had always reckoned Mr. Dickens to be
one of the warmest friends of the Corporation; and remembering that
he (Mr. Dickens) did really go through a Lord Mayor’s Show in a
Lord Mayor’s carriage, if he had not felt himself quite a Lord