Charles Dickens—A Lecture.

attained this pitch of perfection , I was to paste on each a printed label , and then go on again with more pots . Two or three other boys were kept at similar duty down stairs , on similar Avages .

One of them came up in a ragged apron and a paper cap , on the first Monday morning to SIIOAV me the trick of using the string , and tying the knot . His name was Bob Fagin , and I took the liberty of using his name long afterwards in Oliver Twist . No AVOKIS can

express the secret agony of my soul as I sunk into this companionship , compared these everyday associates with those of my happier childhood , and felt my early hopes of groAving up to he a learned and distinguished man crushed

in my heart . The deep remembrance of the sense I had of being utterly neglected and hopeless ; of the shame I felt in my position , of the misery it was to my young heart to believe that clay by day Avhat I had learned and

thought and delighted in , and raised my fancy and my emulation up by , Avas passing aAvay from me neA er to be brought back any more , cannot be written . My Avhole nature Avas so penetrated Avith the grief and

humiliation of such considerations , that even now , famous , caressed , and happy , I often forget in my dreams that I have a clear Avife and children , even that I am a man , and Avancler desolatel y back to that time of my life . " Later on Ave find that the

establishment at GoAver-street Avas broken up , and Mrs . Dickens and the encampment went to live at the Marshalsea . Charles was handed over to the care of a reduced old lady , AVIIO afterwards figured as Mrs . Kpchhi , in Dombey and Son . Poor

^ ickeLs has his pennyAVorth of bread ancl milk for his breakfast ( he Avas out at the blacking Avarehouse all clay ) , and us lod ging he supposed Avas paid for by ws father . He says , " I certainly had ^ o other assistance Avhatever , the making of

my clothes , I think , excepted , tr pni Monday morning to Saturday m 8 ' « t . No advice , no counsel , no

encouragement , no cousolation , no support , from any one , that I can call to mind , so help me God !" Sundays he and his sister Fanny , AVIIO Avas in the Royal Academy of Music , passed in the prison , The author

continues the recital of his boyish life , " I knoAV I do not exaggerate unconsciously and unintentionally the scantiness of my resources , and the difficulties of my life . I IOIOAV that if a shilling or so were given to me by any one

, I spent it in a dinner or tea . I knoAV that I Avorked from morning to night Avith common men and boys , a shabby child . I knoAV that I tried , but ineffectually , not to anticipate my money , and to make it last the week through by

putting it aAvay in a draAver I had in the counting house , wrapped into six little paper parcels , each parcel containing the same amount and labelled Avith a different clay . I ICIIOAV that I had lounged about the streets insufficiently and unsatisfactorily fed . I knoAV that , but for the mercy of God , I might

easily have been , for any care that Avas taken of me , a little robber or a little vagabond . " Charles felt so keenly being cut off so entirely from his family that one Sunday night he remonstrated Avith his father so pathetically and Avith

so many tears that he gave Avay , began to think it Avas all not quite right , and he was removed . Then he used to breakfast in the Marshalsea , and here it is said the family really kneAV more comfort than they had had for years .

They Avere Avaited on still by the maidof-all-Avork from Bayham-street , from Avhose sharp little Avorldly and kindly Avays he took his first impression of the Marchioness in " Old Curiosity Shop . " The landlord at his neAv lodgingsand

, his belongings figure as the Warland family in the same work . Bob Fagin Avas very good to him Avhen he had an attack of his old disorder spasms , and on one occasion after a very sharp attack insisted upon Avalking home with ,

him . They used to call Charles the gentleman , and treated him with some respect at the blacking Avarehouse . " I