CHARLES DICKENS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13980, 16 August 1909, Page 3

CHARLES DICKENS.

A TACTFUL LETTEiI. The " British Weekly" publishes a letter written by Dicicens concerning tlie death of his' third daughter, who was horn in August, 185U, and given the name of Dora Annie. Early in lbol both .Mrs Dickens and the infant were stricken with illness. Tlie 1 child oppuronfcly-recovered, but -Mrs Diekciu was still unwell, and it was decided that she should, go in March for a holiday at Great Malvern.- She was accompanied by her sister, while Dickens remained in London with the children. On Monday, April 13th, Dickens was making a speech at a dinner, and was told when he left the chair that his child had died in a moment. Join, Forster proceeded • next morning tt. Malvern to bring Mrs Dickens home and he took with him the following letter, along with a prayer: —"My Dearest Kate, —Now observe, you must read this letter very slowly and carefully. If you have hurried on thus far' without quite understanding, (apprehending some bad news), 1 rely on vour turning back and readiug again Little Dora, without being in least pain, is suddenly stricken ill. There is nuthing in her appearance but perfect rest —you would suppose lie? quietly asleep—but I am sure she is very ill, and 1 cannot encourage myself with much hope of her recovery. I do not (and »vhy should 1 say 1 di to vou, niv dear:-')—l do not think her "recovery at all likely. 1 do not like, to leave home*. 1 can do no goou here, hut I think it right to stay. Yoi will not like to bo away, I know, and J cannot reconcile it to myself to keep vou away. Forster, with his usual affection for ns, comes down to bring vou this letter, and to bring you liu?ne, but I cannot close it without putting the stronges entreaty and injunction upon you to come with perfect composure—to remember what ! have aften told you. that we novel can expect to be exempt, as to oui many children, from the afflictions of other parents, and that if— it when vou come I should even have to say to vou. -Our little baby is dead,' you are to do your duty to the rest, and to show yourself worthy of the great trust vou" hold in them. If you will only read this itendily 1 have a perfect confidence, in your doinu what is riirlifc Ever {affectionately, Charles Dickens."