THE LATE CHARLES DICKENS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3131, 23 February 1871, Page 2

THE LATE CHARLES DICKENS.

An ardent admirer of the late novelist contributes tho following brief sketch as a slight testimony to the genius of the author, as one who has derived no inconsiderable share of pleasure from the perusal of his various works, and we therefore gladly give it insertion : — Tho death of tho author of the " Pickwick Papers," the " Christmas Carol," and many other works, has left a gap in the literary world that will not bo easily filled up. Although in tho large circle of his private friends tho death of Dickens was felt to be premature, yet it must be admitted that he had attained the acme of hia fame, and has left behind him abundant evidence of his great talent. There are few writers whoso works have been more generally read than Dickens ! One has only to visit any literary institute in any town or village, and to take down from the bookshelves the immortal " Pickwick Papers," the " Old Curiosity Shop," or indeed most of bis works, to find them well thumbed, tho binding loose in many instances, and the leaves sometimes ready to fallout. While in tho case of many otherworks, possibly of a learned or scientific nature, the leaves will be found unout, and tho binding in an excellent state of preservation. One fact is proved by this result, that Charles Dickens possessed in a great degree, the rare talent of amusing the people. By tho people, we mean, not particular claeeoa alone, but all classes. Tho men of refinement could enjoy one of Dickens' works while sipping coffee at his club, and tho mechanic, wearied with hia day's labor, find most acceptable relaxation. But it is not only from tho power of the late author to please the fancy and raise a laugh by the whims'cal and humorous features of some of his works, but also from the high moral tone that pervades them. Many a lesson may be learnt from a careful perusal of these writings. Instance the example afforded by the interesting history of " Little Nell," in the " Old Curiosity Shop," or of. " Tiny lim," in that

much admired gem, "A Christmas Carol," that first and best of his Christmas series, •which ■will for a long, long time be treasured and remembered in many a household.^ Then again, Dickens showed great penetration into character. The ramifications of thought, the doubtingß and ■windings in the minds of men, were all laid hare by him. The flight of folly and the crawling of the serpent " vice," were equally subjects of his satire. As an embodiment of refinement of manners and gentlemanly deportment blended with hollow-heart-edness, the character of Sir John Chester, in " Barnaby Eudge," is unequalled, his extreme courtesy and polish of manner being only paralleled by his extreme selfishness. The humorous characters in Dickons' writings are inimitable ; the peculiarities of Mrs Gamp, the eccentricities of Sam Weller, or the characteristic gravity of Mr Weller, senior, are always fresh, and will bear reading again and again. Mr Dickem' forte appears to bare been description. For ininutiffl of detail, for describing things overlooked by many writers, he was almost perfeot. For instance, when introduced to the interior of some office in London, you are told of a pane of glass that has a patch of paper in the corner, a quill pen worn down to a stump, or a stool, one leg of which is loose, •fee, in a manner that as it were brings the office in question before your eyes, and you are at once acquainted with it. The 6ame may be said of his description of country scenery, and indeed any other subject. T?ou can see the waving corn, you can hear the birds singing, you view the golden hues of the setting sun from the force of his description. Perhaps it may be asserted with truth that one of the chief causes of the popularity of Charles Dickens was his social and kindly feoling, and his sympathy with the poorer classes, — in short, his love for his fellow-man. " Bob Crachet," and " Trothy Veck," and the poor country schoolmaster, are the special oreation of Dickens. As the author himself has more than once confessed, some of his earlier works would have been improved by subsequent revision. The chief fault in his style is, there is no dobt, a tendency to exaggerate. For instance, we are told that Bob Sawyer carved his name on the seat of a pew in a church in letters of " four inches" long — when " one inch" would have been more appropriate, and we read of " thousands" and " hundreds" when " hundreds" and " tens" would have been nearer the truth. We read also in the " Christmas Carrol " of Peter Cratehets' collars (formerly his father's) being so large, that "you couldn't see his head." These exaggerations, however, sink into insignificance by comparison with the numerous beauties in the writings of Dickens. The interest with which they are always read, and the numerous editions of them that have been published, speak sufficiently for their attractiveness. In. conclusion, it may be said that the works of this author show that he possessed no ordinary knowledge of the manners and customs of different nations, evidence of which meet the reader at every turn. In " Bleak Hoiue," where we read of the heat of the sun at Marseilles, the characters of the Frenchman and Italian are admirably pourtrayed. To say that Charles Dickens had not faults as a writer, would bo to say, what never has been, "or will be said, of any author; but the failings, such as they are, are eclipsed by so much that is interesting, amusing, and instructive, that it may Bafely be said, it will be long ere the world will " look upon hiß like again," K.