DICKENS AND THE QUEEN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 10, 11 March 1893, Page 231

DICKENS AND THE QUEEN.

None of his readers in England, it may fairly be said, was a more consistent and devoted admirer of the genius of Dickens than the Queen. Next to Scott anil George Eliot Dickens was her favourite novelist. It had been her desire in the early days of her married life to make his acquaintance personally, but the touch of false pride which marred Dickens’ character, and rendered him morbidly sensitive as to ‘ patronage,’ prevented their meeting. In 1857 the Queen had been compelled to refuse her name for the dramatic performance of the ‘ Frozen Deep,’ given for the benefit of Douglas Jerrold, but she offered to allow

Dickens and hiscompany of players to select a room in the Palace and perform the play there before her and the Court. Dickens begged leave to decline the offer, as he could not feel easy about the social position of his daughters ataCourtundersuchcircumstances. Hesuggested that the Q teen might come to the Gallery of Illustrations a week before the subscription night, with her own friends, and witness a private performance of the play. * This,' writes Dickens, ‘ with the good sense that seems to accompany her good nature on all occasions, she resolved within a few hours to do.’ So delighted was the Queen with the performance that she sent round a kind message to Dickens asking him to come and see her and receive her thanks personally. ‘ I replied,’ says Dickens, in his account of the affair, ‘ that I was in my farce dress, and must beg to be excused. Whereupon she sent again, saying that the dress “ would not he so ridiculous as that,” and repeating the request. I sent my duty in reply, but again hoped her Majesty would have the kindness to excuse my presenting myself in a costume and appearance that was not my own. I was mighty glad to think, when I awoke this morning, that I had carried the point.’ This incident occurred in 1857.