REMINISCENCES OF DICKENS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XXIV, 12 June 1897, Page 746

REMINISCENCES OF DICKENS.

It was at the juvenile birthday parties that Dickens seemed in all his glory (says a writer in Harper's Round Table). At the sapper table, in helping some little miss to * trifle,' be would assure her with all possible gravity that it was no trifle at all. When the writer, urged to make a little speech on the occasion of Charlie's birthday, came to a full stop at the words, * I am sure,’ Dickens at once came to his assistance and enabled him to retire from the platform, however ungracefully, with the remark, among others, * Always be sure, my dear boy, and you’ll get along all right.’ At the little theatrical entertainments Dickens was the Alpha and Omega of the proceedings. He was sometimes author, adapter, condenser, musical director, manager, prompter, and even stage carpenter. He overflowed with energy. Dickens, doubtless remembering his own acute sensitiveness as a child, could not wittingly wound a child’s feelings. He made fnn with, not of us. No party ever came off at Dickens’ without * Sir Roger de Coverley' being introduced. Dickens shouted with laughter as some novice got badly mixed np in * all hands down the middle.’ Off be darted after the lost sheep —generally an awkward boy—and turned his blushes to smiles by saying, * What a dancer this boy will make when he's tackled a little more roast beef !’ or * Isn’t Tommy a nice young man for a small party ’’ There was nothing of the pedagogue about him. No vulgar attempt to pose as the brilliant ‘Boz.’ He was simply a big boy, and he came down the ladder of his fame bo meet his fellows on their ordinary platform—to be one of them in their own simple way for a time.