MMaaBCMaaMBMriMMMM i i iM i »iiii>iiiaagM»iMa«i ^ t M iitaiiiM«aa«iaBiM— 1» A DINNER TO C H AR L E S D I C K E N S 1841 ^ 1 ' ' I IR^I H .i }(^ REPORT OF THE DICKENS DINNER J U N E 2 5, 1 S 4 1 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC DINNER " GIVEN TO CHARLES DICKENS AT THE WATERLOO ROOMS EDINBURGH ON FRIDAY JUNE 25, 1841 PRIVATELY PRINTED ]915 COPT J! I OR T . 19 15 , BY TEE TOUCH PEE SS ALL PI GETS KESERVED P U P. L I S Jl K 1> , N O T E 3/ />' EB, 191 f, TO MRS. KATE PERUGINI DAUGHTER OF CHARLES DICKENS AND PRESIDENT OP THE DICKENS FELLOWSHIP ING CouRANT, printed June 26tli, the day after the dinner. If it ivas the Scotsman which Dick- ens sent Forster, he was justified in his opinion that ''the report is dismal in the extreme/^ That of the E^T.NIXG Coueant, while better, still up- holds Dickens's opinion of the two papers, given to Jerdan, that ''the reporting is dismal". The search, however, disclosed a third report printed, four days after the affair, in the Edin- burgh Advertiser, Tuesday, June 29th, which is very much better, as well as more extended than in the other two papers. It is believed by the writer, that ardent Dickensians will agree with him, that this report of the happenings of a day, irhich certaiidy was a red letter day to the young author, should be preserved in a more accessible form, than in the musty files of a newspaper over seventy years old. This is the excuse, if any is required, for reprinting the Advertiser's report. Forster, in Jus biography, says regarding the dinner, "This was his first practical experience of the honors his fame had won for him, and it found him as eager to receive as all irere eager to give.'' In connection ivith the report of the dinner, it is interesting to read some extracts from a letter which Dickens wrote Forster two days before it occurred, in which he gives, as Forster reynarks, some "pleasant sketches of some of those who took a leading part in the celebration, whose once famous and famUiar figures are not so u^ell knoivn to the present generation." The renowned Peter Robertson is a large. X portly, full faced man with a merry eye, and a queer way of looking under his spectacles which is characteristic and pleasant. He seems a very warm hearted earnest man, too, and I felt quite at home with him forthtvith. Walking up and doivn the hall of the courts of latv (which was full of advocates, writers to the signet, clerks and idlers), tvas a tall, hurley handsome man of eight- and fifty, with a gait like O'ConnelVs, the bluest eyes you can iynagine, and long hair — longer than mine — falling down in a tvild tvay under the broad brim of his hat. He had on a surtout coat, a blue cliecked shirt; the collar standing up, and kept in place with a wisp of black handker- chief; no waistcoat; and a large pocket handker- chief thrust into his breast, which was all broad and open. At his heels followed a wiry, sharp- eyed, shaggy devil of a terrier, dogging his steps as he tvent slashing up and doivn, now with one man beside him, noiv with another, and now quite alone, but always at a fast, rolling pace, with his head in the air, and his eyes as wide open as he cotdd get them. I guessed it was Wilson, and it was. A bright, clear complexioned, mountain looking fellow, he looks as though he had just come dotvn from the Highlands, and had never in his life taken a pen in his hand. But he has had an attack of paralysis in his right arm, within this month. He ivinced when I shook hands with him; and once or ttvice ivhen tve were tvalking up and down, slipped as if he had stumbled on a piece of orange peel. He is a great fellow to look at, and talk to; and if you could divert your mind, of the actual Scott, is just the figure you would put in his place . . . I am glad to find that they propose giving me for a toast on Friday, the memory of Wilkie. I shoidd have liked it better than anything, if I could have made my choice. xi Communicate all particulars to Mac. I would to God you were both herCy etc., etc. As shown by this letter, Dickens had never met Professor IVilson C'Christopher North'') till the occurrence which he descrihes to Forster. The first meeting of two such literary lights as ''Bos'' and ''Christopher North" was considered in Edinburgh of such importance that a Scotch artist drew a caricature picture of the event, which was published in that city shortly after the dinner. This ivas the first caricature of "Bos" ever published, and it must have been almost as great an event to him as was his first public dinner. While Dickens regarded the accounts of the dinner in both the Courant and Scotsman as dis- mal, the preliminary remarks of the report in the OoiTRAXT regarding Dickens' dual qualifications as tvriter and speaker are so flattering to the sub- ject, that they are also deemed worthy of preserv- ing, even if that paper's entire account of the dinner is not, and they are also reprinted, folloiv- ing the Adm^rtiser'vS report. William Glide Wilkins Xll ILLUSTRATIONS . Frontispiece v facing page 2 y Boz's Introduction (From lithograph by Nichol) John Wilson (The chairman) Waterloo Place in 1841 (Showing location of Waterloo Booms) The Croupier (Patrick Kobertson, Esq.) Charles Dickens (From a drawing by Count tl'Orsay) Waterloo Rooms . (Where the dinner took place) facing page 15 facing page 23 facing page 35 facing page 55 [From the Edinburgh Advertiser, Tuesday, June 29, 1841] PUBLIC DINNER TO C. DICKENS, ESQ. On Friday, upwards of 250 gentlemen sat down to dinner in the Great Waterloo Room, at six o'clock, Professor Wilson in the chair. Upon the platform we observed Professor Wilson, who entered with the distinguished guest on his arm, and was supported on the right by the honoured guest. Sir G. Warrender, Bart., Sir Wm. Hamil- ton, Bart., Sir Charles Bell, Professor Alison, Professors Christianson, Traill and Syrne, Alex. Blackwood, Esq., Charles Neaves, Esq., Dr. D. D. M. Moir (Delta), and on the left by the Lord Provost, Hon. Bouverie Primrose, Sir Edward Lees, Captain Archd. Sinclair, R. N., Mr. Sheriff Cay, Wm. Drysdale, Esq. of Pittenchar, Major Irton, Hon. Mr. Kerr, Angus Fletcher, Esq., of Dunaus. In the body of the hall Mr. P. Robertson occu- pied the Croupier's chair, supported right and left by the Hon. Horace Walpole, George Wil- liamson Ramsey, Esq., of Lixmount, Adam An- derson, Esq., advocate, W. H. Murray, Esq., Theatre Royal, John Inglis, Esq., Advocate, Dr. Neill, Councillor Newton, Adam Black, Esq., Robert Blackwood, Esq., J. R. Gordon, Esq., ad- vocate, R. W. Hamilton, Esq., D. D. Hill, Esq., William Tait, Esq., Mark Sprot, Esq., of Garn- DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS kirk, Wm. M. Cranfurd, Esq., of Cartsburn, John Duncan, Esq., surgeon, William Copland, Esq., of Collision, Wm. Drysdale, Esq., of Pitten- char, F. Roland, Esq., D. Buchanan, Esq., Alex- ander Sinclair, Esq., Horatio McCuUoch, Esq., Major Nairn, Alex. Goodsir, Esq., Professor Blackie, Bailie Richardson, etc. An instrmnental band, conducted by Mr. R. B. Stewart, performed appropriate and popular airs throughout the evenings with admirable ef- fect. The cloth having been removed, a number of ladies entered the galleries, and were received by the company standing and testifying their ap- plause. The Chairman gave "The Queen" — three times three. "Prince Albert" — three times three and cheers. "The Princess Royal" — three times three and one cheer more, from Cap- tain Sinclair. "The Queen Dowager" and the rest of the Royal Family" was received with three times three and one cheer more. "The Navy and Army" — three times three. Rule Britannia, and British Grenadiers. Major Irton, returned thanks, and rejoiced to assure ever}^ one present, that none more highly than the United Services appreciated the literary character of the distinguished guest. Professor Wilson, who, on coming forward, was received with long-continued cheering, said : The Chairman {Editor of Blackwood's Magazine) DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS In rising to propose the health of our distin- guished — our ilhistrious guest — (cheers) — I may remark that, as a people, we are distin- guished for our nationality — we are supposed to be proud — indeed we are supposed sometimes to be too proud of the national characters — to be too proud of the achievements which native genius has wrought. But I would remark that nothing great or good can ever be expected to be produced in any land of whi(^h the natives do not rejoice that they were born there — who do not (consider their clune and their country as the best of all climes and countries under the sun — who are not attached to the customs and habits of their country — who do not reverence the mem- ory of their forefathers, and who do not trust in Providence that their bones may be laid in their native soil (great cheerings). But Avhile I hes- itate not to express those sentiments, I am sure that I may with perfect trust declare that the whole heart of Scotland beats with love and ad- miration for the character of England (cheers). I know that in our ears, it sounds as the most majestic and magnificent of names, which we re- joice at all times to welcome, as we do to identify ourselves with her great men, whether statesmen, philosophers, poets or warriors, or whether we are delighted when on visiting our country, they bring before us the consummate courtesy and pol- ish of their manners — that cousununate cour- tesy, elegance and grace which belongs more peculiarly to them, and makes them as it were the very chosen people of the earth (cheers). It is to do honor to a son of that illustrious land that we are now met together (renewed cheers) . This DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS is no ordinary assemblage — no mere confrater- nity of literary men or authors, who are proud to honour one that has outstript them all in the race (great cheering). This meeting is composed of men of different professional pursuits, of differ- ent characters, of different degrees and kinds of mental cultivation and moral culture, but who are all agreed in admiration of genius, and cap- able of sympathising with the victory that his genius has given him, and with the pure and noble sentiments which it has immortalized (continued cheers). I shall not presume to say, or to lay claim or arrogate to ourselves, the character of being, as it were, the representatives of our coun- try's opinions and sentiments regarding our dis- tinguished guest, but I do not hesitate to say, that wherever he may show himself in over what we somewhat practicall}^ call broad Scotland, there will be a feeling of enthusiasm towards him in all ranks. They will hold him as one of those original geniuses Avho has struck out a new path for himself, and introduced a beauty and lustre over many parts esteemed before to be barren and desolate, and over which no flower of genius could be supposed to blow (great applause). And allow me to say, there is something not in- appropriate in the time at which Ave are now met, at this time the whole of the country is justly and rightly agitated, astir and active with political sentiments. I said justly and rightly, for every man who loves his country as he ought to do will stand up for its cause, whatever may be his pecu- liar opinions, inspired by a genuine patriotism, and desiring nothing shall be done save for his country's good — (cheers) — in the midst of DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS such feelings as are now rapidly about to spread all over the country — is it not delightful that we should hold for a certain season (cheers) — a sort of truce in which we can speak of subjects that are of everlasting interest — in which we can speak of sentunents and feelings which shall blend themselves in the heart and bosom of the patriot, and without which he does not deserve the name of a lover of his country, for he knows not the power of the genius and soul concentrated in the understandings of her gifted sons (cheers). Yes, gentlemen, I will say that the love of liberty and the love of literature are kindred and cog- nate — I will say that the spirit of literature is a free, bold and independent spirit — I will say that this spirit is sacred to liberty, for it spurns from it everything that is low, mean and vicious, all servility and all sycophancy (cheers). The man of genius stands erect, and is not ashamed to show his face anywhere — he is not ashamed to show his face, whether in multitudes who may s;y^npathize with him to the very top of his bent, or in multitudes who, by their frowns, desire to spurn him from them. No, his bosom is filled with noble and independent thoughts that bid de- fiance to all such passing things, for he who pros- ecutes literature as it ought to be prosecuted — he to whom heaven has given the gift of genius, feels his soul free at all times, rejoices in his might, and rejoices to unfold his wings, whether in the sunshine or in the storm, and ardently de- sires that the whole human race should enjoy that liberty which is the birth right of all, and by the power of which he himself works all those mir- acles which delight and astonish mankind (loud DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS cheers). It would indeed be presumptuous and altogether unnecessary in nie, were I to attempt to draw anything like a character or picture of the endowment with which our distinguished guest is mentally gifted. I shall merely say this, which you all know, that he is perhaps the most popular writer now alive (long continued cheer- ing) in popularity, at least, he is second to no man of this age (renewed cheering). Now, in regard to popularity, there are some who pretend even to despise it; perhaps, if their opinions could be narrowly looked into, and their owra characters strictly scanned, it would be found that they despised it chiefly on the ground that it was something placed ver}^ far beyond their own reach and which, nevertheless, they are incessant- ly hankering after (hear, hear and cheers) . You are still all well aware that there have been al- ways men of transcendant genius w^ho have not been popular. It is easy to believe, for it is dif- ficult to believe otherwise, that great philosophers have not been duly estimated during their own life time — it is easy to imagine that some of the greatest poets were not i)opular during their life- time, from the nature of the subjects chosen by them — they desired and required a fit audience, and finding it not, they were driven to trust to an accmiuilation of ages for an audience beyond the tomb. It is undeniable, too, that there are vari- ous kinds of beauty which are not immediately apparent. The popular sense which require long- years of cultivation to open up the popular mind to the perception of such beauty, and you can eas- ily imagine much beauty of a high order, which, perhaps, will never be appreciated by all, for it 8 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS would scarcely be true to say, that Milton's Para- dise Lost, or the sublime poems of Dante, are, or ever will be, what is termed popular. But is that any reason for us to look down with scorn on those productions of genius which are truly pop- ular, and popular on just and right grounds, be- cause they appeal to feelings implanted in human nature, and find a universal response returned all over the land (loud cheers). It is certainly not necessary, in the first place, before an individual can be popular, that he shall sympathize tenderly and deeply with his f elloAv men in whatever con- dition, situation, or sphere the^y may be placed? Is it not necessary that he should prefer the pecu- liar and instinctive sense of mankind to his own peculiar feelings? and that while he does not sacrifice his own feelings to theirs, but catches fresh light and nature from them, in the assur- ance that as "one touch of nature makes the whole world kin" so a hundred touches from the same source will spread his fame over the land, and shed a lustre that will not die around his grave. What man of genius in his heart despises popularity ? No one who has acquired it — gain- ing, perhaps, without desiring it, but must be proud of receiving it, for he then knows that he has not written in vain; he takes the praise of living men as an earnest of the praise that shall be bestowed on hun in future years ; and he re- joices in his popularity, though perhaps in mo- ments of sadness and despondency he may esti- mate it low. It is not inconsistent or mean to strive for the possession of that which has been gained by the highest minds in arts, in arms, in philosophy ; nor can it be paltry to seek for pos- 9 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS session of that which, when got is never de- spised — Avhich men hug in their hearts while living, and of which they are not unwilling that some hint should be inscribed on their graves (loud cheers) . We all know, that if we look back either to the history of literature or to the history of mankind, we do meet with instances where great popularity has been achieved with, as we are disposed to believe, very inadequate powers, and, therefore, A'ery unworthily bestowed. Still there had been some power and, ]3erhaps, some little genius possessed and the possessor had availed hinielf of some favourable circumstances in the tone and structure of society of the pe- riod — he had endeavored to profit by some of those popular gales which were breathing at the time, but the more effectually he profited, the more clearly did he show that he had some sail to carry, and that his bark had been rigged and was still sea-worthy, had some power of floatage that distinguished him above other men. But, in this case, how, I ask you, has our friend 's popularity been attained? I say how has it been attained? It has l)een attained, in the first plai-e, during an age more prolific of great men in poetry, and in all the various walks of fiction than any other which ever illustrated the annals of this country. (Hear). He had formidable competitors and rivals, not only amongst those now living, but amongst those who have lived for a century back ; and when we look and consider that it is the mind of those people he has appealed to, who are not surely ignorant of the immortal efforts of Defoe, Richardson, Fielding and Smollett — that it was the same nation who have been obliged to admire 10 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS the maguiticent creations of Scott, and the crea- tions of man}^ female writers who have, in those particular departments of literature shone con- spicuous — I say when we think of these things, and all at once find a man who, as far as I under- stand, had no external aids to trust to, and a man not pandering to the corrupt tastes of any party or class attaining mich a popularity (great cheer- ing), to what, I ask, can the popularity of such a man be attributed l)ut to that insight — that al- most divine insight into the working of human nature — its passions and affections, to that com- prehensive soul and tender heart which sym- pathises with all the griefs, sorrows, raptures, joys and agonies of his fellow men (cheers). Yes, gentlemen — ladies and gentlemen — Yes (cheers and laughter) , his fame has been achieved by powers which are expressed in one word, the greatest of all words, when applied to an author, originality (loud cheers). Without originality, no man has ever gained a very splendid reputa- tion — it is true that some men with delicacy of sentiment and with ardent and conscious sensibil- ity, and with a truthful eye and a feeling heart — with these qualities some men had gained consid- erable reputation; but still, when a man strikes (jut a path for himself, or strikes out on some path which if trodden at all by men's feet, has l)een trodden by the vulgar — it may be the vicious or the wicked — when such a path has been struck out and assiduously and successfully followed, there falls upon that man the mantle of original genius, of a power which is felt to be great and universal — which speaks to the learned and to the unlearned — to the wise and 11 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS to the foolish — to those whose minds are culti- vated in all their powers, and to those who are Avithout an}^ mental cultivation at all, but who, nevertheless, possess the mental development by which they are made sensible of something with- in them, the existence of which they had not be- fore noticed, until the sudden revelations of genius made them familiar with things with which they had been conversant all their life, but of which they had suspected not the power, nor the grandeur, nor the pathos. Like all those men whose names I have mentioned, our friend has dealt with the common feelings and passions of ordinary men, in the common and ordinary paths of life. He has not sought — at least he has not yet sought — to deal with those thoughts and passions that are made conspicuous from afar, by the elevated stations of those who ex- perience them. He has mingled in the common walks of life — lie has made himself familiar Avith the lower orders of society. He has not been deterred by the asj^ect of vice and wicked- ness, and misery and guilt, from seeking a spirit of good in things evil, but has endeavoured by the might of genius to transmute wdiat w^as base into what was precious as the beaten gold (loud cheers). In what is genius made so manifest as in detecting in the ordinary occurrences of life — in discovering, in the uninviting and flat surface of society, themes which, when touched by a pen- cil of light, are read and studied by those who knew not before the witchery of the faded cheek, the solitary sigh, and the glistening tear, among the squalid filth and dregs of life. But I shall be betrayed if I go on much longer — which it 12 00 O) 1—1 ^ :?; m w o o w J o Ph o ^1 ,^, OS J tf ^ w =4-H H O ^ I DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS would be improper for me to do — into some- thing like a critical delineation of the genius of our illustrious guest. I shall not do so, but I cannot but express, in a few and ineffectual words, that delight which every hmnan bosom feels in the benign spirit which pervades all his creations. How kind and good a man he is, I need not say, nor what strength of genius he has acquired b,y that profound sym})athy with his fellow creatures, whether in prosperity and hap- piness, or overAvhelmed with unfortunate circum- stances, Init who do not yet sink under their miseries, but trust to their own strength of en- durance, to that principle of truth, and honour, and integrity, which is no stranger to the uncul- tivated bosom, which is found in the lowest abodes in as great strength as in the halls of nobles and the palaces of kings (great applause). Mr. Dickens is also a satirist. He satirizes hu- man life ; but he does not satirize it to degrade it. He does not wish to pull down what is high, into the neighborhood of what is low. He does not seek to represent all virtues as a hollow thing in which no confidenc^e can be placed. He satirizes only the selfish, and the hard-hearted, and the cruel; he exposes, in a hideous light, that prin- ciple which, when acted upon, gi^'es a power to men in the low^est grades to carry on a more ter- rific tyranny than if placed upon thrones (great applause) . I shall not say — for I do not feel — that our distinguished guest has done full and entire justice to one subject — that he has entire- ly succeeded where I have no doubt he would be most anxious to succeed, in a full and complete delineation of the female characters. Who has ? 15 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS I suppose that with the single exception of Shakspeare, it is felt that in ahnost every delin- eation of female virtue and goodness, there is always something inadequate ; something which does not completely fulfill the desire of our heart, and which does not accord with our own haj)py and blessed experience. (Immense aijplause). But this he has done. He has not endeavoured to represent them as charming merely, by the aid of accomplishments, hoAvever elegant and grace- ful. He has not depicted those accomplishments as the essentials of their character, but has spok- en of them rather as always inspired by a love of domestic duty, by fidelity, by ])urity, by inno- cence, by charity, and by hope which makes them discharge, imder the most difficult circumstances, theii' duties, and which brings over their patli in this world some glimpses of the light of heaven. (Great applause.) I shall proceed no further in this course, which I again say I intended to avoid, and I shall conclude with a very few words. Mr. Dickens may be assured that there is felt for him all over Scotland, sentiments of kindness, affec- tion, admiration, and love (loud cheers) and I know, for certain, that the knowledge of these sentiments must make him happy; for I know, though he has been but a short time in our coun- try — and I trust he will be of tener here and for a longer period (cheers) — I know well that his heart turns with fondness to the lovely and en- dearing image of Scotland. I know well that the dream of his past enthusiasm, and of his imag- ination, has been the unequalled beauties and sublimities of our country ; but far beyond these, dear to him, must be our time-honoured institu- 16 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS tions — our hallowed habits — our holy customs, which have risen and grown and flourished round the domestic hearth — that sacred scene, where every virtue attains its full development. In this country there is still an unshaken, heartfelt, awe-struck sense of religion ; and when he looks at our kirks in their solitary situations, though now not solitary, for thank Heaven, they are numerous far, he will understand those feelings, deeper than genius can express, or imagination conceive, how deep seated in every liosom are those impressions, which, while the,y adorn and elevate the present life, give hopes and consola- tions to the life that is to come. With these f ew^ thoughts, inadequately expressed, for I came here unprepared, and scarcely able to speak with that energy which I ought to have done, I beg to pro- pose the health of Mr. Dickens. (Long and loud continued cheering.) Mr. Dickens was received with enthusiastic ap- plause. He said: If I felt your warm and generous welcome less, I should be better able to thank you. If I could have listened as you have listened to the glowing language of your distinguished Chairman, and if I could have heard as you heard the "thoughts that breathe and words that burn", which he has uttered, it would have gone hard, but I should have caught some portion of his enthusiasm, and kindled at his example. But every word which fell from his lips, and every demonstration of sympathy and approbation with which you re- ceived his eloquent expressions, renders me un- able to respond to his kindness, and leaves me at 17 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS last all heart and uo lips, yearning to respond as I would do to your cordial greeting — possessing, heaven knows, the will, and desiring only to find the way. The way to your good opinion, favour, and support, has been to me very pleasing — a path strewn with flowers and cheered with sunshine. I feel as if I stood amongst old friends, whom I had intimately known and highly valued. I feel as if the deaths of the fictitious creatures, in which you have been kind enough to express an interest, had endeared us to each other as real afflictions deepen friendships in actual life; I feel as if they had been real persons, whose for- tunes we had pursued together in inseparable connection, and that I had never known them apart from you. It is a difficult thing for a man to speak of him- self or of his works. But perhaps on this occa- sion I may, without impropriety, venture to say a word on the spirit in which mine were con- ceived. I felt an earnest and humble desire, and shall do till I die, to increase the stock of harm- less cheerfulness. I felt that the world was not utterly to be despired ; that it was worthy of liv- ing in for many reasons. I was anxious to find, as the Professor has said, if I could, in evil things, that soul of goodness which the Creator has put in them. I was anxious to show that virtue may be found in tlie bye- ways of the world, that it is not incompatible with povert}^ and even with rags, and to keep steadily through life the motto, expressed in the burning words of your Northern poet : 18 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS "The rank is but the guinea stamp, The man's the gowd for a' that." And in following this track, where could I have better assurance that I was right, or where could I have stronger assurance to cheer me on than in your kindness on this to me memorable night ? I am anxious and glad to have an opportunity of saying a word in reference to one incident in which I am happy to know you were interested, and still more happy to know, though it may sound paradoxical, that you were disappointed — I mean the death of the little heroine. When I first conceived the idea of conducting that simple story to its termination, I determined rigidly to adhere to it, and never to forsake the end I had in view. Not untried in the school of affliction, in the death of those we love, I thought what a good thing it w^ould be if in my little work of pleas- ant amusement, I could substitute a garland of fresh flowers for the sculptured horrors which disgrace the tomb. If I have put into my book anything which can fill the young mind with bet- ter thoughts of death, or soften the grief of older hearts ; if I have written one word which can af- ford pleasure or consolation to old or young in time of trial, I shall consider it as something- achieved — something which I shall be glad to look back upon in after life. Therefore, I kept to my purpose, notwithstanding that towards the conclusion of the story, I daily received letters of remonstrance, especially from the ladies. God bless them for their tender mercies! The Pro- fessor was quite right when he said I had not reached to an adequate delineation of their vir- 19 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS tues ; and I fear that I must go on blotting their characters in endeavouring to reach the ideal in my mind. These letters were, however, com- bined with others from the sterner sex, and some of them were not altogether free from personal invective. But, notwithstanding, I kept to my purpose, and I am happy to know that many of those who at first condemned me are now fore- most in their approbation. If I have made a mistake in detaining you with this little incident, I do not regret having done so; for your kindness has given me such a con- fidence in you, that the fault is yours and not mine. I come once more to thank you, and here I am in a difficult}^ again. The distinction you have conferred upon me is one which I never hoped for, and of which I never dared to dream. That it is one which I shall never for- get, and that while I live I shall be proud of its remembrance, you must well know. I believe I shall never hear the name of this capital of Scotland without a thrill of gratitude and pleas- ure. I shall love while I have life, her people, her hills, and her houses, and even the very stones of her streets. And if in the future works which may lie before me you should discern — God grant you may ! — a brighter spirit and a clearei* wit, I pray you to refer it back to this night, and point to that as a Scottish passage for evermore. I thank you again and again, with the energy of a thousand thanks in each one, and I drink to you with a heart as full as my glass, and far easier <^mptied, I do assure you. The Chairman then gave ''The Lord Provost 20 The Croupier Patrick Robertson Esq. (From a sl-etclt by Prof. Edward Forlics) DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS and Magistrates of the City", which was ac- knowledged by the Lord Provost. The Croupier then rose and said : I beg leave to begin the few observations which I have now to lay before you, by repeating a re- mark of the Chairman, which must have struck every one as well founded — I mean as to the peculiar time which has been chosen to receive our distinguished guest at a public entertain- ment.. His visit to Scotland necessarily fixed the period. But even had there been no other reason, I presume to think the time has been hap- pily chosen because, in these days of turmoil, we ('an all meet here not merely as in a truce, but on the common ground of generous s^Tupathy and admiration ; for our illustrious guest has struck a chord to which every generous bosom must re- spond. (Cheers.) Although the toast assigned to me is, I am sorry to say, a memory, it is not a memory of that kind which is likely to interfere with those feelings of generous enthusiasm and admiration which throb in the heart not only of every Scotsman, but of every man of sentiment and feeling. The time has now passed away when the memory of Scott should be received with saddened brow. It is now unnecessary to receive the annunciation of this toast with the stifled murmur or the muffled drum. It should rather be sounded by the loudest blasts of the trumpet of fame, reechoed by every rock of his native land. ( Great applause. ) We return after the lapse of time to the nomination of that great man, as the worshipper of nature revisits the scenes of his early association : 23 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS "Unwearied in that service, Rather say with warmer love, — Oh with far deeper zeal of holier love" (Cheers) of the merits of Scott, it would be presmnptuous and idle for an}^ man to talk at the present time. When he rose, although the soil had yielded some fruit in literature and science — although we could boast of Robertson, and Hmne and Smith — although we could point to one won- drous boy, who, in glory, and in joy, had followed his plough ujDon the mountain side (applause) — still the rugged soil was but ill cultivated. It was left for Scott, however, to make of our rugged rocks a blooming garden "in which im- mortal amaranths and palms abound". By the power of his early poetry, he drew aside the veil by which our misty mountains were concealed from the eye of the stranger. As a writer he roused the noblest sentiments of the chivalry of the olden time. As a delineator of Scottish char- acter, he has made all our virtues, all our follies, and perhaps our vices — but with a kindly hand — open and known to the world. If, however, it be idle to praise him as a writer, it is still more idle to speak of him as a private individual in his "own romantic town". That great and good man who has spread benevolence and kindness around him, has been lost, not only to the society of Edinburgh, but to the world. His spirit, how- ever, still lives amongst us — it hovers over us at this hour. With a dissection perhaps unexam- pled all his thoughts and actions have been laid bare to the world ; and has he not stood the test ? (Cheers.) Of all his qualities, perhaps his gen- 24 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS erosity of character, and his utter want of jeal- ousy of the works of others were the most re- markable. With what enthusiasm, and cordial- ity, would the author of Waverly have hailed the advent of the author of the Pickwick Papers. ( Great applause. ) With what delight would the author of Kenilworth have greeted the author of Oliver Twist ; and with what keenness would he have looked with his piercing eye to see Hum- phrey's Clock about to strike again. (Hear, hear, hear.) To compare Mr. Dickens with Sir Wal- ter Scott would be to insult both your under- standings, and his own taste and feelings. But this at least I will say, that he is a faithful fol- lower in the same path. His writings are char- acterised throughout by the same fresh and cease- less admiration of external nature, the same kind and generous s>anpathy with all the noblest and best feelings of the human heart, the same ten- derness and truth and the same powerful and ({uick discrimination of character. It would in- deed be delightful to see brought together some of their best creations. I should just like to see assembled in one association, Caleb Balderstone shaking hands with Sanmiy Weller (laughter) ; Davy Gellatly jumping with delight to meet his brother Barnaby Rudge; and to observe with what sympathy and kindly affection poor Jeanie Deans would have looked upon the unfortunate Nelly. (Loud and tremendous cheering.) Or to take another illustration in a comic vein, if he could have got a peep into Do-the-Boy's Hall can you have any doubt that Dominie Sampson would have exclaimed "Prodigious!" (Great laugh- ter.) This, it may be said, is a strange way of 25 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS proposing a memory ; but I am sure you will all believe it proceeds from no want of respect for the glorious name of Scott. Such a feeling can exist in the breast of no one, least of all in that of any individual whose pride it is to have taken by the hand the most illustrious man of his age and country. Let us imitate him at least in the spirit of genuine hospitality, in the admiration of genius from whatever quarter it comes, and in veneration for all that is good and great. I know not whether the toast should be drank in solemn silence or with acclamation, but I think it will not check the enthusiasm with which it has been re- ceived should some of my friends comply with my request of following it up by the heart-stir- ring glee of Roderick Vich Alpine Dhe. (The toast was then drank with applause; after which a party of gentlemen complied with Mr. Robertson's request.) Mr. Adam Black, who, on rising, was loudly cheered, said : Mr. Chairman, the subject which has been en- trusted to me is one of such boundless extent, and reaches so far back into the dark recesses of an- tiquity, that it might have deterred even a learned Doctor from making it the theme of a toast. I suppose, however, the Committee thought that a member of that craft which has been said to drink their wine out of the skulls of the learned, was bound on this occasion to attempt to acknowledge his obligations to his benefactors, by giving the "Universities of Great Britain and Ireland'' (Loud cheers.) But it is not particular classes only that have been benefited by the Universities 26 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS of our country. The benign influence of litera- ture and science and morality has flowed from them through all the ramifications of society, ad- vancing civilization, promoting the arts and ele- vating the character of the country. (Cheers.) The venerable Universities of Oxford and Cam- bridge can boast of having continued diffusing the light of science for 200 years before the earli- est of our Scottish Universities was founded. (Cheers.) To Oxford belongs the transcendant glory of having educated, and placed in the Chair of Divinity, the man who shook to its foundations the spiritual despotism which then enthralled Europe, and who first opened the fountains of Divine truth to his countrymen by translating the scriptures into the mother tongue — the in- trepid Wickliff e — in defence of what he con- sidered truth, braved that power before which the proudest of our kings quailed. (Loud cheers.) The English Universities are entitled to the distinction of more magnificent colleges, more wealthy endo\^Tnents, and a greater host of learned professors and alumni ; but I hope I shall be excused if, either from ignorance or national partiality, I give the preference to the more re- cent and less richly endowed Universities of Scot- land, especially to tliat which is the pride of our own City, which numbers among its Professors our distinguished Chairman (loud cheering) and other names illustrious not only in Britain, but in the world of literature, and the chairs of which have been occupied by a succession of great men, who have raised its reputation to the highest pitch, to be transmitted, Ave trust, with undimin- ished lustre to future ages. (Cheering.) Nature 27 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS has denied to Scotland a genial climate and a fruitful soil, but she has been richly compensated by the educational advantages of her schools and Universities, which have raised the character and intelligence of her inhabitants so as to fit them for stations of the highest responsibility, in every department, and they are found in every quarter of the globe promoting their own respectability, and benefiting the human race by the practical effects of the science and literature derived from our educational institutions. (Loud cheering.) It is the glory of the Scottish Universities, that they are open to all; that none are excluded by sectarian tests — that the terms of admission are so easy as to render them accessible to the humble ranks — that the sons of the small farmer and the mechanic are seen to vie with the sons of wealthy landlord and the peer for University dis- tinctions (cheers), that the prejudice of caste — of gownsmen and townsmen — is almost un- known — that the students and the other sections of the population are so blended together as not only to live on friendly terms, but by reciprocat- ing their information, so that the benefits of the University are spread among the other members of the community. (Renewed cheers.) We find Robison, when a student at the University of Glasgow, consulting with Watt the mechanic — each assisting the other in bringing to maturity the wondrous inventions which are now gaining such incalculable power over matter, and pro- moting to such an astonishing extent the commer- cial pursuits of the world — an extent which is 3^et unknown (protracted cheers), but I fear that if I have the honour of speaking in the presence 28 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS of any natives of the Emerald Isle, that they may complain that I have not done justice to Ireland. (Hear, hear!) I beg, however, to assure you. Sir, that if I am to blame on this head, it is not intentional, but solely because I cannot do her that justice which she deserves (cheers) if she possesses but one University, and that only ac- quired about four centuries after the establish- ment of the great English colleges, yet her his- torians claim for her the honour of having been the University of Europe during the early ages of Christianity, and the claims are not unfound- ed; for the number of learned and holy men whom she furnished to the world at that time, earned for her the honourable name of the Isle of Saints (cheers) and as her population has greatly increased, we are warranted in calculat- ing that her philosophers and saints, though oc- casionally a little uproarious, have multiplied at least in the same proportion. (Great laughter and cheers.) As I have trespassed so long upon your time, I must draw to a close by giving, not the Rose, the Thistle, and the Shamrock, but the Universities of Great Britain and Ireland. (The toast was drunk with all the honours.) Professor Alison returned thanks for the honour conferred on the Universities of Great Britain and Ireland. (Cheers.) He was sure they all knew that their distinguished guest was an adept in the science of human nature, which was akin to moral philosophy. He possessed one quality which medical men might envy — the power of solacing and soothing the tedious hours 29 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS of sickness and disease. (Loud cheers.) He was sure that one and all of them were happy in hav- ing the opportunity of paying homage to the genius of their distinguished guest, and of ex- pressing their gratitude to him for the great amount of innocent amusement which he had con- ferred upon many thousands, he might say many millions, of his countrymen. (Great cheering.) Mr. Charles Neaves, advocate, said, they were met there this night to do honour to one great master in one great department of imaginative delineation — let them not then forget to do jus- tice at the same time to the sister art of poetry. (Cheers.) He asked the meeting to give their tribute of applause to the names of Wordsworth, Campbell, and Moore. (Loud cheers.) After alluding to the times of Shakspeare, Spenser, Waller, Cowell, Comper, and Burns, the learned gentleman said the soil of our country in the present days was not less productive of poetical genius than in past times, as a proof of which he need only mention the names of Wordsworth, Southey, Cowper, Byron, Scott, Rogers, Moore, Campbell, Wilson (loud and prolonged cheers) and Moir — a longer list than any which had ever concentrated their ra,ys in one blaze of beauty. (Renewed cheers.) Mr. Neaves concluded an eloquent speech, by asking the company to drink to the names of Wordsworth, Campbell and Moore, and the long list of contemporaries of 30 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS which their country could boast. (The toast was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm.) Mr. J. T. Gordon, in proposing the memory of Burns, said he had no feeling of sorrow — he had no words of melancholy preface to utter, in ask- ing a cup of tributary respect to Robert Burns. On the contrary, it was with a pride, which, though national, he yet knew to be so just and true, that he exalted in it, and with an enthusiasm which perhaps only a Scotsman could under- stand; although none knowing the kindness and gentleness and at the same time the manliness of Burns, would appreciate that enthusiasm better than their distinguished guest. Surely it needed nothing to recommend the memory of him, whose memory was as green at that moment as the leaves were then on his own banks of Doon, and which flowed as freely through the width and length of the land as the waters of his beloved Nith. He was a man that would have been of mark in any way. Born of that stalwart race our country's honour — inured to their hard- ships, accustomed to their toils, it might have so pleased Heaven, that he should have passed his life the admiration of his village, for ''The might that slumbered in a peasant's arm." But it was otherwise decreed, and when the air of poetry moved the latent strings in his heart, beau- 31 DINNER TO CHAELES DICKENS tifully and swellingly came over a whole people the strains that showed '^The might that shmibered in a peasant's soul." The fabled horse of old struck out with its hoof a fountain from which the Muses drunk; but when this peasant's plough broke the clod, the people of Scotland soon after heard the lark rise to the sky, and saw the daisy droop its withered head as they had never done before, because they had quaffed an intoxicating cup from a well which they felt had given glory to the grass and splendor to the flower. (Applause.) Were they not justified in the adoration almost approaching to idolatry with which the Avhole people of Scot- land regarded the memory of Burns ? And idol- atry if it were, it was not the worship of false fire. (Cheers.) It were needless, it were idle to enter upon the character of Burns, on his merits or his failings — for failings he had, since there is no clay so purified in the furnace of earthly trial as to be spotless. But surely if ever facility and felicity were combined, it was in him. Not easier does the wind shake the down from the thistle than did the stirring of genius shake off from his soul those in many senses numerous strains embodying the most exquisite fancy's ten- derest sentiments, and the sublimest aspirations. (Much applause.) But one word more. It was certainly no small praise, that even now as the 32 1^ ? Charles Dickens — 1841 [From drawing by Count D'Orsay] DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS world passed, when mental cultivation was every- where advancing, and in the race of knowledge men were pressing on each other's heels, amid the various arts, and accomplishments, and manifold acquirements of our present time, there wasn 't a man but came back gently and sweetly to the nat- ural song sung by our native bard. The Learned Gentleman sat down amidst enthusiastic cheer- ing. Mr. Dickens said: I have the honour to be entrusted with a toast, the very mention of which will recommend itself to you, I know, as one possessing no ordinary claims to your s}Tnpathy and approbation, and the proposing of which is as congenial to my wishes and feelings as its acceptance must be to yours. It is the health of our Chairman, and coupled with his name I have to propose the liter- ature of Scotland — a literature which he has done much to render famous through the world, and of which he has been for many years — as I hope and l^elieve he will be for many more — a most brilliant and distinguished ornament. Who can revert to the literature of the land of Scott and of Burns without having directly in his mind, as inseparable from the subject and foremost in the picture, that old man of might, with his lion heart and sceptred crutch — Christopher North. I am glad to remember the time when I believed him to be a real, actual, veritable old gentleman, that might be seen any day hobbling along the High Street with the most brilliant e3^e — but that is no fiction — and the greyest hair in all the 35 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS world — who wrote not because he cared to write, not because he cared for the wonder and admira- tion of his fello\^^nen, but who wrote because he could not help it, because there was always springing up in his mind a clear and sparkling- stream of poetry which must have vent, and like the glittering fountain in the fairy tale, draw what you might, w'as ever at the full and never languished even b}^ a single drop or bubble. I had so figured him in m^^ mind, and w^hen I saw^ the Professor two days ago, striding along the Parliament House, I was disposed to take it as a personal offence. I w^as vexed to see him look so hearty. I drooped to see twenty Christophers in one. I began to think that Scottish life was all light and no shadows, and I began to doubt that beautiful book to w^hich I have turned again and again, always to find new beauties and fresh sources of interest. Professor Wilson said, this was not the first time that he had had the honour of presiding at such a meeting as this, and though sadly deficient in that energy and creative genius which he was said to possess, yet he would yield to no man in that deep affection for his native land which chai'- acterised its inhabitants; and in allowing that, their feelings occasionalh- kindled a sparkling of something like genius in his own breast and which attracted some notice to the hmnble efforts he had made. (Cheers.) In his (Professor Wilson's) own person he had never been indifferent to the fame and reputation of others — sometunes he 36 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS had brought forth neglected merit (cheers) and with respect to the literature of Scotland, he might be permitted to sa}^ that in some depart- ments it was distinguished just at this moment by some still living, and in some only lately. They have made a most distinguished figure, and given delineations of the national character that would last forever. The names of Hamilton, of Grant, and of Brunton (he continued) are not likely to be forgotten. They have indeed departed from us, but their memory is fresh and green ; and it may be said of them, not one line they ever wrote could they have wished to blot. They had the true genius of their country; they were true to the earnestness and piety of the religion which characterised their native land; and they drew many beautiful pictures that will last forever. There are two distinguished female writers amongst us yet — there are others, but allow me to mention the names of Ferrier and Johnstone. (Cheers.) The Learned Gentleman then re- ferred to the progress of the fine arts, which, he said, were all conceived and executed in the same spirit of poetry and fiction. He would close in a few words, by mentioning the name of his dis- tinguished and excellent friend, Mr. William Allan. They all knew how adventurous his 3^outh was, which led him far from his native country ; and they all knew that, impelled by his adventurous spirit and genius, he studied the 37 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS manners, customs, and habits of those who lived in other climes, and that he had produced on the canvas these pictures of the customs and habits of those countries and thus made them visible to all who had an opportunity of beholding them. He likewise devoted his genius to themes con- nected with his ow^n country. The learned Pro- fessor concluded by proposing the health of ' ' Mr. Allan and the Fine Arts". Mr. Allan returned his humble and sincere thanks for the honour they had done him, and ex- pressed his delight that there were many dis- tinguished in the arts in Scotland who would do honour to any country. He ventured to think that, ere long, the fine arts would reach the em- inence attained by literary science. Mr. Patrick Robertson was afraid that he would be considered a little intrusive on the order of the toasts of the evening ; but he hoped that the communication he had to make, and which had just been put into his hands, would be an apology for this apparent intrusion. Such was the rapid- ity of the periodical press, that he found that a newspaper called the Edinburgh Evening Cour- ant — so called because it was published at six o'clock in the morning, and which w^as expected to come out tomorrow morning, had already pub- lished an account of the business of the evening's proceedings; and not only an account of what had actually taken place, but had reduced that 38 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS account into most admirable poetry. He had no doubt that it would interest the meetings; and although he was not a shareholder in the said newspaper, he would take the liberty of reading the prefatory matters. The Learned Gentleman then proceeded to read a paper : A splendid meeting took place last night — Professor Wilson in the chair. (Laughter.) A stout gentleman acted as croupier. (Renewed laughter.) We wish to present our readers first with a serious description of the more tragic part of the proceeding; and secondly, with some of those lighter flights of fancy by which the evening was distinguished. (Continued laughter.) The Learned Gentleman then proceeded to read a number of verses in poetry, referring to the various characters in Mr. Dickens' works. Much humour and wit were displayed in the com- position, and the reading of them excited great laughter and cheering. Mr. Ludovic Colquhoun, advocate, said : The high honour has been assigned to me of proposing as a toast the health of a most learned and accomplished person, whose unavoidable ab- sence from this meeting, deeply regretted b}^ us all, has been so feelingly alluded to by his friend, oud distinguished guest. I mean Lord Jeffrey. (Loud cheers.) Conscious as I am of my inabil- ity to do justice to that toast, I should have at once declined the duty, otherwise most gratifying, of proposing it, was I not conscious, at the same time, that the toast is indeed one which requires 39 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS no preface, and that eulogy and eloquence — elo- quence even such as that which has delighted us tonight — could add nothing to the feelings of respect and admiration with which all who hear me must regard its eminent subject. AVith such feelings, then, towards Lord Jeffrey, surely we should rejoice that we have been favoured with an opportunity so fitting as that which the pres- ent occasion affords, of testif jdng, with the pride and aff'ection becoming his fellow citizens, that we appreciate as we ought a man wdiose genius and attaimnents have long since won for him a memorable name, not merel}' among ourselves, or in this country, but in every land where the language and literature of Britain are known. (Cheers.) Such a name is not lightly or easily won ; it can neither be acquired nor retained with- out correspondent merit, for the very condition of fame is high and authentic desert. (Ap- plause.) It is not for me — it would be presump- tion, and, in an assembly like this, altogether superfluous to discuss, or even to indicate the grounds of Lord Jeffrey's well-earned celebrity. But amidst the many which might be indicated — amidst the many indisputable claims he possesses on our veneration and gratitude — I trust I may be permitted to allude very briefl^v to one — the unparalleled and inestimable services he has ren- dered to the periodical literature of our country. (Cheers.) He found it in a state of helpless, and seemingly hopeless decrepitude. He reanimat- ed it, or rather, to speak more correctly, he called into existence a species of literature absolutely new, with which that displaced by it had nothing in common but the name. He infused into this 40 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS new creation, an energy and a fire, and invested it with a dignity and a grace, of which, till then, periodical literature had scarcely afforded an in- dication, and with which, indeed, judging from the past, it might have been supposed irreconcil- able. He not merely demonstrated that the peri- odical press was capable of being made the most efficient of engines for disseminating instruction and information on every branch of human knowledge, but he actually made it such ; and he relaxed not in his efforts till he saw that press become, as thanks to him, it has now long been, the chosen medium through which the best and ripest intellects hold communion with their kind. (Applause.) If we would inquire into the means by which he affected a revolution, so mighty in its character, so salutary in its results, we need but call to recollection the almost endless series of original and exquisite essays, which, in swift and and uninterrupted succession, emanated from that most fertile of minds — essays, embracing in their range every department of literature and art, and nearly every department of science — infinitely varied, therefore, in their subjects, but each and all bearing the imequivocal impress of a master-head, each and all characterised by a masculine vigour of argument, and universality of knowledge, a force and felicity of illustration, a prodigality of wit, a beauty and dazzling bril- liancy of style, rarely seen in such perfection even singly, probably never before found so hap- pily combined; we need, I repeat, but look to these, and we can be little at a loss to divine the means by which the triumph was effected, and surely as little disposed to question the character 41 DINNEE TO CHARLES DICKENS of Lord Jeffrey's fame. (Cheers.) But, if any- thing could enhance the splendour of that tri- umph, if anything were still wanting to con- sumate the fame of him who achieved it — surely it would be found in the fact that these precious contributions to the literary glory of our country were made, not by a recluse student, lapped in lettered case, but by one, who, while he made them, was innnersed, daily and hourly, in the toils of a profession certainly sufficiently toilsome, among the members of which, while he stood sec- ond to none in learning, he stood paramount in eloquence and every forensic accomplishment. (The toast was then drank amidst loud applause.) Mr. Dickens said : Less fortunate than the two gentlemen who have preceded me, it is confided to me to mention a name which cannot be pronounced without sor- row, a name in which Scotland had a great tri- umph, and which England delighted to honour. One of the gifted of the earth has passed away, as it were yesterday ; one who was devoted to his art, and his art was nature — I mean David Wilkie. He was one who made the cottage hearth a graceful thing — of whom it might truly be said that he found "books in the running brooks", and who has left in all he did some breathing of the air which stirs the heather. But however desirous to enlarge on his genius as an artist, I would rather speak of him now as a friend who has gone from amongst us. There is his deserted studio — the empty easel lying idly by — the imfinished picture with its face turned to the wall, and there is that bereaved sister, who 42 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS loved him with an al^ection which death cannot quench. He has left a name in fame clear as the bright sky; He has filled our minds with mem- ories pure as the blue waves which roll over him. Let us hope that she who more than all others mourns his loss, may leam to reflect that he died in the fulness of his fame, before age or sickness had dimmed his powers — and that she may yet associate with feelings as calm and pleasant as we do now the memory of Wilkie. Mr. Dickens was much affected during the de- livery of this speech, particularly at those pas- sages more especially referring to Sir David Wil- kie 's death. The toast was drank in solemn silence. The Hon. Mr. Primrose proposed a toast which he was sure would meet with all their approba- tion — the health of Mr. Patrick Robertson. (Cheers.) Whether they regarded him as the first in a most learned profession — as a most distinguished orator in this great city — as one of the best and earnest promoters of conviviality (laughter), or as the "stout gentleman acting as croupier" (laughter), he was quite sure that if they remembered him in one or all of these re- spects, the biunper he was to propose would be prodigious. (Laughter.) The Honourable Gen- tleman proposed their ''great croupier, Mr. Rob- ertson". (Cheers.) Mr. Robertson returned thanks and said that he felt great pleasure in being one of those who 43 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS were instrumental in originating and forwarding the business of the evening. What had already passed was a complete justification of the steps they had taken, and he would only say that he was gratified for the cordiality and kindly feelings sho^^^l to him by his fellow-citizens, and that his exertions in any capacity were entirely at their disposal. (Cheers.) Mr. Fletcher said that although he would make the shortest speech of the evening, yet he was sure it would meet with the most cordial and enthusi- astic reception. It had been said that the genius of Mr. Dickens Avas English, but he demurred to that, and would say that it was half English and half Scotch, as he was undoubtedly connected with a Scottish lady. He then proposed the health of Mrs. Dickens, which was drank amidst great applause. Mr. Dickens returned thanks, and said that his wife was a Scotchwoman, and was born in this city. Mr. P. Robertson proposed "Mr. Murray and the Drama". Mr. Murray : Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, I need not say how deeply I feel the honour you have conferred upon me; and I will freely confess that, seeing my name in the list of toasts, I had endeavoured to concoct, what you, with your usual kindness towards me, might have deemed a very tolerable speech (laughter), but really, gentlemen, consid- 44 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS ering the lateness of the hour, and the great talent which has pre(3edecl me, it would be an absurdity, nay, almost an impertinence for me to intrude upon your patience by — (here Mr. Murray was met by loud cries of No, No, Go on, accompanied with great applause.) Well, gentlemen, perhaps it will be better for the general effect, that I should go on. My friend, Allan, will tell you how valuable shade is in a picture, perhaps it may prove equally so at a public dinner, and after the l)rilliant display you have heard this evening, a little calm mediocrity, or even positive failure, may be an agreeable relief. (Laughter and great applause.) I remember when the elite of Lon- don gave their dinner to John Kemble, upon his retirement from the stage, the stewards waited on the late Lord Holland, to request that he would take the chair on that occasion, His Lordship said that nothing would give him more pleasure, but added, ''Gentlemen, I fear you have made a bad choice ; in the House of Lords I can worry a Min- ister, or badger a Bishop with any man, but I am a wretched speaker at a public dinner". So, jumping from great to small, place me upon my own boards, and I think I can wind up a season, pacify a pit, nay, coax a gallery (loud laughter), aye, even when crowded with the stormy sixpence of a second price (great laughter and applause) with most men of my trade ; but you must be well aware, that flourishing in the set phrases of a theatre, where, as children say, you have all the talk to yourself, is widely different from follow- ing in the wake of such eloquence as you have listened to to-night, and, I fear, my thanks will fall miserably short of what they ought to be. 45 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS (Cries of No. and loud applause.) I am well aware that much of what Mr. Robertson has been pleased to say of me, has been coloured by those feelings of private regard with which he honours me; and I am equally aware, that the cordiality with which you have responded to his compli- ments, has sprung more from your kindness to an old servant, than to any merit that old servant possesses. (Renewed cries of No, and great ap- plause.) Well, gentlemen, merit or no merit, I am truly grateful for the honour you have done me, and thank you for it from the very bottom of my heart. (Long and continued cheers.) With regard to the drama, I wish the lady could embody herself and express her obligations in propria persona (laughter) for really her moral character is looked upon with so much suspicion, by one half of the world, and she is deemed so unfashionable a personage by a large proportion of the other, that it is scarcely creditable for a staid sober man, and the father of a family like myself (laughter) to have anything to do with the unfortunate women. (Continued laughter.) Still something may be said for her. (Applause.) If with some few, yet bright exceptions, her au- thors and actors have somewhat fallen below the standard of former days, pardon me when I say that a deficiency of vegetation is not always the fault of the soil, it sometimes proceeds from want of sun. (Loud cries of hear, and applause.) The truth is, the drama has been somewhat "left and abandoned of her velvet friends", the higher classes; and of course, I think them wrong. Their presence — especially the ladies — acted as a sort of moral police, before which no manager 46 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS or performer dared court the applause of the mil- lion b_y one act or word repugnant to right feel- ing or good taste. (Continued applause.) The- atres are powerful engines; and you may raise or degrade them, but you cannot crush them. Sir Walter Scott has told us that ''a love of theatrical amusement is inherent in human nature" and I am certain that we might as well attempt to sweep the name of Shakspeare from the page of our national literature, as banish the art he has im- mortalized. (Loud cheering.) Then let us hope that the upper ranks will rally round the drama, and prevent her from being made a positive evil, in vitiating the tastes of her more humble pat- rons. (Continued applause.) I own her pros- pects, in this respect, are mending (applause) and I augur most favourably from the return of Mr. McCready to theatrical management. (Ap- plause.) His great taste and talent as an actor, and what is of more consequence, his moral worth as a man, must benefit the cause. (Loud ap- plause.) He is also the friend of our distin- guished guest, and may, possibly, add to the names of Knowles, of Talf ourd, and of Bulwer — one whose pen would do right good service to the stage — a pen which has proved its mastery over all the passions of the human heart in every rank of life. (Applause.) I need not mention names (loud api^lause) — range from the dark malig- nity of a Ralph Nickleby, to the noble generosity of the Brothers Cheeryble. (Applause.) Look at Newman Noggs (here the remembrance of Mr. Murray's performance of that character caused long and tremendous cheering), observe the wreck of a kindly heart peering through the dirt 47 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS dissipation has thrown around, hun (applause) and then contrast his bloated features with the pallid cheek of the infant withering under the lash of that mercenary pedagogue who my friend Mr. Robertson so admirably contrasted with the honest-hearted Dominee. In short, gentlemen, range from one end of his writings to the other, and tell me if such delineations w^ould not create actors. (Great applause.) We should again hold the mirror up to nature — again breathe the fresh air of truth, instead of being stifled amidst the red and blue fires of melodramatic absurdity. (Great and long continued applause.) Gentle- men, I truly appreciate the compliment you have paid me by listening so patiently at such an hour and conclude with laying before you my best and most grateful acknowledgments. (Great ap- plause.) Captain Harrington proposed the health of ''Mr. Fletcher and the other stewards", after which the meeting separated about twelve o 'clock. 48 [From the Edinburgh Evening Courant, Saturday, June 26, 1841] DINNER TO MR. DICKENS This entertainment took place last night, in the Waterloo Rooms, and it was a brilliant and mer- ited testimony to talents purely literary, which was well worthy of the metropolis of Scotland, and in the present ferment of politics, and of conflicting passions, there is something peculiarly pleasing in a meeting of this nature, where there is not a shade of hostle feeling; and where the common sympathies of cultivated minds unite in one pure and according tribute of admiration to the rare endowments of genius. It agrees well with the improving spirit of the present day, marking as it does the diffusion of intelligence and of refined taste, which distinguishes modern manners above those of all former times. As a popular writer, Mr. Dickens certainly ranks as the most eminent person of his day. His works form an era in our literary history. As a describer of manners he is unrivalled; he displays, as his fancy ranges over the many col- oured scenes of life, an originality and vigour that places him on a level with the greatest mas- ters. His knowledge of life is not more pro- found and extensive than it is minute and accu- rate. His delineations possess a fidelity and force that mark their originality. His humour 49 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS is extremely delicate, and his satire lively and cutting, and his subjects are drawn from the whole system of life. His curious and inquiring eye scans its whole business, and its various and ever-shifting scenes, which he exhibits, in their most interesting aspects, with a reality that is truh^ unpressive ; and characters the most absurd and unpromising yet acquire an interest, and are rendered amusing by the spirit and the exquisite vein of satire which runs through his delinea- tions. His subjects are almost all drawn from ordinary life. They are of the homliest kind. They derive no aid from the glare of high-sound- ing titles, nor from extraordinary and out-of-the- way incidents ; but are indebted for their interest to the vivid colours in which they are presented. It is the vanities, the follies, the passions of man- kind, that furnish his materials; and wherever men are met together, wherever these conflicting elements are found, whether in palaces, in cot- tages, or in the dirty lanes of London, he is at no loss for subjects. A summer morning in the country, in all the freshness and beauty of nature, or a dull, rainy day in some wretched alley of the (crowded metropolis, equally display his acute ob- servation ; his intuitiA^e perception of the minute (drcumstances that give character to the scene, and the power and skill with which the whole are grouped into a striking and lively sketch. He describes what Hogarth paints, and with the same 50 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS truth and spirit as that great master of the ludi- crous, though he works with different instru- ments. There are other scenes, however, of deep and tragic interest in which his mastery over the pas- sions is more fully displayed and in which he touches the heart, and often harrows up the feel- ings by the intense sympathy which he excites. Along with this rare taste for truth and nature, need we be surprised if he sometimes deviates in- to caricature — if he errs from too great an anxi- ety for effect, and misses his object by occasional exaggeration ? Last night presented him in a new character — that of a public speaker, and it does not follow that the most successful writer will equally shine in speaking offhand to a large audience. Addi- son, the most finished writer of the English tongue that ever appeared, could not address a popular assembly ; and it is well known that Gib- bon, distinguished as he was by philosophy, learn- ing and eloquence, could never muster courage to take his part in the stormy scenes of popular de- bate ; while, on the other hand. Fox, distinguished by powers of ready and fervid eloquence, did not excel in writing. His style was cold, elaborate, and stiff*. Dickens seems to unite the two facul- ties of writing and speaking. He does not come with got-by-heart speeches, and such prepared stuff ; but he boldly sets himself afloat on the cur- 51 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS rent of his own thoughts. There is nothing elab- orate in his style of speaking. It is simple and inartificial and seems to be suggested by circum- stances as they arise, having entirely a conversa- tional tone — yet lively and pointed, and always interesting ; and resembling in this his prototype. Sir Walter Scott, who possessed, with all his other great gifts, a singular power of popular eloquence — careless and unostentatious, as he always was, with a certain familiarity, and even homeliness of manner, which was singularly con- trasted with the wit, the depth of feeling, and the readiness of happy expression by which he al- ways fixed the deep attention of his audience. 52 Waterloo Rooms Dinner took place in large room on ground floor DICKENS'S OWN ACCOUNT OF THE DINNER As Dickens considered the account of the din- ner in the Scotsman and Courant dismal, it is interesting to read his own account, which he gave his friend Forster, written the morning after it occurred : The great event is over ; and being gone, I am a man again. It was the most brilliant affair you can conceive ; the completest success possible, from first to last. The room was crammed, and more than seventy applicants for tickets were of necessity refused yesterday. Wilson was ill, but plucked up like a lion and spoke famously. I send you a paper herewith, but the report is dis- mal in the extreme. They say there will be a better one — I don't know where or when. Should there be, I will send it to you. I tJmik (ahem !) that I spoke rather well. It was an ex- cellent room, and both the subjects (Wilson and Scottish Literature, and the Memory of Wilkie) were good to go upon. There were nearly two hundred ladies present. The place is so con- trived that the cross table is raised enormously; much above the heads of people sitting below; and the effect on first coming in (on me, I mean) was rather tremendous. I was quite self-pos- sessed, however, and, notwithstanding the en- thoosemoosy, which was very startling, as cool as a cucumber. I wish to God you had been there, 55 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS as it is impossible for the "distinguislied guest" to describe the scene. It beat all natur'. . . ******** The men who spoke at the dinner were all the most rising men here, and chiefly at the Bar. They were all, alternately, whigs and tories ; with some few radicals, such as Gordon, who gave the memory of Burns. He is Wilson's son-in-law and the lord advocate's nephew — a very mas- terly speaker indeed, who ought to become a dis- tinguished man. Neaves, who gave the other poets, a little too lawyer-like for my taste, is a great gun in the courts. Mr. Prunrose is Lord Rosebery's son. Adam Black, the publisher as you know, Dr. Alison, a very popular friend of the poor. Robertson you know. Allan you know. Colquhoun is an advocate. All these men were selected for the toasts as being crack speakers, known men, and opposed to each other very strongly in politics. For this reason, the professors and so forth who sat upon the plat- form about me made no speeches and had none assigned them. I felt it was very remarkable to see such a number of grey-headed men gathered about my brown flowing locks, and it struck most of those who were present, very forcibly. The judges, solicitor-general. Lord-advocate, and so forth, were all here to call, the day after our ar- rival. The judges never go to public dinners in Scotland. Lord Meadowbank alone broke through the custom, and none of his successors have imitated him. It will give you a good no- tion of party to hear that the solicitor-general and lord-advocate refused to go, though they had 56 DINNER TO CHARLES DICKENS previously engaged, unless the croupier or the chairman were a whig. Both (Wilson and Rob- ertson) were tories, simply because, Jeffrey ex- cepted, no whig could be found who was adapted to the office. The solicitor laid strict injunctions on Napier not to go if a whig were not in office. No whig was, and he stayed away. I think this is good ? — bearing in mind that all the old whigs of Edinburgh were cracking their throats in the room. They give out that they were ill, and the lord-advocate did actually lie in bed all the after- noon; but this is the real truth, and one of the judges told it me with great glee. It seems they couldn't quite trust Wilson or Robertson, as they thought; and feared some tory demonstration. Nothing of the kind took place ; and ever since, these men have been the loudest in their praises of the whole affair. 57 Of this book sixty -three copies were printed for William Glyde Wilkins, in the month of Novem.ber, 1915 Number iiHiS,?,?^ °'' CONGRESS 014 490 309 2 ■■MHMMMNMMMMHM