The Charles Dickens Letters Project

To E. W. COLE,1 29 APRIL 1854

Text from facsimile at unidentified website, 2004.

Tavistock House | Twenty Ninth April, 1854.

Sir.

I regret that I cannot preside at the annual Meeting of the Institution.2 But my occupations, and the recreations that are necessary to them, have obliged me, this year, to abstain from accepting any such public Engagement. I have refused many, conditionally; replying to the urgent invitations, “If I go anywhere, I will come to you.” My appearance in this case, would involve me in innumerable others; and I am obliged – positively obliged – to decline. My attendances at public meetings at any time, are very few and far between.

Mr. Edward William Cole

Faithfully Yours

 CHARLES DICKENS

• 1. Edward William Cole, Secretary of the Newsvendors’ Benevolent Institution.
• 2. CD had spoken at the Annual Meetings of 1849 and 1852. On 13 Apr to Cole (Pilgrim Letters 7, p. 311) he indicated his willingness to become President of the Institution and was elected 22 May at the annual meeting. He presided at the next annual meeting, 21 May 55.