The Charles Dickens Letters Project

To GEORGE ROUTLEDGE,1 21 JUNE 1868

MS Free Library of Philadelphia.

GAD’S HILL PLACE, | HIGHAM BY ROCHESTER, KENT.

Sunday Twenty First June 1868

My Dear Sir

Many thanks for the Shilling Edition of Shakespere,2 which is indeed a wonderful book! I have no doubt that Mr. Longfellow3 is purposely avoiding the London Season.4 His horror of speech-making, and his desire to enjoy England in his own quiet way, do not surprise me in this hot weather—if they would in any weather.

George Routledge Esquire.

Faithfully Yours

 CHARLES DICKENS

• 1. George Routledge (1812-88; Dictionary of National Biography), publisher, of George Routledge & Sons, 7 Broadway, Ludgate Hill: see Pilgrim Letters 9, p. 346n.
• 2. “Routledge’s Shilling Shakespere”, in one vol, 1868, from Charles Knight’s 1839-42 Pictorial Shakespere edn.
• 3. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-82; Dictionary of American Biography), poet and linguist: see Pilgrim Letters 3, p. 39n. CD met him in America, 1842; he had stayed at Devonshire Terrace, 5-20 Oct 42: Pilgrim Letters 3, pp. 338-43. Routledge had published Longfellow regularly in England since 1852 and brought out his complete works in 11 Vols, 1866.
• 4. Longfellow, visiting England with his family party, arrived in London, 26 June. CD warned him against “all manner of speechmaking designs against you” (To Longfellow, 28 June 68). CD dined with him and Routledge, 7 July (Pilgrim Letters 12, p. 150).