The Charles Dickens Letters Project

To H.M. TICKNOR,1 6 APRIL 1868

MS James S. Copley Library, Sotheby’s, 17 June 2010.

Boston,2 Monday Sixth April 1868

My Dear Ticknor

Two considerations in reference to Thursday:––3

1. I am so nervous and shaken, that I should be in danger of tumbling to pieces, if I tried to sit behind your fast trotting horse.

2. I must have a carriage on that day, to go about and leave some cards.

Question therefore respectfully submitted:—whether visit to Mrs. Ticknor4 in gorgeous equipage turned out under Parkerian contract5 be admissible as compromise and at what hour?

Howard M. Ticknor Esquire

Ever Faithfully Yours

 CHARLES DICKENS

• 1. Howard Malcolm Ticknor (1836-1905), son of W. D. Ticknor, founder of the publishers Ticknor & Fields: see Pilgrim Letters 11, p. 350n.
• 2. CD returned to Boston 31 March-10 April.
• 3. CD’s final reading in Boston was to be Wednesday, 7 April; he clearly intended to spend Thursday on farewells.
• 4. Wife of H. M. Ticknor; she died 1927.
• 5. I.e. a carriage hired from the Parker House Hotel, Boston.