The Charles Dickens Letters Project

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Dickens, Charles. To [addressee], [date of letter]. Charles Dickens Letters Project, ed. Leon Litvack, Emily Bell, Lydia Craig and Jeremy Parrott (London: Dickens Fellowship). [URL of individual letter], [date of access].

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Charles Dickens Letters Project, ed. Leon Litvack, Emily Bell, Lydia Craig and Jeremy Parrott (London: Dickens Fellowship), DickensLetters.com.

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1841-1850

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America

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To JACOB HARVEY,1 1 SEPTEMBER 1842

MS State University of New York, Buffalo. Address: By Great Western. Second September 1842 / Jacob Harvey Esquire / New York / United States. PM 1 Sep 42.

Devonshire Terrace, York Gate

Regents Park London.

First September 1842.

My Dear Sir.

Just before I embarked for England, you kindly inclosed me a letter from a friend.2 In a multitude of Trunks and Engagements, it was lost; and I do not remember the name of the writer. As there is nothing in the answer which3 makes4 it any breach of confidence to make you a party thereunto, may I beg you to deliver it as follows? -

“I always seek in drawing characters, for a mixture of Good and Evil – as5 the Almighty has created Human character after that fashion. It is commonly one of the weaknesses of my characters, that they drink spirituous liquors – just because that is one of the weaknesses of real men. They do not prosper in their fortunes, because of this taste (far from it), but in spite of it, through their better nature. I certainly do not advocate Temperance Doctrines and on6 this plain ground7 – my reason and sense of Justice are not at all convinced that men who can drink without abuse and excess, should be deprived of the enjoyment of drinking in moderation, because there are a vast number of men in the world who do not know what moderation is. A great many good qualities, and a great many genial feelings are brought out in good men by a cheerful Glass. I think Temperance may be as immoderate and irrational in its way, as abuse in its way; and what is called Total Abstinence is in my opinion8 a good thing ridden to death9 – just as Drunkenness is” – This, with my best regards to my esteemed correspondent.

We are all well, and enjoying ourselves at the Seaside.10 I shall be glad to hear that your health has improved, and that you are perpetually telling good stories to all your friends. Mrs. Dickens unites with me in cordial regards to Mrs. Harvey11 and your whole house. I learn that the New York Newspapers have been forging some passages under my hand.12 Nothing that American Newspapers can do (unless they should chance on something honest, or becoming a decent state of society) would surprise me in the least.

Jacob Harvey Esquire.

My Dear Sir I am always / Faithfully Yours

CHARLES DICKENS

1. Jacob Harvey (1797-1848), Irish-born New York merchant: see Pilgrim Letters 3, p. 318n.
2. Not identified.
3. would deleted.
4. s added.
5. thoug[h] deleted.
6. Written above caret: for crossed out below.
7. Written above caret: reason crossed out below.
8. in my opinion written above caret.
9. For CD’s continued objection to those who go the “whole hog” on an issue, see “Whole Hogs”, Household Words, 23 Aug 51, III, 505 and Pilgrim Letters 6, pp. xi, 457 & n.6.
10. Though dating from Devonshire Terrace, as he did to his American correspondents at this time, CD had been in Broadstairs since 31 July or 1 Aug.
11. Daughter of the New York doctor and botanist, David Hosack.
12. See Pilgrim Letters 3, p. 311 (To Forster, [?30 or 31 Aug 42], hn & nn) and Appendix B (pp. 625-7).