The Charles Dickens Letters Project
To MISS J___ D___,1 17 JUNE 1839
Text from Glasgow Evening Citizen, 15 June 1870, p. 3.
Elm Cottage, Petersham, Surrey2
Monday, June 17th, 1839.
Mr Dickens is living out of town for the summer, and being much occupied just now, has not an opportunity of making any inquiry relative to the letter he has received, signed "J____ D____."
As no opportunity would arise until the middle of next week, and as Mr Dickens regrets that some days have already elapsed since the letter was received, his only way of judging of the probable truth of the statements made in it is by referring to the letter itself, and allowing his judgement to be guided by the terms and manner in which it is couched.
It looks like truth. Mr Dickens would be extremely unwilling to suppose that such an appeal could be made – and by a woman – for mere purposes of imposition. Under this impression, he encloses a trifle towards the alleviation of the writer's distress and the attainment of her honest object; regretting that, with many other claims upon him, he cannot afford more, and sincerely trusting that better prospects may open upon her before long.
- 1. Unidentified; the addressee's first initial is noted by CD in the letter. The Glasgow Evening Citizen expands on the history of the addressee: "Miss D____ got back to Glasgow, where she was married, and in such a position of comfort, that on Mr. Dickens's first visit to this city [in July 1841], she found him out, and desired him to accept repayment of the sums he had advanced, at which, in her own simple phrase, 'he only laughed.' Now [1870], however, somewhat advanced in years, her husband completely invalided, and herself broken down in health, she is again in need of aid. These original letters of Mr. Dickens, which she has so long treasured, she is now anxious to dispose of to any benevolent admirer of the distinguished author, and it will afford a curious illustration of the fruitfulness of good actions, if they should prove, once more, a source of hope and relief, to one who seems a thoroughly deserving, if a somewhat romantic and unfortunate person. The letters may be seen at our office."
- 2. CD had rented Elm Cottage from 30 Apr to 31 Aug 1839.