The Charles Dickens Letters Project

To DR WILLIAM BENNER,1 16 JANUARY 1863 

Replaces extract in Pilgrim Letters 10, p. 193.

Test from facsimile in Henry Sotheran Ltd. Catalogue, 2010. 

Hotel du Helder2 

Sixteenth January 1863 

Dear Sir 

I have received your obliging letter with the greatest astonishment, for I am perfectly sure that I am no party to any misunderstanding with Monsieur Philarete Charles,3 and I cannot even remember that I have ever had the honor of communicating with that respected gentleman. On this last head however I may possibly be mistaken. If so, I do not doubt that you will have the kindness to set me right. 

If I should not find you at home when I call with this, I will arrange to be here at half past five to day.

Dear Sir 

Faithfully Yours 

CHARLES DICKENS 

• 1. Perhaps an English physician practising in Paris, but not further identified. Wrongly named 'William Barnet' in Pilgrim Letters.
• 2. On Rue du Helder, Paris. CD was in France from to 15 Jan-15 Feb 1863.
• 3. Thus in MS. Victor Euphémion Philarète Chasles (1798-1873), French critic, journalist and man of letters. Sent to London 1815, where he worked for the printer Abraham John Valpy on editions of classical authors. Wrote articles for the English reviews, and on his return to France in 1818 did much to popularise the reading of English authors. Contributed to the Revue des deux mondes, Revue britannique, and Journal des débats. Librarian of the Bibliothèque Mazarine 1837-73, and Professor of comparative literature at the Collège de France 1841-73.