The Charles Dickens Letters Project

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

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

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1841-1850

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charity

To THOMAS CHAPMAN,1 26 APRIL 1844

Replaces mention in Pilgrim Letters 4, p. 113. Text from facsimiles of pp. 1 and 4 (aa) in Stargardt Autographenhandlung online catalogue, Apr 2024; auctioneer’s extracts (bb) of pp. 2 and 3; and image enhancement.

aDevonshire Terrace. Friday Twenty Sixth April | 1844.

My Dear Sir

I made a suggestion to Dr Smith2 today, in reference to our Sanatorium Dinner,3 which I was amazed to find from him had been made last year. As it has occurred to others, as well as to myself, I am strongly inclined to think there is something in it.

It is, that we should have Ladies to dine.4 I verily believe that it would have an immense effecta bupon our success – would make a brilliant and striking sight – would be clearly chronicled in the papers5 – and would at once give our dinners a distinctive and graceful character. There is a special reason in our case for having them. We address classes, including great numbers of ladies – we have had ladies in our house (I don’t allude to Mrs. Gibbons)6 – we have a ladies’ committee – our object has strong claims upon mothers whose sons are away from home – upon sisters – and all kinds of womanly relations. Of the impulse it would give our dinner, I have not the slightest doubt.

If all the members of the committee really interested, would promise to bring each one his party of ladies at least, the thing is done. I, for one, would pledge myself to do so, instantly.

The sale of the ladies’ tickets might be left with the stewards,7 are to meet tomorrow morning (so I hear) I am anxious that you should be in the receipt of this, tonight.b

aThe price of ladies’ tickets would be matter of discussion with the London Tavern hosts.

Always my Dear Sir

Faithfully Yours

CHARLES DICKENS

Thomas Chapman Esquirea

1. Thomas Chapman (1800-95), surveyor and land agent; partner in Chapman & Webb, 3 Arundel Street, Strand. Eldest brother of publisher Edward Chapman, partner in the firm Chapman and Hall, 186 Strand, publishers of CD’s works. CD had known him since 1837.
2. Thomas Southwood Smith, MD (1788-1861; Oxford Dictionary of National Biography), Unitarian minister, physician, and sanitary reformer. Author of The Sanatorium; a Self-Supporting Establishment for the Lodging, Nursing, and Cure of Sick Persons of the Middle Classes, Both Sexes (London: Blades and East, 1840; read by CD with “extreme satisfaction” [Pilgrim Letters 2, p. 165]), and prime mover behind the establishment of the institution. It was opened at Devonshire House, York Gate (nearly opposite CD's own house), in Apr 1842. CD became a member of the committee. The sanatorium was always in financial difficulties.
3. The anniversary dinner of the Sanatorium was planned for 4 June, at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate Street, with CD in the chair. He described it as “a home in sickness, founded and maintained upon the footing of a club, the expenses of which, by the voluntary contributions of many persons for a common welfare and advantage, are rendered so light that a weekly payment never exceeding two guineas, and in many instances not exceeding one guinea, secures to every inmate, gentleman or lady, a comfortable, genteel, and cheerful house; a quiet, well-ventilated, and wholesome chamber; the first medical advice that the skill and science of this city can supply; the diligent and careful nursing of persons trained and educated for the purpose; every possible comfort in illness, and every possible means towards recovery” (Speeches of Charles Dickens, ed. K.J. Fielding [Oxford: Clarendon, 1960], p. 68). Chapman was a member of the Committee, and in charge of the seating arrangements; see Pilgrim Letters 4, pp. 137–8.
4. See To Clarkson Stanfield, 30 Apr 1844, in Pilgrim Letters 4, p. 116.
5. The Morning Chronicle reported: “A large assemblage of ladies and gentlemen sat down at six o'clock to a very excellent entertainment, it being one of those rare occasions in which the former are permitted to descend from the gallery, and partake with the gentlemen of the comforts and luxuries which are spread before them" (“The Sanatorium”, 5 Jun 1844, p. 6).
6. Emmeline Gibbons (1770–1848), Matron of the Sanatorium; daughter of a distinguished surgeon, John King, and Emmeline Edgeworth (sister of Maria Edgeworth); widow of a Richmond doctor. CD had previously been convinced of her suitability for the post (To Beard and To Mitton, 15 Nov 1842, in Pilgrim Letters 3, pp. 372, 374).
7. or better still with our committee of ladies. But I am pretty certain they would be in great demand and would cover us with Glory. Do think of this again. I write to you in great haste before going out to dinner; that as you and Dr. Smith and Mr. RicardoRaphael (Ralph) Ricardo (1785–1875), a member of the London Stock Exchange, and brother of David Ricardo MP (1772–1823). He was one of the original subscribers to the opening of the institution (Southwood Smith, The Sanatorium, p. 19).