Beschreibung:

DICKENS, CHARLES. Autograph letter signed ("Charles Dickens" with paraph) to Mrs. Richard (Lavinia Jane) Watson, Paris, 25 January 1847. 2½ pages, 8vo, gilt-edged gray stationery, minor stain on first page, with envelope addressed and signed by Dickens. "WE WILL...FORM THE DELIGHTFUL LITTLE CIRCLE AGAIN -- SOMEHOW" Dickens and the Watsons became steadfast friends after meeting in Lausanne. In Paris, Dickens gave this letter to Watson for delivery to his wife: "I cannot allow your Wandering Lord [her husband] to return to your -- I suppose 'arms' is not improper? -- arms, then, without thanking you in half a dozen words for your letter, and assuring you that I had great interest and pleasure in its receipt; and that I say amen to all you say of our happy past and hopeful futures..." Dickens then reminisces about their excursions in Switzerland, adding: "...[the picture] that rises up in my mind very often, and in the quiet pleasure of its aspect rather daunts me as compared with the reality of a stirring life; but...we will have some more pleasant days, and go up some more mountains -- somewhere -- and have some more readings -- of something -- and laugh together -- at somebody -- and form the same delightful little circle again -- somehow... "I quite agree with you about the Illustrations to the little Christmas Book [ The Battle of Life , 1846, which was dedicated 'to my English friends in Switzerland' -- undoubtedly including the Watsons among the dedicatees]. Except [Clarkson] Stanfield's, they all shocked me more or less. I was delighted with yours...it hangs up over my chair on the drawing room here; and when you come to England (after I have seen you again in Lausanne) I will shew it you in my little Study at home, quietly thanking you on the bookcase. Then we will go and see some of Turner's recent pictures..." In 1849 Dickens also dedicated David Copperfield to the Watsons. ( Letters , ed. Storey & Fielding, vol. 5, p. 12).