The Charles Dickens Letters Project

To ALBERT SMITH,1 1 DECEMBER 1858

Text from J. A. Stargardt, Berlin, catalogue 2003.

TAVISTOCK HOUSE, 

TAVISTOCK SQUARE, LONDON. W.C.

Wednesday Night, First December 1858.

My Dear Albert

I cannot tell you how grieved I am for poor dear Arthur2 (even you can hardly love him better than I do), or with what anxiety I shall wait for further news of him. Pray let me know how he is tomorrow. I go to Manchester, to speak, on Friday Morning;3 but shall be back in the night of Saturday. Let me find another word from you, too, when I return. Tell them at home that Olliffe4 is the kindest and gentlest of men—a man of rare experience and opportunity—perfect master of his profession, and to be confidently and implicitly relied upon. There is no man alive, in whose hands I would more thankfully trust myself. I will write a cheery word to the dear fellow in the morning.5

Ever faithfully, 

[CHARLES DICKENS]

• 1. Albert Richard Smith (1816-60; Dictionary of National Biography), author and entertainer: see Pilgrim Letters 4, p. 8n.
• 2. Arthur Smith (1825-61), manager for his brother Albert’s Egyptian Hall entertainments (1852-60); for CD’s Amateur Theatrical tour in aid of Douglas Jerrold’s family; and for CD’s Public Readings, 1856-61. Arthur had fallen ill with diphtheria while on a short visit to Paris.
• 3. CD was Chairman at the Prize-giving of the Institutional Association of Lancashire and Cheshire at Manchester, 3 Dec.
• 4. Sir Joseph Olliffe (1808-69; Dictionary of National Biography, physician: see Pilgrim Letters 5, p. 606n. Olliffe, who lived in Paris, was well-known to CD. See To Joseph Olliffe, 24 August 1856.
• 5. To Arthur Smith, 2 Dec 1858, in Pilgrim Letters 8, p. 713.