The Charles Dickens Letters Project

To HENRY WHITWORTH JONES,1 2 JANUARY 1857

MS Private. Address: Henry Whitworth Esquire.

Tavistock House | Second January 1857

My Dear Mr. Whitworth

It was reported to me some time ago, that you had goodnaturedly declared you would like to “go on” in the Play,2 for the fun of being in it. If this should be really so, and you do not object to become a Mute Seaman,3 “an eligible opportunity now offers”.4 A Seaman is summoned to Sheffield,5 and another Seaman (the speechless one) is ill.6 We rehearse tonight at 1⁄4 before 8, for the last time before the Dress Rehearsal on Monday.

Faithfully Yours always

CD

• 1. Henry Whitworth Jones (1817-91), operatic and concert bass-baritone, under the name Henry Whitworth. Sang in Italy and Brazil, as well as Italy, until his retirement as a professional, 1855; continued as an amateur, often for charitable purposes. Member of the Garrick Club, 1848. Sang at Macready’s benefit, July 48, in the arrangements of which CD had been involved: see Pilgrim Letters 5, pp. 353 & n, 363 & n.
• 2. The Frozen Deep by Wilkie Collins; performed in Jan 57 at Tavistock House: see Pilgrim Letters 8.
• 3. As one of the crews of the Sea Mew and Wanderer, iced-in in the Arctic Regions, in Act II: see also To Jones, 12 June.
• 4. Imitating newspaper advertisements, for vacancies in clerical and professional employment.
• 5. Edward Hogarth, Catherine’s youngest brother, due to play Bateson; employed in a business house in Sheffield threatened by failure: To Thomas Hankey, 11 Dec 57, Pilgrim Letters 8, p. 491.
• 6. Unidentified.