The Charles Dickens Letters Project

To MISS MARION ELY,1 9 FEBRUARY 1854

MS Alastair J. E. Matthew.

Tavistock House 

Thursday Ninth February 1854.

My Dear Miss Ely.

I did not get your ethereal-looking note2 until late last night. Shall our theatrical engagement stand for Saturday week?3 On this next Saturday I am unfortunately engaged. Mr. Robson4 excellent in a small part in the Bengal Tiger5 – as good as good can be. He apostrophises a picture to perfection,6 and with a far better serious quality in him than he has shewn yet.  

Ever Faithfully Yours 

 CHARLES DICKENS

Miss Ely. 

• 1. Marion Elizabeth Ely (1820-1913), daughter of Charles Ely and Sara, née Rutt; niece of Rachel Talfourd (1792-1875), wife of CD's friend Thomas Noon Talfourd (1795-1854).
• 2. Another joke about Ely’s handwriting; cf. To Ely, 8 Nov 43 (see Pilgrim Letters 3).
• 3. The proposed visit not identified.
• 4. Thomas Frederick Robson, originally Brownbill (?1822-64; Dictionary of National Biography), actor and manager; made his reputation in comedy, farce and especially burlesque. Joint manager of the Olympic theatre, 1857, where he produced professionally Wilkie Collins’s The Lighthouse, taking CD’s role of Aaron Gurnock: see further Pilgrim Letters 8, pp. 394, 418 & nn. Because of his small figure, became known as “the great little Robson”.
• 5. By Charles Dance, 1837; revived for performance before the Queen at Windsor (26 Jan) and then performed at intervals at the Olympic.
• 6. As David, the family footman, whose comparison of a portrait of Sir Paul Pagoda at fifteen with the rich thoughtless man he is now (his heart “a lump of coke”) precipitates Sir Paul’s recognition of his folly and the true demands of feeling. The character allows the actor to combine comic outspokenness with ingrained honesty.