The Charles Dickens Letters Project

Period: 
1851-1860
Theme(s): 
social engagements

 

To THOMAS COGGINS,1 17 MAY 1851

 

Text from MS facsimile, International Autograph Auctions, July 2009. Address (envelope): T. Coggins Esquire | 23 Beresford Street | Walworth | London.

 

Broadstairs, Kent

Saturday Seventeenth May | 1851.2

Mr. Charles Dickens presents his compliments to Mr. Coggins, and regrets that his engagements do not admit of his accepting the invitation of the vocal class of the Walworth Literary Institution.3

  • 1. Thomas Coggins (born c. 1830), merchant’s clerk, of 23 Kennington Street, Walworth; CD was replying to the address of Richard Allmond, banker’s clerk. Presumably both Coggins and Allmond were members of the vocal class at Walworth Institute (below).
  • 2. Address and date at foot of the letter.
  • 3. The Walworth Literary and Scientific Institute, 21 Manor Place and 22 Carter Street, Keene’s Row, Walworth; founded Mar 45: see Pilgrim Letters 6, p. 88n. CD went to an entertainment there by the comedian J. L. Toole (then still an amateur) (To Mark Lemon, 7 Apr 52; Pilgrim Letters 6, p. 637).