Chapter I: Front Matter

[Picture: Cover of book]

[Picture: Charles Dickens]

The pages of this little book were in type and about to be sent for correction to my sister--who had been for some months in very delicate health--when she suddenly became still more gravely ill. The hand which had traced the words of love and veneration dedicated to our father's memory grew too feeble to hold a pen, and before the proofs of her little volume could be submitted to her for revision, my dear sister died.

K. P.

[Picture: Mamie Dickens]

MY FATHER AS I RECALL HIM.

BY
MAMIE DICKENS.

THE
_ROXBURGHE PRESS_,
FIFTEEN, VICTORIA STREET,
WESTMINSTER.

THIS WORK, AND ALL THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE ROXBURGHE PRESS, ARE SUPPLIED TO THE TRADE BY MESSRS. SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & COMPANY, LIMITED, AND CAN BE OBTAINED THROUGH ANY BOOKSELLER.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

CHAPTER I. 7

Seeing "Gad's Hill" as a child.--His domestic side and home love.--His love of children.--His neatness and punctuality.--At the table, and as host.--The original of "Little Nell."

CHAPTER II. 25

Buying Christmas presents.--In the dance.--The merriest of them all.--As a conjurer.--Christmas at "Gad's Hill."--Our Christmas dinners.--A New Year's Eve frolic.--New Year on the Green.--Twelfth Night festivities.

CHAPTER III. 46

My father at his work.--Rooms in which he wrote.--Love for his child characters.--Genius for character drawing.--Nicholas Nickleby.--His writing hours.--His only amanuensis.--"Pickwick" and "Boz."--Death of Mr. Thackeray.

CHAPTER IV. 69

Fondness for Athletic Sports.--His love of bathing.--His study of the raven.--Calling the doctor in.--My father with our dogs.--The cats of "Gad's Hill."--"Bumble" and "Mrs. Bouncer."--A strange friendship.

CHAPTER V. 88

Interest in London birds.--Our pet bird "Dick."--Devotion of his dogs.--Decision to visit America.--His arrival in New York.--Comments on American courtesies.--Farewell public appearances.

CHAPTER VI. 103

Last words spoken in public.--A railroad accident in 1865.--At home after his American visit.--"Improvements" at "Gad's Hill."--At "Gad's Hill" once more.--The closing day of his life.--Burial at Westminster.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Charles Dickens Frontispiece

Mamie Dickens Facing Dedication

Charles Dickens reading in the garden page 7

Mr. Pickwick slides 25

Mr. John Leech 28

Mr. Pickwick under the Mistletoe 45

Mrs. Bouncer 86

To Miss Dickens' Pomeranian "Mrs. Bouncer" 86

The Empty Chair 101

Charles Dickens' Grave 127