Chapter IX: 1838-1839

Pages 165-179.

NICHOLAS NICKLEBY. AET. 26-27.

Doubts of success dispelled 165
Realities of English life 166
Characters self-revealed 167
Miss Bates and Mrs. Nickleby 167
Smike and Dotheboys 167
A favorite type of humanity 168
Sydney Smith and Newman Noggs 168
Kindliness and breadth of humor 169
Goldsmith and Smollett 169
Early and later books 170
Biographical not critical 171
Characteristics 171
Materials for the book 171
Birthday letter 172
A difficulty at starting 172
Never in advance with _Nickleby_ 173
Always with later books 173
Enjoying a play 174
At the Adelphi 174
Writing Mrs. Nickleby's love-scene 175
Sydney Smith vanquished 175
Winding up the story 176
Parting from creatures of his fancy 177
The Nickleby dinner 178
Persons present 178
The Maclise portrait 178