Ifyou，gentlemen，willbutcarrybackyourrecollectiontothatgreatnight，andcalltomindthebrightandharmlessworldwhichthenopenedtoyourview，weshall，Ithink，hearfavourablyoftheeffectuponyourliberalityonthisoccasionfromourSecretary。
Thisisthesixthyearofmeetingsofthiskind-thesixthtimewehavehadthisfinechilddownafterdinner。Hisnurse，averyworthypersonofthenameofBuckstone，whohasanexcellentcharacterfromseveralplaces，willpresentlyreporttoyouthathischestisperfectlysound，andthathisgeneralhealthisinthemostthrivingcondition。Longmayitbeso;longmayitthriveandgrow;longmaywemeetitismysincerewishtoexchangeourcongratulationsonitsprosperity;andlongerthanthelineofBanquomaybethatlineoffigureswhich，asitspatrioticshareinthenationaldebt，acenturyhenceshallbestatedbytheGovernorandCompanyoftheBankofEngland。
SPEECH：THEROYALLITERARYFUND。LONDON，MARCH12，1856。
[TheCorporationoftheRoyalLiteraryFundwasestablishedin1790，itsobjectbeingtoadministerassistancetoauthorsofgeniusandlearning，whomaybereducedtodistressbyunavoidablecalamities，ordeprived，byenfeebledfacultiesordeclininglife，ofthepowerofliteraryexertion。Attheannualgeneralmeetingheldatthehouseofthesocietyontheabovedate，thefollowingspeechwasmadebyMr。CharlesDickens：]
SIR，-IshallnotattempttofollowmyfriendMr。Bell，who，intheprofessionofliterature，representsuponthiscommitteeaseparateanddistinctbranchoftheprofession，that，like“ThelastroseofsummerStandsbloomingalone，WhileallitscompanionsArefadedandgone，“
intotheverypricklybramble-bushwithwhichhehasingeniouslycontrivedtobesetthisquestion。IntheremarksIhavetomakeI
shallconfinemyselftofourpoints：-1。Thatthecommitteefindthemselvesinthepainfulconditionofnotspendingenoughmoney，andwillpresentlyapplythemselvestothegreatreformofspendingmore。2。Thatwithregardtothehouse，itisapositivematterofhistory，thatthehouseforwhichMr。Williamswassoanxiouswastobeappliedtousestowhichitneverhasbeenapplied，andwhichtheadministratorsofthefunddeclinetorecognise。3。
That，inMr。Bell\'sendeavourstoremovetheArtists\'Fundfromthegroundofanalogyitunquestionablyoccupieswithreferencetothisfund，byreasonoftheircontinuingperiodicalrelieftothesamepersons，IbegtotellMr。Bellwhateverygentlemanatthattableknows-thatitisthebusinessofthisfundtorelieveoverandoveragainthesamepeople。
MR。BELL：Butfreshinquiryisalwaysmadefirst。
MR。C。DICKENS：IcanonlyopposetothatstatementmyownexperiencewhenIsatonthatcommittee，andwhenIhaveknownpersonsrelievedonmanyconsecutiveoccasionswithoutfurtherinquirybeingmade。Astothesuggestionthatweshouldselecttheitemsofexpenditurethatwecomplainof，Ithinkitisaccordingtoallexperiencethatweshouldfirstaffirmtheprinciplethattheexpenditureistoolarge。Ifthatbedonebythemeeting，thenIwillproceedtotheselectionoftheseparateitems。Now，inrisingtosupportthisresolution，ImaystateatoncethatIhavescarcelyanyexpectationofitsbeingcarried，andIamhappytothinkitwillnot。Indeed，Iconsideritthestrongestpointoftheresolution\'scasethatitshouldnotbecarried，becauseitwillshowthedeterminationofthefund\'smanagers。Nothingcanpossiblybestrongerinfavouroftheresolutionthanthatthestatementshouldgoforthtotheworldthattwicewithintwelvemonthstheattentionofthecommitteehasbeencalledtothisgreatexpenditure，andtwicethecommitteehaveconsideredthatitwasnotunreasonable。Icannotconceiveastrongercasefortheresolutionthanthisstatementoffactastotheexpendituregoingforthtothepublicaccompaniedbythecommittee\'sassertionthatitisreasonable。Now，toseparatethisquestionfromdetails，letusrememberwhatthecommitteeandtheirsupportersassertedlastyear，and，Ihope，willre-assertthisyear。Itseemstoberatherthemodelkindofthingthanotherwisenowthatifyouget100
poundsyouaretospend40poundsinmanagement;andifyouget1000pounds，ofcourseyoumayspend400poundsingivingtherestaway。Now，incasethereshouldbeanyill-conditionedpeopleherewhomayaskwhatoccasiontherecanbeforallthisexpenditure，I
willgiveyoumyexperience。Iwentlastyeartoahighlyrespectableplaceofresort，Willis\'sRooms，inSt。James\'s，toameetingofthisfund。MyoriginalintentionwastohearallI
could，andsayaslittleaspossible。Allowingfortheabsenceoftheyoungerandfairerportionofthecreation，thegeneralappearanceoftheplacewassomethinglikeAlmack\'sinthemorning。
Anumberofstatelyolddowagerssatinarowononeside，andoldgentlemenontheother。Theballwasopenedwithduesolemnitybyarealmarquis，whowalkedaminuetwiththesecretary，atwhichtheaudienceweremuchaffected。Thenanotherpartyadvanced，who，Iamsorrytosay，wasonlyamemberoftheHouseofCommons，andhetookpossessionofthefloor。Tohim，however，succeededalord，thenabishop，thenthesonofadistinguishedlord，thenoneortwocelebritiesfromtheCityandStockExchange，andatlastagentleman，whomadeafortunebythesuccessof“Candide，“
sustainedthepartofPangloss，andspokemuchofwhatheevidentlybelievedtobetheverybestmanagementofthisbestofallpossiblefunds。Nowitisinthisfondnessforbeingstupendouslygenteel，andkeepingupfineappearances-thisvulgarandcommonsocialviceofhangingontogreatconnexionsatanyprice，thatthemoneygoes。Thelasttimeyougotadistinguishedwriteratapublicmeeting，andhewascalledontoaddressyousomewhereamongstthesmallhours，hetoldyouhefeltlikethemaninplushwhowaspermittedtosweepthestagedownafteralltheotherpeoplehadgone。Ifthefounderofthissocietywerehere，I
shouldthinkhewouldfeellikeasortofRipvanWinklereversed，whohadgonetosleepbackwardsforahundredyearsandwokeuptofindhisfundstilllyingunderthefeetofpeoplewhodidnothingforitinsteadofbeingemancipatedandstandingalonelongago。
ThisBloomsburyhouseisanotherpartofthesamedesireforshow，andtheofficerwhoinhabitsit。Imean，ofcourse，inhisofficialcapacity，for，asanindividual，Imuchrespecthim。
Whenoneentersthehouseitappearstobehauntedbyaseriesofmysterious-lookingghosts，whoglideaboutengagedinsomeextraordinaryoccupation，and，aftertheapprovedfashionofghosts，butseldomcondescendtodisclosetheirbusiness。Whatareallthesemeetingsandinquirieswantedfor？Asfortheauthors，I
say，asawriterbyprofession，thatthelonginquirysaidtobenecessarytoascertainwhetheranapplicantdeservesrelief，isapreposterouspretence，andthatworkingliterarymenwouldhaveafarbetterknowledgeofthecasescomingbeforetheboardthancaneverbeattainedbythatcommittee。Further，Isayopenlyandplainly，thatthisfundispompouslyandunnaturallyadministeredatgreatexpense，insteadofbeingquietlyadministeredatsmallexpense;andthatthesecrecytowhichitlaysclaimasitsgreatestattribute，isnotkept;forthroughthose“tworespectablehouseholders，“towhomreferencemustbemade，thenamesofthemostdeservingapplicantsaretonumbersofpeopleperfectlywellknown。Themembershavenowgotbeforethemaplainstatementoffactastothesecharges;anditisforthemtosaywhethertheyarejustifiable，becoming，ordecent。Ibegmostearnestlyandrespectfullytoputittothosegentlemenwhobelongtothisinstitution，thatmustnowdecide，andcannothelpdeciding，whattheLiteraryFundisfor，andwhatitisnotfor。Thequestionraisedbytheresolutioniswhetherthisisapubliccorporationforthereliefofmenofgeniusandlearning，orwhetheritisasnug，traditional，andconventionalparty，bentuponmaintainingitsownusageswithavastamountofpride;uponitsownannualpufferyatcostlydinner-tables，anduponacourseofexpensivetoadyingtoanumberofdistinguishedindividuals。Thisisthequestionwhichyoucannotthisdayescape。
SPEECH：LONDON，NOVEMBER5，1857。
[AtthefourthanniversarydinneroftheWarehousemenandClerksSchools，whichtookplaceonThursdayevening，Nov。5th，1857，attheLondonTavern，andwasverynumerouslyattended，Mr。CharlesDickensoccupiedthechair。OnthesubjectwhichhadbroughtthecompanytogetherMr。Dickensspokeasfollows：-]
IMUSTnowsolicityourattentionforafewminutestothecauseofyourassemblingtogether-themainandrealobjectofthisevening\'sgathering;forIsupposeweareallagreedthatthemottoofthesetablesisnot“Letuseatanddrink，forto-morrowwedie;“but，“Letuseatanddrink，forto-morrowwelive。”Itisbecauseagreatandgoodworkistoliveto-morrow，andto-morrow，andto-morrow，andtoliveagreaterandbetterlifewitheverysucceedingto-morrow，thatweeatanddrinkhereatall。
Conspicuousonthecardofadmissiontothisdinneristheword“Schools。”ThissetmethinkingthismorningwhatarethesortsofschoolsthatIdon\'tlike。Ifoundthemonconsideration，toberathernumerous。Idon\'tliketobeginwith，andtobeginascharitydoesathome-Idon\'tlikethesortofschooltowhichI
oncewentmyself-therespectedproprietorofwhichwasbyfarthemostignorantmanIhaveeverhadthepleasuretoknow;oneoftheworst-temperedmenperhapsthateverlived，whosebusinessitwastomakeasmuchoutofusandputaslittleintousaspossible，andwhosoldusatafigurewhichIrememberweusedtodelighttoestimate，asamountingtoexactly2pounds4s。6d。perhead。I
don\'tlikethatsortofschool，becauseIdon\'tseewhatbusinessthemasterhadtobeatthetopofitinsteadofthebottom，andbecauseInevercouldunderstandthewholesomenessofthemoralpreachedbytheabjectappearanceanddegradedconditionoftheteacherswhoplainlysaidtousbytheirlookseverydayoftheirlives，“Boys，neverbelearned;whateveryouare，aboveallthingsbewarnedfromthatintimebyoursunkencheeks，byourpoorpimplynoses，byourmeagrediet，byouracid-beer，andbyourextraordinarysuitsofclothes，ofwhichnohumanbeingcansaywhethertheyaresnuff-colouredturnedblack，orblackturnedsnuff-coloured，apointuponwhichweourselvesareperfectlyunabletoofferanyrayofenlightenment，itissoverylongsincetheywereundarnedandnew。”Idonotlikethatsortofschool，becauseIhaveneveryetlostmyancientsuspiciontouchingthatcuriouscoincidencethattheboywithfourbrotherstocomealwaysgottheprizes。Infact，andshort，Idonotlikethatsortofschool，whichisaperniciousandabominablehumbug，altogether。
Again，ladiesandgentlemen，Idon\'tlikethatsortofschool-aladies\'school-withwhichtheotherschoolusedtodanceonWednesdays，wheretheyoungladies，asIlookbackuponthemnow，seemtomealwaystohavebeeninnewstaysanddisgrace-thelatterconcerningaplaceofwhichIknownothingatthisday，thatboundsTimbuctooonthenorth-east-andwherememoryalwaysdepictstheyouthfulenthrallerofmyfirstaffectionasforeverstandingagainstawall，inacuriousmachineofwood，whichconfinedherinnocentfeetinthefirstdancingposition，whilethosearms，whichshouldhaveencircledmyjacket，thosepreciousarms，Isay，werepinionedbehindherbyaninstrumentoftorturecalledabackboard，fixedinthemannerofadoubledirectionpost。
Again，Idon\'tlikethatsortofschool，ofwhichwehaveanotableexampleinKent，whichwasestablishedagesagobyworthyscholarsandgoodmenlongdeceased，whosemunificentendowmentshavebeenmonstrouslypervertedfromtheiroriginalpurpose，andwhich，intheirdistortedcondition，arestruggledforandfoughtoverwiththemostindecentpertinacity。Again，Idon\'tlikethatsortofschool-andIhaveseenagreatmanysuchintheselattertimes-
wherethebrightchildishimaginationisutterlydiscouraged，andwherethosebrightchildishfaces，whichitissoverygoodforthewisestamongustorememberinafterlife-whentheworldistoomuchwithus，earlyandlate-aregloomilyandgrimlyscaredoutofcountenance;whereIhaveneverseenamongthepupils，whetherboysorgirls，anythingbutlittleparrotsandsmallcalculatingmachines。Again，Idon\'tbyanymeanslikeschoolsinleatherbreeches，andwithmortifiedstrawbasketsforbonnets，whichfilealongthestreetsinlongmelancholyrowsundertheescortofthatsurprisingBritishmonster-abeadle，whosesystemofinstruction，Iamafraid，toooftenpresentsthathappyunionofsoundwithsense，ofwhichaveryremarkableinstanceisgiveninagravereportofatrustworthyschoolinspector，totheeffectthataboyingreatreputeatschoolforhislearning，presentedonhisslate，asoneofthetencommandments，theperplexingprohibition，“Thoushaltnotcommitdoldrum。”Ladiesandgentlemen，Iconfess，also，thatIdon\'tlikethoseschools，eventhoughtheinstructiongiveninthembegratuitous，wherethosesweetlittlevoiceswhichoughttobeheardspeakinginverydifferentaccents，anathematisebyroteanyhumanbeingwhodoesnotholdwhatistaughtthere。
Lastly，Idonotlike，andIdidnotlikesomeyearsago，cheapdistantschools，whereneglectedchildrenpinefromyeartoyearunderanamountofneglect，want，andyouthfulmiseryfartoosadeventobeglancedatinthischeerfulassembly。
Andnow，ladiesandgentlemen，perhapsyouwillpermitmetosketchinafewwordsthesortofschoolthatIdolike。Itisaschoolestablishedbythemembersofanindustriousandusefulorder，whichsuppliesthecomfortsandgracesoflifeateveryfamiliarturningintheroadofourexistence;itisaschoolestablishedbythemfortheOrphanandNecessitousChildrenoftheirownbrethrenandsisterhood;itisaplacegivinganeducationworthyofthem-
aneducationbytheminvented，bythemconducted，bythemwatchedover;itisaplaceofeducationwhere，whilethebeautifulhistoryoftheChristianreligionisdailytaught，andwhilethelifeofthatDivineTeacherwhoHimselftooklittlechildrenonHiskneesisdailystudied，nosectarianill-willnornarrowhumandogmaispermittedtodarkenthefaceoftheclearheavenwhichtheydisclose。Itisachildren\'sschool，whichisatthesametimenolessachildren\'shome，ahomenottobeconfidedtothecareofcoldorignorantstrangers，nor，bythenatureofitsfoundation，inthecourseofagestopassintohandsthathaveasmuchnaturalrighttodealwithitaswiththepeaksofthehighestmountainsorwiththedepthsofthesea，buttobefromgenerationtogenerationadministeredbymenlivinginpreciselysuchhomesasthosepoorchildrenhavelost;bymenalwaysbentuponmakingthatreplacement，suchahomeastheirowndearchildrenmightfindahappyrefugeiniftheythemselvesweretakenearlyaway。AndI
fearlesslyaskyou，isthisadesignwhichhasanyclaimtoyoursympathy？Isthisasortofschoolwhichisdeservingofyoursupport？
Thisisthedesign，thisistheschool，whosestrongandsimpleclaimIhavetolaybeforeyouto-night。ImustparticularlyentreatyounottosupposethatmyfancyandunfortunatehabitoffictionhasanythingtodowiththepictureIhavejustpresentedtoyou。Itissobermatteroffact。TheWarehousemenandClerks\'
Schools，establishedforthemaintaining，clothing，andeducatingoftheOrphanandNecessitousChildrenofthoseemployedinthewholesaletradesandmanufacturesoftheUnitedKingdom，are，infact，whatIhavejustdescribed。Theseschoolsforbothsexeswereoriginatedonlyfouryearsago。Inthefirstsixweeksoftheundertakingtheyoungmenofthemselvesandquiteunaided，subscribedthelargesumof3，000pounds。Theschoolshavebeenopenedonlythreeyears，theyhavenowontheirfoundationthirty-
ninechildren，andinafewdaystheywillhavesixmore，makingatotalofforty-five。Theyhavebeenmostmunificentlyassistedbytheheadsofgreatmercantilehouses，numerouslyrepresented，Iamhappytosay，aroundme，andtheyhaveafundedcapitalofalmost14，000pounds。Thisiswonderfulprogress，buttheaimmuststillbeupwards，themottoalways“Excelsior。”Youdonotneedtobetoldthatfive-and-fortychildrencanformbutaverysmallproportionoftheOrphanandNecessitousChildrenofthosewhohavebeenentrustedwiththewholesaletradesandmanufacturesoftheUnitedKingdom：youdonotrequiretobeinformedthatthehouseatNew-cross，rentedforasmalltermofyears，inwhichtheschoolsareatpresentestablished，canaffordbutmostimperfectaccommodationforsuchabreadthofdesign。Tocarrythisgoodworkthroughthetworemainingdegreesofbetterandbesttheremustbemorework，moreco-operation，morefriends，moremoney。
Thenbethefriendsandgivethemoney。BeforeIconclude，thereisoneotherfeatureintheseschoolswhichIwouldcommendtoyourspecialattentionandapproval。Theirbenefitsarereservedforthechildrenofsubscribers;thatistosay，itisanessentialprincipleoftheinstitutionthatitmusthelpthosewhoseparentshavehelpedthem，andthattheunfortunatechildrenwhosefatherhasbeensolax，orsocriminal，astowithholdasubscriptionsoexceedinglysmallthatwhendividedbyweeksitamountstoonlythreepenceweekly，cannot，injustice，beallowedtojostleoutandshoulderawaythehappierchildren，whosefatherhashadthatlittleforethought，ordonethatlittlekindnesswhichwasrequisitetosecureforthemthebenefitsoftheinstitution。I
reallycannotbelievethattherewilllongbeanysuchdefaultingparents。Icannotbelievethatanyoftheintelligentyoungmenwhoareengagedinthewholesalehouseswilllongneglectthisobvious，thiseasyduty。Iftheysupposethattheobjectsoftheirlove，bornorunborn，willneverwantthebenefitsofthecharity，thatmaybeafatalandblindmistake-itcanneverbeanexcuse，for，supposingthemtoberightintheiranticipation，theyshoulddowhatisaskedforthesakeoftheirfriendsandcomradesaroundthem，assuredthattheywillbethehappierandthebetterforthedeed。
Ladiesandgentlemen，thislittle“labouroflove“ofmineisnowdone。ImostheartilywishthatIcouldcharmyounownottoseeme，nottothinkofme，nottohearme-ImostheartilywishthatIcouldmakeyouseeinmysteadthemultitudeofinnocentandbereavedchildrenwhoarelookingtowardstheseschools，andentreatingwithupliftedhandstobeletin。Averyfamousadvocateoncesaid，inspeakingofhisfearsoffailurewhenhehadfirsttospeakincourt，beingverypoor，thathefelthislittlechildrentuggingathisskirts，andthatrecoveredhim。Willyouthinkofthenumberoflittlechildrenwhoaretuggingatmyskirts，whenIaskyou，intheirnames，ontheirbehalf，andintheirlittlepersons，andinnostrengthofmyown，toencourageandassistthiswork？
AtalaterperiodoftheeveningMr。DickensproposedthehealthofthePresidentoftheInstitution，LordJohnRussell。Hesaidheshoulddonothingsosuperfluousandsounnecessaryastodescantuponhislordship\'smanyfaithful，long，andgreatpublicservices，uponthehonourandintegritywithwhichhehadpursuedhisstraightforwardpubliccoursethrougheverydifficulty，oruponthemanly，gallant，andcourageouscharacter，whichrenderedhimcertain，intheeyesalikeoffriendsandopponents，torisewitheveryrisingoccasion，andwhich，likethesealofSolomon，intheoldArabianstory，enclosedinanotverylargecasketthesoulofagiant。Inanswertoloudcheers，hesaidhehadfeltperfectlycertain，thatthatwouldbetheresponseforinnoEnglishassemblythathehadeverseenwasitnecessarytodomorethanmentionthenameofLordJohnRusselltoensureamanifestationofpersonalrespectandgratefulremembrance。
SPEECH：LONDON，MAY8，1858。
[Theforty-eighthAnniversaryoftheestablishmentoftheArtists\'
BenevolentFundtookplaceontheabovedateattheFreemasons\'
Tavern。ThechairwastakenbyMr。CharlesDickens，who，afterhavingdisposedofthepreliminarytoastswithhisusualfelicity，proceededtoadvocatetheclaimsoftheInstitutioninwhoseinterestthecompanyhadassembled，inthefollowingterms：-]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-Thereisanabsurdtheatricalstorywhichwasoncetoldtomebyadearandvaluedfriend，whohasnowpassedfromthissublunarystage，andwhichisnotwithoutitsmoralasappliedtomyself，inmypresentpresidentialposition。Inacertaintheatricalcompanywasincludedaman，whoonoccasionsofemergencywascapableoftakingpartinthewholeroundoftheBritishdrama，providedhewasallowedtousehisownlanguageingettingthroughthedialogue。IthappenedonenightthatReginald，intheCASTLESPECTRE，wastakenill，andthisveteranofahundredcharacterswas，ofcourse，calledupforthevacantpart。Herespondedwithhisusualpromptitude，althoughknowingnothingwhateverofthecharacter，butwhiletheyweregettinghimintothedress，heexpressedanotunreasonablewishtoknowinsomevaguewaywhatthepartwasabout。Hewasnotparticularastodetails，butinorderthathemightproperlypourtrayhissufferings，hethoughtheshouldhavesomeslightinklingastowhatreallyhadhappenedtohim。As，forexample，whatmurdershehadcommitted，whosefatherhewas，ofwhatmisfortuneshewasthevictim，-inshort，inageneralwaytoknowwhyhewasinthatplaceatall。
Theysaidtohim，“Hereyouare，chainedinadungeon，anunhappyfather;youhavebeenhereforseventeenyears，duringwhichtimeyouhaveneverseenyourdaughter;youhaveliveduponbreadandwater，and，inconsequence，areextremelyweak，andsufferfromoccasionallownessofspirits。”-“Allright，“saidtheactorofuniversalcapabilities，“ringup。”Whenhewasdiscoveredtotheaudience，hepresentedanextremelymiserableappearance，wasveryfavourablyreceived，andgaveeverysignofgoingonwell，until，throughsomementalconfusionastohisinstructions，heopenedthebusinessoftheactbystatinginpatheticterms，thathehadbeenconfinedinthatdungeonseventeenyears，duringwhichtimehehadnottastedamorseloffood，towhichcircumstancehewasinclinedtoattributethefactofhisbeingatthatmomentverymuchoutofcondition。Theaudience，thinkingthisstatementexceedinglyimprobable，declinedtoreceiveit，andtheweightofthatspeechhungroundhimuntiltheendofhisperformance。
NowI，too，havereceivedinstructionsforthepartIhavethehonourofperformingbeforeyou，anditbehovesbothyouandmetoprofitbytheterriblewarningIhavedetailed，whileIendeavourtomakethepartIhaveundertakenasplainandintelligibleasI
possiblycan。
AsIamgoingtoproposetoyouthatweshouldnowbegintoconnectthebusinesswiththepleasureoftheevening，bydrinkingprosperitytotheArtists\'BenevolentFund，itbecomesimportantthatweshouldknowwhatthatfundis。ItisanAssociationsupportedbythevoluntarygiftsofthosewhoentertainacriticalandadmiringestimationofart，andhasforitsobjectthegrantingofannuitiestothewidowsandchildrenofdeceasedartists-ofartistswhohavebeenunableintheirlivestomakeanyprovisionforthosedearobjectsoftheirlovesurvivingthemselves。NowitisextremelyimportanttoobservethatthisinstitutionofanArtists\'BenevolentFund，whichInowcallonyoutopledge，hasconnectedwithit，andhasarisenoutofanotherartists\'
association，whichdoesnotaskyouforahealth，whichneverdid，andneverwillaskyouforahealth，whichisself-supporting，andwhichisentirelymaintainedbytheprudenceandprovidenceofitsthreehundredartistmembers。Thatfund，whichiscalledtheArtists\'AnnuityFund，is，sotospeak，ajointandmutualAssuranceCompanyagainstinfirmity，sickness，andage。Tothebenefitsitaffordseveryoneofitsmembershasanabsoluteright，aright，beitremembered，producedbytimelythriftandself-
denial，andnotassistedbyappealstothecharityorcompassionofanyhumanbeing。Onthatfundthereare，ifIrememberaright，someseventeenannuitantswhoareinthereceiptofelevenhundreda-year，theproceedsoftheirownself-supportingInstitution。Inrecommendingtoyouthisbenevolentfund，whichisnotself-
supporting，theyaddressyou，ineffect，inthesewords：-“Weaskyoutohelpthesewidowsandorphans，becauseweshowyouwehavefirsthelpedourselves。Thesewidowsandorphansmaybeoursortheymaynotbeours;butinanycasewewillprovetoyoutoacertaintythatwearenotsomanywagonerscallinguponJupitertodoourwork，becausewedoourownwork;eachhashisshouldertothewheel;each，fromyeartoyear，hashadhisshouldersettothewheel，andtheprayerwemaketoJupiterandallthegodsissimplythis-thatthisfactmayberememberedwhenthewagonhasstoppedforever，andthespentandworn-outwagonerlieslifelessbytheroadside。
“LadiesandGentlemen，Imostparticularlywishtoimpressonyouthestrengthofthisappeal。Iamapainter，asculptor，oranengraver，ofaveragesuccess。Istudyandworkherefornoimmensereturn，whilelifeandhealth，whilehandandeyearemine。I
prudentlybelongtotheAnnuityFund，whichinsickness，oldage，andinfirmity，preservesmefromwant。Idomydutytothosewhoaredependingonmewhileliferemains;butwhenthegrassgrowsabovemygravethereisnoprovisionforthemanylonger。”
ThisisthecasewiththeArtists\'BenevolentFund，andinstatingthisIamonlythemouthpieceofthreehundredofthetrade，whointruthstandsasindependentbeforeyouasiftheywerethreehundredCockersallregulatedbytheGospelaccordingtothemselves。Thereareinexistencethreeartists\'funds，whichoughtnevertobementionedwithoutrespect。Iamanofficerofoneofthem，andcanspeakfromknowledge;butonthisoccasionI
addressmyselftoacaseforwhichthereisnoprovision。I
addressyouonbehalfofthoseprofessorsofthefineartswhohavemadeprovisionduringlife，andinsubmittingtoyoutheirclaimsI
amonlyadvocatingprincipleswhichImyselfhavealwaysmaintained。
WhenIaddthatthisBenevolentFundmakesnopretensionstogentility，squandersnotreasureinkeepingupappearances，thatitconsidersthatthemoneygivenforthewidowandtheorphan，shouldreallybeheldforthewidowandtheorphan，IthinkIhaveexhaustedthecase，whichIdesiremoststrenuouslytocommendtoyou。
Perhapsyouwillallowmetosayonelastword。IwillnotconsenttopresenttoyoutheprofessorsofArtasasetofhelplessbabies，whoaretobeheldupbythechin;Ipresentthemasanenergeticandperseveringclassofmen，whoseincomesdependontheirownfacultiesandpersonalexertions;andIalsomakesoboldastopresentthemasmenwhointheirvocationrendergoodservicetothecommunity。IamstronglydisposedtobelievethereareveryfewdebatesinParliamentsoimportanttothepublicwelfareasareallygoodpicture。Ihavealsoanotionthatanynumberofbundlesofthedriestlegalchaffthateverwaschoppedwouldbecheaplyexpendedforonereallymeritoriousengraving。AtahighlyinterestingannualfestivalatwhichIhavethehonourtoassist，andwhichtakesplacebehindtwofountains，Isometimesobservethatgreatministersofstateandothersuchexaltedcharactershaveastrangedelightinratherostentatiouslydeclaringthattheyhavenoknowledgewhateverofart，andparticularlyofimpressingonthecompanythattheyhavepassedtheirlivesinseverestudies。
ItstrikesmewhenIhearthesethingsasifthesegreatmenlookedupontheartsasasortofdancingdogs，orPunch\'sshow，tobeturnedtoforamusementwhenonehasnothingelsetodo。NowI
alwaystaketheopportunityontheseoccasionsofentertainingmyhumbleopinionthatallthisiscomplete“bosh;“andofassertingtomyselfmystrongbeliefthattheneighbourhoodsofTrafalgarSquare，orSuffolkStreet，rightlyunderstood，arequiteasimportanttothewelfareoftheempireasthoseofDowningStreet，orWestminsterHall。LadiesandGentlemen，onthesegrounds，andbackedbytherecommendationofthreehundredartistsinfavouroftheBenevolentFund，Ibegtoproposeitsprosperityasatoastforyouradoption。
SPEECH：THEFAREWELLREADING。ST。JAMES\'SHALL，MARCH15，1870。
[Withthe“ChristmasCarol“and“TheTrialfromPickwick，“Mr。
CharlesDickensbroughttoabrilliantclosethememorableseriesofpublicreadingswhichhaveforsixteenyearsprovedtoaudiencesunexampledinnumbers，thesourceofthehighestintellectualenjoyment。Everyportionofavailablespaceinthebuildingwas，ofcourse，lastnightoccupiedsometimebeforetheappointedhour;
butcouldtheSt。James\'sHallhavebeenspeciallyenlargedfortheoccasiontothedimensionsofSalisburyPlain，itisdoubtfulwhethersufficientroomwouldeventhenhavebeenprovidedforallanxioustoseizethelastchanceofhearingthedistinguishednovelistgivehisowninterpretationofthecharacterscalledintoexistencebyhisowncreativepen。Asifdeterminedtoconvincehisauditorsthat，whateverreasonhadinfluencedhisdetermination，physicalexhaustionwasnotamongstthem，Mr。
Dickensneverreadwithgreaterspiritandenergy。Hisvoicetothelastretaineditsdistinctiveclearness，andthetransitionsoftone，aseachpersonageinthestory，conjuredupbyaword，rosevividlybeforetheeye，seemedtobemoremarvellousthanever。
Thevastassemblage，hushedintobreathlessattention，sufferednotasyllabletoescapetheear，andtherichhumouranddeeppathosofoneofthemostdelightfulbookseverwrittenfoundonceagainthefullestappreciation。TheusualburstofmerrimentresponsivetotheblithedescriptionofBobCratchit\'sChristmasday，andthewontedsympathywiththecrippledchild“TinyTim，“foundpromptexpression，andthegeneraldelightathearingofEbenezerScrooge\'sreformationwasonlycheckedbythesaddeningremembrancethatwithitthelaststrainofthe“carol“wasdyingaway。Afterthe“TrialfromPickwick，“inwhichthespeechesoftheopposingcounsel，andtheowlishgravityofthejudge，seemedtobedeliveredanddepictedwithgreaterdramaticpowerthanever，theapplauseoftheaudiencerangforseveralminutesthroughthehall，andwhenithadsubsided，Mr。Dickens，withevidentlystrongemotion，butinhisusualdistinctandexpressivemanner，spokeasfollows：-]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-Itwouldbeworsethanidle-foritwouldbehypocriticalandunfeeling-ifIweretodisguisethatIclosethisepisodeinmylifewithfeelingsofveryconsiderablepain。
Forsomefifteenyears，inthishallandinmanykindredplaces，I
havehadthehonourofpresentingmyowncherishedideasbeforeyouforyourrecognition，and，incloselyobservingyourreceptionofthem，haveenjoyedanamountofartisticdelightandinstructionwhich，perhaps，isgiventofewmentoknow。Inthistask，andineveryotherIhaveeverundertaken，asafaithfulservantofthepublic，alwaysimbuedwithasenseofdutytothem，andalwaysstrivingtodohisbest，Ihavebeenuniformlycheeredbythereadiestresponse，themostgeneroussympathy，andthemoststimulatingsupport。Nevertheless，Ihavethoughtitwell，atthefullflood-tideofyourfavour，toretireuponthoseolderassociationsbetweenus，whichdatefrommuchfurtherbackthanthese，andhenceforthtodevotemyselfexclusivelytotheartthatfirstbroughtustogether。Ladiesandgentlemen，inbuttwoshortweeksfromthistimeIhopethatyoumayenter，inyourownhomes，onanewseriesofreadings，atwhichmyassistancewillbeindispensable;butfromthesegarishlightsIvanishnowforevermore，withaheartfelt，grateful，respectful，andaffectionatefarewell。
[Amidstrepeatedacclamationsofthemostenthusiasticdescription，whilsthatsandhandkerchiefswerewavingineverypartofthehall，Mr。CharlesDickensretired，withdrawingwithhimoneofthegreatestintellectualtreatsthepubliceverenjoyed。]
SPEECH：THENEWSVENDORS\'INSTITUTION，LONDON，APRIL5，1870。
[TheannualdinnerinaidofthefundsoftheNewsvendors\'
BenevolentandProvidentInstitutionwasheldontheaboveevening，attheFreemason\'sTavern。Mr。CharlesDickenspresided，andwassupportedbytheSheriffsoftheCityofLondonandMiddlesex。
Aftertheusualtoastshadbeengivenandrespondedto，TheChairmansaidthatiftheapprovedorderoftheirproceedingshadbeenobserved，theCorporationoftheCityofLondonwouldnodoubthaveconsideredthemselvessnubbediftheywerenottoastedbythemselves。HewassurethatadistinguishedmemberoftheCorporationwhowaspresentwouldtellthecompanywhattheCorporationweregoingtodo;andhehadnottheslightestdoubttheyweregoingtodosomethinghighlycreditabletothemselves，andsomethinghighlyserviceabletothewholemetropolis;andifthesecretwerenotatpresentlockedupinthebluechamber，theywouldbealldeeplyobligedtothegentlemanwhowouldimmediatelyfollowhim，ifheletthemintoitinthesameconfidenceashehadobservedwithrespecttotheCorporationoftheCityofLondonbeingsnubbed。Hebeggedtogivethetoastof“TheCorporationoftheCityofLondon。”
Mr。AldermanCotton，inreplyingtothetoast，saidforonce，andonceonly，hadtheirchairmansaidanunkindwordabouttheCorporationofLondon。HehadalwaysreckonedMr。DickenstobeoneofthewarmestfriendsoftheCorporation;andrememberingthatheMr。DickensdidreallygothroughaLordMayor\'sShowinaLordMayor\'scarriage，ifhehadnotfelthimselfquiteaLordMayor，hemusthaveatleastconsideredhimselfnexttoone。
InproposingthetoastoftheeveningMr，Dickenssaid：-]
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN，-YoureceivemewithsomuchcordialitythatIfearyoubelievethatIreallydidoncesitinaLordMayor\'sstatecoach。Permitmetoassureyou，inspiteoftheinformationreceivedfromMr。AldermanCotton，thatIneverhadthathonour。
Furthermore，IbegtoassureyouthatIneverwitnessedaLordMayor\'sshowexceptfromthepointofviewobtainedbytheothervagabondsuponthepavement。Now，ladiesandgentlemen，inspiteofthisgreatcordialityofyours，IdoubtifyoufullyknowyetwhatablessingitistoyouthatIoccupythischairto-night，because，havingfilleditonseveralpreviousoccasionsforthesocietyonwhosebehalfweareassembled，andhavingsaideverythingthatIcouldthinkoftosayaboutit，andbeing，moreover，thepresidentoftheinstitutionitself，Iamplacedto-
nightinthemodestpositionofahostwhoisnotsomuchtodisplayhimselfastocallouthisguests-perhapseventotrytoinducesomeamongthemtooccupyhisplaceonanotheroccasion。
And，therefore，youmaybesafelysurethat，likeFalstaff，butwithamodificationalmostaslargeashimself，Ishalltryrathertobethecauseofspeakinginothersthantospeakmyselfto-
night。MuchinthismannertheyexhibitatthedoorofasnuffshoptheeffigyofaHighlanderwithanemptymullinhishand，who，havingapparentlytakenallthesnuffhecancarry，anddischargedallthesneezesofwhichheiscapable，politelyinviteshisfriendsandpatronstostepinandtrywhattheycandointhesameline。
Itisanappropriateinstanceoftheuniversalityofthenewsman\'scallingthatnotoastwehavedrunkto-night-andnotoastweshalldrinkto-night-andnotoastwemight，could，should，orwoulddrinkto-night，isseparableforamomentfromthatgreatinclusionofallpossiblesubjectsofhumaninterestwhichhedeliversatourdoorseveryday。Further，itmaybeworthytheconsiderationofeverybodyherewhohastalkedcheerfullytohisorherneighboursincewehavesatdownatthetable，whatinthenameofHeavenshouldwehavetalkedabout，andhowonearthcouldwehavepossiblygoton，ifournewsmanhadonlyforonesingledayforgottenus。Now，ladiesandgentlemen，asournewsmanisnotbyanymeansinthehabitofforgettingus，letustrytoformalittlehabitofnotforgettingournewsman。Letusrememberthathisworkisveryarduous;thatitoccupieshimearlyandlate;thattheprofitshederivesfromusareatthebestverysmall;thattheservicesherenderstousareverygreat;thatifhebeamaster，hislittlecapitalisexposedtoallsortsofmischances，anxieties，andhazards;andifhebeajourneyman，hehimselfisexposedtoallmannerofweathers，oftempers，andofdifficultandunreasonablerequirements。
Letmeillustratethis。Iwasoncepresentatasocialdiscussion，whichoriginatedbychance。Thesubjectwas，Whatwasthemostabsorbingandlongest-livedpassioninthehumanbreast？Whatwasthepassionsopowerfulthatitwouldalmostinducethegeneroustobemean，thecarelesstobecautious，theguilelesstobedeeplydesigning，andthedovetoemulatetheserpent？Adailyeditorofvastexperienceandgreatacuteness，whowasoneofthecompany，considerablysurprisedusbysayingwiththegreatestconfidencethatthepassioninquestionwasthepassionofgettingordersfortheplay。
Therehadrecentlybeenaterribleshipwreck，andveryfewofthesurvivingsailorshadescapedinanopenboat。OneoftheseonmakinglandcamestraighttoLondon，andstraighttothenewspaperoffice，withhisstoryofhowhehadseentheshipgodownbeforehiseyes。Thatyoungmanhadwitnessedthemostterriblecontentionbetweenthepowersoffireandwaterforthedestructionofthatshipandofeveryoneonboard。Hehadrowedawayamongthefloating，dying，andthesinkingdead。Hehadfloatedbyday，andhehadfrozenbynight，withnoshelterandnofood，and，ashetoldhisdismaltale，herolledhishaggardeyesabouttheroom。
Whenhehadfinished，andthetalehadbeennoteddownfromhislips，hewascheeredandrefreshed，andsoothed，andaskedifanythingcouldbedoneforhim。Evenwithinhimthatmasterpassionwassostrongthatheimmediatelyrepliedheshouldlikeanorderfortheplay。Myfriendtheeditorcertainlythoughtthatwasratherastrongcase;buthesaidthatduringhismanyyearsofexperiencehehadwitnessedanincurableamountofself-prostrationandabasementhavingnoouterobject，andthatalmostinvariablyonthepartofpeoplewhocouldwellaffordtopay。
Thismadeagreatimpressiononmymind，andIreallylivedinthisfaithuntilsomeyearsagoithappeneduponastormynightIwaskindlyescortedfromableakrailwaystationtothelittleout-of-
the-waytownitrepresentedbyasprightlyandvivaciousnewsman，towhomIpropounded，aswewentalongundermyumbrella-hebeingmostexcellentcompany-thisoldquestion，whatwastheoneall-
absorbingpassionofthehumansoul？Hereplied，withouttheslightesthesitation，thatitcertainlywasthepassionforgettingyournewspaperinadvanceofyourfellow-creatures;also，ifyouonlyhiredit，togetitdeliveredatyourowndooratexactlythesametimeasanothermanwhohiredthesamecopyfourmilesoff;
and，finally，theinvincibledeterminationonthepartofbothmennottobelievethetimewasupwhentheboycalled。
Ladiesandgentlemen，Ihavenothadanopportunityofverifyingthisexperiencewithmyfriendsofthemanagingcommittee，butI
havenodoubtfromitsreceptiontonightthatmyfriendthenewsmanwasperfectlyright。Well，asasortofbeaconinasufficientlydarklife，andasanassurancethatamongalittlebodyofworkingmenthereisafeelingofbrotherhoodandsympathy-whichisworthmuchtoallmen，ortheywouldherdwithwolves-thenewsvendorsonceuponatimeestablishedtheBenevolentandProvidentInstitution，andhereitis。UndertheProvidenthead，certainsmallannuitiesaregrantedtooldandhard-workingsubscribers。
UndertheBenevolenthead，reliefisaffordedtotemporaryandproveddistress。Underbothheads，Iamboundtosaythehelprenderedisveryhumbleandverysparing，butifyoulikeittobehandsomeryouhaveitinyourpowertomakeitso。Suchasitis，itismostgratefullyreceived，anddoesadealofgood。Suchasitis，itismostdiscreetlyandfeelinglyadministered;anditisencumberedwithnowastefulchargesformanagementorpatronage。
Youknowuponanoldauthority，thatyoumaybelieveanythingexceptfactsandfigures，butyoureallymaybelievethatduringthelastyearwehavegranted100poundsinpensions，andsome70
poundsintemporaryrelief，andwehaveinvestedinGovernmentsecuritiessome400pounds。But，touchingthismatterofinvestments，itwassuggestedattheanniversarydinner，onthehighandkindauthorityofSirBenjaminPhillipsthatwemightgrantmorepensionsandinvestlessmoney。Weurged，ontheotherhand，thatwewishedourpensionstobecertainandunchangeable-
whichofcoursetheymustbeiftheyarealwayspaidoutofourGovernmentinterestandneveroutofourcapital。However，soamiableisournature，thatweprofessourdesiretograntmorepensionsandtoinvestmoremoneytoo。Themoreyougiveusto-
nightagain，soamiableisournature，themorewepromisetodoinbothdepartments。Thatthenewsman\'sworkhasgreatlyincreased，andthatitisfarmorewearingandtearingthanitusedtobe，youmayinferfromonefact，nottomentionthatweliveinrailwaytimes。ItisstatedinMitchell\'s“NewspaperPressDirectory，“
thatduringthelastquarterofacenturythenumberofnewspaperswhichappearedinLondonhadmorethandoubled，whiletheincreaseinthenumberofpeopleamongwhomtheyweredisseminatedwasprobablybeyondcalculation。
Ladiesandgentlemen，Ihavestatedthenewsman\'ssimplecase。I
leaveitinyourhands。WithinthelastyeartheinstitutionhashadthegoodfortunetoattractthesympathyandgainthesupportoftheeminentmanoflettersIamproudtocallmyfriend，whonowrepresentsthegreatRepublicofAmericaattheBritishCourt。
Alsoithasthehonourofenrollinguponitslistofdonorsandvice-presidentsthegreatnameofLongfellow。Ibegtoproposetoyoutodrink“ProsperitytotheNewsvendors\'BenevolentandProvidentInstitution。”
SPEECH：MACREADY。LONDON，MARCH1，1851。
[OntheeveningoftheabovedaythefriendsandadmirersofMr。
Macreadyentertainedhimatapublicdinner。Upwardsofsixhundredgentlemenassembledtodohonourtothegreatactoronhisretirementfromthestage。SirE。B。Lyttontookthechair。AmongtheotherspeakerswereBaronBunsen，SirCharlesEastlake，Mr。
Thackeray，Mr。JohnForster，Mr。W。J。Fox，andMr。CharlesDickens，whoproposed“TheHealthoftheChairman“inthefollowingwords：-]
GENTLEMEN，-Afterallyouhavealreadyheard，andsorapturouslyreceived，IassureyouthatnoteventhewarmthofyourkindwelcomewouldemboldenmetohopetointerestyouifIhadnotfullconfidenceinthesubjectIhavetooffertoyournotice。ButmyrelianceonthestrengthofthisappealtoyouissostrongthatI
amratherencouragedthandauntedbythebrightnessofthetrackonwhichIhavetothrowmylittleshadow。
Gentlemen，asitseemstome，therearethreegreatrequisitesessentialtotheperfectrealisationofascenesounusualandsosplendidasthatinwhichwearenowassembled。Thefirst，andI
mustsayverydifficultrequisite，isamanpossessingthestrongholdinthegeneralremembrance，theindisputableclaimonthegeneralregardandesteem，whichispossessedbymydearandmuchvaluedfriendourguest。Thesecondrequisiteisthepresenceofabodyofentertainers，-agreatmultitudeofhostssocheerfulandgood-humouredunder，Iamsorrytosay，somepersonalinconvenience，-sowarm-heartedandsonoblyinearnest，asthosewhomIhavetheprivilegeofaddressing。Thethird，andcertainlynottheleastoftheserequisites，isapresidentwho，lessbyhissocialposition，whichhemayclaimbyinheritance，orbyfortune，whichmayhavebeenadventitiouslywon，andmaybeagainaccidentallylost，thanbyhiscomprehensivegenius，shallfitlyrepresentthebestpartofhimtowhomhonourisdone，andthebestpartofthosewhouniteinthedoingofit。SuchapresidentI
thinkwehavefoundinourchairmanofto-night，andIneedscarcelyaddthatourchairman\'shealthisthetoastIhavetoproposetoyou。
Manyofthosewhonowhearmewerepresent，Idaresay，atthatmemorablesceneonWednesdaynightlast，whenthegreatvisionwhichhadbeenadelightandalesson，-veryoften，Idaresay，asupportandacomforttoyou，whichhadformanyyearsimprovedandcharmedus，andtowhichwehadlookedforanelevatedrelieffromthelaboursofourlives，fadedfromoursightforever。Iwillnotstoptoinquirewhetherourguestmayormaynothavelookedbackward，throughrathertoolongaperiodforus，tosomeremoteanddistanttimewhenhemightpossiblybearsomefar-offlikenesstoacertainSpanisharchbishopwhomGilBlasonceserved。NorwillIstoptoinquirewhetheritwasareasonabledispositionintheaudienceofWednesdaytoseizeuponthewords-
“AndIhavebrought，Goldenopinionsfromallsortsofpeople，Whichwouldbewornnowintheirnewestgloss，Notcastasidesosoon-“
butIwillventuretointimatetothosewhomIamaddressinghowinmymindImainlyconnectthatoccasionwiththepresent。WhenI
lookedroundonthevastassemblage，andobservedthehugepithushedintostillnessontherisingofthecurtain，andthatmightysurginggallery，wheremenintheirshirt-sleeveshadbeenstrikingouttheirarmslikestrongswimmers-whenIsawthat。boisteroushumanfloodbecomestillwaterinamoment，andremainsofromtheopeningtotheendoftheplay，itsuggestedtomesomethingbesidesthetrustworthinessofanEnglishcrowd，andthedelusionunderwhichthoselabourwhoareapttodisparageandmalignit：
itsuggestedtomethatinmeetinghereto-nightweundertooktorepresentsomethingoftheall-pervadingfeelingofthatcrowd，throughallitsintermediatedegrees，fromthefull-dressedlady，withherdiamondssparklinguponherbreastintheproscenium-box，tothehalf-undressedgentleman;whobideshistimetotakesomerefreshmentinthebackrowofthegallery。AndIconsider，gentlemen，thatnoonewhocouldpossiblybeplacedinthischaircouldsowellheadthatcomprehensiverepresentation，andcouldsowellgivethecrowninggracetoourfestivities，asonewhosecomprehensivegeniushasinhisvariousworksembracedthemall，andwhohas，inhisdramaticgenius，enchantedandenthralledthemallatonce。
Gentlemen，itisnotformeheretorecall，afterwhatyouhaveheardthisnight，whatIhaveseenandknowninthebygonetimesofMr。Macready\'smanagement，ofthestrongfriendshipofSirBulwerLyttonforhim，oftheassociationofhispenwithhisearliestsuccesses，orofMr。Macready\'szealousanduntiringservices;butitmaybepermittedmetosaywhat，inanypublicmentionofhimI
canneverrepress，thatinthepathwebothtreadIhaveuniformlyfoundhimfromthefirstthemostgenerousofmen;quicktoencourage，slowtodisparage，everanxioustoasserttheorderofwhichheissogreatanornament;nevercondescendingtoshuffleitoff，andleaveitoutsidestaterooms，asaMussulmanmightleavehisslippersoutsideamosque。
Thereisapopularprejudice，akindofsuperstitiontotheeffectthatauthorsarenotaparticularlyunitedbody，thattheyarenotinvariablyandinseparablyattachedtoeachother。IamafraidI
mustconcedehalf-a-grainorsooftruthItothatsuperstition;
butthisIknow，thattherecanhardlybe-thattherehardlycanhavebeen-amongthefollowersofliterature，amanofmorehighstandingfartherabovetheselittlegrudgingjealousies，whichdosometimesdisparageitsbrightness，thanSirEdwardBulwerLytton。
AndIhavethestrongestreasonjustatpresenttobearmytestimonytohisgreatconsiderationforthoseevilswhicharesometimesunfortunatelyattendantuponit，thoughnotonhim。For，inconjunctionwithsomeothergentlemennowpresent，IhavejustembarkedinadesignwithSirBulwerLytton，tosmoothetheruggedwayofyounglabourers，bothinliteratureandthefinearts，andtosoften，butbynoeleemosynarymeans，thedecliningyearsofmeritoriousage。AndifthatprojectprosperasIhopeitwill，andasIknowitought，itwillonedaybeanhonourtoEnglandwherethereisnowareproach;originatinginhissympathies，beingbroughtintooperationbyhisactivity，andendowedfromitsverycradlebyhisgenerosity。Therearemanyamongyouwhowillhaveeachhisownfavouritereasonfordrinkingourchairman\'shealth，restinghisclaimprobablyuponsomeofhisdiversifiedsuccesses。
Accordingtothenatureofyourreading，someofyouwillconnecthimwithprose，otherswillconnecthimwithpoetry。Onewillconnecthimwithcomedy，andanotherwiththeromanticpassionsofthestage，andhisassertionofworthyambitionandearneststruggleagainstthose“twingaolersofthehumanheart，Lowbirthandironfortune。”
Again，another\'stastewillleadhimtothecontemplationofRienziandthestreetsofRome;another\'stotherebuiltandrepeopledstreetsofPompeii;another\'stothetouchinghistoryofthefiresidewheretheCaxtonfamilylearnedhowtodisciplinetheirnaturesandtametheirwildhopesdown。But，howevervarioustheirfeelingsandreasonsmaybe，Iamsurethatwithoneaccordeachwillhelptheother，andallwillswellthegreeting，withwhichI
shallnowproposetoyou“TheHealthofourChairman，SirEdwardBulwerLytton。”
SPEECH：SANITARYREFORM。LONDON，MAY10，1851。
[ThemembersandfriendsoftheMetropolitanSanitaryAssociationdinedtogetherontheaboveeveningatGoreHouse，Kensington。TheEarlofCarlisleoccupiedthechair。Mr。CharlesDickenswaspresent，andinproposing“TheBoardofHealth，“madethefollowingspeech：-]
THEREareveryfewwordsformetosayupontheneedfulnessofsanitaryreform，ortheconsequentusefulnessoftheBoardofHealth。Thatnomancanestimatetheamountofmischiefgrownindirt，-thatnomancansaytheevilstopshereorstopsthere，eitherinitsmoralorphysicaleffects，orcandenythatitbeginsinthecradleandisnotatrestinthemiserablegrave，isascertainasitisthattheairfromGinLanewillbecarriedbyaneasterlywindintoMayfair，orthatthefuriouspestilenceraginginSt。Giles\'snomortallistofladypatronessescankeepoutofAlmack\'s。FifteenyearsagosomeofthevaluablereportsofMr。
ChadwickandDr。SouthwoodSmith，strengtheningandmuchenlargingmyknowledge，mademeearnestinthiscauseinmyownsphere;andI
canhonestlydeclarethattheuseIhavesincethattimemadeofmyeyesandnosehaveonlystrengthenedtheconvictionthatcertainsanitaryreformsmustprecedeallothersocialremedies，andthatneithereducationnorreligioncandoanythingusefuluntilthewayhasbeenpavedfortheirministrationsbycleanlinessanddecency。
Idonotwantauthorityforthisopinion：youhaveheardthespeechoftherightreverendprelatethisevening-aspeechwhichnosanitaryreformercanhaveheardwithoutemotion。Ofwhatavailisittosendmissionariestothemiserablemancondemnedtoworkinafoetidcourt，witheverysensebestoweduponhimforhishealthandhappinessturnedintoatorment，witheverymonthofhislifeaddingtotheheapofevilsunderwhichheiscondemnedtoexist？Whathumansympathywithinhimisthatinstructortoaddress？whatnaturaloldchordwithinhimishetotouch？Isittheremembranceofhischildren？-amemoryofdestitution，ofsickness，offever，andofscrofula？Isithishopes，hislatenthopesofimmortality？Heissosurroundedbyandembeddedinmaterialfilth，thathissoulcannotrisetothecontemplationofthegreattruthsofreligion。Orifthecaseisthatofamiserablechildbredandnurturedinsomenoisome，loathsomeplace，andtempted，inthesebetterdays，intotheraggedschool，whatcanafewhours\'teachingeffectagainsttheever-renewedlessonofawholeexistence？Butgivethemaglimpseofheaventhroughalittleofitslightandair;givethemwater;helpthemtobeclean;lightenthatheavyatmosphereinwhichtheirspiritsflagandinwhichtheybecomethecallousthingstheyare;takethebodyofthedeadrelativefromthecloseroominwhichthelivinglivewithit，andwheredeath，beingfamiliar，losesitsawe;andthentheywillbebroughtwillinglytohearofHimwhosethoughtsweresomuchwiththepoor，andwhohadcompassionforallhumansuffering。
ThetoastwhichIhavetopropose，TheBoardofHealth，isentitledtoallthehonourwhichcanbeconferreduponit。Wehaveverynearus，inKensington，atransparentillustrationthatnoverygreatthingcaneverbeaccomplishedwithoutanimmenseamountofabusebeingheapeduponit。InconnexionwiththeBoardofHealthwearealwayshearingaverylargewordwhichisalwayspronouncedwithaverygreatrelish-thewordcentralization。NowIsubmitthatinthetimeofthecholerawehadaprettygoodopportunityofjudgingbetweenthissocalledcentralizationandwhatImay，I
think，call“vestrylisation。”IdaresaythecompanypresenthavereadthereportsoftheCholeraBoardofHealth，andIdaresaytheyhavealsoreadreportsofcertainvestries。Ihavethehonourofbelongingtoaconstituencywhichelectedthatamazingbody，theMarylebonevestry，andIthinkthatifthecompanypresentwilllooktowhatwasdonebytheBoardofHealthatGlasgow，andthencontrastthoseproceedingswiththewonderfulclevernesswithwhichaffairsweremanagedatthesameperiodbymyvestry，therewillbeverylittledifficultyinjudgingbetweenthem。Myvestryeventookuponitselftodenytheexistenceofcholeraasaweakinventionoftheenemy，andthatdenialhadlittleornoeffectinstayingtheprogressofthedisease。Wecannowcontrastwhatcentralizationisasrepresentedbyafewnoisyandinterestedgentlemen，andwhatcentralizationiswhenworkedoutbyabodycombiningbusinesshabits，soundmedicalandsocialknowledge，andanearnestsympathywiththesufferingsoftheworkingclasses。
AnotherobjectiontotheBoardofHealthisconveyedinawordnotsolargeastheother，-“Delay。”Iwouldsuggest，inrespecttothis，thatitwouldbeveryunreasonabletocomplainthatafirst-
ratechronometerdidn\'tgowhenitsmasterhadnotwounditup。
TheBoardofHealthmaybeexcellentlyadaptedforgoingandverywillingandanxioustogo，andyetmaynotbepermittedtogobyreasonofitslawfulmasterhavingfallenintoagentleslumberandforgottentosetitagoing。OneofthespeakersthiseveninghasreferredtoLordCastlereagh\'scaution“nottohalloountiltheywereoutofthewood。”AsregardstheBoardofTradeIwouldsuggestthattheyoughtnottohalloountiltheyareoutoftheWoodsandForests。InthatleafyregiontheBoardofHealthsuffersallsortsofdelays，andthisshouldalwaysbeborneinmind。WiththetoastoftheBoardofHealthIwillcouplethenameofanoblelordAshley，ofwhoseearnestnessinworksofbenevolence，nomancandoubt，andwhohasthecourageonalloccasionstofacethecantwhichistheworstandcommonestofall-thecantaboutthecantofphilanthropy。
SPEECH：GARDENING。LONDON，JUNE9，1851。
[AttheanniversarydinneroftheGardeners\'BenevolentInstitution，heldunderthepresidencyofMr。，afterwardsSirJosephPaxton，Mr。CharlesDickensmadethefollowingspeech：-]
IFEELanunboundedanddelightfulinterestinallthepurposesandassociationsofgardening。Probablythereisnofeelinginthehumanmindstrongerthantheloveofgardening。Theprisonerwillmakeagardeninhisprison，andcultivatehissolitaryflowerinthechinkofawall。Thepoormechanicwillstringhisscarletbeanfromonesideofhiswindowtotheother，andwatchitandtenditwithunceasinginterest。Itisaholydutyinforeigncountriestodecoratethegravesofthedeadwithflowers，andhere，too，theresting-placesofthosewhohavepassedawayfromuswillsoonbegardens。FromthatoldtimewhentheLordwalkedinthegardeninthecooloftheevening，downtothedaywhenaPoet-
Laureatesang-
“Trustme，ClaraVeredeVere，FromyonblueheavenaboveusbentThegardenerAdamandhiswifeSmileattheclaimsoflongdescent，“
atalltimesandinallagesgardenshavebeenamongsttheobjectsofthegreatestinteresttomankind。Theremaybeafew，butI
believetheyarebutafew，whotakenointerestintheproductsofgardening，exceptperhapsin“LondonPride，“oracertaindegeneratekindof“Stock，“whichisapttogrowhereabouts，cultivatedbyaspeciesoffrozen-outgardenerswhomnothawcaneverpenetrate：exceptthese，thegardeners\'arthascontributedtothedelightofallmenintheirtime。ThatthereoughttobeaBenevolentProvidentInstitutionforgardenersisinthefitnessofthings，andthatsuchaninstitutionoughttoflourishanddoesflourishisstillmoreso。
Ihaverisentoproposetoyouthehealthofagentlemanwhoisagreatgardener，andnotonlyagreatgardenerbutagreatman-thegrowthofafineSaxonrootcultivatedupwithapowerofintellecttoaplantthatisatthistimethetalkofthecivilizedworld-I
allude，ofcourse，tomyfriendthechairmanoftheday。Itookoccasiontosayatapublicassemblyhard-by，amonthortwoago，inspeakingofthatwonderfulbuildingMr。PaxtonhasdesignedfortheGreatExhibitioninHydePark，thatitoughttohavefallendown，butthatitrefusedtodoso。Weweretoldthattheglassoughttohavebeenallbroken，theguttersallchokedup，andthebuildingflooded，andthattheroofandsidesoughttohavebeenblownaway;inshortthateverythingoughttohavedonewhateverythingobstinatelypersistedinnotdoing。Earth，air，fire，andwaterallappeartohaveconspiredtogetherinMr。Paxton\'sfavour-allhaveconspiredtogethertooneresult，which，whenthepresentgenerationisdust，willbeanenduringtempletohishonour，andtotheenergy，thetalent，andtheresourcesofEnglishmen。
“But，“saidagentlemantometheotherday，“nodoubtMr。Paxtonisagreatman，butthereisoneobjectiontohimthatyoucannevergetover，thatis，heisagardener。”Nowthatisourcaseto-night，thatheisagardener，andweareextremelyproudofit。
Thisisagreatage，withallitsfaults，whenamanbythepowerofhisowngeniusandgoodsensecanscalesuchadaringheightasMr。Paxtonhasreached，andcomposedlyplacehisformonthetop。
Thisisagreatage，whenamanimpressedwithausefulideacancarryouthisprojectwithoutbeingimprisoned，orthumb-screwed，orpersecutedinanyform。Icanwellunderstandthatyou，towhomthegenius，theintelligence，theindustry，andtheachievementsofourfriendarewellknown，shouldbeanxioustodohimhonourbyplacinghiminthepositionheoccupiesto-night;andIassureyou，youhaveconferredgreatgratificationononeofhisfriends，inpermittinghimtohavetheopportunityofproposinghishealth，whichthatfriendnowdoesmostcordiallyandwithallthehonours。
SPEECH：THEROYALACADEMYDINNER。LONDON，MAY2，1870。
[OntheoccasionoftheSecondExhibitionoftheRoyalAcademyintheirnewgalleriesinPiccadilly，thePresident，SirF。Grant，andthecouncilgavetheirusualinaugurativebanquet，andaverydistinguishedcompanywaspresent。Thedinnertookplaceinthelargecentralroom，andcoverswerelaidfor200guests。ThePrinceofWalesacknowledgedthetoastofhishealthandthatofthePrincess，theDukeofCambridgerespondedtothetoastofthearmy，Mr。Childerstothenavy，LordElchotothevolunteers，Mr。
Motleyto“TheProsperityoftheUnitedStates，“Mr。Gladstoneto“HerMajesty\'sMinisters，“theArchbishopofYorkto，“TheGuests，“
andMr。Dickensto“Literature。”Thelasttoasthavingbeenproposedinahighlyeulogisticspeech，Mr。Dickensresponded。]
MR。PRESIDENT，yourRoyalHighnesses，myLordsandGentlemen，-I
begtoacknowledgethetoastwithwhichyouhavedonemethegreathonourofassociatingmyname。Ibegtoacknowledgeitonbehalfofthebrotherhoodofliterature，presentandabsent，notforgettinganillustriouswandererfromthefold，whosetardyreturntoitweallhailwithdelight，andwhonowsits-orlatelydidsit-withinafewchairsoforonyourlefthand。IhopeI
mayalsoclaimtoacknowledgethetoastonbehalfofthesisterhoodofliteraturealso，althoughthat“betterhalfofhumannature，“towhichMr。Gladstonerenderedhisgracefultribute，isunworthilyrepresentedhere，inthepresentstateofitsrightsandwrongs，bythedevouringmonster，man。
Allthearts，andmanyofthesciences，bearwitnessthatwomen，evenintheirpresentoppressedcondition，canattaintoquiteasgreatdistinction，andcanattaintoquiteasloftynamesasmen。
TheiremancipationasIamgiventounderstanddrawingverynear，thereisnosayinghowsoontheymay“pushusfromourstools“atthesetables，orhowsoonourbetterhalfofhumannature，standinginthisplaceofmine，mayeloquentlydepreciatemankind，addressinganotherbetterhalfofhumannaturesittinginthepresident\'schair。
TheliteraryvisitorsoftheRoyalAcademyto-nightdesiremetocongratulatetheirhostsonaveryinterestingexhibition，inwhichrisenexcellencesupremelyassertsitself，andfromwhichpromiseofabrilliantsuccessionintimetocomeisnotwanting。Theynaturallyseewithespecialinterestthewritingsandpersonsofgreatmen-historians，philosophers，poets，andnovelists，vividlyillustratedaroundthemhere。Andtheyhopethattheymaymodestlyclaimtohaverenderedsomelittleassistancetowardstheproductionofmanyofthepicturesinthismagnificentgallery。
Forwithoutthepatientlaboursofsomeamongthemunhistorichistorymighthavelongsurvivedinthisplace，andbutfortheresearchesandwanderingofothersamongthem，themostpreposterouscountries，themostimpossiblepeoples，andtheabsurdestsuperstitions，manners，andcustoms，mighthaveusurpedtheplaceoftruthuponthesewalls。Nay，thereisnoknowing，SirFrancisGrant，whatunlikeportraitsyouyourselfmighthavepaintedifyouhadbeenleft，withyoursitters，toidlepens，uncheckedrecklessrumours，andundenouncedlyingmalevolence。
Icannotforbear，beforeIresumemyseat，advertingtoasadthemetherecentdeathofDanielMaclisetowhichhisRoyalHighnessthePrinceofWalesmadeallusion，andtowhichthepresidentreferredwiththeeloquenceofgenuinefeeling。SinceIfirstenteredthepubliclists，averyyoungmanindeed，ithasbeenmyconstantfortunetonumberamongstmynearestanddearestfriendsmembersoftheRoyalAcademywhohavebeenitsgraceandpride。
TheyhavesodroppedfrommysideonebyonethatIalready，begintofeelliketheSpanishmonkofwhomWilkietells，whohadgrowntobelievethattheonlyrealitiesaroundhimwerethepictureswhichheloved，andthatallthemovinglifehesaw，oreverhadseen，wasashadowandadream。
FormanyyearsIwasoneofthetwomostintimatefriendsandmostconstantcompanionsofthelateMr。Maclise。OfhisgeniusinhischosenartIwillventuretosaynothinghere，butofhisprodigiousfertilityofmindandwonderfulwealthofintellect，I
mayconfidentlyassertthattheywouldhavemadehim，ifhehadbeensominded，atleastasgreatawriterashewasapainter。
Thegentlestandmostmodestofmen，thefreshestastohisgenerousappreciationofyoungaspirants，andthefrankestandlargest-heartedastohispeers，incapableofasordidorignoblethought，gallantlysustainingthetruedignityofhisvocation，withoutonegrainofself-ambition，wholesomelynaturalatthelastasatthefirst，“inwitaman，simplicityachild，“noartist，ofwhatsoeverdenomination，Imakeboldtosay，everwenttohisrestleavingagoldenmemorymorepurefromdross，orhavingdevotedhimselfwithatruerchivalrytotheartgoddesswhomheworshipped。
[ThesewerethelastpublicwordsofCharlesDickens。]
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