Brief description: Letter, from Charles Dickens to Thomas Culliford Barrow, 31 March 1836
Label: Dickens writes to his uncle, Thomas Barrow, about his imminent marriage to Catherine Hogarth. The majority of the letter concerns Thomas's falling-out with John Dickens, Charles's father. John was money-foolish and constantly borrowed money from friends and family. In 1819 Thomas, John's brother-in-law, had to bail him out of a £200 debt (over £14,500 in 2024). Since that time Thomas would not be in the same room as John - a family feud which Dickens hopes can be put to rest.
Collection: Archives & Manuscripts
Object number: A338
Object type: letter
Production person: Dickens, Charles
Production date: 31/03/1836
Inscription content: 15 Furnivals Inn. | Thursday March 31st. 1836
My Dear Uncle.
The great success of my book, and the name it has established for me among the Publishers, enables me to settle at an earlier period than I at first supposed possible; I have therefore fixed Saturday next, for my marriage with Miss Hogarth -- the daughter of a gentleman who has recently distinguished himself by a celebrated work on Music, who was the most intimate friend and companion of Sir Walter Scott, and one of the most eminent among the Literati of Edinburgh.
There is no Member of my family to whom I should be prouder to introduce my wife, than yourself, but I am compelled to say -- and I am sure that you cannot blame me for doing so -- that the same cause which has led me for a long time past, to deny myself the pleasure and advantage of your society, prevents my doing so. If I could not as a single man, I cannot as a married one, visit at a relation's house from which my father is excluded: nor can I see any relatives here, who would not treat him, as they would myself.
This is a very painful subject, and I have many associations connected with you, which render it much more painful in this case, than in any other. I cannot forget that I was once your little companion and nurse, through a weary illness, nor shall I ever cease to remember the many proofs you have given me, in later days, of your interest, and affection.
When I say, Uncle, that I should be more happy than I can possibly express, if you would place it in my power, to know you once again on those terms of intimacy and friendship, I so sincerely desire, I hope you will not misunderstand my meaning. I do not ask you -- I should conceive that I lowered and disgraced myself, if I did -- to alter your determination. I may think that time might have softened the determined ani[mosity y]ears; I may do an injus[tice (I have no doubt) to my father's real character. I cannot, however, be an impartial judge, because I cannot be an unprejudiced one; and I do not presume therefore to arraign your decision.
Nothing that has occurred to me in my life, has given me greater pain, than thus denying myself the society of yourself and Aunt. I have only to add that the contents of this letter are unknown to everybody but Aunt Charlton, to whom I have written on the same subject: and that come what may, I shall ever be, at heart,
Dear Uncle
Your most affectionate Nephew
[CHARLES DICKENS]
Thomas Barrow Esqre.

Letter from Charles Dickens to Thomas Culliford Barrow, 31 March 1836