Brief description: Letter, from Charles Dickens to Thomas Beard, 21 July 1842
Label: This is a letter from Charles Dickens to Thomas Beard, one of Dickens's oldest friends. Dickens recounts his visit to Thomas Groves of Charing Cross to purchase some venison in which Mr Groves tells him he can sell him a prime cut a week on Sunday. Dickens then asks Beard if he would care to join him and asks after his sister. In a postscript Dickens expresses his wish to go swimming in August.
Collection: Archives & Manuscripts
Object number: A34
Object type: letter
Production person: Dickens, Charles
Production date: 21/07/1842
Inscription content: Thomas Beard Esquire | 42 Portman Place | Edgeware Road.
Devonshire Terrace. | Twenty First July 1842.
My Dear Beard.
I have consulted Mr. Groves of Charing Cross. His suggestive mind gave birth to this remarkable expression--"then why not consider this here breast o' wenson, off--and let me git another prime 'un in good eatin' order for you, for Sunday week? What"--continued Mr. Groves--"is the hodds to a day?"
Mr. Groves slapped a piece of venison as he spoke, with the palm of his hand; and plainly signified, by his manner no less than by his words, that this was wisdom. What do you say to it?--And what your sister?
Faithfully Always
CHARLES DICKENS
If I don't swim, this Autumn, may I--but we will not anticipate.

Letter from Charles Dickens to Thomas Beard, 21 July 1842