A378

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In this letter to one of his oldest friends, Daniel Maclise, Charles Dickens wittingly tells him that he would call for him at ten minutes to six that evening and then they would dine at “Paganini’s”. This was probably a reference to Pagliano’s at the Sablonnière Hotel, Leicester Square, where Dickens would have booked them a private room for the evening. The final paragraph in this letter references the poem, Graceful Impromptu by Christina Weller, which Dickens included on the reverse side of the letter. Dickens playfully tells Maclise he should have this “framed, glazed, and hung” by the carver Joseph Green, Charles Street. Below is a transcript of the letter: Devonshire Terrace | Second March 1844 My Dear Mac We dine together at the Piazza before going to Paganini's tonight. I will call for you at about 10 minutes to 6. I send you a Liverpool paper, and will add the munificent gift of a Birmingham paper when I get one. In the course of the day they will come I have no doubt. On the other side is a copy of the Graceful Impromptu penned by Dick in the album of that most wonderful girl Miss Weller. You had better have it copied in letters of gold--framed--glazed--and hung--by Green. Ever Faithfully CD. "I put in a book once, by hook or by crook, | The whole race (as I thought) of a 'feller', | Who happily pleas'd the town's taste, (much diseas'd) | --And the name of this person was Weller. | I find to my cost, that One Weller I lost. | Cruel Destiny so to arrange it! | I love her dear name which has won me some fame, | But Great Heaven how gladly I'd change it! | At Liverpool. | Twenty Seventh February"