Brief description
Letter from Catherine Dickens to Mrs Mary Felton, 2 September 1843
Label
Catherine Dickens writes warmly to her good friend Mary Felton, whom she and her husband, Charles Dickens, had become close to during their travels across America the previous year. Catherine expresses concern for Mary’s health, speaks affectionately about her family, and shares news about their seaside holiday in Broadstairs. Two pages of the letter are cross-written, a practice where writers turned the paper sideways and wrote over the original text instead of on new paper. This was a way of saving money on postage as, at this time, you were charged for how many pieces of paper you used.
Collection
Archives & Manuscripts
Object number
B49
Object type
letter
Production person
Dickens, Catherine
Production date
2 September 1843
Production place
Broadstairs
Inscription content
Broadstairs, Kent
September 2. 1843

My Dear Mrs. Felton,

I fear by this time you think me most neglectful and unkind in being so long in acknowledging your welcome letter and the two likenesses you were so good as to send me for which let me know thank you heartily.

I do not think however that it is at all a flattering likeness ofyour dear husband or that the Artist has done him justice.

I trust sincerely my dear friend that your health is improving and that the next packet will bring us good accounts of you and your dear little girls whom I should so much like to see. It seems so strange we should never have met and I feel as if I knew you perfectly. We so often speak of you and dear Mr. Felton whom we love so much.

I know you will be glad to hear good accounts of us all. Charles has written to your husband and speaks for himself. My children are all well and enjoying themselves very much as at present we are staying here for sea bathing, and they are out nearly all day on the beach and riding on donkeys and all sorts of seaside amusements. They had the measles before they left town but have perfectly recovered.

I will not make this a long letter as I fear it is a very stupid one as we are living here so quietly at present, I have no news that will amuse you.

I regret to say that we had left London before the Howes and did not see them before they went on the Continent, where I suppose they have now gone. I hope they are enjoying their visit.

We were glad to hear of the Longfellows marriage. Will you remember me most kindly to both of them.

Give my affectionate love to your husband and accept the same dear Mrs Felton from your attached friend
Catherine Dickens

I hope this has not fatigued you and that if you are well enough you will soon write to me.

Letter from Catherine Dickens to Mrs Mary Felton, 2 September 1843