Item Info

Accession Number: 87-1563
Physical Description: [4] pages + envelope
Transcription:

                             Hotel Ballard, Broadstairs sur Mer
                                              Tuesday Night Ninth October 1849
My Dear Leech,
I am quite delighted to receive such brilliant accounts of you, under your own hand and seal.  I am well pleased too to learn that you have some idea of coming down here.  You cannot think how delightful and fresh the place is (when it's fine) and how good the walks are.  Room there is plenty, and to spare.  I don't think there is anyone in the hotel but ourselves, and I am sure we could not be more comfortable.  So I hope you really will come, and give Ballard a turn.
As to him, he is a more decided and hopeless Maniac in point of contradiction, than he ever was.  The last summer seems to have ripened him thoroughly.  He won't let me have an opinion of my own, and bruises me (as Maclise would say) and dances on my body every day at dinner.  Here is a specimen.
Scene, Our room.  Time, halfpast 5 P.M.  Kate, Georgina, and Inimitable seated at dinner.  In attendance--Ballard, and the amiable Waiter (the latter, decidedly the most affectionate and soft hearted man in the world.)
Inimitable (taking Punch) And how's Miss Collin going on, Ballard?
Ballard.  Oh, well Sir, she ain't going on at all--not what can be called going on Sir, you know.
Inimitable (after being a little put down, and slightly recovering).  Is she going off at all?  Is she going to be married?
Ballard.  No Sir, not much of that.
Inimitable.  No, I suppose not? (Smiles)
Ballard (quickly) Not but what she's been very near it Sir once or twice--and is now, in deed--but I never believe a thing you know Sir till its done Sir.
(The ladies laugh.)
Georgina (here you must suppose the imitation) But she drinks, don't she Mr. Ballard.
Ballard. Oh dear no Miss!
Inimitable (to Georgina fiercely).  What the Devil are you so fond of disparaging people for?  Drinks!  Who ever heard of her drinking!  What a damned extraordinary thing it is, that you can't hold your tongue!--I never heard of her drinking (to Ballard) nor anybody else.
Ballard (with a smile of pity) Oh everybody here, has heard of it Sir--and knows it well--but we don't see these things in Broadstairs, Sir, and make it a rule among ourselves never to mention 'em you know Sir.  It's best not.
Inimitable (much affected by this Christian axiom) You're quite right Ballard.  Nobody need know anything about it.
Ballard.  Oh!  They can't help knowing all about it Sir.
Inimitable (disconcerted).   Why?
Ballard.  Why, you see Sir when you come to be picked up in the street, four times in one winter, it gets talked about, you know.  It gets to be the talk of the whole place, and who can wonder at it!
  (Exit Ballard with dish-cover.  Waiter takes round punch, and Scene closes).
I think I shall remain here until I have done the No., which will probably be about the 19th. or 20th.  I am glad to find that you miss me, for I miss you too, and look forward to all sorts of snug evenings and other interchanges of friendship, in London, this next winter.
Kate and Georgy, Mamey and Katey, unite with me in loves, to you and Mrs. Leech.  We all hope that if you come, she will come too, and maybe we might all return together?
                                                                            Ever My Dear Leech
                                                                                                   Heartily Yours
John Leech Esquire.                                                                        CHARLES DICKENS 

 

MssDate: Tuesday Night Ninth October 1849
Media Type: Letters
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Record created by BZ.

Recipient: Leech, John, 1817-1864
Provenance: Gift of Mrs. D. Jacques Benoliel, 12/6/54.

Bibliography:

The Letters of Charles Dickens, Pilgrim Edition, Volume Five, 1847-1849, p. 623-624.

Country: Creation Place Note:Hotel Ballard, Broadstairs sur Mer
Country:England
City/Town/Township:Kent

Call Number: DL L516j 1849-10-09
Creator Name: Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870 - Author