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PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION
DICKENS, Charles. Autograph note signed ("Charles Dickens"), with paraph, to John, his manservant, Gads Hill Place, 15 August 1857. One page, 8vo.
Details
DICKENS, Charles. Autograph note signed ("Charles Dickens"), with paraph, to John, his manservant, Gads Hill Place, 15 August 1857. One page, 8vo.
THE WATER--AND GIN--FLOW AT GAD'S HILL
"WE HAVE FOUND AT LAST A GREAT SPRING OF WATER". "I am particularly anxious," Dickens writes, "...that Mr Austin should have the enclosed letter tonight or early tomorrow morning. It relates to the well here. We have found at last a great spring of water. I want you to take the letter down to him. Go to Ealing by the railroad, and you will find his house about half a mile from the station. If you find him at home and get an answer, send it, or bring it, down here, any time tomorrow (Sunday)." The accompanying letter [not present] to Henry Austin was ebullient over the discovery of this fresh water source: "At last, I am happy to inform you, we have got at a famous spring!! It rushed in this morning, ten foot deep. And our friends talk of its supplying 'a ton a minute for yourself and your family, sir, for nevermore.'" His neighbors wanted to put in a "rose-headed pipe; at the mention of which implement, I am (secretly) well-nigh distracted, having no idea of what it means. But I have said 'Yes,' besides instantly standing a bottle of gin..." (quoted in Letters, 2:17-18). In addition to being Dickens's brother-in-law, Austin was an architect and artist who remodeled Dickens' residences at Tavistock House as well as Gad's Hill.
THE WATER--AND GIN--FLOW AT GAD'S HILL
"WE HAVE FOUND AT LAST A GREAT SPRING OF WATER". "I am particularly anxious," Dickens writes, "...that Mr Austin should have the enclosed letter tonight or early tomorrow morning. It relates to the well here. We have found at last a great spring of water. I want you to take the letter down to him. Go to Ealing by the railroad, and you will find his house about half a mile from the station. If you find him at home and get an answer, send it, or bring it, down here, any time tomorrow (Sunday)." The accompanying letter [not present] to Henry Austin was ebullient over the discovery of this fresh water source: "At last, I am happy to inform you, we have got at a famous spring!! It rushed in this morning, ten foot deep. And our friends talk of its supplying 'a ton a minute for yourself and your family, sir, for nevermore.'" His neighbors wanted to put in a "rose-headed pipe; at the mention of which implement, I am (secretly) well-nigh distracted, having no idea of what it means. But I have said 'Yes,' besides instantly standing a bottle of gin..." (quoted in Letters, 2:17-18). In addition to being Dickens's brother-in-law, Austin was an architect and artist who remodeled Dickens' residences at Tavistock House as well as Gad's Hill.