about three months, so that Seymour began to think that if he did not soon hear from Spooner he would bring out the work on his own account, and get H. Mayhew or Moncrieff to write for it. In February, 1836, Mr. Chapman, the publisher, called on Seymour and asked him to make a drawing for a woodcut, which Seymour undertook on the express condition that it should be engraved by a certain engraver whom he named. At this interview he mentioned. the Pickwick' design to Mr. Chapman, and showed him the plates. Chapman very soon closed with his offer, proposing at first that it should be brought out in half-guinea volumes; but Seymour, who desired the widest circulation, insisted on his original plan, for it was his own idea that it should be in shilling monthly numbers. The publisher then asked. Seymour if he had engaged an author to do the writing, and upon receiving an answer in the negative, mentioned Mr. Clarke, the author of 'Three Courses and a Dessert.' This writer, however, the artist objected to, for a private reason. Chapman then spoke of 'Boz' (Mr. Dickens's pseudonym), and having in his hand one of the 'Pickwick' drawings, which was a representation of a poor author's troubles (afterwards converted into the 'Stroller's Tale'), he ended the matter by some pleasantry about the proverbial poverty of literary men, and expressed a hope that he would see Mr. Dickens, and lay his views of the matter before him. Soon after an interview took place between the parties, and the sum of £15 per

month was agreed on as Dickens's recompense. The artist, however, soon found, like Winkle on the tall horse, that it was a difficult thing to direct the motions of an author who had his own views to consult. Seymour's scheme was certainly a form of narrative in which the principal incidents should be of a sporting character, something, as Mr. Dickens describes it, 'a Nimrod Club, the members of which were to go out shooting, fishing, and so forth.' Whether this design involves such a pastoral simplicity, and restricts the range of description so much as Mr. Dickens seems to imply, is perhaps capable of being disproved. Certain it is that sketches to illustrate the Pickwick Papers' were designed a considerable time before the letterpress was arranged for; and the well-known portrait of the founder of the club existed on paper at least five years prior to Mr. Chapman's visit to Seymour when the artist unfolded his views. In the second plate of the 'Heiress' series, published March 1, 1830, Mr. Pickwick introduces the modest girl, just arrived from the country, to Lady Dashfort, who exclaims, 'And blushing too-how very amusing!' The figure of

Pickwick was a favourite character, a sort of stockpiece with Seymour—just as Mr. Briggs and Paterfamilias were favourites of John Leech, or as that stout elderly gentleman, with well-brushed whiskers, and invariably attired in a buttoned-up frock-coat, is of Mr. Charles Keene. In Sketch 114 of 'Seymour's Sketches,' a figure very closely resembling the well

known form of Pickwick may be seen. It should here be stated that the original designs were in some degree modified, as it is certain, from an entry in the artist's books, that the first four plates were re-etched. By whatever combination of counsels it happened, the first number of 'Pickwick' came out April 1st, and was very successful. Mr. Dickens wrote to Sey

mour the following letter :

"My dear Sir,—I had intended to write you to say how much gratified I feel by the pains you have bestowed on our mutual friend Mr. Pickwick, and how much the result of your labours has surpassed my expectations. I am happy to be able to congratulate you, the publishers, and myself on the success of the undertaking, which appears to have been most complete.

"I have now another reason for troubling you. It is this. I am extremely anxious about the "Stroller's Tale," the more especially as many literary friends, on whose judgment I place great reliance, think it will create considerable sensation. I have seen your design for an etching to accompany it. I think it extremely good, but still it is not quite my idea; and as I feel so very solicitous to have it as complete as possible, I shall feel personally obliged if you will make another drawing. It will give me great pleasure to see you, as well as the drawing, when it is completed. With this view I have asked Chapman and Hall to take a glass of grog with me on Sunday evening (the only night I

D

am disengaged), when I hope you will be able to look in.

"The alteration I want I will endeavour to explain. I think the woman should be youngerthe dismal man decidedly should, and he should be less miserable in appearance. To communicate an interest to the plate his whole appearance should express more sympathy and solicitude; and while I represented the sick man as emaciated and dying, I would not make him too repulsive. The furniture of the room you have depicted admirably. I have ventured to make these suggestions, feeling assured that you will consider them in the spirit in which I submit them to your judgment. I shall be happy to hear from you that I may expect to see you on Sunday evening.-Dear Sir, very truly yours,

"CHARLES DICKENS.'

"In compliance with this wish, Seymour made a new drawing for the 'Stroller's Tale,' which he etched on steel, and gave it into the hands of Mr. Dickens. on the Sunday evening appointed. This was the last illustration the artist did for 'Pickwick.' His sad death, which took place April 20th, 1836, is perhaps known to the reader.

"The second number of the Pickwick Papers' contained the following just eulogium :- Some time must elapse before the void the deceased gentleman has left in his profession can be filled up. The blank his death has occasioned in the society which his

PICK WICK PAPERS." 51 amiable nature won, and his talents adorned, we hardly hope to see supplied. We do not allude to this distressing event in the vain hope of adding, by any eulogium of ours, to the respect in which the late Mr. Seymour's memory is held by all who ever knew him.'

"Mr. Dickens adds: Some apology is due to our readers with only three plates. When we say they comprise Mr. Seymour's last efforts, and that upon one of them in particular (the embellishments of the "Stroller's Tale") he was engaged to a late hour of the night preceding his death, we feel confident the excuse will be deemed a sufficient one.' This, however, is incorrect. We have already said that this plate, which was certainly the last Seymour did for 'Pickwick,' was given to Mr. Dickens on the Sunday evening on which Seymour met him at Furnival's Inn, about a fortnight before."

Such is the artist's account.

As recently as March, 1866, a letter concerning this subject appeared in the Athenæum, signed “R. Seymour." This was from the son of the artist who drew those inimitable caricatures of George IV. and his Ministry, and who, as we have seen, was associated with Dickens in the production of Pickwick.

The following was Mr. Dickens's reply, sent to the editor of the Athenæum :

"Gad's Hill Place, March 28, 1866. "As the author of the 'Pickwick Papers' (and of one or two other books), I send you a few facts, and