artist, under the quaint signature of "Phiz," apparently intended to match the author's own nom de plume, "Boz," continued to etch the plates for Mr. Dickens's monthly numbers for many years afterwards. Poor Tom Hood used to stumble at the name: "Fizz, Whizz, or something of that sort," he would say.

During the publication of "The Pickwick Papers" St. James's Theatre was opened, Sept. 29th, 1836, with a burletta entitled "The Strange Gentleman," written by "Boz;" Pritt Harley acted the Strange Gentleman, and "Boz," himself, on one occasion took a part. The piece ran until December, when it was withdrawn for an operatic burletta, "The Village Coquettes," by the same author, the music by John Hullah. The parts were sustained by Messrs. Harley (as Martin Stokes), Braham (as Squire Norton), Bennett (as George Edmunds), and John Parry; Mesdames Smith, Rainsforth (as Lucy Benson), and others. It met with a marked reception, and Braham, for a long time after, at different concerts, sang "The Child and the Old Man sat alone;" invariably getting encored most enthusiastically. Three other songs in the burletta were great favourites, viz., "Love is not a Feeling to pass away," "Autumn Leaves," and "There's a Charm in Spring." The book of the words was published by Mr. Bentley, and dedicated to J. Pritt Harley in the following terms :—

"My dramatic bantlings are no sooner born than you father them. You have made my Strange

Gentleman exclusively your own; you have adopted Martin Stokes with equal readiness."

The author, "Boz," excuses himself for appearing before the public as the composer of an operatic burletta in the following words :

"Either the Honourable Gentleman is in the right, or he is not,' is a phrase in very common use within the walls of Parliament. This drama may have a plot, or it may not; and the songs may be poetry, or they may not; and the whole affair, from beginning to end, may be great nonsense, or it may not; just as the honourable gentleman or lady who reads it may happen to think. So, retaining his own private and particular opinion upon the subject (an opinion which he formed upwards of a year ago, when he wrote the piece), the author leaves every gentleman or lady to form his or hers, as he or she may think proper, without saying one word to influence or conciliate them.

"All he wishes to say is this,-that he hopes Mr. BRAHAM, and all the performers who assisted in the representation of this opera, will accept his warmest thanks for the interest they evinced in it from its very first rehearsal, and for their zealous efforts in his behalf-efforts which have crowned it with a degree of success far exceeding his most sanguine anticipations; and of which no form of words could speak his acknowledgment.

"It is needless to add, that the libretto of an opera must be, to a certain extent, a mere vehicle for the

music; and that it is scarcely fair or reasonable to judge it by those strict rules of criticism which would be justly applicable to a five-act tragedy, or a finished comedy."

About this time (in 1837, we believe), Mr. Dickens married Miss Catherine Hogarth, a daughter of Mr. George Hogarth, musical and dramatic critic of the Morning Chronicle, author of "Memoirs of the Musical Drama," and formerly a Writer to the Signet in Scotland. Dickens now left his old chambers in Furnival's Inn, and took the house, No. 48, Doughty Street, Mecklenburgh Square. Soon after he was installed editor of Bentley's Miscellany, and he began therein "Oliver Twist," subsequently published in a complete form by Mr. Bentley in November, 1838, illustrated by some of the finest etchings that ever sprang from the magic needle of George Cruikshank. Any criticism upon the work at this time is at least needless, if not impertinent; but we may be forgiven in saying that the work abounds in touches of surpassing pathos, picturesque description, and dramatic effect, while the sombre parts are relieved by a rich vein of irresistible humour. The death of Bill Sykes, after the barbarous murder of poor Nancy, is one of the most thrilling and effective chapters in the book. Bumble the Beadle has attained a world-wide reputation. The scene of his courtship with Mrs. Corney-first prudently ascertaining the value of the spoons, &c.is, perhaps, the best “bit” of all,

In proof of Dickens's accuracy in all matters of detail, an eminent medical authority assures us that his description of hectic, given in " Oliver Twist," has found its way into more than one standard English work, in both medicine and surgery,* also into several American and French books of medicine.

The preface to "The Charles Dickens Edition" (1867) speaks of Alderman Laurie having called in question the existence of such a place as Jacob's Island, and declares that, even then, in 1867, it may be seen in almost the same squalid and filthy state as it was when first described. "Oliver Twist" was directed with great effect against the Poor-law and workhouse system. It will be remembered, by many, that a great outcry was raised at the time of its original publication, and statements respecting its "gross untruth" and "distorted facts" were freely made. Can any one, reading the shocking and disgraceful disclosures made during the last three or four years, still maintain that erroneous opinion?

A meeting was held at Willis's Rooms, on 3rd March, 1866, to promote the establishment of an Association for the Improvement of the Infirmaries of the London Workhouses. Mr. Ernest Hart, the Secretary, had invited Dickens to attend the meeting, and take part in the proceedings. In his reply, the author of "Oliver Twist" said :

Miller's "Principles of Surgery," second edition, p. 46; also Dr. Aitkin's "Practice of Medicine," third edition, vol. i, P. III:

"An annual engagement which I cannot possibly forego will prevent my attending next Saturday's meeting and (consequently) my seconding the resolution proposed to be entrusted to me for that purpose. My knowledge of the general condition of sick poor in workhouses is not of yesterday, nor are my efforts in my vocation to call merciful attention to it. Few anomalies in England are so horrible to me as the unchecked existence of many shameful sick wards for paupers side by side with the constantly increasing expansion of conventional wonder that the poor should creep into corners and die rather than fester and rot in those infamous places.

"You know what they are, and have manfully told what they are, to the awakening at last, it would seem, of rather more than the seven distinguished sleepers. If any subscriptions should be opened to advance the objects of our association, do me the kindness to set me down for £20."

Mr. Sheldon McKenzie, in the American Round Table, relates this anecdote of "Oliver Twist":-

"In London I was intimate with the brothers Cruikshank, Robert and George, but more particularly with the latter. Having called upon him one day at his house (it then was in Mydleton Terrace, Pentonville), I had to wait while he was finishing an etching, for which a printer's boy was waiting. To while away the time, I gladly complied with his suggestion that I should look over a portfolio crowded with etchings, proofs, and drawings, which