ALS, two pages, 4.25 x 7, April 20, 1869. Dickens writes to Lady Georgiana Peel. In full: “I am truly obliged to you for your kind invitation, and would with pleasure accept it if I could. But I shall remain in Chester only a few hours: going there rapidly from London, and returning as rapidly to read again. I have not seen my own house since Christmas—shall not see it until midsummer—could not go to Pembroke Lodge at Easter—an have been almost incessantly ‘Reading’ since last October, in all points of the Compass. It gives me real gratification to know that you were pleased with my few words of reference to Lord Russell at Liverpool. I never can say anywhere how highly I respect and esteem him. I beg to offer my compliments to Mr. Pee, and to thank him no less than yourself.” Lady Peel, eldest daughter of former British Prime Minister 1st Earl Russell, had married Archibald Peel, nephew of the late Prime Minister Robert Peel, in 1867. With his health failing steadily, Dickens decided to present a series of “Farewell Readings” beginning in October 1868. On Tuesday evening, April 20, 1869, Dickens read “Doctor Marigold” and “The Trial” in Temperance Hall, Bolton, England. Reviewing the “Reading” favorably, the Boston Chronicle commented that near the end, Dickens’s voice “appeared somewhat to fail him” and that he shortened “The Trial” by omitting Serjeant Snubbin’s speech. Pembroke Lodge, Richmond, was the home of 1st Earl Russell. Lady Georgiana’s home was only 12 miles from Chester. Dickens’s farewell reading at Chester had been scheduled for April 29th. On April 21st, the day after writing this letter, he wrote his niece Georgiana Hogarth of “weakness and deadness all on the left side” and, on the 22nd, wrote longtime friend John Forster that he as “extremely uncertain of my sense of touch, both in the left leg and the left hand and arms.” Dickens telegraphed the family doctor, Frank C. Beard, to come to Preston where he was to read on April 22nd. After 74 readings the tour was canceled. Beard immediately took Dickens back to London were noted physician Sir Thomas Watson examined him. The doctors jointly announced that Dickens “had been on the brink of an attack of paralysis on his left side, and possibly of apoplexy” and that he “would not be able with safety to himself to resume his Readings for several months to come.” His health deteriorating, Dickens gave 12 final readings in London in 1870, obeying Watson’s restriction of no railway travel. Dickens was only 58 when he died on June 7, 1870. Light handling wear, otherwise fine, bright condition. JSA/John Reznikoff Auction LOA and RRAuction COA.
