3-028-234 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Mr. Charles Dickens's last reading, 1870. 'Mr. Dickens was and is remarkably well qualified for the task [of reading his works in public]. He possesses much histrionic power, and has more than once taken his part in stage performances, to the delight of his friends...Last Tuesday evening Mr. Dickens brought his long series of readings to a close at St. James's Hall, choosing the Christmas Carol and the Trial from Pickwick..The author..expressed [his regret] in the following speech..."Ladies and Gentlemen...it would be hypocritical and unfeeling, if I were to disguise that I close this episode in my life with feelings of very considerable pain. For some fifteen years...I have had the honour of presenting my own cherished ideas before you...and, in closely observing your reception of them, have enjoyed an amount of artistic delight...which perhaps it is given to few men to know..I have been uniformly cheered by...the most generous sympathy, and the most stimulating support. Nevertheless, I have thought it well at the full floodtide of your favour to retire...and henceforth to devote myself exclusively to the art that first brought us together..from these garish lights I vanish now for evermore, with one heartfelt...and affectionate farewell''.' From "Illustrated London News", 1870.