stion of the boy is very important. . . . Let me hear
all you think about it. Hear! I wish I could.". . .

For reasons that need not be dwelt upon here, but in which Dickens
ultimately acquiesced, Walter was reserved for a happier future; and the
idea thrown out took subsequent shape, amid circumstances better suited
to its excellent capabilities, in the striking character of Richard
Carstone in the tale of _Bleak House_. But another point had risen
meanwhile for settlement not admitting of delay. In the first enjoyment
of writing after his long rest, to which a former letter has referred,
he had over-written his number by nearly a fifth; and upon his proposal
to transfer the fourth chapter to his second number, replacing it by
another of fewer pages, I had to object that this might damage his
interest at starting. Thus he wrote on the 7th of August: ". . . I have
received your letter to-day with the greatest delight, and am overjoyed
to find that you think so well of the number. I thought well of it
myself, and that it was a great plunge into a story; but I did not know
how far I might be stimulated by my paternal affection. . . . What should
you say, for a notion of the illustrations, to 'Miss Tox introduces the
Party?' and 'Mr. Dombey and family?' meaning Polly Toodle, the baby, Mr.
Dombey, and little Florence: whom I think it would be well to have.
Walter, his uncle, and Captain Cuttle, might stand over. It is a great
question with me, now, whether I had not better take this last chapter
bodily out, and make it the last chapter of the second number; writing
some other new one to close the first number. I think it would be
impossible to take out six pages without great pangs. Do you think such
a proceeding as I suggest would weaken number one very much? I wish you
would tell me, as soon as you can after receiving this, what your
opinion is on the point. If you thought it would weaken the first
number, beyond the counterbalancing advantage of strengthening the
second, I would cut down somehow or other, and let it go. I shall be
anxious to hear your opinion. In the meanwhile I will go on with the
second, which I have just begun. I have not been quite myself since we
returned from Chamounix, owing to the great heat." Two days later: "I
have begun a little chapter to end the first number, and certainly think
it will be well to keep the ten pages of Wally and Co. entire for number
two. But this is still subject to your opi