im
that he might add the much longed-for hundred pounds to the benefit-fund
by a little jeu d'esprit in form of a history of the trip, to be
published with illustrations from the artists; and his notion was to
write it in the character of Mrs. Gamp. It was to be, in the phraseology
of that notorious woman, a new "Piljians Projiss;" and was to bear upon
the title page its description as an Account of a late Expedition into
the North, for an Amateur Theatrical Benefit, written by Mrs. Gamp (who
was an eye-witness), Inscribed to Mrs. Harris, Edited by Charles
Dickens, and published, with illustrations on wood by so and so, in aid
of the Benefit-fund. "What do you think of this idea for it? The
argument would be, that Mrs. Gamp, being on the eve of an excursion to
Margate as a relief from her professional fatigues, comes to the
knowledge of the intended excursion of our party; hears that several of
the ladies concerned are in an interesting situation; and decides to
accompany the party unbeknown, in a second-class carriage--'in case.'
There, she finds a gentleman from the Strand in a checked suit, who is
going down with the wigs"--the theatrical hair-dresser employed on these
occasions, Mr. Wilson, had eccentric points of character that were a
fund of infinite mirth to Dickens--"and to his politeness Mrs. Gamp is
indebted for much support and countenance during the excursion. She will
describe the whole thing in her own manner: sitting, in each place of
performance, in the orchestra, next the gentleman who plays the
kettle-drums. She gives her critical opinion of Ben Jonson as a literary
character, and refers to the different members of the party, in the
course of her description of the trip: having always an invincible
animosity towards Jerrold, for Caudle reasons. She addresses herself,
generally, to Mrs. Harris, to whom the book is dedicated,--but is
discursive. Amount of matter, half a sheet of _Dombey_: may be a page or
so more, but not less." Alas! it never arrived at even that small size,
but perished prematurely, as I feared it would, from failure of the
artists to furnish needful nourishment. Of course it could not live
alone. Without suitable illustration it must have lost its point and
pleasantry. "Mac will make a little garland of the ladies for the
title-page. Egg and Stone will themselves originate something fanciful,
and I will settle with Cruikshank and Leech. I have no doubt the little
thing will be droll an