er the polka, that he might dance it with them at their
brother's birthday festivity (held this year on the 7th, as the 6th was
a Sunday); and in the middle of the previous night as he lay in bed, the
fear had fallen on him suddenly that the step was forgotten, and then
and there, in that wintry dark cold night, he got out of bed to practise
it. Anything _more_ characteristic could certainly not be told; unless I
could have shown him dancing it afterwards, and far excelling the
youngest performer in untiring vigour and vivacity. There was no one who
approached him on these occasions excepting only our attached friend
Captain Marryat, who had a frantic delight in dancing, especially with
children, of whom and whose enjoyments he was as fond as it became so
thoroughly good hearted a man to be. His name would have stood first
among those I have been recalling, as he was among the first in
Dickens's liking; but in the autumn of 1848 he had unexpectedly passed
away. Other names however still reproach me for omission as my memory
goes back. With Marryat's on the earliest page of this volume stands
that of Monckton Milnes, familiar with Dickens over all the time it
covers, and still more prominent in Tavistock-house days when with Lady
Houghton he brought fresh claims to my friend's admiration and regard.
Of Bulwer Lytton's frequent presence in all his houses, and of Dickens's
admiration for him as one of the supreme masters in his art, so
unswerving and so often publicly declared, it would be needless again to
speak. Nor shall I dwell upon his interchange of hospitalities with
distinguished men in the two great professions so closely allied to
literature and its followers; Denmans, Pollocks, Campbells, and Chittys;
Watsons, Southwood Smiths, Lococks, and Elliotsons. To Alfred Tennyson,
through all the friendly and familiar days I am describing, he gave full
allegiance and honoured welcome. Tom Taylor was often with him; and
there was a charm for him I should find it difficult to exaggerate in
Lord Dudley Stuart's gentle yet noble character, his refined
intelligence and generous public life, expressed so perfectly in his
chivalrous face. Incomplete indeed would be the list if I did not add to
it the frank and hearty Lord Nugent, who had so much of his grandfather,
Goldsmith's friend, in his lettered tastes and jovial enjoyments. Nor
should I forget occasional days with dear old Charles Kemble and one or
other of his daughters; w