ned by some one belonging to it; and they should always
mention me as a third person--just as the Child's Hospital, for
instance, in addressing the public, mentions me."

CHAPTER VIII.

GADSHILL PLACE.

1856-1870.

First Description of Gadshill
Place--Negociations for Purchase--Becomes his
Home in 1859--Gadshill a Century
Ago--Antecedents of Dickens's House--Exterior
and Porch--Gradual Additions--Later
Changes--Swiss Chalet presented by Mr.
Fechter--Dickens's Writing-table--Making
Gadshill his Home--Planting Trees--New
Conservatory--Course of Daily Life--Dickens's
Dogs--A Dog with a Taste--Favourite
Walks--Cooling Churchyard.

"I WAS better pleased with Gadshill Place last Saturday," he wrote to me
from Paris on the 13th of February 1856, "on going down there, even than
I had prepared myself to be. The country, against every disadvantage of
season, is beautiful; and the house is so old fashioned, cheerful, and
comfortable, that it is really pleasant to look at. The good old Rector
now there, has lived in it six and twenty years, so I have not the heart
to turn him out. He is to remain till Lady-Day next year, when I shall
go in, please God; make my alterations; furnish the house; and keep it
for myself that summer." Returning to England through the Kentish
country with Mr. Wilkie Collins in July, other advantages occurred to
him. "A railroad opened from Rochester to Maidstone, which connects
Gadshill at once with the whole sea coast, is certainly an addition to
the place, and an enhancement of its value. Bye and bye we shall have
the London, Chatham and Dover, too; and that will bring it within an
hour of Canterbury and an hour and a half of Dover. I am glad to hear
of your having been in the neighbourhood. There is no healthier (marshes
avoided), and none in my eyes more beautiful. One of these days I shall
show you some places up the Medway with which you will be charmed."

[Illustration: THE PORCH AT GADSHILL.]

The association with his youthful fancy that first made the place
attractive to him has been told; and it was with wonder he had heard one
day, from his friend and fellow worker at _Household Words_, Mr. W. H.
Wills, that not only was the house for sale to which he had so often
looked wistfully, but that the lady chiefly interested as its owner had
been long known and much esteemed by himself. Such curio