nk's announcement in the _Times_, that, though Dr. Mackenzie had
"confused some circumstances with respect to Mr. Dickens looking over
some drawings and sketches," the substance of his information as to who
it was that originated _Oliver Twist_, and all its characters, had been
derived from Mr. Cruikshank himself. The worst part of the foregoing
fable, therefore, has not Dr. Mackenzie for its author; and Mr.
Cruikshank is to be congratulated on the prudence of his rigid silence
respecting it as long as Mr. Dickens lived.

[20] Upon receiving this letter I gently reminded him that I had made
objection at the time to the arrangement on the failure of which he
empowered me to bring about the settlement it was now proposed to
supersede. I cannot give his reply, as it would be unbecoming to repeat
the warmth of its expression to myself, but I preserve its first few
lines to guard against any possible future misstatement: "If you suppose
that anything in my letter could by the utmost latitude of construction
imply the smallest dissatisfaction on my part, for God's sake dismiss
such a thought from your mind. I have never had a momentary approach to
doubt or discontent where you have been mediating for me. . . . I could say
more, but you would think me foolish and rhapsodical; and such feeling
as I have for you is better kept within one's own breast than vented in
imperfect and inexpressive words."

CHAPTER IX.

NICHOLAS NICKLEBY.

1838-1839.

Doubts of Success dispelled--Realities of
English Life--Characters self-revealed--Miss
Bates and Mrs. Nickleby--Smike and Dotheboys--A
Favorite Type of Humanity--Sydney Smith and
Newman Noggs--Kindliness and Breadth of
Humor--Goldsmith and Smollett--Early and Later
Books--Biographical not
critical--Characteristics--Materials for the
Book--Birthday Letter--A Difficulty at
Starting--Never in Advance with
_Nickleby_--Always with Later Books--Enjoying a
Play--At the Adelphi--Writing Mrs. Nickleby's
Love-scene--Sydney Smith vanquished--Winding up
the Story--Parting from Creatures of his
Fancy--The Nickleby Dinner--Persons
present--The Maclise Portrait.

I WELL recollect the doubt there was, mixed with the eager expectation
which the announcement of his second serial story had awakened, whether
the event would justify all that interest, and if indeed