nt will be
interested in reading, and which I meant to send you sooner but forgot
it. Wonderful as it is to mention, the sun shines here to-day! But to
counterbalance that phenomenon I am in close hiding from ----, who has
christened his infant son in my name, and, consequently, haunts the
building. He and Dolby have already nearly come into collision, in
consequence of the latter being always under the dominion of the one
idea that he is bound to knock everybody down who asks for me.

* * * * *

The "Jewish lady," wishing to mark her
"appreciation of Mr. Dickens's nobility of
character," presented him with a copy of
Benisch's Hebrew and English Bible, with this
inscription: "Presented to Charles Dickens, in
grateful and admiring recognition of his having
exercised the noblest quality man can
possess--that of atoning for an injury as soon
as conscious of having inflicted it."

The acknowledgment of the gift is the following
letter:

[Sidenote: Jewish Lady.]

BRADFORD, YORKSHIRE, _Friday, March 1st, 1867._

MY DEAR MRS. ----,

I am working through a series of readings, widely dispersed through
England, Scotland, and Ireland, and am so constantly occupied that it is
very difficult for me to write letters. I have received your highly
esteemed note (forwarded from my home in Kent), and should have replied
to it sooner but that I had a hope of being able to get home and see
your present first. As I have not been able to do so, however, and am
hardly likely to do so for two months to come, I delay no longer. It is
safely awaiting me on my own desk in my own quiet room. I cannot thank
you for it too cordially, and cannot too earnestly assure you that I
shall always prize it highly. The terms in which you send me that mark
of your remembrance are more gratifying to me than I can possibly
express to you; for they assure me that there is nothing but goodwill
left between you and me and a people for whom I have a real regard, and
to whom I would not wilfully have given an offence or done an injustice
for any worldly consideration.

Believe me, very faithfully yours.

[Sidenote: Miss Hogarth.]

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE, _Wednesday, March 6th, 1867._

The readings have made an immense effect in this place, and it is
remarkabl