CHARLES DICKENS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1928, Page 1

CHARLES DICKENS

IN A NEW LIGHT. Australian Press Assn.—United Service LONDON, Kept. 7/ A literary sensation is expected in the publication of the novel, “This Side Idolatry,” hy “Ephesian,” the pen mime of Carl Bechhofer Roberts. The publishers claim that the author originally conceived the lioolc as a biography, hiised on research in England, Germany, Italy and America, but he changed its form to that of a novel, owing to tile restrictions upon the quotation of Dickens’ letters.

The “Daily Chronicle” says: “This book is likely to stir all. Dickens’ lovers to anger. The author purports to reveal intimate incidents of Charles Dickens’ life in the form of a dialogue from which quite a different Dickons from the traditional view is sot out. 'Hie author accuses Dickens of parsimony, foppery and vanity; ol spitefully caricaturing his own parents, and of being guilty of effeminate streaks. Tho author claims that the truth about Dickens’ separation from his wife lias never been told. After she had borno him ten children, lie accused her of neglecting them, and of mental dorangemnt, and he quarrelled with her continually, owing to alleged extravagance. The author purports to reveal Dickens’ affairs with an actress and with other women.”

I lie “Daily Chroncile” addin:— “Friends of the Dickens family are indignant at the slurs cast on his character,, and they vigorously deny the alleged new facts.”

Mr Win. Pettridge, the writer, interviewed said :“What is the use of a great novelist qualifying for burial in Westminster Abbey, and being universally mourned by its contemporaries, if reputation snatchers are allowed to write such a muck-raking book? If I were a young descendant of Dickons, I would break open my money box and buy a horsewhip. SLANDEROUS BOOK. LONDON, September 8. Mr Frank Johnson a member' of the Coiiinoil of the Dickon’s Fellowship commenting on tho publication of the novel, "This Side Idolntory,” by “Ephesian” (the pen name of Carl Bechhofer Roberts) says: The keynote of tho hook is an attempt to construe the facts in the worst possible way hy raking over the muck heap of old slanders. A typical instance of Mr Roberts’ methods is his statement that Charles Dickens’ clandestinely met his old love Maria Bcadnell (the original “Dora” in “David Copperfietd”). The truth is that Mrs Dick' ens arranged the meeting. Dickons was so disgusted at her attempted coquetry that- he caricatuer her as “Flora Finehing” in “Little Dorritt.” So Far as tho trouble between Dickons and his wife is concerned, Sir ITcnry Dickens is only holding back the letters in regard to this because he does not want tho subject raked up. When they eventually are published it will lie seen that the whole thing was quite innocent.”

Sir Henry Dickens, commenting on tlie book, expresses indignation at the attacks made on his father’s character but ho desires to say no more at present. Ho will reply fully in a few days.

“While compelled, regretfully, to give further publicity to Air Roberts hook,” Sir Henry Dickens says, “it is better to stamp out his allegations now and vindicate by father’s memory, as did Viscount Gladstone the memory of his father.”

DICKKNS CONTROVERSY. LONDON, Sept. 8. Mr Garvin in the “Observer” says the author of this side of the adolatrv has collected every ill-natured thing ever whispered about Dickens using his own defamatory methods and presented a picture of a hypocrite and cad. Nevertheless, though the offensive hook is useful, it compels the publication of letters too long withheld. Attacks are bound to come in the absence of a franker and more moving biography. There is something to ho explained in connection with the dee]) tragedy of incompatible temperament of Dickons and his wife. The marriage of a fervent genius of solid prose proved a terrible one. Dickens was not the first mail who at the ago of twenty-four fell in love with family sisters and married the wrong one. Compared with most historic, imaginative geniuses Dickens was almost a monster of innocence. He showed it in every hook.