This, as far as correspondence is concerned, was an uneventful year. In
the spring Charles Dickens took one of his holidays at Brighton,
accompanied by his wife and sister-in-law and two daughters, and they
were joined in their lodgings by Mr. and Mrs. Leech. From Brighton he
writes the letter--as a song--which we give, to Mr. Mark Lemon, who had
been ill, asking him to pay them a visit.
In the summer, Charles Dickens went with his family, for the first time,
to Bonchurch, Isle of Wight, having hired for six months the charming
villa, Winterbourne, belonging to the Rev. James White. And now began
that close and loving intimacy which for the future was to exist between
these two families. Mr. Leech also took a house at Bonchurch. All
through this year Charles Dickens was at work upon "David Copperfield."
As well as giving eccentric names to his children and friends, he was
also in the habit of giving such names to himself--that of "Sparkler"
being one frequently used by him.
Miss Joll herself gives us the explanation of the letter to her on
capital punishment: "Soon after the appearance of his 'Household Words,'
some friends were discussing an article in it on 'Private Executions.'
They contended that it went to prove Mr. Dickens was an advocate of
capital punishment. I, however, took a different view of the matter, and
ventured to write and inquire his views on the subject, and to my letter
he sent me a courteous reply."
[Sidenote: Mr. Dudley Costello.]