Boz was hugely amused when I rehea.r.s.ed this to him at lunch.

He himself, on his later visit, noted the strange encroachments that were being made on the Theatre. A wine merchant had begun on the cellars, and was gradually squeezing himself into the box-office, and would no doubt go on till he secured the auditorium, the lobbies, etc. When I last pa.s.sed by that way, it had become the Conservative Club, or some such inst.i.tution.

The wonderful picture, given in "Nickleby," of the Portsmouth playhouse, with all its characters and accessories and inner life, shows the most intimate familiarity with all the ways and fashions of the old Provincial Theatre. Every touch--Crummles, Folair, Lenville, Snivelicci--proves clearly that he knew perfectly the life behind the scenes, and that he wrote of it _con amore_. There was a firm belief at the Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, that all the performers in "Nickleby" were personal sketches of this corps. One actor told my friend, Mr. Walter Pollock, that they could even identify Folair, Lenville & Co., and that there was a playbill still extant in which either the names or the pieces corresponded. But in this theory, however, little faith can be placed; for at the time the family was at Portsmouth, d.i.c.kens was but a child not more than ten or twelve years old, and not likely, therefore, to be taken behind the scenes, or to pick up or observe much. It is certain that the whole description of the Theatre and its company, with the minute and intimate details of stage life, was drawn from this little house at Rochester. But we can go beyond mere speculation.

In one of his retrospections, Boz tells us of a visit he paid to Rochester in the fifties, "scenes among which my _early days_ were past."

The town he calls Dullborough, which is a little hard on the place. He went to look at the old theatre, and reveals to us how it brought back to him a number of reminiscences, which shows that he was much a.s.sociated with stage matters when a youth, for he describes Richard III. and Macbeth all "cast" and mounted exactly as Mr. Crummles would have mounted them. "There was Richard in a very uncomfortable wig, and sleeping in war time on a sofa that was much too short for him, and his conscience fearfully troubled his boots." There was the lovely young woman, "who went out gleaning, in a narrow, white muslin ap.r.o.n, with five beautiful bars of five different colours across it. The witches bore an awful resemblance to the Thanes and other inhabitants of Scotland; while the good King Duncan couldn't rest in his grave, but was constantly coming out of it and calling himself somebody else." These are all Crummles touches, only he refrained from going again over the old ground. But one point further favours the theory--he recalls his alarm when Richard in his terrific combat was "backing up against the stage box." He was in the stage box then, and therefore a privileged person at the theatre. His uncle, "Dr. Slammer," no doubt was thus complimented as being "in Her Majesty's service." "Of course," he goes on, "the town had shrunk fearfully since I was a child there."

The description of the outlaw drama which Nicholas Nickleby saw on the night of his arrival is exactly in the key of the account of the performance of "Richard III." just given: also the account of the London manager, who was in the boxes; still more so when Mr. Crummles and all the company _died at him_. And as in Nickleby we have "the Comic Countryman" who so inopportunely caught a bluebottle when Mrs. Crummles was making her great point for the London Manager: so in the account of Dullborough we are told of "the _Funny_ Countryman" who sustained the comic, bucolic parts. This alone would show that the Rochester and Portsmouth Theatres were the same, while the beautiful young lady in the white ap.r.o.n performed the same sort of characters that Miss Brava.s.sa, or Miss Snivelicci did.

And in this connection may be supplied a further speculation which is interesting. In _Boz's_ earlier works it is plain that he relies for his most striking effects of character on his own recollections and personal observations. They might be considered pa.s.sages from his autobiography.

I have thought that much in "Nickleby" of Nicholas's career and Nicholas's own character was drawn from himself. Nicholas suggests Boz in appearance, in his spirit and vehemence, and in some of his adventures. Some years ago a remarkable letter appeared in the papers, in which d.i.c.kens, then a mere youth, made an application to one of the managers, Mr. Webster I think, for a situation in his theatre. He wanted to go on the stage. Was not this like Nicholas? This desire was surely founded on intimate acquaintance with the boards and amateur experience.

"I had entertained the impression," he goes on, "that the High Street was as wide as Regent Street--I found it little better than a lane. There was a public clock in it which I had supposed to be the finest clock in the world, whereas it now turned out to be _as inexpressive_, _moon-faced and weak_ a clock as ever I saw." The Town Hall was a "mean little brick heap, like a demented chapel."

II.--The Bull

Jingle, it will be recollected, on the party arriving at the Bull, gave that Inn the highest praise, recommending them to stay there--"_good house_--_nice beds_--" a testimonial that used to be displayed in gold letters at the door, but which, I have seen it stated, has been removed.

I have also read the same testimonial in the guides and advertis.e.m.e.nts.

Jingle warned them against another Inn hard by,--"Wright's--next house--_dear_--_very dear_--half-a-crown if you look at the waiter, making a charge for dinner, all the same, if you dined out"; a practice, however, not altogether unknown to modern Hotels. It was bold in Boz, thus to publicly disparage Hotels that he did not approve. "Wright's"

could not have relished so public an allusion. What or where was Wright's--"next house?" There is now--in the same High Street--"The King's Head," described as "Family and Commercial, one of the oldest-established in the Kingdom, close to the Cathedral and Castle--home comforts." This being its position--the Castle on one side, the Cathedral on the other--situated exactly as the Bull was--and therefore "next house," accurately described its position. Being "one of the oldest-established," it must have been there at the time of the Pickwickian visit.

At the Bull, they show you "Mr. Pickwick's room"--as well as Tupman's and Winkle's--Boz's very particular description enables this to be done. Mr.

Pickwick's was, of course, to the front--when, roused by the Boots, he gave the direction of his followers' bed-room, "next room but two on the right hand." Winkle's room was inside Tupman's--so we are shown a room in the front with another inside of it--and the _third_ on the left will, of course, be Mr. Pickwick's, Q.E.D. The waiters know all these points, and prove them to the bewildered visitors. "You see, sir, there is the very room _where the clothes were stolen_."

III.--Jingle's Love Affairs

Jingle's elopement with the spinster aunt was ingeniously contrived, but it seemed rather speculative and rash--she might not have had a penny.

His only ground for jumping to the conclusion that she _had_ a fortune was that, on his saying that "Tupman only wants your money"; "The wretch!" she exclaimed--"Mr. Jingle's doubts were resolved--she _had_ money." More wonderful, too, were the very easy terms on which he was "bought off"--a hundred and twenty pounds. Her fortune might be estimated at some thousands. He was really master of the situation. The lady was of mature age--her own mistress, Wardle and his attorney could do nothing to stop the business. He certainly might have held out for four or five hundred pounds. Perker's diplomacy was wretched, and his plea about the age of the old lady mere burlesque. "You are right, my dear sir--she is rather old. The founder of the family came into Kent when Julius Caesar invaded Britain; only one member of it since who hasn't lived to eighty-five, and _he_ was beheaded by one of the Henrys.

The old lady is not seventy-three now, my dear sir." Which seems like buffooning in a man of business.

Jingle's course, after he left Rochester, can be traced very readily.

With plenty of money in his pocket, he found his way to Ipswich (or Eatanswill), a.s.suming the name of Captain FitzMarshall, and taking with him, as his confederate, Job Hutley. There he got introduced to Nupkins, the Mayor, who presided at the election, and who had made his money in "the nail and sa.r.s.epan business"--that is, as an ironmonger. The few words this functionary uttered on the hustings are of the same pompous character as his later magisterial deliverances.

"'Whiffin, _proclaim_ silence,' said the Mayor, with air of _pomp_, &c., where this superciliousness is emphasised. 'Gentlemen,' he went on, 'brother electors of the Borough of Eatanswill, we are met here to-day for the purpose of choosing a representative in the room of our late'--but the noise and interruptions prevented the rest of the speech being heard.

Notwithstanding, he characteristically 'thanked the meeting for the patient attention with which they had heard him throughout,' a declaration that excited roars of laughter, lasting for a quarter of an hour."

This is exactly what one might expect from the self-sufficient Nupkins, who was evidently understood and laughed at by his fellow townsmen.

Later, when the confusion and "row" grew fast and furious, our Mayor "issued imperative orders to twelve constables to seize the ringleaders, who might amount in number to two hundred and fifty or thereabouts." We can recall Nupkins' dealing with the schoolboys in exactly the same sapient spirit.

Into the family of this worthy Jingle insinuated himself. But would he not be recognised by Mr. Pickwick and his friends? Yes; but we find that he took up his quarters at Bury St. Edmunds, conveniently near, and, a.s.suming that the Pickwickians had departed after the election, thought he might safely exhibit himself at Mrs. Leo Hunter's party, whence he was tracked back to Bury by Mr. Pickwick. It is certainly fresh evidence of the ident.i.ty of Eatanswill with Ipswich that Jingle should have appeared in both places as "Captain FitzMarshall." Once established in the Mayor's family, the insinuating Jingle devoted himself to the capture of the haughty and ill-natured Henrietta Nupkins, making his way into her good graces, and "cutting out" Sidney Porkenham, her old-established admirer. This was Jingle's second attempt at matrimony which failed like the first. It may be said, after all, that his behaviour was not so heinous. He was a fortune hunting adventurer--such was his role--which was common enough in those times. The unlucky Leo Hunter meeting, however, spoiled all.

After the trick on Mr. Pickwick at the school, and which was a fair retort, the pair left Bury that very night.

By an odd coincidence, they were taken up the next day by old Weller at Chelmsford--a stage or two from London. He was driving the Ipswich coach, and brought them to that town. It is clear, therefore, that they took this round from Bury in dread of pursuit, and with a view to throw Mr. Pickwick off the scent. The latter gentleman never dreamed that they were so near him, dismissed the whole matter, and returned to town to arrange about his action. By a happy chance he met old Weller, and, within a few days, set off for Ipswich and unmasked Captain FitzMarshall in Nupkins' own house. After this failure, his course was downward, and we next meet him in the Fleet.

Job's story was that Jingle dragged him away in a post-chaise and persuaded the girl at the boarding-school to tell Mr. Pickwick that she knew nothing of the matter. He had also bribed the schoolmistress to tell the same story. He had then deserted her for a better speculation, to wit, Miss Nupkins, to whom he had hurried back.

But for Mr. Pickwick's unfortunate adventure at the "White Horse," Jingle would likely enough have captured Henrietta Nupkins. When Sam so opportunely met Job in the Inn yard at Ipswich, he, instead of punishing him as he had so often threatened to do, merely bid him be at the Inn at eight o'clock. Why did he not bring him straight to Mr. Pickwick who was upstairs? Instead, he went up himself, told his master it was "all in trainin'," and "detailed the plan of action." Mr. Pickwick was curious, but Sam only said "all in good time." We never learn what the plan of action was to be. Indeed, what could the pair do to Jingle?

IV.--The Garrison

The military recollections of Rochester and Chatham are amusingly confused, or rather, in defiance of all known regulations. Thus, at the Ball, we find Colonel Bulder as "head of the garrison"--one would think at so important a quarter, where there was a large garrison, a General at least would be in command. Then we may ask the question, why was not Dr.

Slammer in uniform--always required in presence of a commander? It was wonderfully bold, too, on Boz's part to give the _numbers_ of the regiments. Hon. Wilmot Snipe of the 97th, who _was_ in full uniform, which Mr. Tupman took for "a fancy dress." It was, of course, a Highland one. We learn, too, that the other regiment was the 43rd, to which Dr.

Payne belonged, and that the 52nd was getting up plays at the local theatre. And why did Boz select these particular numbers?

The Chatham garrison consisted of "half-a-dozen regiments," with which a fair display at a Review could be made on "The Lines." Temporary fortifications had been erected, the citadel was to be attacked and taken--Fort Pitt we may a.s.sume--and a mine was to be sprung. Servants were keeping places for the ladies "on the Batteries"--an alarming position it would seem. The Sergeants were running "with vellum books"

under their arms, usually left at home on Review-day. The Officers were "running backwards and forwards," while Colonel Bulder was seen "gallopping" (with two p's) at large, "prancing and curvetting," that is, making his steed curvet. The operations were, however, not under his command, but directed by the "Commander-in-Chief," not, of course, of the Army, but, we may presume, the General of the district. His behaviour was the most extraordinary of all, for, instead of cultivating a solemn reserve and quietude, and standing still, surrounded by his staff, he was seen "backing his horse _among the people_," and heard shouting "till he was hoa.r.s.e." The soldiers wore the old, stiff leather stock, choking them, which was heard of so much in Crimean days. They were also arrayed in _white_ trowsers. Boz is here wonderfully accurate, for these garments were always worn after May came round, and this was May.

The catastrophe to the Pickwickians from their having got between the two lines of soldiers, is somewhat perplexing. One line was advancing to the attack, the other firmly awaiting it. They were shouted at to get out of the way. Suddenly the half-dozen regiments had overthrown them. Mr.

Pickwick was upset. Winkle received a b.l.o.o.d.y nose, after performing a compulsory _somerset_; then, at the same moment--wonder of wonders--we were told that the regiments were "half-a-thousand yards off,"--that is about a third of a mile away--all in a second! It is hard to understand why they were so maltreated. The soldiers would, of course, never have met; and in our own time the amenities of a Review and the police would have secured stray civilians from such rough treatment. We do not know whether the evolutions described were accurate--such as "one rank firing over the heads of another and then running away."

It was to this exciting spectacle that old Wardle brought a party in that wonderful Barouche of his--which is really phenomenal for its accommodation. When Mr. Pickwick recovered his hat, he found these persons in the carriage:--1, Wardle; 2, a daughter; 3, a second ditto; 4, a sister; 5, Trundle; 6, Tupman; 7, Fat Boy, on the box. The Pickwickians were actually summoned by the hearty Wardle to join. "Room _for you all_--two inside and one on the ox," where there was one already. All accepted the invitation, making _ten_ persons in all who were accommodated in the Barouche! But this does not exhaust its wonders. When lunch time came round, with plates, dishes, bottles, eight persons were squeezed together inside, so no wonder Wardle said, "We must sit close." How it was done is not to be conceived--two sitting together is the usual allowance for a modern Barouche, but four on one side!--and yet we are told, when the horses were put to, the Barouche "rattled off."

The boy d.i.c.kens had carefully noted the behaviour of the garrison, and described them as "staggering about the streets of Chatham dead drunk,"

more especially when we remember that the "following them about, and joking with them, affords _a cheap and innocent amus.e.m.e.nt for the boy population_--" (_vide Mr. Pickwick's notes_). The boy, no doubt, often witnessed the incident of the private, "drawing his bayonet, and stabbing the barmaid who had refused to draw him more liquor." It is characteristic, by the way, of the police in a garrison town, for this fellow appears to have been at large on the next day, as he went down to the Tavern and tried to "square it" with the girl.

And now, is not this a testimony to this strange book, that we should be thus introduced to old Rochester and its doings, and out of the scant materials furnished, can really reconstruct the time and the place, and find out, as if by enquiries, all about Jingle and his connections and the theatre--such is the fruitfulness of the text?

CHAPTER IV. BOZ AND BLACKING.

One of the remarkable things a.s.sociated with "Pickwick" is its autobiographical character, as it might be termed, and the amount of the author's personal experience which is found in pa.s.sages. Such are his sketches of Rochester and Chatham life during his boyhood, his recollections of Grimaldi's dissolute son, his own poignant sorrow on the death of Mary Hogarth, and the painful memories of his boyish apprenticeship to an uncongenial trade more than hinted at. The election matters were also particular memories of his own, so was the scene of the ghostly mail coaches. Then there was the hideous recollection of the life in a debtors' prison, of which he had such sad personal experience, with much more. He recalled the time when he had a miserable lodging in Lant Street, Borough, and Lant Street was for him always a fixed point in his memory, and grew in size and importance. And when he described some wretched creature hiding himself in London purlieus, he chose some miserable place like College-street in Camden Town, whither his own family had retired.

All these things supply a singular vitality and realism, and also a distinct interest for those who are "in the know," for Boz himself at the time was a dramatic and interesting figure, and this story of his struggle out of a state of squalid misery is truly pathetic.

Readers of Forster's interesting "Life" will recall the dismal pa.s.sage in the account given by d.i.c.kens to his friend, and his agonising experience when he was employed at the blacking factory. Many at the time thought that this painful episode might have been spared the reader, but the uncompromising biographer would not sacrifice it. On the whole, he was right, as the trial had an important influence on the writer's character.

It will be recollected that he was employed at a place set up in Chandos Street, just out of the Strand, by one of the firm of Warrens, and his duties seemed to consist in pasting the labels on the bottles. Many will still recall the keen rivalry that existed between the famous firms, Warren and Day and Martin, which brought much amus.e.m.e.nt to the public from the arts of "bold advertis.e.m.e.nt" with which the war was waged. There were ingenious "Crambos," such as a cat gazing with well-a.s.sumed surprise at her face reflected in one of Day and Martin's well-polished shoes.

These things made a deep impression on the boy, who saw their grotesque side. They were oddly bound up with his early impressions and sorrows.

Hence, we find in the course of "Pickwick," a few allusions to these blacking rivals and their ways, which might seem mysterious and uncalled for to those not in the secret, but which for himself had the highest significance. When Sam is first introduced at the "White Hart," he is in the very act of cleaning boots, and we have almost an essay on the various species of boots and polishing. We are told minutely that he was engaged in "brushing the dirt off a pair of boots . . . " There were two rows before him, one cleaned, the other dirty. "There were _eleven_ pair, and one shoe, as belongs to No. 6 with the wooden leg." "The eleven boots is to be called at half-past eight (an odd consensus in eleven persons), and the shoe at nine." He set to work upon a top-boot.

The landlady then made her appearance in the opposite gallery and flung down a pair of shoes to be cleaned for No. 5, first floor. There is a dramatic action in these calls from the different galleries, which shows that Boz had the stage before him. Sam then chalked the number on the sole. When he found that it was for people of consequence in a private room that the articles were required, he set to work with a will and produced a polish "that would have struck envy to the soul of _the amiable Mr. Warren_, _for they used Day and Martin's at the_ '_White Hart_.'" Here will be noted the compliment to his old employer, though it was of a conventional sort.

With this very number "Pickwick" was destined to leap into its amazing popularity, and the advertis.e.m.e.nt must have been a valuable one. There may have been another reason, for there was to be a "Pickwick advertiser," which was patronised by the firms, and it may have been stipulated as a condition that the author was to give them this "lift."

Another patron was Rowland, whose real name was Rouland, of "Macca.s.sar oil" and "Kalydor" celebrity. We have a relic of one of these forgotten nostrums in the familiar "Anti-macca.s.sar" known to every good housewife.

To Rowland or Rouland he later made an allusion in the text.