CHAPTER I. 1842.Pages 21-39.American Notes. Æt.30.PAGEReturn from America21Longfellow in England22At Broadstairs23PreparingNotes23Fancy for opening ofChuzzlewit24Attractions at Margate25Being, not always Believing26Burlesque of classic tragedy26A smart man and forged letter26A proposed dedication27Authorship and sea bathing28Easy-living rich and patient poor28Coming to the end29Rejected motto forNotes30Home of theEvery Day Book31Scene at a funeral32An introductory chapter suppressed33Chapter first printed33-37Jeffrey's opinion of theNotes38Later page anticipated38Experience of America in 186838CHAPTER II. 1843.Pages 40-62.First Year of Martin Chuzzlewit.Æt.31.A sunset at Land's-end40A holiday described by C. D.41The same described by Maclise42A landscape and a portrait43Names first given toChuzzlewit44Origin of the novel45Prologue to a play45On a tragedy by Browning46George Eliot's first book47Accompaniments of work47Miss Georgina Hogarth48Three portraits49A public benefactor50Controversy onNotes50Original of Mrs. Gamp51What he will do with her51John Black53Macready and America53Apprehended disservice54Exertions for Elton family55Seaside life in ordinary55Public speeches56Ragged schools and results57Unitarianism59Return to Church of England59Language of his Will59Christmas Carol60Birth of third son61Amusing letter61CHAPTER III. 1843-1844.Pages 63-92.Chuzzlewit Disappointments and Christmas Carol. Æt.31-32.Falling-off inChuzzlewitsale63Publishers and authors64Premature fears65Resolve to change his publishers66Proposal to his printers66Desire to travel again67Ways and means68Objections to the scheme69Confidence in himself70Want of confidence in others70Bent on his plan71Turning point of his career72Grounds for course taken73OnMartin Chuzzlewit74American portions75The book's special superiority76News from America76American consolations77Why no Pecksniffs in France78Why Tartuffes in England78A favourite scene of Thackeray's79Process of creation in a novel80Intended motto for story81Leading characters82A superb masterpiece83Triumph of humorous art84Publication ofChristmas Carol84Unrealized hopes85Results ofCarolsale86Renewed negotiations with printers87Agreement with Bradbury and Evans88Letters about theCarol89Spirit of the book90Something better than literature91CHAPTER IV. 1844.Pages 93-110.Year of Departure for Italy. Æt.32.Gore-house friends93Sensitive for his calling94A troublesome cheque95Education speeches95Sufferings from stage-adaptations96Wrongs from piracy96Proceedings in Chancery97A pirate's plea97Result of Chancery experience99Piracy preferred99Reliefs to work100The tempted and tempter101Favourite bit of humour102Criticized without humour102Taine on Dickens102Macready in New Orleans103Society in England104Writing in theChronicle104Conference with its new editor104Preparations for departure105In temporary quarters106Begging-letter case106The farewell dinner-party107"Evenings of a Working-man"108Greenwich dinner109J. M. W. Turner and Carlyle110CHAPTER V. 1844.Pages 111-138.Idleness at Albaro: Villa Bagnerello. Æt.32.The travel to Italy111A bit of character112French thrown away112The Albaro villa113First experiences114Cloudy weather115Sunsets and scenery116Address to Maclise116The Mediterranean117Colours of sky and sea117Warning to Maclise118Perishing frescoes118French Consul at Genoa119Rooms in villa described120Surrounding scenery121Church-ruin on the rocks121Angus Fletcher's sketch121Work in abeyance122Learning Italian122Domestic news123His English servants123English residents124Genoa the superb125Church splendours and tinsel126Theatres126Italian plays127Dumas'Kean127Religious houses128Sunday promenade128Winter residence chosen129A lucky arrival129Dinner at French Consul's130Verses in C. D.'s honour130Others in Prince Joinville's131Rumours of war with England131A Marquis's reception132Flight and tumble133Quiet enjoyments134English visitors and news135Talk with Lord Robertson135A suggestion for Jerrold136Visit of Frederick Dickens136An inn on the Alps136Dangers of sea-bathing137A change beginning138CHAPTER VI. 1844.Pages 139-162.Work in Genoa: Palazzo Peschiere. Æt.32.Palace of the Fish-ponds139Rooms and frescoes140View over the city141Dancing and praying142Peschiere garden142Trying to write143A difficulty settled143Craving for streets144Design for his book144Governor's levee144Absence of the poet145Subject he is working at145C. D.'s politics146Choice of a hero147Master-passion147Religious sentiment147A dream148Dialogue in a vision149"What is the True religion?"149Fragments of reality in a vision149Trying regions of thought150Reverence for Doctor Arnold150First part of book finished151Anticipation of its close151Differences from published tale152First outline of theChimes152-156Liking for the subject156What the writing cost him156Realities of fictitious sorrow157Wild mountain weather157Banquet at the Whistle158Startling news158Coming to London159Secret of the visit160Eager to try effect of story160Plans a reading at my rooms160The tale finished161Proposed travel161Party for the Reading162CHAPTER VII. 1844.Pages 163-178.Italian Travel. Æt.32.Cities and people163Venice164Rapture of enjoyment165Aboard the city165What he saw and felt165Solitary thoughts166At Lodi166About paintings and engravings167Titian and Tintoretto168Conventionalities169Monks and painters169The inns170Compensation for discomfort170Brave C of hisPictures171Louis Roche of Avignon171Dinner at the Peschiere172Custom-house officers173At Milan and Strasburg173Passing the Simplon174In London174A Reading in Lincoln's-inn-fields174Persons present175Success of the visit175In Paris with Macready176Origin of our private play176A recognition at Marseilles177Friendly Americans177On board for Genoa177Information for travellers178CHAPTER VIII. 1845.Pages 179-200.Last Months in Italy. Æt.33.Birthday gift for eldest son179Suspicious "Characters"180Jesuit interferences180Birth of 1845180Travel southward181Carrara and Pisa181A wild journey182Birds of prey183A beggar and his staff183"My lord" loses temper184And has the worst of it184At Rome184The Campagna185Bay of Naples185Filth of Naples and Fondi186The Lazzaroni186False picturesque187Sad English news187True friends in calamity188At Florence188Wayside memorials and Landor's villa189Death of Bobus Smith190At Lord Holland's190Lord Palmerston's brother190Again at the Peschiere190To publish or not?191Thoughts of home192American friends192Deaths among English residents193Scarlet breeches out of place193Angus Fletcher193Complaint of a meek footman194Recalling Lady Holland194A touch of Portsmouth195Plans for meeting196Last letter from Genoa196Closing excitements and troubles196Italians hard at work197Returning by Switzerland197Passage of the St. Gothard198Splendours of Swiss scenery198Dangers of it199What is left behind the Alps199A week in Flanders200CHAPTER IX. 1845-1846.Pages 201-221.Again in England. Æt.33-34.Old hopes revived201Notions for a periodical201Proposed prospectus202Chances for and against it203Swept away by larger venture203Christmas book of 1845204D'Orsay and the courier204Another passage of Autobiography204More of the story of early years205Wish to try the stage205Applies to manager of Covent Garden205Sister Fanny in the secret206Stage studies and rehearsings206Strange news for Macready207Requisites of author and actor208Play chosen for private performance209Fanny Kelly and her theatre209Every Man in his Humour209The company of actors210Enjoying a character210Troubles of management210First and second performances211Of the acting211C. D. as performer212C. D. as manager212Two human mysteries213The mysteries explained213Training for the stage213At Broadstairs214Ramsgate entertainments214Birth of fourth son215Second raven's death215Intended daily paper215Disturbing engagements216Old ways interrupted216My appeal against the enterprise217Reply and issue217Interruption and renewal218The beginning and the end218Forming new resolve219Back to old scenes219Editorship ceased219Going to Switzerland220A happy saying221Leaves England221CHAPTER X. 1846.Pages 222-243.A Home in Switzerland. Æt.34.On the Rhine222German readers of Dickens223Travelling Englishmen223A hoaxing-match224House-hunting224Tempted by a mansion225Chooses a cottage225Earliest impressions226Lausanne described227Views from his farm228Under his windows228A sketch of Rosemont229Design as to work230The English colony231Unaccommodating carriage232A death in the lake232Boatman's narrative233The Theatre233The Prison234The Blind Institution235Interesting cases235-240Beginning work240First slip of New Novel241Sortes Shandyanæ242The Christmas tale242CHAPTER XI. 1846.Pages 244-260.Swiss People and Scenery. Æt.34.The mountains and lake244The people and their manners245A country fête246Family sketch246Rifle-shooting247A marriage on the farm248Gunpowder festivities248Bride and mother248First number ofDombey249Christmas book249General idea for new story250Hints for illustration of it250Haldimands and Cerjats251Visit of Henry Hallam251Local news252Sight-seers from England252Trip to Chamounix253Mule-travelling253Mont Blanc range254Mer de Glace255Tête Noire pass255Help in an accident256English, French, and Prussian256Second number ofDombey257Castle of Chillon described257Honour to New Constitution258Political celebration258Malcontents259Good conduct of the people259Protestant and Catholic cantons260A timely word on Ireland260CHAPTER XII. 1846.Pages 261-276.Sketches Chiefly Personal. Æt.34.Home politics261The Whigs and Peel261Belief in emigration schemes262Mark Lemon263An incident of character263Hood'sTylney Hall264Trait of the Duke of Wellington264Mr. Watson of Rockingham264A recollection of reporting days265Returns toDombey265Two English travellers266Party among the hills267A Smollett and Fielding hero268Milksop youths268Ogre and Lambs268Sir Joseph and his family269Lord Vernon270Passion for rifle-shooting270A wonderful carriage270The Ladies Taylor271Proposed Reading of firstDombey272A sketch from life272Two sisters and their books272Trip to Great St. Bernard273Ascent of the mountain274The Convent274Scene at the mountain top274Bodies found in the snow275The holy fathers275A tavern all but sign276The monk andPickwick276CHAPTER XIII. 1846.Pages 277-294.Literary Labour at Lausanne. Æt.34.A picture completed277Great present want277Daily life278Imaginative needs278Self-judgments279The Now and the Hereafter279Fancies for Christmas books280Second number ofDombey280A personal revelation281Craving for streets281Food for fancy282SecondDombeydone282Curious wants of the mind283Success of the Reading283First thought of Public Readings284Two stories in hand285Unexpected difficulties286Work under sensitive conditions286Alarm forDombey287Doubts and misgivings287Change of scene to be tried287At Genoa288Disquietudes of authorship288Wanting counsel289At the worst289Report of Genoa290A new social experience290Feminine eccentricities291A ladies' dinner291Elephant-quellers292"Like a Manchester cotton mill"292Again at Rosemont293Visit of the Talfourds293Lodging his friends294Intentions and hope294CHAPTER XIV. 1846.Pages 295-315.Revolution at Geneva. Christmas Book and Last Days inSwitzerland. Æt.34.An arrival of manuscript295A title295Large sale ofDombey296Again at Geneva296Rising against the Jesuits297Back to Lausanne297The fight in Geneva298Rifle against cannon299True objection to Roman-Catholicism299Genevese "aristocracy"299A lesson300Traces left by revolution300Abettors of revolution301Where the shoe pinches301Daily News'changes302My surrender of editorship302Thoughts for the future303Letters aboutBattle of Life303Jeffrey's opinion303Sketch of story304A difficulty in plot305Old characteristics305His own comments306Reply to criticism307Stanfield illustrations307Doubts of third part308Strengthening the close308Objections invited309Tendency to blank verse309Grave mistake by Leech310How dealt with by C. D.310First impulse311Kindly afterthought311Lord Gobden and free trade312Needs while at work312Pleasures of autumn313Striking tents314Sadness of leave-taking314Travelling to Paris314At Paris315CHAPTER XV. 1846-1847.Pages 316-333.Three Months in Paris. Æt.34-35.A greeting from Lord Brougham316French Sunday317A house taken317Absurdity of the abode318Its former tenant319Sister Fanny's illness319Opinion of Elliotson320The king of the barricades320Unhealthy symptoms321Incident in the streets321The Parisian population322Americans and French322Unsettlement of plans323Eldest son's education323A true friend323Christmas tale on the stage323An alarming neighbour325Startling blue-devils326Approach to cannibalism326In London326Cheap edition of works326Suppressed dedication326Return to Paris326Begging-letter writers327Friendly services327Imaginary dialogue328A Boulogne reception328Cautions to a traveller329Citizen Dickens330Sight-seeing330At theatres330Visits to famous Frenchmen331Evening with Victor Hugo331Adventure with a coachman332Bibliothèque Royale333Premonitory symptoms333In London334A party at Gore-house334Illness of eldest son335Snuff-shop readings336Old charwoman's compliment336CHAPTER XVI. 1846-1848.Pages 337-367.Dombey and Son. Æt.34-36.Drift of the tale337Why undervalued338Mistakes of critics338Adherence to first design338Plan for Paul and his sister339For Dombey and his daughter339Proposed course of the story340"The stock of the soup"340Walter Gay and his fate341Decided favourably341Six pages too much342Omissions objected to342New chapter written343Portions sacrificed343Anxiety for the face of his hero344A suggested type of city-gentleman344Artist-fancies for Mr. Dombey345-6Dickens and his illustrators347A silly story repeated347Why noticed again348Facsimile of letter to Cruikshank349-50Dickens's words at the time349Cruikshank's thirty-four years after350A masterpiece of Dickens's writing351Picture of him at work352An experience of Ben Jonson's352How objections are taken352Shall Paul's life be prolonged?353A Reading of the second number353A number to be added to Paul's life354Failure of an illustration354What it should have been355The Mrs. Pipchin of his childhood355First thought of his Autobiography356Opening his fourth number356At Doctor Blimber's357Paul's school life357Paul and Florence357Jeffrey's forecast of the tale358Beginning his fifth number359What he will do with it359A damper to the spirits359Close of Paul's life360Jeffrey on Paul's death361Thoughts for Edith362Florence and Little Nell362Judgments and comparisons363Edith's first destiny363Doubts suggested364An important change364Diogenes remembered365Other characters365Blimber establishment366Supposed originals366Surmises entirely wrong367CHAPTER XVII. 1847-1852.Pages 368-402.Splendid Strolling. Æt.35-40.Birth of fifth son368Death of Lieut. Sydney Dickens368Proposed benefit for Leigh Hunt369The plays and actors370The manager370Troubles at rehearsals371Pains rewarded371Leigh Hunt's account372Receipts and expenses373Lord Lytton's prologue373Appearance of Mrs. Gamp374Fancy for a jeu d'esprit374Mrs. Gamp at the play375Failure of artists375An unfinished fancy375Mrs. Gamp with the strollers376Alarm of Mrs. Harris376Leigh Hunt and Poole377Ticklish society378Mrs. Gamp's cabman378George Cruikshank379Mr. Wilson the barber379Wig experiences380Fatigues of a powder ball380Manager's moustache and whiskers381Leech, Lemon, and Jerrold381-2Mrs. Gamp's dislike of "Dougladge"382Costello, Stone, and Egg383"Only the engine"384Cruikshank'sBottle384Profits ofDombey385Time come for savings385Proposed edition of old novels385Another dropped design386The Praslin tragedy386Penalty for seeing before others387Street-music387Margate theatre and manager387As to Christmas book388Delay found necessary389A literary Kitely389Meetings at Leeds and Glasgow390Book-friends391Sheriff Alison391Hospitable welcome391Scott-monument392Purchase of Shakespeare's house392Scheme to benefit Knowles393Plays rehearsed394Merry Wiveschosen394Performances and result394At Knebworth-park395Guild of Literature and Art396Unfortunate omission396The farce that was to be written396The farce that was substituted397Not so Bad as we Seem397Travelling theatre and scenes398Success of the comedy398An incident at Sunderland399Troubles of a manager399Acting under difficulties400Scenery overturned401Effects of fright401Mr. Wilkie Collins402CHAPTER XVIII. 1848-1851.Pages 403-441.Seaside Holidays. Æt.36-39.Louis Philippe dethroned403French missive from C. D.404Aspirations of Citizen Dickens404At Broadstairs405By rail to China405The Junk406Mariners on deck and in cabin406Perplexing questions406A toy-shop on the seas407Type of finality407A contrast408Home questions408Temperance agitations409The temptations to gin-shop409Necessity of dealing withthem409Stages anterior to drunkenness410Cruikshank's satire410Realities of his pencil411Its one-sidedness411Dickens on Hogarth412Cause as well as effect412Exit of Gin-lane412Wisdom of the great painter413Late, but never too late413Dickens on designs by Leech414Originality of Leech414Superiority of his method415The requisites for it415Excuses for the rising generation416Intellectual juvenility416A dangerous youth417What Leech will be remembered for417Odd adventures418Pony-chaise accident418Parallel to Squeers419Strenuous idleness419French philosophy420Hint for Mr. Taine420The better for idleness421A favourite spot421At Brighton421With mad folks and doctors422A name for his new book422At Broadstairs422Troubles in his writing423A letter in character423At Bonchurch425The Rev. James White425Mirth and melancholy425Mrs. James White426First impressions of Undercliff426Talfourd made a judge427Dickens's affection for him427Church-school examination428Dinners and pic-nics428The comedian Regnier429When acting is genuine429Doubts as to health429Arrivals and departures430A startling revelation431Effects of Bonchurch climate431Utter prostration431Difficulties of existing there432Distrust of doctors433Other side of picture433What I observed at the time434From theCopperfieldMS.434Mr. Browne's sketch of Micawber435Accident to John Leech435Its consequences435Depressing influences436At Broadstairs436Railway travellers437The exhibition year438ACopperfieldbanquet438C. D. on money values439His leisure reading439A correction for Carlyle440Good criticism441Thoughts of a new book441The old restlessness441Beginning on a Friday441CHAPTER XIX. 1848-1850.Pages 442-456.Haunted Man and Household Words. Æt.36-40.Maturing book for Christmas442Friendly plea for Mr. Macrone442Completion of Christmas story443Dropped motto443The "ghost" and the "bargain"444The Tetterby family445Teachings of the little tale445His own statement of its intention446Forgive that you may forget446Copperfieldsales447A letter from Russia448Translation into Russian448Sympathy of Siberia448The Periodical taking form449A design for it described449Original and selected matter449A Shadow for everywhere450Hopes of success450Doubts respecting it451Incompatibility of design451New design chosen452Assistant editor appointed453Titles proposed453Appearance of first number454Earliest contributors454Opinion of Mr. Sala454Child's dream of a star455A fancy derived from childhood456CHAPTER XX. 1848-1851.Pages 457-494.Last Years in Devonshire Terrace. Æt.36-39.Sentiment about places457Confidences458Personal revelations458Early memories459At his sister's sick-bed459Last thoughts460Sister's death460Book to be written in first person461Riding over Salisbury Plain461Visiting scene of a tragedy462First sees Yarmouth462Birth of sixth son462Notion for a character463Choosing a title463"Mag's Diversions"464"Copperfield" chosen464Varieties of it proposed465Title finally determined466Difficulties of opening466Rogers and Benedict466Wit of Fonblanque467Procter and Macready467The Sheridans468Lord Byron's Ada469Dinner to Halévy and Scribe469Brougham and "thePunchpeople"469The Duke at Vauxhall470Carlyle and Thackeray470Judicious change of a "tag"471A fact for a biographer471Marryat's delight with children472Bulwer Lytton and Monckton Milnes472Lords Nugent and Dudley Stuart472-3Kemble, Harness, and Dyce473Mrs. Siddons and John Kemble473Comparison and good distinction474Mazzini and Edinburgh friends474Artist-acquaintance475Visitors at his house475Friends from America476M. Van de Weyer476Ambition to see into heaven477Literature and art in the city477Doubtful compliment478A hint for London citizens478Letter against public executions479American observer in England479Marvels of English manners480A letter from Rockingham481Private theatricals481Major Bentley and General Boxall481-2A family scene482Doing too much483Death of Francis Jeffrey483Progress of work484The child-wife484A run to Paris484Banker or proctor485Doubts as to Dora settled486Of Rogers and Landor486A third daughter born487At Great Malvern487Macready's farewell488Experience of a brother author488The Home at Shepherd's-bush488Father's illness489Death of John Dickens489Tribute by his son490Theatrical-fund dinner490Plea for small actors491Remembering the forgotten491Death of his little daughter492Difficult tasks in life492Dora's grave493Advocating sanitary reform493Lord Shaftesbury494Realities of his books to Dickens494