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great public recognition and encouragement I ever received was
bestowed on me in this generous and magnificent city … in this city
so distinguished in literature and so distinguished in the arts。
You will readily believe that I have carried into the various
countries I have since traversed； and through all my subsequent
career； the proud and affectionate remembrance of that eventful
epoch in my life； and that coming back to Edinburgh is to me like
coming home。
Ladies and gentlemen； you have heard so much of my voice to…night；
that I will not inflict on you the additional task of hearing any
more。 I am better reconciled to limiting myself to these very few
words； because I know and feel full well that no amount of speech
to which I could give utterance could possibly express my sense of
the honour and distinction you have conferred on me； or the
heartfelt gratification I derive from this reception。
SPEECH： LONDON； MARCH 29； 1858。
＇At the thirteenth anniversary festival of the General Theatrical
Fund； held at the Freemasons' Tavern； at which Thackeray presided；
Mr。 Dickens made the following speech：＇
IN our theatrical experience as playgoers we are all equally
accustomed to predict by certain little signs and portents on the
stage what is going to happen there。 When the young lady； an
admiral's daughter； is left alone to indulge in a short soliloquy；
and certain smart spirit…rappings are heard to proceed immediately
from beneath her feet； we foretell that a song is impending。 When
two gentlemen enter； for whom； by a happy coincidence； two chairs；
and no more； are in waiting； we augur a conversation； and that it
will assume a retrospective biographical character。 When any of
the performers who belong to the sea…faring or marauding
professions are observed to arm themselves with very small swords
to which are attached very large hilts； we predict that the affair
will end in a combat。 Carrying out the association of ideas； it
may have occurred to some that when I asked my old friend in the
chair to allow me to propose a toast I had him in my eye； and I
have him now on my lips。
The duties of a trustee of the Theatrical Fund； an office which I
hold； are not so frequent or so great as its privileges。 He is in
fact a mere walking gentleman； with the melancholy difference that
he has no one to love。 If this advantage could be added to his
character it would be one of a more agreeable nature than it is；
and his forlorn position would be greatly improved。 His duty is to
call every half year at the bankers'； when he signs his name in a
large greasy inconvenient book； to certain documents of which he
knows nothing； and then he delivers it to the property man and
exits anywhere。
He； however； has many privileges。 It is one of his privileges to
watch the steady growth of an institution in which he takes great
interest； it is one of his privileges to bear his testimony to the
prudence； the goodness； the self…denial； and the excellence of a
class of persons who have been too long depreciated； and whose
virtues are too much denied； out of the depths of an ignorant and
stupid superstition。 And lastly； it is one of his privileges
sometimes to be called on to propose the health of the chairman at
the annual dinners of the institution； when that chairman is one
for whose genius he entertains the warmest admiration； and whom he
respects as a friend； and as one who does honour to literature； and
in whom literature is honoured。 I say when that is the case； he
feels that this last privilege is a great and high one。 From the
earliest days of this institution I have ventured to impress on its
managers； that they would consult its credit and success by
choosing its chairmen as often as possible within the circle of
literature and the arts； and I will venture to say that no similar
institution has been presided over by so many remarkable and
distinguished men。 I am sure； however； that it never has had； and
that it never will have； simply because it cannot have； a greater
lustre cast upon it than by the presence of the noble English
writer who fills the chair to…night。
It is not for me at this time； and in this place； to take on myself
to flutter before you the well…thumbed pages of Mr。 Thackeray's
books； and to tell you to observe how full they are of wit and
wisdom； how out…speaking； and how devoid of fear or favour； but I
will take leave to remark； in paying my due homage and respect to
them； that it is fitting that such a writer and such an institution
should be brought together。 Every writer of fiction； although he
may not adopt the dramatic form； writes in effect for the stage。
He may never write plays； but the truth and passion which are in
him must be more or less reflected in the great mirror which he
holds up to nature。 Actors； managers； and authors are all
represented in this company； and it maybe supposed that they all
have studied the deep wants of the human heart in many theatres；
but none of them could have studied its mysterious workings in any
theatre to greater advantage than in the bright and airy pages of
VANITY FAIR。 To this skilful showman； who has so often delighted
us； and who has charmed us again to…night； we have now to wish God
speed； and that he may continue for many years to exercise his
potent art。 To him fill a bumper toast； and fervently utter； God
bless him！
SPEECH： LONDON； APRIL 29； 1858。
＇The reader will already have observed that in the Christmas week
of 1853； and on several subsequent occasions； Mr。 Dickens had read
the CHRISTMAS CAROL and the CHIMES before public audiences； but
always in aid of the funds of some institution； or for other
benevolent purposes。 The first reading he ever gave for his own
benefit took place on the above date； in St。 Martin's Hall； （now
converted into the Queen's Theatre）。 This reading Mr。 Dickens
prefaced with the following speech：…＇
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN； … It may perhaps be in known to you that； for
a few years past； I have been accustomed occasionally to read some
of my shorter books； to various audiences； in aid of a variety of
good objects； and at some charge to myself； both in time and money。
It having at length become impossible in any reason to comply with
these always accumulating demands； I have had definitively to
choose between now and then reading on my own account； as one of my
recognised occupations； or not reading at all。 I have had little
or no difficulty in deciding on the former course。 The reasons
that have led me to it … besides the consideration that it
necessitates no departure whatever from the chosen pursuits of my
life … are threefold： firstly； I have satisfied myself that it can
involve no possible compromise of the credit and independence of
literature； secondly； I have long held the opinion； and have long
acted on the opinion； that in these times whatever brings a public
man and his public face to face； on terms of mutual confidence and
respect； is a good thing； thirdly； I have had a pretty large
experience of the interest my hearers are so generous as to take in
these occasions； and of the delight they give to me； as a tried
means of strengthening those relations … I may almost say of
personal friendship … which it is my great privilege and pride； as
it is my great responsibility； to hold with a multitude of persons
who will never hear my voice nor see my face。 Thus it is that I
come； quite naturally； to be here among you at this time； and thus
it is that I proceed to read this little book； quite as composedly
as I might proceed to write it； or to publish it in any other way。
SPEECH： LONDON； MAY 1； 1858。
＇The following short speech was made at the Banquet of the Royal
Academy； after the health of Mr。 Dickens and Mr。 Thackeray had been
proposed by the President； Sir Charles Eastlake：…＇
FOLLOWING the order of your toast； I have to take the first part in
the duet to be performed in acknowledgment of the compliment you
have paid to literature。 In this home of art I feel it to be too
much an interchange of compliments； as it were； between near
relations； to enter into any lengthened expression of our thanks
for the honour you have done us。 I feel that it would be changing
this splendid assembly into a sort of family party。 I may；
however； take leave to say that your sister； whom I represent； is
strong and healthy； that she has a very great affection for； and an
undying interest in you； and that it is always a very great
gratification to her to see herself so well remembered within these
walls； and to know that she is an honoured guest at your hospitable
board。
SPEECH： LONDON； JULY 21； 1858。
＇On the above date； a public meeting was held at the Princess's
Theatre； for the purpose of establishing the now famous Royal