MORE than a quarter of a century has now elapsed since the death of Charles Dickens. The time which shaped him and sent him forth is so far behind us, as to have become a matter of historical study for the present generation; the time which knew him as one of its foremost figures, and o)Ved so much to the influences of his wondrous personality, is already made remote by a social revolution of which he watched the mere beginning. It seems possible to regard Dickens from the standpoint of posterity; to consider his career, to review his literary work, and to estimate his total activity in relation to an age which, intelligibly speaking, is no longer our own. When Queen Victoria came to the throne Charles Dickens was twenty-five years old. To say that he was twenty in the year 18Jz ITable of Contents CONTENTS; CHAPTER PACE; I HIS TIMES; II THE GROWTH OF MAN AND WRITER 16; III THE STORy-TELLER • J2; IV ART, VERACITY, AND MORAL PURPOSE 78; 0 CHARACTERIZATION 106; VI SATIRIC PORTRAITURE 141; VII WOMEN AND CHILDREN 170; VIII HUMOUR AND PATHOS 215; IX STYLE 241; X THE RADICAL 255; XI COMPARISONS 283; XII THE LATTER YEARS 299About the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.Forgotten Books" Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the difficult to read text. Read books online for free at http://www.forgottenbooks.org