It seemed to me as if he 'didn't find me' in that, as the servants say, but only provided me with carved marble, and expected me to furnish myself with as much idea as I could afford.
"Very faithfully yours, "CHARLES DICKENS." * * * * * I do not remember the verses, though I feel confident that the lady who sent them through me must have been a very charming person.

As to Gibson, no criticism could be sounder.

I had a considerable liking for Gibson as a man, and admiration for his character, but as regards his ideal productions I think Dickens hits the right nail on the head.
In another letter of the same year, 25th July, after a page of remarks on editorial matters, he writes:-- * * * * * "If Italy could but achieve some brilliant success in arms! That she does not, causes, I think, some disappointment here, and makes her sluggish friends more sluggish, and her open enemies more powerful.

I fear too that the Italian ministry have lost an excellent opportunity of repairing the national credit in London city, and have borrowed money in France for the poor consideration of lower interest, which" _[sic_, but I suspect _which_ must be a slip of the pen for _than_] "they could have got in England, greatly to the re-establishment of a reputation for public good faith.

As to Louis Napoleon, his position in the whole matter is to me like his position in Europe at all times, simply disheartening and astounding.