Re: Sketches by Boz
Charles Dickens (cdickens@RMPLC.CO.UK)
Thu, 11 Sep 1997 16:01:35 -0100
My dear Mrs Carter,
The story of Tom King and the Frenchman, even in the eighteen-thirties,
was moving out of the clear light of history into the mists of legend. Tom
King himself was well remembered, and those who remembered him honoured him.
He was a popular actor, and a playwright, who had been born in 1730 and had
died in 1805. But the story was less clear in people's minds.
At some point in his life, it seems, Mr King had taken against a Frenchman
resident in Seven Dials. He gave vent to his antagonism by tormenting the
unfortunate man, repeatedly inquiring at his house after a wholly imaginary
and non-existent "Mr Thompson." The Frenchman's manner of responding to
these inquiries is unrecorded, but the the episode acquired sufficient
notoriety to become indelibly associated with the name of Seven Dials.
Faithfully yours,
Charles Dickens
________________________________________________________________________________
>Dear Mr Dickens,
>
>I have been reading with great enjoyment your early work "Sketches
>by Boz" but I must confess there is one reference which has so far,
>despite my researches, eluded me.
>
>In the piece Seven Dials, there is a reference to "Tom King and
>the Frenchman" immortalising the area. I have been unable to find an
>annotated Sketches and would, therefore, be grateful if you could inform
>me who these gentlemen were and how this immortalisation was effected.
>
>I hope I may take the liberty of thanking you in anticipation of your
>assistance.
>
>Your obt. servant
>
>Catherine Carter
>
>
======================
Charles Dickens
charles_dickens@rmplc.co.uk
Author