Re: out-of-door

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Mr dear Ali Luya,

  I cannot remember the occasion on which I used the phrase "out-of-door
clerks," and cannot say precisely what I meant by the term.  Context is all.
It could have two meanings.  It could mean a clerk not living on his
employer's premises.  Some still did, even in my day.  Remember, Tim
Linkinwater lives over the Cheeryble Brothers' counting house.  Or it could
mean a clerk employed to transact business settled outside the counting house.
  "All smiles and shirt collar" is simply what your generation might call a
visual snapshot.  The person in question seems to the observer to be
encapsulated in his smiles and shirt collar.


Faithfully yours,



Charles Dickens
____________________________________________________________________________
____________
>Mr Dickens
>
>You make reference ( in NN if I recall) to out-of-door clerks.  Could you
>explain their function please?  Were they lawyers' "runners" i.e.
>messengers?  Why out-of-door?  Also, could you please explain the meaning
>of the expression 'all smiles and shirt collar'?  Given the size and
>whiteness of some early shirt collars I thought they might match the
>whiteness of the smile and thus add to to its extent.  I am probably wrong
>and would like clarification.  At your convenience, of course.
>
>Best wishes
>
>Ali Luya
>
>
>
>
>
>add to the whiteness of the smile broadness of
>
>

======================
Charles Dickens
charles_dickens@rmplc.co.uk
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