THE

GLORY AND THE SHAME

OF

ENGLAND.

"In England, those who till the earth, and make it lovely and fruitful by
their labours, are only allowed the slave's share of the many blessings they
produce."

BY C. EDWARDS LESTER.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

NEW-YORK:

HARPER & BROTHERS, 82 CLIFF-STREET.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1841, by HARPER & BROTHERS,

In the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New-York.

THE GLORY AND THE SHAME

OF

ENGLAND.

To Washington Irving, Esq.

London, July —, 1840.

SIR,

UNDERSTANDING that you have often expressed your admiration for the genius and character of Charles Dickens, I have thought that some account of this celebrated author might not be uninteresting to you. I have had the pleasure of visiting Mr. Dickens at his house, and I trust that this letter will not be considered an ill return for his kindness to one whose only claim upon him was an introduction from Thomas Campbell. I believe there is no English author now living who is so much admired and read by our countrymen as Mr. Dickens, and, consequently, no one respecting whom Americans may be supposed to have so great a desire for information. I will therefore give a brief sketch of some of his conversations with me, and speak of his character and history, so