Note 68 — Chapter VIII · MARY HOGARTH

Mr. Wright lately possessed a most interesting copy, presented number by number to Mary Hogarth by the author, up to No. 14, with this inscription: “From hers affectionately, Charles Dickens.” The succeeding numbers were given to her schoolfellow, Miss Walker. Mr. Wright also possessed the letter announcing her death. It runs: “Sunday night, 8th May, 1837. We are in deep and sincere distress. Miss Hogarth, after accompanying Mrs. Dickens and myself to the theatre last night, was taken seriously ill, and, despite our best endeavours to save her, expired in my arms.” It is curious to notice that this phrase should recur in Nickleby, it running, “My darling lad, who was taken ill last night, I thought would have expired in my arms.”