Category: Biographies
When Charles Lever died (in 1872), his daughters were anxious that his biography should be written by Major Frank Dwyer, but Dwyer was unwilling to undertake the task, and Dr W. J. Fitzpatrick volunteered his services.
Small as the salary was, and insignificant as the position seemed to be, his vice-consulship was of considerable service to Lever: it gave him work to do when he was weary of we...
6. Part 6“Independently of the great sacrifice of time to a pursuit foreign to my profession,--and this I only learned was indispensable on my going to Paris,--I find the expense of livi...
15. Part 15“As to M’G., his letter is possibly a very candid and honest _exposé_, but I have limited myself to the observation already quoted. With regard to the Magazine he has made a pro...
9. Part 9“I sincerely hope that long ere this your withers have been unwrung, and that my friend, Dr Graves, has restored you to the rank of a biped. God forgive you! what a dreadful thi...
13. Part 13The unpleasant communication was from Curry & Co. It took the form of a statement of account between publisher and author, and showed that the latter was heavily indebted to the...
19. Part 19Towards the close of 1849 ‘Roland Cashel’ was published in book form by Messrs Chapman & Hall. It was dedicated to G. P. R. James--“a Roland for your Oliver, or rather for your...
17. Part 17“I am greatly gratified that you have seen John Maxwell--whose visit I look for with much pleasure. We have not met for seventeen years,--up to that we had spent, nearly day-by-...
8. Part 8“As I have received no account of the former MSS., I have worked night and day to complete this in the prospect that, if you like it, it can be published by the 15th January [?...
7. Part 7“.... I am quite sure of Mr Butt’s being a safe and punctual person, and God forgive me if I wrong Mr Crowther, but I have not the same good opinion of him. _Coûte que coûte._
14. Part 14“There never was a bad business man assisted by a cleverer and more good-natured friend. You have perfectly satisfied all my hazy doubts as to how I stand before the world. Heav...
16. Part 16“I am uncertain whether I should not prefer the unjust reproach of neglect to the possible offence of boring you in duplicate. Still, it is better to incur this _risque_, for no...
5. Part 5Ireland was smitten by a terrible scourge in the year 1832--a sudden visitation of Asiatic cholera. A Board of Health engaged a number of medical men and despatched them to chol...
20. Part 20“As to the future, let us, if he will, renew the old contract--£20 per sheet; and I will begin with the April quarter--if I don’t jump into the Arno before--a brand new serial a...
11. Part 11Continuing his account of the meeting between the two novelists, Major Dwyer tells us that plans were discussed about sight-seeing. It was suggested that Thackeray should take a...
12. Part 12“Though he was full of energy in anything he took up,” says Mr Pearce, “he was sometimes very indolently inclined. Often and often I used to try to tempt him to dictate. Sometim...
4. Part 4The pistol was handed to Eisendaller with directions to fire before the lapse of a minute. He immediately levelled it, and remained in the attitude of covering his antagonist fo...
18. Part 18“I have been drawing on my new book, ‘Roland Cashel,’ so far in advance, that I am unable to say how I shall get on as it draws near the end. We are living in quietness here, wi...
2. Part 2He was then entering into his eighteenth year, and, according to his brother, he was ready of speech and possessed the laughing though deferential manner which he carried with h...
3. Part 3A friend of mine once on his way from Dublin to Dunleary* had the misfortune to find himself on a car drawn by an animal so wretched as to excite his deepest compassion, for in...
21. Part 21“Meanwhile--and to be in a measure prepared for the future--I want you to do a bit of diplomacy for me. My story of ‘Carew’ will finish in March, when ‘The Dodds’ also will clos...
10. Part 10“Well as you know me, you as well as John make one mistake about me. I am not--I never was--a sanguine man. I have pumped up false enthusiasm many a time till it has imposed eve...
1. Part 1When Charles Lever died (in 1872), his daughters were anxious that his biography should be written by Major Frank Dwyer, but Dwyer was unwilling to undertake the task, and Dr W....
22. Part 22‘The Martins’ was rapidly advancing towards its close. The serial course of ‘Glencore’ had been interrupted by the difficulties which had beset the Magazine, and these difficult...
24. Part 24“Your kindest of notes was very dear to me at this, the saddest day of my life. My poor boy was taken away almost in a moment. Some internal rupture, followed by great haemorrha...