Letter from Charles Dickens, Albaro, to Thomas Mitton, 1844 August 12 : autograph manuscript signed.

Replying to his letter on the status of the payment of his Income Tax; reporting on the weather, his progress on the Christmas Book, his plan to move into the Palazzo Peschiere on the first of October and describing the Palazzo's rooms and location; detailing his travel plans in the autumn and in the winter months of the following year; commenting on their life in Italy; reporting that the box of books had arrived, but "I have not got my books yet. They are taken out at the Custom House and examined by Priests, before they are allowed to pass. As some Volumes of a French author, Voltaire, are among them, who always wrote against Priests, I fully expect them to be stopped. Though I am not likely to read them to the Genevese, and woo them to their damnation, I am sure;" giving him the titles of books that he and Charley would like to have in Italy; mentioning Angus Fletcher; relating family anecdotes; continuing, in a postscript written on "Tuesday Morning," to say that the books arrived: "They never pass Voltaire; but with great politeness, passed it for me. Englishmen and other foreigners are obliged to apply to the Police for a Permission to reside here: renewable every three months; but they exempt me from these forms, and are exceedingly considerate. I had a private box at the Theatre (which is larger than Drury Lane or Covent Garden) on Saturday Night. It was comfortably fitted up with sofas and a mirror: the cost eight and fourpence English;" adding "Katey is still improving, rapidly."