Letter from Charles Dickens, London, to Angela Burdett-Coutts, 1848 November 15 : autograph manuscript signed.

Concerning the implementation of the Mark System; saying "I was at Shepherd's Bush yesterday Evening, and went carefully over the Mark Papers already filled up, with Miss Cunliffe. She seems to understand the system very well indeed, and I hope it will be productive of excellent results. The great thing to avoid, and the danger towards which I certainly think we rather tend at present, is the being too grim and gloomy. Miss Cunliffe thinks it would be well for her to select some little things from Wordsworth, and some from Crabbe, to read to them. Have you any objection to the introduction of these books, subject to her selection? I think the library might be extended, in this direction, with great advantage. All people who have led hazardous and forbidden lives are, in a certain sense, imaginative; and if their imaginations are not filled with good things, they will choke them, for themselves, with bad ones;" asking her opinion on extending evening lessons for the women to prepare them for emigration; saying "I incline to the impression that it would interfere with other pursuits, without being attended with a counter-balancing advantage; but of course you only can decide. The Haunted Man says he thinks he will want a little fresh air shortly. I think of taking him down to Brighton next week for ten days or so, and putting an end to him."