Letter from Charles Dickens, London, to Angela Burdett-Coutts, 1849 April 2 : autograph manuscript signed.

Concerning certain anonymous letters; saying "I am almost sorry we sent that letter to Mr. Chesterton, he is in such extraordinary concern about it. It seems that some scoundrel, as yet undiscovered, has been writing anonymous letters, to him and about him, for some few weeks past. He writes to me immediately, in reference to this, (which he says is in the same handwriting) as follows: 'Pray do not let Miss Coutts imagine for a moment that I am this unsafe man. Wednesday last, is distinctly written in the letter to Miss Coutts. If any proof were necessary (I hope none is) of its detestable falsehood, my family could very easily avouch that last Wednesday I was at home all the evening, and that for weeks and weeks past we have had little reunions at home on Wednesdays, and I have not been out from home, once upon any of those nights. As for an Omnibus at night, Heaven knows when I have been in one! As a positive name is given, and a locality, I shall send to see if such a place and such a person really have existence. I shall be surprised to find either the case.' He retains the letter with this view. I think that with his police-facilities he ought to, and I hope he will, find out the writer."