Letter from Charles Dickens, London, to Angela Burdett-Coutts, 1852 November 1 : autograph manuscript signed.

Reporting on a meeting with Mr. [George Gammon] Adams about a bust he was commissioned to make from the death mask of the Duke of Wellington; saying "...he made some alterations in that part of the face - I think (and I hope you will think) greatly to its improvement. I also found, according to my eye, the mouth much too tight, and a general want thereabout of a suggestion of flexibility. This the sculptor also worked upon. It seems to me that the best and most hopeful thing that can possibly be done now, is to let the sculptor alone. The bust is far more like than any I have seen, and strikes me as possessing very great merit;" reporting on a visit to Urania Cottage: "I went to the Home afterwards, and made the enclosed memorandum, on a calculation, about the Marks. I told Mrs. Morson that we would not announce the value, until after the departure of the next party. I thought it would prevent - or might prevent - any little inconsistencies. There had been some indications of a small assault by Stallion upon the brownish-yellow girl, Youngman. Both had behaved with perfect submission, except in the heat of a moment - both were in fault - and I had both in, and pointed out to them how wrong they were and told them to be friends;" commenting on a letter he received from Charley and saying "He hits exactly my apprehension - that retaining him there in that unsettled state, might be a mere loss of time. Shall I write to his 'Dame' and Tutor, saying it is probable he will leave at Christmas? I shall wait for your answer before doing so."