TO THE READERS OF “MASTER HUMPHREY’S CLOCK”
DEAR FRIENDS,
Next November we shall have finished the tale of which we are at presentengaged, and shall have travelled together through twenty monthly partsand eighty-seven weekly numbers. It is my design when we have gone sofar, to close this work. Let me tell you why.
I should not regard the anxiety, the close confinement, or the constantattention, inseparable from the weekly form of publication (for tocommune with you in any form is to me a labour of love) if I had found itadvantageous to the conduct of my stories, the elucidation of my meaning,or the gradual development of my characters. But I have not done so. Ihave often felt cramped and confined in a very irksome and harassingdegree by the space in which I have been constrained to move. I havewanted you to know more at once than I could tell you; and it hasfrequently been of the greatest importance to my cherished intention,that you should do so. I have been sometimes strongly tempted (and havebeen at some pains to resist the temptation) to hurry incidents on, lestthey should appear to you who waited from week to week, and had not, likeme, the result and purpose in your minds, too long delayed. In a word, Ihave found this form of publication most anxious, perplexing, anddifficult. I cannot bear these jerky confidences which are no soonerbegun than ended, and no sooner ended than begun again.
Many passages in a tale of any length, depend materially for theirinterest on the intimate relation they bear to what has gone before, orto what is to follow. I have sometimes found it difficult when I issuedthirty-two closely printed pages once a month, to sustain in your mindsthis needful connection: in the present form of publication it is often,especially in the first half of a story, quite impossible to preserve itsufficiently through the current numbers. And although in my progress, Iam gradually able to set you right, and to show you what my meaning hasbeen, and to work it out, I see no reason why you should ever be wrongwhen I have it in my power by resorting to a better means ofcommunication between us to prevent it.
Considerations of immediate profit and advantage ought in such a case tobe of secondary importance. They would lead me, at all hazards, to holdmy present course. But for the reason I have just now mentioned, I haveafter long consideration, and with especial reference to the next newtale I bear in my mind, arrived at the conclusion that it will be betterto abandon this scheme of publication in favour of our old and well-triedplan which has only twelve gaps in a year, instead of fifty-two.
Therefore my intention is, to close this story (with the limits of whichI am of course by this time acquainted) and this work, within, or about,the period I have mentioned. I should add, that for the generalconvenience of subscribers, another volume of collected numbers will notbe published until the whole is brought to a conclusion.
Taking advantage of the respite which the close of this work will affordme, I have decided, in January next, to pay a visit to America. Thepleasure I anticipate from this realization of a wish I have longentertained, and long hoped to gratify, is subdued by the reflection thatit must separate us for a longer time than other circumstances would haverendered necessary.
On the first of November, eighteen hundred and forty-two, I purpose, ifit please God, to commence my book in monthly parts, under the old greencover, in the old size and form, and at the old price.
I look forward to addressing a few more words to you in reference to thislatter theme before I close the task on which I am now engaged. If therebe any among the numerous readers of _Master Humphrey’s Clock_ who are atfirst dissatisfied with the prospect of this change—and it is notunnatural almost to hope there may be some—I trust they will, at no verydistant day, find reason to agree with
ITS AUTHOR
_September_, 1841.
POSTSCRIPT {0}
Now that the time is come for taking leave, I find that the words I haveto add are very few indeed.
We part until next November. It is a long parting between us, but if Ihave left you anything by which to remember me, in the meanwhile, with nounkind or distant feelings—anything by which I may be associated inspirit with your firesides, homes, and blameless pleasures—I am happy.
Believe me it has ever been my true desire to add to the common stock ofhealthful cheerfulness, good humour, and good-will, and trust me when Ireturn to England and to another tale of English life and manners, Ishall not slacken in this zealous work.
I take the opportunity for thanking all those who have addressed me byletter since the appearance of the foregoing announcement; and ofexpressing a hope that they will rest contented with this form ofacknowledgment, as their number renders it impossible to me to answerthem individually.
I bid farewell to them and all my readers with a regret that we feel intaking leave of Friends who have become endeared to us by long and closecommunication; and I look forward with truthfulness and pleasure to ournext meeting.
_November_, 1841.
FOOTNOTES
{0} Postscript, printed on the wrapper of No. 87 of “Master Humphrey’sClock”.
{255} Old Curiosity Shop begins here.
{292} Old Curiosity Shop is continued here, completing No. IV.
{300} Old Curiosity Shop is continued to the end of the number.
{306} Old Curiosity Shop is continued from here to the end withoutfurther break. Master Humphrey is revived thus at the close of the OldCuriosity Shop, merely to introduce Barnaby Rudge.
{311} This was Barnaby Rudge, contained in vol. ix. of this Edition.This is, as indicated, the final appearance of Master Humphrey’s Clock.It forms the conclusion of Barnaby Rudge.
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