A Week's Tramp in Dickens-Land Part 3

The following copy of a play-bill--in my collection--of one of these performances is certainly worth preserving in a permanent form, for the double reason that it is extremely rare, and contains one of d.i.c.kens's few poetical contributions, _The Song of the Wreck_, which was written specially for the occasion.

The smallest Theatre in the World!

TAVISTOCK HOUSE.

_Lessee and Manager_ -- -- -- MR. CRUMMLES.

On Tuesday evening, June 19th, 1855, will be presented, at exactly eight o'clock, An entirely New and Original Domestic Melo-drama, in Two Acts, by Mr. Wilkie Collins, now first performed, called

THE LIGHTHOUSE.

The Scenery painted by Mr. Stanfield, R.A.

Aaron Gurnock, the head Light-keeper MR. CRUMMLES.

Martin Gurnock, his son; the second Light-keeper MR. WILKIE COLLINS.

Jacob Dale, the third Light-keeper MR. MARK LEMON.

Samuel Furley, a Pilot MR. AUGUSTUS EGG, A.R.A.

The Relief of Light-keepers, by MR. CHARLES d.i.c.kENS, JUNIOR, MR. EDWARD HOGARTH, MR. ALFRED AINGER, and MR. WILLIAM WEBSTER.

The Shipwrecked Lady MISS HOGARTH.

Phoebe MISS d.i.c.kENS, Who will sing a new Ballad, the music by Mr. Linley, the words by Mr. Crummles, ent.i.tled

THE SONG OF THE WRECK.

I.

"The wind blew high, the waters raved, A Ship drove on the land, A hundred human creatures saved, Kneeled down upon the sand.

Three-score were drowned, three-score were thrown Upon the black rocks wild; And thus among them left alone, They found one helpless child.

II.

A Seaman rough, to shipwreck bred, Stood out from all the rest, And gently laid the lonely head Upon his honest breast.

And trav'ling o'er the Desert wide, It was a solemn joy, To see them, ever side by side, The sailor and the boy.

III.

In famine, sickness, hunger, thirst, The two were still but one, Until the strong man drooped the first, And felt his labours done.

Then to a trusty friend he spake: 'Across this Desert wide, O take the poor boy for my sake!'

And kissed the child, and died.

IV.

Toiling along in weary plight, Through heavy jungle-mire, These two came later every night To warm them at the fire, Until the Captain said one day: 'O seaman good and kind, To save thyself now come away And leave the boy behind!'

V.

The child was slumb'ring near the blaze: 'O Captain let him rest Until it sinks, when G.o.d'S own ways Shall teach us what is best!'

They watched the whiten'd ashey heap, They touched the child in vain, They did not leave him there asleep, He never woke again."

Half an hour for Refreshment.

To conclude with The Guild Amateur Company's Farce, in one act, by Mr. Crummles and Mr. Mark Lemon;

MR. NIGHTINGALE'S DIARY.

Mr. Nightingale MR. FRANK STONE, A.R.A.

Mr. Gabblewig, of the Middle Temple } Charley Bit, a Boots } Mr. Poulter, a Pedestrian and cold } water drinker } MR. CRUMMLES.

Captain Blower, an invalid } A Respectable Female } A Deaf s.e.xton }

Tip, Mr. Gabblewig's Tiger } MR AUGUSTUS EGG, A.R.A.

Christopher, a Charity Boy }

Slap, Professionally Mr. Flormiville, } a country actor } Mr. Tickle, Inventor of the Celebrated } Compounds } MR. MARK LEMON.

A Virtuous Young Person in the } confidence of Maria }

Lithers, Landlord of the Water-lily MR. WILKIE COLLINS.

Rosina, Mr. Nightingale's niece MISS KATE d.i.c.kENS.

Susan her Maid MISS HOGARTH.

Composer and Director of the music, MR. FRANCEs...o...b..RGER, who will preside at the pianoforte.

Costume makers, MESSRS. NATHAN of t.i.tchbourne Street, Haymarket.

Perruquier, MR. WILSON, of the Strand.

Machinery and Properties by MR. IRELAND, of the Theatre Royal, Adelphi.

_Doors open at half-past seven. Carriages may be ordered at a quarter past eleven._

It was from Tavistock House that d.i.c.kens received this startling message from a confidential servant:--

"The gas-fitter says, sir, that he can't alter the fitting of your gas in your bedroom without taking up almost the ole of your bedroom floor, and pulling your room to pieces. He says of course you can have it done if you wish, and he'll do it for you and make a good job of it, but he would have to destroy your room first, and go entirely under the jistes."

The same female, in allusion to d.i.c.kens's wardrobe, also said, "Well, sir, your clothes is all shabby, and your boots is all burst."

[Ill.u.s.tration: No. 141, Bayham Street, Camden Town,

_where the d.i.c.kens Family lived in 1823_.]