A cheque written by literary great Charles Dickens has been acquired by the National Library. Source: AAP
A CHEQUE sent by literary great Charles Dickens to help his sons find their feet in Australia has been acquired by the National Library in Canberra.
The 143-year-old cheque, signed with a flourish by Dickens, is now on display in the library's Treasures Gallery.
Never cashed, the Coutts bank cheque for 100 pounds was destined for two of Dickens' children, Alfred and his youngest Edward.
Dickens, never visited Australia but believed it was a land of opportunity and so like many characters in his popular novels sent his two boys across the seas to find their fortune Down Under.
The boys relied on their father for contacts and cash in the "new world", and letters show it strained their relationship on occasions.
But even if he found his sons "exasperating" at times, Dickens loved his boys and believed Australia was a good experience for them.
"He wanted to make his children stand on their own two feet, but at the same time he was arranging things for them," the assistant curator at the National Library Susannah Helman told AAP.
"I think it's clear that he saw Australia as a land of great promise."
Dickens provided his sons with letters of introduction in Australia, and even arranged for Edward to get a rifle.
Alfred was a financial drain on his father while Edward, just 16 when he migrated to Australia, was believed to be Dickens' favourite of his ten children.
In a letter to be displayed alongside the newly-acquired cheque, Dickens expresses concern to Alfred that his youngest son wasn't "taking to Australia".
Dickens died just 19 days later and the boys received the news by telegraph before the letter arrived.
The cheque shows the "fascinating connection" Dickens had with Australia, Ms Helman said.
Dickens published many articles lauding the opportunities of Australia and voluntary emigration, and many of his novels feature references to the penal colony.
Great Expectations' Abel Magwitch and Mr Wilkins Micawber of David Copperfield fame were just two famous Dickens characters who left England for a new life in Australia.
Alfred Dickens lived in Australia for 45 years, as well as lecturing on his father's life and works in England and America.
Edward Dickens went on to become a member of parliament in NSW but died poor and ill in the northern agricultural town of Moree.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Dickens' cheque on display in Canberra
Dengan url
http://cucidollaran.blogspot.com/2012/12/dickens-cheque-on-display-in-canberra.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Dickens' cheque on display in Canberra
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Dickens' cheque on display in Canberra
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar