It is not generally known that Mr. Frith once had the privilege of illustrating a Dickens novel, _àpropos_ of which the artist writes: "I told Dickens one day when he was sitting for his likeness that I should like to be allowed to illustrate one of his books. He seemed pleased, and proposed 'Little Dorrit.' I forget to whom I sold the pictures, and where they are now I know not." The two paintings were beautifully engraved on steel by Lumb Stocks, R.A., as vignettes for the Library Edition, 1858-59.
The sketch by an American artist, Mr. James Hamilton, of "What are the Wild Waves Saying?" has a little history attached to it. While Dickens was in Philadelphia, during his last visit to America, he expressed a wish to purchase a painting of this subject,--one of the artist's most successful productions,--but, much to the novelist's regret, it had already been sold. The original sketch was still available, however, and with this Dickens was so greatly pleased that he immediately offered to buy it; whereupon the artist insisted on presenting it to the famous author of "Dombey and Son." Soon afterwards, Mr. Hamilton was agreeably surprised to receive a set of Dickens's novels, containing a pleasant inscription in the novelist's autograph.
The titles of Mr. Charles Green's admirable series of Dickens pictures were supplied to me by the artist himself, who favoured me with a complete list shortly before his death. In reference to these remarkable drawings I have received the following communication from Mr. William Lockwood, of Apsley Hall, Nottingham, for whom they were painted on commission: "The first work of Mr. Green's that really attracted my attention was his famous water-colour Race drawing, entitled, I believe, 'Here they come!' I saw that at a friend's house, and was so struck with admiration of Mr. Green's delicate sense of humour, subtle rendering of character, and fine drawing, that I at once told my friend of my great appreciation of Charles Dickens, and saw that, in my opinion, Mr. Charles Green would make the very best illustrator of his day of that great man's work. I then sought an introduction to Mr. Green, which resulted not only in my beautiful series of drawings, but in a warm friendship with the artist. In the execution of these pictures Mr. Green found most congenial work, and I think fully justified my judgment of his special power. When the series was exhibited at our local museum, it attracted universal admiration and the delighted appreciation of all classes." Mr. Lockwood has generously lent these pictures to many London galleries, including the English Humorists' Exhibition, held at the Royal Institute of Painters in Water-Colours in 1889.
