The Chatback Trust announces a project for all schools anywhere in the world. We particularly welcome schools or units for children with special needs.
We are very pleased that this popular and talented author has
agreed to moderate
our literary project. He will answer questions about his life
and work in the London of Queen Victoria's time, first as a young
reporter and then as the famous writer of many well-known books
with their memorable characters (who were often based on real
people that he knew).
c/o The Chatback Trust 6 St. Mary's Crescent Royal Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV31 1JL Internet: cdickens@rmplc.co.uk
My dear young friends,
In entrusting this task to me, Mr Holloway and his associates honour me. It is a task which can be performed ill. In my day it was too often. But there is no task more noble than the forming of young minds, no calling more worthy than the calling of those who undertake it. Add to the glory of the calling access to mysteries scarcely to be fathomed, and you have privilege indeed. Not even the electric telegraph can speak across continents and oceans as can the device now put into your hands and mine. Our words reach each other with the speed of light itself. As Joe Gargery might say, "What larks!" My own schooling was haphazard and intermittent, thanks to difficulties endured by my father, even now painful to speak of. But this brand-new, galloping, highly varnished means of instruction can scarcely be diverted or overturned in the same way, and will delight the fancies of young people beyond conception, I stake my life upon it. To say no more, the whining school-boy need no longer creep like a snail unwillingly to school, or at any rate to a particular class. Nor indeed need his sister student. The computing machine is there to instruct whenever there are fingers to operate it. Questions, I grant you, might be asked about my role in this venture. I allude to the fact that I was born in Portsea, England, in the year 1812, and must thus be supposed to have achieved a state of venerability rare and wonderful. Dwell, I beg you, on the rarity and wonder. Postpone questions. Suspend disbelief. There will be time enough and place enough for disbelief in the future. For now, let fancy be your friend. And think of me. Do not condemn me to the dismal role of dead author. Ever faithfully yours, Charles Dickens
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For further information you may also write
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To consult the works of Mr Dickens
online go
to the Wonderland Archives.
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