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〃Do you think I am dying； mamma？〃
〃I think you are very； very ill to…night； my dear！〃
〃Send for my sister。 My feet are so cold。 Lift me up？〃
Her sister entering as they raised her； she said： 〃It has come at last！〃
And with a bright and happy smile； looked upward； and departed。
Well had she written：
Why shouldst thou fear the beautiful angel； Death； Who waits thee at
the portals of the skies； Ready to kiss away thy struggling breath； Ready
with gentle hand to close thine eyes？
Oh what were life； if life were all？ Thine eyes Are blinded by their
tears； or thou wouldst see Thy treasures wait thee in the far…off skies； And
Death； thy friend； will give them all to thee。
CHAUNCEY HARE TOWNSHEND EXPLANATORY
INTRODUCTION TO 〃RELIGIOUS OPINIONS〃 BY THE LATE
REVEREND CHAUNCEY HARE TOWNSHEND
Mr。 Chauncey Hare Townshend died in London； on the 25th of
February 1868。 His will contained the following passage：…
〃I appoint my friend Charles Dickens； of Gad's Hill Place； in the
County of Kent； Esquire； my literary executor； and beg of him to publish
without alteration as much of my notes and reflections as may make
known my opinions on religious matters； they being such as I verily
believe would be conducive to the happiness of mankind。〃
In pursuance of the foregoing injunction； the Literary Executor so
appointed （not previously aware that the publication of any Religious
Opinions would be enjoined upon him）； applied himself to the
examination of the numerous papers left by his deceased friend。 Some of
these were in Lausanne； and some were in London。 Considerable delay
occurred before they could be got together； arising out of certain claims
preferred； and formalities insisted on by the authorities of the Canton de
… Page 59…
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS
Vaud。 When at length the whole of his late friend's papers passed into
the Literary Executor's hands； it was found that Religious Opinions were
scattered up and down through a variety of memoranda and note…books；
the gradual accumulation of years and years。 Many of the following
pages were carefully transcribed； numbered； connected； and prepared for
the press； but many more were dispersed fragments； originally written in
pencil； afterwards inked over； the intended sequence of which in the
writer's mind； it was extremely difficult to follow。 These again were
intermixed with journals of travel； fragments of poems； critical essays；
voluminous correspondence； and old school…exercises and college themes；
having no kind of connection with them。
To publish such materials 〃without alteration〃； was simply impossible。
But finding everywhere internal evidence that Mr。 Townshend's Religious
Opinions had been constantly meditated and reconsidered with great pains
and sincerity throughout his life； the Literary Executor carefully compiled
them （always in the writer's exact words）； and endeavoured in piecing
them together to avoid needless repetition。 He does not doubt that Mr。
Townshend held the clue to a precise plan； which could have greatly
simplified the presentation of these views； and he has devoted the first
section of this volume to Mr。 Townshend's own notes of his
comprehensive intentions。 Proofs of the devout spirit in which they were
conceived； and of the sense of responsibility with which he worked at
them； abound through the whole mass of papers。 Mr。 Townshend's varied
attainments； delicate tastes； and amiable and gentle nature； caused him to
be beloved through life by the variously distinguished men who were his
compeers at Cambridge long ago。 To his Literary Executor he was
always a warmly…attached and sympathetic friend。 To the public； he has
been a most generous benefactor； both in his munificent bequest of his
collection of precious stones in the South Kensington Museum； and in the
devotion of the bulk of his property to the education of poor children。
… Page 60…
MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS
ON MR。 FECHTER'S ACTING
The distinguished artist whose name is prefixed to these remarks
purposes to leave England for a professional tour in the United States。 A
few words from me； in reference to his merits as an actor； I hope may not
be uninteresting to some readers； in advance of his publicly proving them
before an American audience； and I know will not be unacceptable to my
intimate friend。 I state at once that Mr。 Fechter holds that relation
towards me； not only because it is the fact； but also because our friendship
originated in my public appreciation of him。 I had studied his acting
closely； and had admired it highly； both in Paris and in London； years
before we exchanged a word。 Consequently my appreciation is not the
result of personal regard； but personal regard has sprung out of my
appreciation。
The first quality observable in Mr。 Fechter's acting is； that it is in the
highest degree romantic。 However elaborated in minute details； there is
always a peculiar dash and vigour in it； like the fresh atmosphere of the
story whereof it is a part。 When he is on the stage； it seems to me as
though the story were transpiring before me for the first and last time。
Thus there is a fervour in his love…makinga suffusion of his whole being
with the rapture of his passionthat sheds a glory on its object； and raises
her； before the eyes of the audience； into the light in which he sees her。 It
was this remarkable power that took Paris by storm when he became
famous in the lover's part in the Dame aux Camelias。 It is a short part；
really comprised in two scenes； but； as he acted it （he was its original
representative）； it left its poetic and exalting influence on the heroine
throughout the play。 A woman who could be so lovedwho could be so
devotedly and romantically adoredhad a hold upon the general sympathy
with which nothing less absorbing and complete could h