Dickens, Charles

writing of his profound respect for the American Unitarian preacher William Ellery Channing, "whose death, in common with many thousands, we both sincerely deplore", but regretfully rejecting Armstrong's request to write a tribute on the grounds that he is fully occupied with his new novel Martin Chuzzlewit ("...at this time my mind is necessarily employed upon another subject, which has taken full possession of it, and must hold it too, with God's leave, for a long time to come..."), further explaining that given Channing's importance to America he would feel "almost presumptuous to write of such a man", the second letter repeating his position and asking Armstrong not to publish his letters, 6 pages, 8vo, 1 Devonshire Terrace, London, 5 to 12 November 1842, loose in two collector's folders, some spotting and dust staining

"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"...Those United States have as good reason to deplore the event, as his own loving family had, for it will be very, very, long before another such man rises up among them, to benefit the world..."

A REMARKABLE PERSONAL TESTAMENT TO ONE OF THE GREAT AMERICAN RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. Dickens had been deeply impressed by William Ellery Channing (1780-1842) when the men met during Dickens's American tour earlier in 1842, and wrote admiringly of him in American Notes. Channing was an influential thinker on social affairs - including putting his considerable moral weight behind Abolitionism - and a profound influence on the New England Transcendentalists.