Dickens, Charles

on suspicions that Susan Mayne, a resident at Urania Cottage (the home for "fallen" women), may be “in the family way” (“…if she should be in this state, it will be necessary for her to be taken away as soon as the fact is ascertained…”), 2 pages, 8vo, Tavistock House [but see below], 8 February 1855, with autograph envelope signed, postmarked "Shepherds Bush", loose in a collector's folder, remains of mount on final verso, slight spotting, the envelope dust stained

The Letters of Charles Dickens, VII, p. 527; J.A. Sheetz-Nguyen, Victorian Women, Unwed Mothers and the London Foudling Hospital (2012), p.162

Condition is described inthe main body of the catalgoue, where appropriate.
"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."

A REVEALING EXAMPLE OF DICKENS'S WORK FOR THE REDEMPTION OF PROSTITUTES. John Hardwick (1790–1875), presiding magistrate at Great Marlborough Street Magistrate's Court in Soho, had first written to Dickens the previous month about Susan Mayne, a young woman recently committed into custody for disorderly conduct. Following a typically thorough investigation of her case by Dickens she had been admitted to the home on 29 January. Mayne did prove to be pregnant and was expelled from Urania Cottage, but Dickens continued to write letters on her behalf and her story is perhaps the best documented of all the "fallen women". Although Dickens has addressed the letter from his home, Tavistock House, the Shepherds Bush post mark reveals that it was almost certainly written from Urania Cottage itself.