The Charles Dickens Page

Charles Dickens'
Sketches by Boz

Charles Dickens' early magazine articles published in book form

Sketches by Boz - 1836
Shop for the Book | Illustrations

Contents

Our Parish | Scenes | Characters | Tales

Facsimile of wrapper of first complete editionA collection of Charles Dickens' early stories that had been published in Monthly Magazine, The Morning Chronicle, and other periodicals (Letters, 1965, v. 1, p. 692-694). The collection was first published by John Macrone in February 1836 and was later expanded and issued in monthly parts (Nov 1837-June 1839) by Dickens' next publishers, Chapman and Hall. Illustrations for all of the iterations were provided by established artist George Cruikshank (Schlicke, 1999, p. 532-533). The sketches provide delightful glimpses into life in early Victorian London.

Dickens later wrote of Sketches: "They comprise my first attempts at authorship...I am conscious of their often being extremely crude and ill-considered, and bearing obvious marks of haste and inexperience" (Sketches by Boz, p. xii).

Dickens' pseudonym Boz came from his younger brother Augustus's through-the-nose pronunciation of his own nickname, Moses (Slater, 2009, p. 28).

Charles Dickens' first published work, A Dinner at Poplar Walk, appeared in Monthly Magazine in December 1833 (Johnson, 1952, p. 91-92). It was later renamed Mr Minns and His Cousin and was included in Sketches by Boz.

Anonymity at the Pawnbrokers Shop

The Pawnbroker's Shop-Cruikshank

The front door, which we have before noticed, opens into the common shop, which is the resort of all those customers whose habitual acquaintance with such scenes renders them indifferent to the observation of their companions in poverty.

The side door opens into a small passage from which some half-dozen doors (which may be secured on the inside by bolts) open into a corresponding number of little dens, or closets, which face the counter. Here the more timid or respectable portion of the crowd shroud themselves from the notice of the remainder, and patiently wait until the gentleman behind the counter, with the curly black hair, diamond ring, and double silver watch-guard, shall feel disposed to favour them with his notice – a consummation which depends considerably on the temper of the aforesaid gentleman for the time being (Sketches by Boz, p. 190).

From The Pawnbroker's Shop - Sketches by Boz


Our Parish


The Beadle - The Parish Engine - The Schoolmaster
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - February 28, 1835

Dickens just loves to poke fun at local government

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Brown, Mrs
Browns, Three Miss
Simmons
Tompkins, Mr


The Curate - The Old Lady - The Half-pay Captain
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - May 19, 1835

The popularity of the young curate with the ladies is eclipsed by a new church official. The old lady and her neighbor the captain seem to be at odds.

Characters:
Gubbins, Mr
Purday, Captain
Sarah


The Four Sisters
First Published in the Evening Chronicle - June 18, 1835

The four Willis sisters are inseparable...but which one just got married?

Characters:
Dawson, Mr
Robinson, Mr
Willis Sisters


The Election for Beadle
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - July 14, 1835

An unusual qualification in the Bung vs Spruggins election.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Bung, Mr
Hopkins
Simmons
Spruggins, Thomas
Spruggins, Mrs
Timkins


The Broker's Man
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - July 28, 1835

The new beadle and his former employer.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Bung, Mr
Fixem, Mr
John


The Ladies' Societies
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - July 28, 1835

The ladies are at it again...all in the name of charity.

Characters:
Browns, Three Miss
Bung, Mr
Brown, Henry
Parker, Mrs Johnson


Our Next-door Neighbour
Originally published in the Morning Chronicle - March 18, 1836

The inhabitants of the house next door are chronicled.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
William


Scenes

Back to Contents


The Streets – Morning
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - July 21, 1835

London wakes up and gets busy.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Clark, Betsy
Todd, Mr


The Streets – Night
Originally published in Bell's Life in London - January 17, 1836

Beer, muffins, a little music, and off to bed.

Characters:
Macklin, Mrs
Peplow, Mrs
Smuggins, Mr
Thompson, Bill
Walker, Mrs


Shops and Their Tenants
Originally published in the Morning Chronicle - October 10, 1834

Tenants in a commercial building, from a draper to a dairy.


Scotland-yard
Originally published in the Morning Chronicle - October 4, 1836

Explores this area by the Thames in its transformation into the offices of the police commissioners.

Cruikshank illustration


Seven Dials
Originally published in Bell's Life of London - September 27, 1835

Explores this slum area and its rowdy residents.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Mary
Sulliwin, Sarah


Meditations in Monmouth-street
Originally published in the Morning Chronicle - September 24, 1836

Oh, if clothes could talk!

Cruikshank illustration


Hackney-coach Stands
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - January 31, 1835

Hackney coaches, from past glory to their present state of degradation.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Tom


Doctors' Commons
Originally published in the Morning Chronicle - October 11, 1836

Marriages, divorces, wills...recorded here for posterity.

Characters:
Bumple, Michael
Sludberry, Thomas


London Recreations
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - March 17, 1835

The joys of gardening!

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Bill, Uncle
Sally


The River
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - June 6, 1835

Water sports and excursions on the Thames.

Characters:
Brown
O'Brien


Astley's
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - May 9, 1835

Joining the circus.

Characters:
George
William


Greenwich Fair
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - April 16, 1835

Food, fun, and curiosities abound!

Cruikshank illustration


Private Theatres
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - August 11, 1835

Step into the limelight, no talent required.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Beverly, Mr (aka Loggins)
Nathan, Mr
Palmer, Mr
Scarton, Charley
St Julien, Horatio (aka Jem Larkins)


Vauxhall Gardens by Day
Originally published in the Morning Chronicle - October 26, 1836

Disappointment in the stark light of day...but then, up, up, and away!

Cruikshank illustration


Early Coaches
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - February 19, 1835

How many months of incessant traveling by coach would it take to kill a man?

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Bob
Harry


Omnibuses
Originally published in the Morning Chronicle - September 26, 1824

People watching on the bus.


The Last Cab-driver, and the First Omnibus Cad
Originally published in Bell's Life in London - November 29, 1835

Drive like hell and you'll get there.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Barker, William (aka Bill Boorker, Aggerawatin Bill)


A Parliamentary Sketch
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - March 7, 1835

The Houses of Parliament, and their coffee house.

Characters:
Jane
Nicholas
Smith, Mr
Thompson, Sir John


Public Dinners
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - April 7, 1835

Charity dinner for the benefit of the Indigent Orphans' Friends Benevolent Institution.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Fitz Binkle, Lord and Lady


The First of May
Originally published in the Library of Fiction - 1836

Disappearing celebrations of the beginning of spring.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Sluffen, Mr


Brokers' and Marine-store Shops
Originally published in the Morning Chronicle - October 10, 1834

Second hand furniture and cast off sailor's gear on offer.


Gin-shops
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - February 19, 1835

Forget all your troubles and your cares.

Cruikshank illustration


The Pawnbroker's Shop
Originally published in the Evening Standard - June 30, 1835

Selling off the family's wares, a subject Dickens knew well.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Henry, Mr
Jinkins
Mackin, Mrs
Tatham, Mrs


Criminal Courts
Originally published in the Morning Chronicle - October 23, 1834

Law and order.


A Visit to Newgate
Originally published in Sketches by Boz - 1836

How dreadful its rough heavy walls, and low massive doors...the latter looking as if they were made for the express purpose of letting people in, and never letting them out again.


Characters

Back to Contents


Thoughts about People
Originally published in the Evening Chronicle - April 23, 1835

It takes every kind of people.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Smith, Mr


A Christmas Dinner
Originally published in Bell's Life in London - December 27, 1835

Reflect upon your present blessings – of which every man has many – not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

Characters:
George, Uncle and Aunt
Jane, Aunt
Margaret, Aunt
Robert, Uncle


The New Year
Originally published in Bell's Life in London - January 3, 1836

Toasts, speeches, and good will prevail at the Dobble's New Year's Eve party.

Characters:
Dobble Family
Tupple, Mr


Miss Evans and the Eagle
Originally published in Bell's Life in London - October 4, 1835

Overdoing it at the popular Eagle Tavern.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Evans, Jemima
Evans, Tilly
Wilkins, Samuel


The Parlour Orator
Originally published in Bell's Life in London - December, 1835

What is an Englishman? Is he to be trampled upon by every oppressor?

Characters:
Ellis, Mr
Rogers, Mr
Snobee, Mr
Tommy
Wilson, Mr


The Hospital Patient
Originally published in The Carlton Chronicle - August 6, 1836

Beaten wife refuses to give up brutal husband.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Jack


The Misplaced Attachment of Mr John Dounce
Originally published in Bell's Life in London - October 4, 1835

Poor John goes for a young gal and ends up henpecked by his cook.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Dounce, John


The Mistaken Milliner (A Tale of Ambition)
Originally published in Bell's Life in London - November 22, 1835

No talent? No problem!

Characters:
Martin, Amelia
Montague, Julia
Rodolph, Jennings Mr and Mrs
Taplan, Mr H


The Dancing Academy
Originally published in Bell's Life in London - October 11, 1835

Dancing lessons are more expensive than it first appeared.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Billsmethi, Signor
Cooper, Augustus
White, Young


Shabby-genteel People
Originally published in the Morning Chronicle - November 5, 1834

Keeping up appearances.


Making a Night of It
Originally published in Bell's Life in London - October 18, 1835

Too much of a good thing.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Potter, Thomas
Smithers, Robert


The Prisoners' Van
Originally published in Bell's Life in London - December 13, 1835

Two sisters. One brazen, the other ashamed.

Characters:
Bella
Emily


Tales

Back to Contents


The Boarding-house
Originally published in Monthly Magazine - May, August, 1834

Matrimonial intrigue in Mrs Tiggs' boarding house.

Cruikshank illustration

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Agnes
Bloss, Mrs
Carlton, Mr
Evenson, John
Gobler, Mr
Hicks, Septimus
James
Maplesone Family
O'Bleary
Robinson
Simpson, Mr
Tibbs, Mr and Mrs
Tompkins, Alfred
Wisbottle, Mr
Wosky, Dr


Mr Minns and His Cousin
Originally published in Monthly Magazine - December, 1833

Dickens' first published work.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Brogson
Budden Family
Jones
Minns, Augustus


Sentiment
Originally published in Bell's Weekly Magazine - June 7, 1834

Young love will find a way.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Brook Dingwall, Cornelius
Brook Dingwall, Frederick
Brook Dingwall, Lavinia
Brook Dingwall, Mrs
Butler, Theodosius
Crumpton, Amelia and Maria
Dadson, Mr and Mrs
Hilton, Mr
James
Lobskini, Signor
Muggs, Sir Alfred
Parsons, Laetitia
Smithers, Emily
Wilson, Caroline


The Tuggs's at Ramsgate
Originally published in the Library of Fiction - March 31, 1836

Romance and con artists at the seaside.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Amelia
Cower, Mr
Golding, Mary
Jane
Slaughter, Lieutenant
Thompson, Harry
Tippin Family
Tuggs, Charlotte
Tuggs, Joseph
Tuggs, Mrs
Tuggs, Simon
Waters, Belinda
Waters, Captain Walter


Horatio Sparkins
Originally published in the Monthly Magazine - February, 1834

Lowly draper transformed into a gentleman...and back again.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Flamwell, Mr
John
Malderton, Frederick
Malderton, Marianne
Malderton, Mr
Malderton, Mrs
Malderton, Teresa
Malderton, Thomas
Sparkins, Horatio


The Black Veil
Originally published in Sketches by Boz - 1836

A hanged son, a grieving mother, and a young doctor.

Characters:
Rose


The Steam Excursion
Originally published in Monthly Magazine - October 1834

Pleasure cruise gone awry.

Cruikshank illustration

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Briggs Family
Edkins, Mr
Fleetwood Family
Hardy, Mr
Helves, Captain
Noakes, Percy
Stubbs, Mrs
Taunton Family
Wakefield Family


The Great Winglebury Duel
Originally published in Sketches by Boz - 1836

Threats of violence end in happiness, except for poor Lord Peter.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Brown, Emily
Flair, Augustus
Hunter, Horace
Manners, Julia
Overton, Joseph
Peter, Lord
Thomas
Trott, Alexander
Williamson, Mrs


Mrs Joseph Porter
Originally published in Monthly Magazine - January 1834

The Gattletons are putting on a private theatrical, but there's a fly in the ointment.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Balderstone, Thomas
Brown, Mr
Cape, Mr
Dixon Family
Evans, Mr
Gattleton, Mr
Gattleton, Mrs
Gattleton, Sempronius
Gattleton Sisters
Glumper, Thomas
Gubbins Family
Harleigh, Mr
Hickson Family
Jenkins, Miss
Nixon Family
Porter, Emma
Porter, Mrs Joseph
Smith Family
Thomas
Tom
Wilson, Mr


A Passage in the Life of Mr. Watkins Tottle
Originally published in Monthly Magazine - January, February, 1835

Quest to find a bride goes very badly.

Cruikshank illustration

Cruikshank illustration

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Harry
Ikey
Jacobs, Solomon
Jem
John
Kate
Lillerton, Miss
Martha
Parsons, Fanny
Parsons, Gabriel
Ross, Frank
Timson, Rev Charles
Tom
Tottle, Watkins
Walker, Mr
Willis, Mr


The Bloomsbury Christening
Originally published in Monthly Magazine - April 1834

With a name like Nicodemus Dumps they should have known better.

Cruikshank illustration

Characters:
Danton, Mr
Dumps, Nicodemus
Jane
Kitterbell, Frederick Charles William
Kitterbell, Jemima
Kitterbell, Charles
Maxwell, Mrs
Wilson, Mr and Mrs


The Drunkard's Death
Originally published in Sketches by Boz - 1836

Drink, destruction, and death, a cautionary tale.

Characters:
Warden
Warden, Henry
Warden, John
Warden, Mary
Warden, William


Sketches by Boz Links:
Wikipedia

Back to Top Up Arrow



Affiliate Links Disclosure
The Charles Dickens Page is a member of affiliate programs at Amazon and Zazzle. This means that there are links that take users to sites where products that we recommend are offered for sale. If purchases are made on these sites The Charles Dickens Page receives a small commission.