to take our seats in the train for London, with the intention of paying a brief visit to South Kensington, where, in the Forster Collection of the Museum, are treasured the greater portion of the manuscripts which constitute the principal works of Charles Dickens. It will be remembered that the Will of the great novelist contained the following simple but important clause:--"I also give to the said John Forster (whom he previously referred to as 'my dear and trusty friend') such manuscripts of my published works as may be in my possession at the time of my decease;" and that Mr. Forster by his Will bequeathed these priceless treasures to his wife for her life, in trust to pass over to the Nation at her decease. Mrs. Forster, who survives her husband, generously relinquished her life interest, in order to give immediate effect to his wishes; and thus in 1876, soon after Mr. Forster's death, they came into the undisturbed possession of the Nation for ever. Besides the manuscripts there are numbers of holograph letters, original sketches (including "The Apotheosis of Grip the Raven") by D. Maclise, R.A., and other interesting memorials relating to Charles Dickens. _The Handbook to the Dyce and Forster Collections_ rightly says that:--"This is a gift which will ever have the highest value, and be regarded with the deepest interest by people of every English-speaking nation, as long as the English language exists. Not only our own countrymen, but travellers from every country and colony into which Englishmen have spread, may here examine the original manuscripts of books which have been more widely read than any other uninspired writings throughout the world. Thousands, it cannot be doubted, who have been indebted for many an hour of pleasurable enjoyment when in health, for many an hour of solace when in weariness and pain, to these novels, will be glad to look upon them as each sheet was sent last to the printer, full of innumerable corrections from the hand of Charles Dickens." The manuscripts are fifteen in number, bound up into large quarto volumes, and comprise:-- 1. _Oliver Twist_--two Volumes, with Preface to the _Pickwick Papers_, and matter relating to _Master Humphrey's Clock_. 2. _Sketches of Young Couples._ 3. _The Lamplighter_, a Farce. This MS. is not in the handwriting of Dickens. 4. _The Old Curiosity Shop_--two Volumes, with Letter to Mr. Forster of 17th January, 1841, and hints for some chapters. 5. _Barnaby Rudge_--two Volumes. 6. _American Notes._ 7. _Martin Chuzzlewit_--two Volumes, with various title-pages, notes as to the names, &c., and dedication to Miss Burdett Coutts. 8. _The Chimes._ 9. _Dombey and Son_--two Volumes, with title-pages, headings of chapters, and memoranda. 10. _David Copperfield_--two Volumes, with various title-pages, and memoranda as to names. 11. _Bleak House_--two Volumes, with suggestions for title-pages and other memoranda. 12. _Hard Times_--with memoranda.