Striking characters of a like description are to be found in all Dickens' novels. _David Copperfield_ is probably the richest of all, in this respect, although one can easily imagine a dispute amongst the warm admirers of Dickens as to which novel is pre-eminent in the possession of immortal characters. Those who love _David Copperfield_ best can scarcely discuss the book with detachment; it belongs, as it were, to such a reader's own special family life. The novel holds a wonderful company of people: David himself, Peggotty, her brother and nephew, Little Em'ly, {7} Mrs. Gummidge, Miss Betsey Trotwood, Steerforth, Traddles, the magnificent Wilkins Micawber and Mrs. Micawber, Uriah Heep, Miss Mowcher, Mr. Spenlow, Dora, and many, many others. _David Copperfield_ was Dickens' own favourite among his books. In _Nicholas Nickleby_ is the infamous school, Dotheboys Hall, and Wackford Squeers, the schoolmaster. Dickens' crusades for reform will be considered in another chapter. But Mrs. Nickleby is one of the most memorable of Dickens' foolish characters. Surely no other writer has achieved so many delineations of the silly person, masterpieces touched with an unerring hand. Yet, and this point is perhaps the crown of Dickens' genius, these foolish characters of his often reveal, before the novels to which they belong are ended, some nobility of character, some goodness of heart, some greatness in conduct or of nature which makes us bow before them as belonging to the highest ranks of human nature. Toots in _Dombey and Son_ is a very foolish person, but Toots saying goodbye to Florence Dombey shows a chivalry comparable with that of Sir Philip Sidney. Dick Swiveller and the Marchioness belong to _The Old Curiosity Shop_. Barnaby Rudge and his raven Grip are easily found. Mr. Pecksniff, Sairey Gamp and Betsey Prig, terrible examples of hypocrisy and heartlessness, are from _Martin Chuzslewit_. But the same book has loveable Tom Pinch and indomitable Mark Tapley, the champion of courage and good cheer in adversity. Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit live forever in _A Christmas {8} Carol_. Paul and Florence, Captain Cuttle, Susan Nipper, Mr. Toots, Cousin Feenix, belong to the crowded pages of _Dombey and Son_. _Bleak House_ is a wonderful story; if one chooses Caddy Jellyby from its pages it is not because a dozen other characters are not as interesting. In _Great Expectations_ the boyhood of Pip is marvellously portrayed. Anyone who has read _Our Mutual Friend_ can never forget Mr. and Mrs. Boffin, or Lizzie Hexam, or the R. Wilfer family, or Silas Wegg, or Mr. Venus, or the dolls' dressmaker, Jenny Wren, or Johnny the orphan, and Mrs. Betty Higden and Sloppy.