And in this connection may be supplied a further speculation which is interesting. In _Boz's_ earlier works it is plain that he relies for his most striking effects of character on his own recollections and personal observations. They might be considered passages from his autobiography. I have thought that much in "Nickleby" of Nicholas's career and Nicholas's own character was drawn from himself. Nicholas suggests Boz in appearance, in his spirit and vehemence, and in some of his adventures. Some years ago a remarkable letter appeared in the papers, in which Dickens, then a mere youth, made an application to one of the managers, Mr. Webster I think, for a situation in his theatre. He wanted to go on the stage. Was not this like Nicholas? This desire was surely founded on intimate acquaintance with the boards and amateur experience. "I had entertained the impression," he goes on, "that the High Street was as wide as Regent Street--I found it little better than a lane. There was a public clock in it which I had supposed to be the finest clock in the world, whereas it now turned out to be _as inexpressive_, _moon-faced and weak_ a clock as ever I saw." The Town Hall was a "mean little brick heap, like a demented chapel." II.--The Bull Jingle, it will be recollected, on the party arriving at the Bull, gave that Inn the highest praise, recommending them to stay there--"_good house_--_nice beds_--" a testimonial that used to be displayed in gold letters at the door, but which, I have seen it stated, has been removed. I have also read the same testimonial in the guides and advertisements. Jingle warned them against another Inn hard by,--"Wright's--next house--_dear_--_very dear_--half-a-crown if you look at the waiter, making a charge for dinner, all the same, if you dined out"; a practice, however, not altogether unknown to modern Hotels. It was bold in Boz, thus to publicly disparage Hotels that he did not approve. "Wright's" could not have relished so public an allusion. What or where was Wright's--"next house?" There is now--in the same High Street--"The King's Head," described as "Family and Commercial, one of the oldest-established in the Kingdom, close to the Cathedral and Castle--home comforts." This being its position--the Castle on one side, the Cathedral on the other--situated exactly as the Bull was--and therefore "next house," accurately described its position. Being "one of the oldest-established," it must have been there at the time of the Pickwickian visit.