Dickensians! discussion

The Begging-Letter Writer by Charles Dickens is a short article, only about 26 pages, to be found in his Reprinted Pieces. It's one of our ongoing side reads to Bleak House.

You can read it free on Gutenberg https://www.gutenberg.org/files/872/8...

It will become obvious why this is relevant, when we read the chapter for 8th March.

Please tell us your thoughts here!

Dickens is disgusted with idle, lazy people who lie about their circumstances when they write letters to him begging for money. He's received letters telling about all sorts of invented misfortunes. Some even give their friends' names as character references--but those friends are not giving the begging-letter writer the funds he needs. When Dickens does give a begging-letter writer money, he finds that he gets a deluge of letters from other people in the next few weeks. Dickens felt that the truly poor never write these letters. The money given to the writers of begging letters would be better used for the deserving poor.

In "Bleak House," Dickens created needy characters such as orphans and Jo, the street sweeper, who could not survive without help. He also has characters like Mrs Jellyby who may be well-meaning, but can't see that you have to take care of your family first. Mr Skimpole is just an irresponsible leech, no better than the begging-letter writers. Mr John Jarndyse receives letters asking him for money just as Dickens did. Mr Jarndyse has a kind heart, and hopefully he can help the truly needy without too many people taking advantage of his generosity.

This was a most interesting read, Jean. Poor Mr. Dickens was stalked and harassed, and obviously taken advantage of in the beginning, before he learned the ways of the begging-letter writers. I couldn't help thinking little has changed. The methods are different, but there is a scam artist on every corner still. What makes me crazy is exactly what bothered Dickens...it takes away money and help from those who really do need it.

What I found fine about this is that Dickens did not stop trying to help people, he just became more careful about how he did it. The more you know about him, the more you admire him...despite all his very human faults.

Thanks for these great commentaries Connie and Sara. This factual piece seems to fit so well with the chapters we are reading about how Mr. Jarndyce of Bleak House is besieged by begging letter writers (e.g. chapter 15).

And yes, I agree, these leeches and con artists are still with us today, whereas those in dire need would not write such letters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this article. I was thinking of begging letters coming from misguided, hypocritical philanthropic organizations - like Mrs Jellyby and Mrs Pardiggle in Bleak House. I hadn't thought of begging letters coming from individuals asking for money for themselves.

I saw something years ago, an interview with J.K. Rowling, or maybe I read an interview with her, anyway she talked about how many solicitations for money she receives and said she actually has given money to some of these people. So I guess begging letter writers are still doing this today, and some are succeeding.

I did have a good laugh when Dickens described begging letters asking him for a big Gloucester cheese and a donkey. I'm wondering if people preyed on Dickens in particular because he had a reputation for defending the poor and championing social justice in his writings. I'm sure any public figure would be bound to receive these letters, I just wonder if Dickens was especially considered a good target.

It often hits me, when reading Charles Dickens, how relevant the topics still are! I suppose it's because human nature does not change, and he knew human nature very well.

Thanks Cozy_Pug :)

This was wonderful and inspirational. Thanks for sharing, Jean!

It strikes me how many of the tactics he describes are used today--in similar appeals but also in all advertising. Especially in scams that many still fall for, as the thieves get more and more adept at their game.

I love this line: "The poor never write these letters."

And isn't this true of many things that if we could just not give them credence they might go away?
"We must resolve, at any sacrifice of feeling, to be deaf to such appeals, and crush the trade."

Yes! I'd never come across this essay before, but it seemed so apt, given that we're reading Bleak House.

Thanks Kathleen :)

I didn’t know about this article before, but found it interesting. It’s sad that nothing much has changed since that time except for the methods used. Dickens received hand-written letters, we receive scams by phone, text & email.

“What would not content a Begging Letter Writer for a week, would educate a score of children for a year.”

I love this part of Dickens’ summary on the faults and evils of those who write Begging Letters. And this is certainly so pertinent to much we have read so far in Bleak House. Dickens is well aware of many forms of begging by those who aren’t poor, by those who beg to earn their living.what a letter!

And we certainly have them today, not only by letter, but by phone, email, television or a knock on the door. I recall during the height of the televangelists in the 1980s and 1990s, when I was an OT in home health, some of my patients were bombarded with requests for money. If they gave once, another request would come immediately. Thankfully those that were frauds were eventually found out but not before taking a lot of money from a lot of people who could least afford it.

Thanks for scheduling this, Jean. It does show, sadly, that some aspects of human nature haven’t changed but that we can fight back as Dickens attempted to do.

I found another reference to begging letter writers in Little Dorrit. It's when Mr. Meagles puts an advertisement in the papers appealing to (view spoiler)[Tattycoram to contact his family (hide spoiler)] -

The swarm of begging-letter writers, who would seem to be always watching eagerly for any hook, however small, to hang a letter upon, wrote to say that having seen the advertisement, they were induced to apply with confidence for various sums, ranging from ten shillings to fifty pounds: not because they knew anything about the young person, but because they felt that to part with those donations would greatly relieve the advertiser’s mind.

Thanks, Cozy.

Oh yes! Great - thanks :)

Has anyone else read this yet? What do you think?

This is a short read which will only take a few minutes. It's linked at the top, and is an ideal accompaniment to all the posturing hypocrites in Bleak House.

Do have a read of Charles Dickens at his most indignant, and see what you think :)

I want to send this essay to the next scammer who contacts me!

Absolutely Jenny! Especially where he calls them "the scum of the earth"!

Really enjoyed reading this, these scammers sound extremely persistent. Even when he’s angry Dickens can still bring out the humour in the situations.

I know, Janelle! And oddly, it's so easy to relate this to the present day :/

Bionic Jean wrote: "And oddly, it's so easy to relate this to the present day :/"

They trade upon every circumstance within their knowledge that affects us, public or private, joyful or sorrowful; they pervert the lessons of our lives; they change what ought to be our strength and virtue into weakness, and encouragement of vice.

Many modern-day scam artists have become much more sophisticated, playing the long game for a more profitable reward. Being great manipulators, they can prey on the vulnerable and lonely for years—not content until they have milked every last drop. As well as the kind-hearted gullible, there are the lonely gullible. I've just finished reading this essay in Reprinted Pieces and I enjoyed all the comments.

Yes, it's sad that this is such a continuing problem. What surprised me about this essay was the amount of effort and ingenuity some of these begging letter writers put into their scams! They could have put such creativity to far better use 🤨

It's so good to see you commenting in threads here, Jane! Do introduce yourself LINK HERE if you like, and be sure to look at our upcoming reads LINK HERE as well 😊