Nicholas Hints at the Probability of His Leaving the Company
Phiz (Hablot K. Browne)
Dickens's Nicholas Nickleby
1838
Steel engraving
Source: J. A. Hammerton, The Dickens Picture-Book, p. 159.
Image scan and text by Philip V. Allingham.
"I have some reason to fear," interrupted Nicholas, "that before you leave here my career with you will have closed.
"Closed!" cried Mrs. Crummles, raising her hands in astonishment.
Closed!" cried Miss Snevellicci, trembling so much in her tights that she actually laid her hand upon the shoulder of the manageress for support.
"Why, he don't mean to say he's going!" exclaimed Mrs. Grudden, making her way towards Mrs. Crummles, "Hoity toity! Nonsense."
The phenomenon, being of an affectionate nature and moreover excitable, raised a loud cry, and Miss Belvawney and Miss Bravassa actually shed tears. Even the male performers stopped in their conversation, and echoed the word "Going!" although some among them (and they had been the loudest in their congratulations that day) winked at each other as though they would not be sorry to lose such a favoured rival. . . . [Ch. 29, "Of the Proceedings of Nicholas, and certain Internal Divisions in the Company of Mr. Vincent Crummles," Part 9, December 1838]
Nicholas and Smike, centre, stand out from the rest of the company by virtue of the fact that they are in street clothes rather than costume. Appropriately, Mrs. Crummles (right foreground) is dressed as a Renaissance queen, and her husband (centre, left) as a Renaissance monarch. As in the letterpress, the young women seem far more concerned than the young men of the company about the prospect of Nicholas's leaving.
References
Hammerton, J. A. The Dickens Picture-Book. London: Educational Book, 1910.
Last modified 25 April 2009