Sir Mulberry Hawk and his friend exchanged glances over the top of the bonnet
Fred Barnard
1875
12.3 x 10.3 cm (4 ¾ by 4 inches), vignetted, p. 172. For Chapter 26.
Dickens's Nicholas Nickleby, The Household Edition, p. 21.
[Click on image to enlarge it.]
Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham.
"Lord Frederick," said Sir Mulberry, "we are going Mrs. Nickleby’s way. We’ll see her safe to the omnibus?"
"By all means. Ye-es."
"Oh! I really couldn’t think of it!" said Mrs. Nickleby.
But Sir Mulberry Hawk and Lord Verisopht were peremptory in their politeness, and leaving Ralph, who seemed to think, not unwisely, that he looked less ridiculous as a mere spectator, than he would have done if he had taken any part in these proceedings, they quitted the house with Mrs. Nickleby between them; that good lady in a perfect ecstasy of satisfaction, no less with the attentions shown her by two titled gentlemen, than with the conviction that Kate might now pick and choose, at least between two large fortunes, and most unexceptionable husbands.
As she was carried away for the moment by an irresistible train of thought, all connected with her daughter’s future greatness, Sir Mulberry Hawk and his friend exchanged glances over the top of the bonnet which the poor lady so much regretted not having left at home, and proceeded to dilate with great rapture, but much respect on the manifold perfections of Miss Nickleby.
"What a delight, what a comfort, what a happiness, this amiable creature must be to you," said Sir Mulberry, throwing into his voice an indication of the warmest feeling.
"She is indeed, sir," replied Mrs. Nickleby; "she is the sweetest-tempered, kindest-hearted creature — and so clever!"
"She looks clayver," said Lord Verisopht, with the air of a judge of cleverness. [Chapter XXVI, "Is fraught with some Danger to Miss Nickleby’s Peace of Mind," 171]
Left: Phiz introduces Kate and readers to Ralph Nickleby's dissolute associates: Miss Nickleby Introduced to her Uncle's Friends (September 1838). Right: Phiz's encore for the libertines: Affectionate Behaviour of Messrs. Pyke and Pluck (December 1838).
Left: Sol Eytinge, Jr.'s portrait of Sir Mulberry and his followers: Hawk, Verisopht, Pyke, and Pluck (1867). Centre: C. S. Reinhart's 1875 American Household Editioncomposite woodblock engraving of Sir Mulberry Hawk's unwanted advances: "Unhand me, Sir, this instant!" cried Kate. Right: Harry Furniss's 1910 lithograph representing the same scene, Sir Mulberry Hawk insults Kate Nickleby, in the Charles Dickens Library Edition.
Barnard, J. "Fred" (il.). Charles Dickens's Nicholas Nickleby, with fifty-nine illustrations. The Works of Charles Dickens: The Household Edition. 22 vols. London: Chapman and Hall, 1875. XV. Rpt. 1890.
Bentley, Nicolas, Michael Slater, and Nina Burgis. The Dickens Index. Oxford and New York: Oxford U. P., 1988.
Davis, Paul. Charles Dickens A to Z: The Essential Reference to His Life and Work. New York: Facts On File, 1998.
Dickens, Charles. The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. With fifty-two illustrations by C. S. Reinhart. The Household Edition. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1872. I.
__________. Nicholas Nickleby. With 39 illustrations by Hablot K. Browne ("Phiz"). London: Chapman & Hall, 1839.
__________. Nicholas Nickleby. Illustrated by Harry Furniss. The Charles Dickens Library Edition. 18 vols. London: Educational Book, 1910. Vol. 4.
__________. "Nicholas Nickleby." Scenes and Characters from the Works of Charles Dickens, being eight hundred and sixty-six drawings by Fred Barnard et al.. Household Edition. London: Chapman and Hall, 1908.
Created 23 April 2021
