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Context of the Illustration: Master Humphrey's Housekeeper, Barber, and Tony Weller

It seems that the housekeeper and the two Mr. Wellers were no sooner left together on the occasion of their first becoming acquainted, than the housekeeper called to her assistance Mr. Slithers the barber, who had been lurking in the kitchen in expectation of her summons; and with many smiles and much sweetness introduced him as one who would assist her in the responsible office of entertaining her distinguished visitors.

‘Indeed,’ said she, ‘without Mr. Slithers I should have been placed in quite an awkward situation.’

‘There is no call for any hock’erdness, mum,’ said Mr. Weller with the utmost politeness; ‘no call wotsumever. A lady,’ added the old gentleman, looking about him with the air of one who establishes an incontrovertible position, — ‘a lady can’t be hock’erd. Natur’ has otherwise purwided.’

"I would, indeed, my dear sir," he said very seriously; "I would have shown my respect for the society, by laying aside my gaiters." ["Mr. Weller's Watch," 97]

Commentary: Slithers the Barber in the portico and Master Humphrey's Housekeeper

In the accompanying illustration by Phiz, the headpiece for the chapter, "Mr. Weller's Watch," Dickens introduces readers to the "below stairs" story-telling circle in A Rival Club, with Tony Weller to the left and his son Sam, Mr. Pickwick's valet, to the right, and a pair of Master Humphrey's servants in the background. The vignette, however, is a conundrum since the Housekeeper and Tony Weller are the figures to the left, but the figure in the darkened portico is not Sam Weller. Logically, he must be Mr. Slithers, the local barber, who is apparently courting the Housekeeper.

Other Illustrated Editions of Master Humphrey's Clock

• Harry Furniss's Six Charles Dickens Library Edition Illustrations for Master Humphrey's Clock (1910)
• W. H. C. Groome's Illustrations for Master Humphrey's Clock (1907)
• Fred Barnard's Four Household Edition Illustrations for Master Humphrey's Clock (Vol. XX, 1872)

Bibliography

Cohen, Jane Rabb. "George Cattermole." Charles Dickens and His Original Illustrators. Columbus, Ohio: Ohio U. P., 1980. Pp. 125-134.

Davis, Paul. "Master Humphrey's Clock." Charles Dickens A to Z: The Essential Reference to his Life and Work. New York: Facts On File, 1998. P. 238.

Dickens, Charles. Master Humphrey's Clock. Illustrated by George Cattermole and Hablot Knight Browne ('Phiz'). London: Chapman and Hall, 4 April 1840 — 4 December 1841.

_______. Master Humphrey's Clock. The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Reprinted Pieces, and Other Stories. With thirty illustrations by L. Fildes, E. G. Dalziel, and F. Barnard. The Household Edition. London: Chapman and Hall, 1872. Vol. XX. Pp. 253-306.

_______. Master Humphrey's Clock and Pictures from Italy. With eight illustrations by W. H. C. Groome. Collins Pocket Editions. London and Glasgow: Collins Clear-type Press, 1907. Vol. XLIX. Pp. 1-168.

_______. Barnaby Rudge and Master Humphrey's Clock. Illustrated by Harry Furniss. Charles Dickens Library Edition. Volume VI. London: Educational Book, 1910.

Hammerton, J. A. The Dickens Picture Book: A Record of the Dickens Illustrators. Ch. XIV. "Master Humphrey's Clock." The Charles Dickens Library. London: Educational Book Co., 1910. Pp. 259-265.

Patten, Robert L. "Cattermole, George." In Schlicke, Paul, ed. The Oxford Reader's Companion to Dickens. Oxford: Oxford U. P., 1999. Pp. 68-69.

Vann, J. Don. "The Old Curiosity Shop in Master Humphrey's Clock, 25 April 1840 — 6 February 1841." Victorian Novels in Serial. New York: Modern Language Association, 1985. Pp. 64-65.

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Created 1 September 2022