Dickens Returns on Christmas Day. 175

DICKENS RETURNS ON CHRISTMAS

DAY.

(A ragged girl in Drury Lane was heard to exclaim, "Dickens dead? Then will Father Christmas die, too?" June 9, 1870.)

“Dickens is dead!" Beneath that grievous cry London seemed shivering in the summer heat; Strangers took up the tale like friends that

meet:

"Dickens is dead!" said they, and hurried by ; Street children stopped their games-they knew not why,

But some new night seemed darkening down the street;

A girl in rags, staying her way-worn feet, Cried, "Dickens dead? Will Father Christmas die ?"

City he loved, take courage on thy way!
He loves thee still in all thy joys and fears:
Though he whose smiles made bright thine eyes

of gray

Whose brave sweet voice, uttering thy tongue

less years,

Made laughters bubble through thy sea of tearsIs gone, Dickens returns on Christmas Day!

Theodore Watts.