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National Geographic : 1974 Apr
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Ghosting past the steadfast trunks of Hyde Park's leafless trees, two equestrians chance on there-they included Oliver Twist, Nich olas Nickleby, and the start of Barnaby Rudge-consolidated his fame. And No. 48 was the birthplace of his daughters Mamie, in March 1838, and Kate, in October 1839. More than 30,000 visitors a year call at the house. "We have people on the doorstep. asking 'Is Mr. Dickens at home?' if they are respectful, or, 'Is Charlie in?' if they are not so respectful," Miss Marjorie Pillers, the curator, told me. "Americans are enthusiastic for 476 everything that belonged to Dickens. They live their history. So often people say that London means Dickens to them." I asked why, in her view, Dickens was still so popular. "It's his human touch," she said. "He knew so much about people. And al though he was a gigantic literary figure, he retained the fresh view of a child, expressing it, however, in marvelous words that a child would never use." Miss Pillers and her staff-none of whom National Geographic,April 1974
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