This textbook is designed to present to its readers a few examples from the work of the English novelist Charles Dickens and to develop in them a profound interest in his varied writings. Preceding each selection is a note on the book from which the extract has been taken. With some abridgments, the author's diction has been carefully followed. In addition to literary merit and broad popularity, selections were chosen because they often teach lessons of honor, nobility, kindliness, good faith, gentleness, charity, and a certain broad sympathy with animate nature.