Sir Arthur Sullivan | Charles Dickens | The Best of Good Company (c1862)

[Arthur Lawrence, Sir Arthur Sullivan Life Story, Letters and Reminiscences, Herbert S. Stone & Company, 1899, reprinted Kessinger Publishing 2009, quotes from Sir Arthur’s correspondence c1862] “I went about a good deal with Dickens. He rushed about tremendously all the time, and I was often with him. His French as not particularly good. It was quite an Englishman’s French, but he managed to make himself understood, and interviewed everybody. Of course he was much my senior, but I have never met any one whom I liked better. There was one negative [sic] quality which I always appreciated. There was not the least suspicion of the poseur about him. His electric vitality was extreme, but it was inspiring and not overpowering. He always gave one the impression of being immensely interested in everything, listening with the most charming attention and keenness to all one might say, however youthful and inexperienced one’s opinion might be. He was a delightful companion, but never obtruded himself upon one. In fact he was the best of good company.”[53]