A Letter Exchange

I came across the following letter exchange while doing research on W. M. Thackeray. Of course, the letters themselves are much more entertaining, but you'll get the general idea.

June 1847

1: John Forster to William Thackeray: Why did you snub me at the party last night?

2: Thackeray to Forster: I snubbed you because a mutual friend told me you said I am "as false as hell."

3: Forster to Thackeray: Charles Dickens told me that Sir Alexander Duff-Gordon told him who the mutual friend is, and I have "no recollection" of saying such a thing about you to Tom Taylor. And if I ever did say such a thing, it's taken out of context and is a breach of confidence between Taylor and myself. If I ever did say such a thing, it was probably related to the caricature sketch you drew of me which wasn't particularly flattering.

4: Dickens to Forster: I gave your letter [letter 3] to Gordon, and he and I agree that what you say is just right. Gordon hopes you and Taylor will still get on, and he thinks Thackeray is in the wrong in all this. I agree.

5: Forster to Taylor: You betrayed our confidence. How dare you!

6: Thackeray to Dickens: I don't want to get Taylor into trouble. I was just really offended by Forster's comment about me; it hurts my "honor & character." If he's offended by the caricature I made, then he's taking things too seriously. "Forster ought not to have used the words: Taylor ought not to have told them: and I ought not to have taken them up." I'm sorry about the whole affair, and I hope you'll reconcile Forster and Taylor.

7: Gordon to Dickens: "It would be absurd that Tom Taylor and Forster should no longer be friends because Thackeray, for once in his life, took things too seriously."

8: Taylor to Forster: I'm really sorry. Will you forgive me? Will you restore my good name and trust?

9: Forster to Dickens: Thanks for sending me Thackeray's letter [letter 6]. It seems Thackeray is sincere. I wrote to Taylor, and we are on good terms again.

10: Forster to Taylor: I forgive you.

July 1847

11: Thackeray to his mother: "There are no end of quarrels in this wicked Vanity Fair, and my feet are perpetually in hot water. Jerrold hates me, Ainsworth hates me, Dickens mistrusts me, Forster says I am false as hell, and Bulwer curses me--he is the only one who has any reason--yes the others have a good one too as times go."