Dickens (Charles, novelist, 1812-70) Autograph Letter signed to Frederic Ouvry, 1p. with conjugate blank, 8vo, Gads Hill Place, Rochester, Kent, 28th April 1869, giving instructions on the drafting of his will, "The Draft...is not quite what I mean, as I will explain tomorrow. I wish the two boys to be only trustees as to their mother and eldest sister. It appears to me that as the draft stands, they usurp the functions of the ex[ecut]or and executrix. Also I desire Miss Hogarth's money, not to be left in trust, but to be left to her absolutely", folds.

⁂ Fredric Ouvry (1814-81) had been Dickens' solicitor from the time of his separation from his wife in 1858. He was a significant bibliophile: his library sale in April 1882 included all four Shakespeare folios. Dickens ultimately left £8,000 in a trust to be administered by his sons Charles and Henry for their mother, Catherine, and after her death, for his children, and he gave £1,000 and an annuity of £300 to his daughter Mary. Georgina Hogarth was left £8,000 absolutely. The most remarkable aspect of his will was its opening clause, a legacy of £1,000 to his mistress, Ellen Ternan.