Montréal and Charles Dickens

It is always fascinating to discover the many famous and illustrious individuals who have had some connection with the City of Montréal and what their impressions were of “La Belle Ville.”

One famous author who traveled to Montréal and passed some time in this great city was Charles Dickens.

In Dicken’s publication, American Notes, written in 1842, he describes his trip to North America that took place in 1840.
In one section of the book his impression of Montréal was that of a pleasantly situated city located on the margin of the St. Lawrence, “and is backed by some bold heights, about which there are charming rides and drives.”

He further describes the streets as being “generally narrow and irregular, as in most French towns of any age; but the more modern parts of the city, they are wide and airy.”

On another trip during the month of May of 1842, when Dickens was about 30 years of age he made his debut as an actor at the THEATRE ROYAL in Montréal.

Apparently his purpose for coming to Montréal was partly to act as a supervisor of the drama performances which the military stationed in the city were producing for their own enjoyment.

According to the Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia and more particularly in accordance with a letter to a friend, a Mr. Forster, Dickens indicates that he was quite pleased with his own performance and as he states, “I really believe I was really funny; at least, I know that I laughed heartily myself.”

The article appearing in the Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia makes for fascinating reading as it is a resume of another article appearing in a publication entitled “Histrionic Montreal” written by Franklin Graham, 1902, Lovell & Son, Publishers.

In researching this article I was also amused to be able to locate a site on the Web where I was actually able to send an email to Mr.Dickens and receive a reply as to some of my questions concerning his visit to Montreal.

Dickens’s primary motive for coming to Montréal was to promote his campaign for an agreement concerning author’s copyright. He was very much incensed as American companies, which did not believe it was necessary to pay him any royalties, were pirating his works.

Mr. Dickens, as well as his wife Kate, had been requested to act in some of these plays, which at the time were performed at THEATRE ROYAL situated on Bonsecours Street near the once famous Rasco’s Hotel. Some historians claim that Mr. and Mrs. Dickens stayed at Rasco’s Hotel which was the “in place” and the “place to be” in the 1840’s and which probably would be the most logical place to stay at the time. However, if you read the reply to my question to Mr.Dickens he states that he stayed with an officer from the British Garrison stationed in Montreal.

At the time the Rasco hotel was a favorite place to dine and dance and attracted many of the affluent of the city. The location of the hotel was at 295 Rue Saint-Paul Est and was considered to be one of the finest hotels in North America.

The hotel was built in 1835 and was named after an Italian by the name of Francisco Rasco who immigrated to North America in the early 1800’s. The hotel not only comprised sleeping quarters but also featured a very lavish and extravagant restaurant where the affluent of Montréal dined.

For many decades this hotel was abandoned and prior to 1982 you would never have believed that it was such a famous and extravagant hotel. In 1982 the building which housed the hotel was restored and today is used for government offices.

Directly located across from the hotel was the famous Marché Bonsecours, 350 Rue Saint-Paul Est, which still exists today and has been restored as its original public market complete with farmer’s stands. The market is in full operation from mid-May to mid-October.

I am sure some of you readers out in cyberspace have or perhaps will have the opportunity to walk along Rue Saint Paul Est and vicariously experience early Montréal in the 1800s. You may even say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Dickens!

This article was originally published at Suite101.com.

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