In addition to the selected speeches and letters of Charles Dickens, this book contains the first biography of Dickens, by George Augustus Sala, first appearing as an essay in the Daily Telegraph, June 10, 1870, the day after Dickens' death. Messrs. Routledge commissioned this hastily written biography -- four times its original length -- immediately following.

Also included is the sermon on Dickens given by Rev. Dr. Stanley, Dean of Westminster Cathedral, on Sunday, June 19, 1870.