It was likely the grueling experience of Charles Dickens’ second reading tour in America between 1867 and 1868 that expedited his decline before his death at 58, two years later. The demanding schedule would challenge even the young, but for Dickens, who was plagued by health issues like inflamed sinuses and bilious attacks, this tour transformed a celebratory event into a harsh ordeal. His tour highlighted extravagant dinners, culminating in a press gathering at Delmonico’s in New York in April 1868.
During this period, Dickens was unable to consume substantial meals, relying instead on alcohol for nutrition. His journal notes that he started each day with a tumbler of fresh cream stirred with rum. Lunchtime often featured a sherry cobbler, a refreshing drink he had discovered on a previous tour—the mixture of Sherry, orange slices, sugar syrup, and lemon slices. A novel straw specifically designed for this drink added to its allure. In Martin Chuzzlewit, when the character experiences it for the first time, he is ecstatic.
As part of his nightly routine, Dickens had a pint of Champagne with dinner, which briefly revitalized him. His regimen concluded with a sleep aid of Sherry mixed with whisked egg, a strange yet sustaining practice amidst the exhausting reading itinerary before his return journey on a Cunard liner.
Dickens’ Lifelong Love of Wine
Dickens’ affinity for wine is well-documented, emphasized by a handwritten inventory found in 2017 that listed the contents of his cellar in Kent from 1865. This inventory revealed a remarkable collection: ample amounts of Port, Champagne, Chablis, Sauternes, and St-Julien claret, along with Metternich hock, a Riesling favored by Queen Victoria.
His unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, reflects this affection toward the end of his life, featuring a character comforted by a glass of wine. Dickens portrayed drink as a source of solace and reprieve from the burdens of life, contrasting the detrimental effects of alcohol with its role as a source of comfort.
In Bleak House, the character Mr. Tulkinghorn, a figure hardened by law and distancing from life, finds solace in fine wine, showcasing Dickens’ recognition of wine as one of the few comforts in the twilight of existence. The references to old wine illustrate a balance between the absurdity of the rituals surrounding it and the necessary comfort that fine drink provides as one ages.