From the archive, 18 February 1852: A literary life should not
be a life of penury  The Manchester Guardian wonders how men of
letters are supposed to make a living   • Jump to comments ()
Charles Dickens writing desk and chair for auction by
Christie's, London, Britain  - 02 Apr 2008 Charles Dickens'
writing desk and chair. Photograph: Nils Jorgensen / Rex
Features  It seems the fate of literature to be misunderstood.
The great mass of mankind are unable to comprehend its position
between two worlds which it unites, and we find them assuming,
in turns, that literary men can live on air, and that they have
no means of sustenance, or source of reward, but dull material
pudding. Of the two suppositions the latter is the more
injurious, and requires at this moment to be especially guarded
against.  The Guild of Literature and Art, on behalf of which
Mr. Charles Dickens and his brother amateurs have just charmed
the town, is, in our opinion, an excellent institution. As the
nucleus of an Academy such as has long