CHARLES DICKENS .....AND URIAH HEEP

Yesterday was the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. A friend rang to let me know because she was aware of how much I admired Dickens' works.
I have on my shelves the 17 volume set of Dickens' works which my father gave to my mother on her 21st birthday, in 1921. Most of these I have read, some several times.
We are now more aware of Dickens' personal failings but there can be no doubt about his extraordinary gift of bringing characters to life. I have quite a collection of china in the form of plates, jugs,mugs and miniature statues which give me daily reminders of the characters of whom he wrote. Uriah Heep, stands on the top shelf as a warning against false humility....."I'm a very 'umble man, Mr Copperfield."