Charles Dickens 
The Ghost of Art 

Charles John Huffam Dickens (1812-1870) was an English novelist and social critic who created some of the world’s best-known fictional characters, and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. His works enjoyed unprecedented popularity during his lifetime and, by the 20th century, critics and scholars had recognised him as a literary genius. His novels and short stories are widely read today.


The Ghost of Art is one of Charles Dickens’ most interesting short stories. Today we propose it again to our readers.

«
I inclined my head, with as much presence of mind as I could command, and he followed me into my chambers. There, I saw that the lower part of his face was tied up, in what is commonly called a Belcher handkerchief. He slowly removed this bandage, and exposed to view a long dark beard, curling over his upper lip, twisting about the corners of his mouth, and hanging down upon his breast.


‘
What is this?
‘
I exclaimed involuntarily,
‘
and what have you become?
‘
.


‘
I am the Ghost of Art!
‘
said he.


The effect of these words, slowly uttered in the thunder-storm at midnight, was appalling in the last degree. More dead than alive, I surveyed him in silence».