ABSTRACT
Althoughthesubjectofpopularentertainmentwasmaintainedin generallylowprofileinthefictionofDickens'smiddleandlate years,theperiodicalwhichhefoundedin1850gavehimamajor alternativeoutletforitscontinuedexpression.InHouseholdWords anditssuccessor,AlltheYearRound,Dickensdevotedasubstantial proportionofspacetoawidevarietyofpublicamusements.A numberofessaysonthesubjecthewrotehimself,andsomeofthem, intheirwit,vigourandincisiveness,areamonghisoutstanding piecesofjournalism.Agreatmanymorewerecomposedbyhands otherthanhisownbut,asHarryStonehasdemonstrated,Dickens keptstrictcontroloverthecontentsandtheperspectivesofHouseholdWords.1Everypairoffacingpagesboretheimprimatur'ConductedbyCharlesDickens',anditwasaxiomaticthatthe entertainmentsofthepeopleweretobefosteredanddefended.His policywasemphaticallynotundiscriminating-amusementsjudged tobedangerous,degradingormorallycorrosivewerefirmlydisapprovedof-butthehallmarkofthejournals'treatmentofpopular entertainmentwasbroadtolerationandwarmsupport.
