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BBC Radio 7, 8 May 2010
This final tale in the second series of Sketches by Boz told
the tale of the socially ambitious Maldertons, who are delighted when a mystery suitor Horatio Sparkins courts their
unmarried daughter. Outwardly he appears the perfect gentleman - polite, well-mannered, reserved in tone. For a lower middle-class
family such as the Maldertons, he seems the perfect means by which they can fulfil their social aspirations. However
things do not turn out quite how they expect: Sparkins turns out to be nothing more than a shop-assistant with similar social
aspirations.
The nouveau-riche world of south London - Camberwell, Wandsworth and Brixton - was
vividly brought to life in Nicholas Farrell's dry narration, as he described Mr. Frederick Malderton's social life, and
his delight at securing free admission to Covent Garden theatre. He took particular relish in delivering ironic put-downs:
the Maldertons were actually "elevated to an extraordinary pitch as their means increased; they affected fashion,taste, and
many other fooleries, in imitation of their betters, and had a very decided and becoming horror of anything which could, by
possibility, be considered, 'low.'"
Through Farrell's narration we were introduced to a world of nineteenth century
gentility comprised of social climbers gossiping about a mysterious new arrival on their society circuit - a certain Mr. Horatio
Sparkins. Miss Teresa Malderton is "rather fat" and "as well known as the lion on top of Northumberland House" having hitherto
enjoyed little opportunity to get married. Her mother, "a fat little woman" is only interested in fashionable clothes. The
male family members fare no better. Mr. Malderton is only "hospitable from ostentation," and only "convenience and a love
of the good things of life earned him plenty of guests."
Compared to Dickens' later work, Mr. Horatio Sparkins
seemed somewhat cruel, almost scornful in tone. However the tale could be relished on its own merits as a satire of a world
Dickens knew only too well.
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