Complete Alice in Wonderland - L. Carroll [109]
The illustrations themselves may well require some further explanation. Carroll was, by his own admission, an amateur draftsman. His works cannot hold a candle to the masterworks of Sir John Tenniel. Carroll’s drawings, however, are full of life and humor, and perfectly accent the story he was trying to tell. They are fascinating in their own right not only for their differences from the published versions, but also for the deeper insights they give us into the nature of Wonderland itself. (For example, take a good look at Carroll’s drawings of the Pool of Tears and White Rabbit’s house to see some more “secret” characters. Also, study the croquet-ground pictures for some other intriguing details concerning the nature of the cards and Kings and Queens.)
Due to the material nature of Carroll’s illustrations, however—drawn more than a century ago in a single manuscript, and poorly reproduced in later publicized versions—they may well seem lacking compared to the far more professional works of Tenniel and Holiday. I have taken every effort to position, brighten, solidify and resize these pictures to the finest extent that the Kindle allows. Those who would like to see the drawings in their finest light, however, are invited to explore the excellent online book exhibit hosted by the British Library, beginning at http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/ttp/alice/accessible/introduction.html. The page enlargements on the British Library site give a clear indication of Carroll’s wonderfully sketched details, nuance, humor and delicacy of line.
Similarly, due to the difficult-to-read handwritten nature of the original manuscript, I have carefully edited and re-entered the full text of the story here. Carroll’s original handwriting, for those who are curious, can be studied at the link provided above. This version, however, has been uniquely created, edited and formatted specifically for enjoyable reading on the Kindle.
I sincerely hope that you will find this amazing, “secret” version of Alice’s adventures to be a worthy supplement to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Just when you think you know everything there is to tell, something will be certain to surprise you. And so we go down the rabbit-hole once again. I will see you there!
A Letter to Alice Hargreaves
(NOTE: Alice’s Adventures Under Ground was later published for the public, long after the original Alice books had become classics. In 1885, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) wrote the following letter to Alice Hargreaves—Hargreaves being the married name of Alice Pleasance Liddell.)
Christ Church, Oxford
March 1, 1885
My Dear Mrs. Hargreaves,
I fancy this will come to you almost like a voice from the dead, after so many years of silence—and yet those years have made no difference, that I can perceive, in my clearness of memory of the days when we did correspond. I am getting to feel what an old man’s failing memory is, as to recent events and new friends (for instance, I made friends, only a few weeks ago, with a very nice little maid of about 12, and had a walk with her—and now I ca’n’t recall either of her names!) but my mental picture is as vivid as ever, of one who was, through so many years, my ideal child-friend. I have had scores of child-friends since your time: but they have been quite a different thing.
However, I did not begin this letter to say all that. What I want to ask is whether you have any objection to the original MS being published in facsimile? The idea of doing so occurred to me only the other day. If, on consideration, you come to the conclusion that you would rather not have it done, there is an end of the matter. If, however, you give a favourable reply, I would be much obliged if you would lend it me (registered post I should think would be safest) that I may consider the possibilities. I have not seen it for about 20 years: so am by no means sure that the illustrations may not prove to be so awfully bad, that to reproduce them would be absurd.
There can be no doubt that I should