Telescopic Philanthropy

           Weweretopassthenight,Mr.Kengetolduswhenwearrivedinhisroom,atMrs.Jellyby’s;andthenheturnedtomeandsaidhetookitforgrantedIknewwhoMrs.Jellybywas."Ireallydon’t,sir,"Ireturned."PerhapsMr.Carstone—orMissClare—"Butno,theyknewnothingwhateveraboutMrs.Jellyby."In-deed!Mrs.Jellyby,"saidMr.Kenge,standingwithhisbacktothefireandcastinghiseyesoverthedustyhearth-rugasifitwereMrs.Jellyby’sbiography,"isaladyofveryremarkablestrengthofcharacterwhodevotesherselfentirelytothepublic.Shehasdevotedherselftoanextensivevarietyofpublicsubjectsatvarioustimesandisatpresent(untilsomethingelseattractsher)devotedtothesubjectofAfrica,withaviewtothegeneralcultivationofthecoffeeberry—ANDthenatives—andthehappysettlement,onthebanksoftheAfricanrivers,ofoursuperabundanthomepopulation.Mr.Jarndyce,whoisdesiroustoaidanyworkthatisconsideredlikelytobeagoodworkandwhoismuchsoughtafterbyphilanthropists,has,Ibelieve,averyhighopinionofMrs.Jellyby."Mr.Kenge,adjustinghiscravat,thenlookedatus."AndMr.Jellyby,sir?"suggestedRichard."Ah!Mr.Jellyby,"saidMr.Kenge,"is—a—Idon’tknowthatIcandescribehimtoyoubetterthanbysayingthatheisthehusbandofMrs.Jellyby.""Anonentity,sir?"saidRichardwithadrolllook."Idon’tsaythat,"returnedMr.Kengegravely."Ican’tsaythat,indeed,forIknownothingwhateverOFMr.Jellyby.Inever,tomyknowledge,hadthepleasureofseeingMr.Jellyby.