Scenes is a series of 25 sketches written by Charles Dickens covering stories of London scenes and people. The series, along with Our Parish, Characters and Tales form the 56 sketches that make up Sketches by Boz, published in 1836.

You can read the sketches on our website by clicking on the chapter links below.


Chapter 1. THE STREETS – MORNING.

Chapter 2. THE STREETS – NIGHT.

Chapter 3. SHOPS AND THEIR TENANTS.

Chapter 4. SCOTLAND-YARD.

Chapter 5. SEVEN DIALS.

Chapter 6. MEDITATIONS IN MONMOUTH-STREET.

Chapter 7. HACKNEY-COACH STANDS.

Chapter 8. DOCTORS’ COMMONS.

Every wrinkle about his toothless mouth, and sharp keen eyes, told of avarice and cunning.

Doctors’ Commons.

Chapter 9. LONDON RECREATIONS.

The wish of persons in the humbler classes of life, to ape the manners and customs of those whom fortune has placed above them, is often the subject of remark, and not unfrequently of complaint.

London Recreations.

Chapter 10. THE RIVER.

Chapter 11. ASTLEY’S.

Chapter 12. GREENWICH FAIR.

Chapter 13. PRIVATE THEATRES.

Chapter 14. VAUXHALL-GARDENS BY DAY.

Chapter 15. EARLY COACHES.

If there be one thing in existence more miserable than another, it most unquestionably is the being compelled to rise by candlelight.

Early Coaches.

Chapter 16. OMNIBUSES.

Chapter 17. THE LAST CAB-DRIVER, AND THE FIRST OMNIBUS CAD.

Chapter 18. A PARLIAMENTARY SKETCH.

The arrivals increase in number, and the heat and noise increase in very unpleasant proportion.

A Parliamentary Sketch.

Chapter 19. PUBLIC DINNERS.

Chapter 20. THE FIRST OF MAY.

Chapter 21. BROKERS’ AND MARINE-STORE SHOPS.

Chapter 22. GIN-SHOPS.

They are invariably numerous and splendid in precise proportion to the dirt and poverty of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Gin-Shops.

Chapter 23. THE PAWNBROKER’S SHOP.

Chapter 24. CRIMINAL COURTS.

There is a great deal of form, but no compassion; considerable interest, but no sympathy.

Criminal Courts.

Chapter 25. A VISIT TO NEWGATE.

Barely past her childhood, it required but a glance to discover that she was one of those children, born and bred in neglect and vice, who have never known what childhood is: who have never been taught to love and court a parent’s smile, or to dread a parent’s frown.

A Visit to Newgate.