The New York Public Library, Berg Collection of
English and American Literature
"Studies for Alice & Florence."
These sketches in pencil and watercolor of Alice Brown and Florence Dombey (Paul Dombey's first born) were executed by "Phiz" (Hablot K. Browne) as he prepared the illustrations for Dombey and Son. Six years after the birth of his daughter, Paul Dombey is given a second child--a son, at last! Of Florence (foreground, in dark dress), the narrator then observes: "But what was a girl to Dombey and Son! In the capital of the House's name and dignity, such a child was merely a piece of base coin that couldn't be invested--a bad boy--nothing more."