In early Victorian England, ghost stories were told at Christmas time. The tradition of celebrating the dead at the end of October (now Halloween) had declined in England, but wasstill observed by the Irish and Scots, who brought it to America. Christmas was based on the Roman holiday Saturnalia,
celebrated on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, when spirits were close at hand. At this time people recalled lost relatives as they gathered with their families, so the family spirits were near in those long, dark nights. It is no wonder that tales of the departed were shared during those family festivities. As English humorist Jerome K. Jerome wrote in 1891, “Whenever five or six English-speaking people meet round a fire on Christmas Eve, they start telling each other ghost stories.” Dickens once wrote that Christmas is the “witching time for Story-telling.” In 1853 Dickens began public readings of shortened versions of his books, and tonight’s readings carry on his story-reading traditions and will be from the stories he published in his
magazines and his early works. Some have been shortened to fit the time available. Perhaps tonight’s stories will inspire you to release your own
spirits, from your dreams and experiences, and let them walk the Earth. Let us all gather tonight to celebrate our lost spirits and listen to their warnings about the dangers only they can see through their spectral eyes.

Charles Dickens was known for reading edited versions of his books and stories during public appearances. He would read each story from behind a lectern by creating different voices, adding emotions, and using facial expressions and gestures. Join us for a special evening with Professor Noll, as he will do the same, in an attempt to recreate the experience Dicken's audience would have felt during his performances. 

Kenneth Noll is a Professor Emeritus of microbiologist  at the University of Connecticut. He has been portraying Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens for many years at schools, libraries, museums, private groups in person and on-line.