THE recently transcribed diaries of Mariana Fox Tuckett of Frenchay contain an eye witness account of Charles Dickens' visit to Bristol in 1858 (BT, Feb9).

Mariana, who was born in "The Old House", Frenchay, in 1839, was the second daughter of Francis Tuckett, a "Raw Hide and Bark" merchant whose business premises were situated at No. 10, Baldwin Street.

Francis was in partnership with a Joseph Rake, about who we know very little other than that he lived at Bergam Villa in Charlotte Street.

After Francis retired from the business, his son, Francis Fox Tuckett (Frank), took his place.

I am keen to find out more about the Rakes, who were quite prominent in Bristol – one of them married into the Fry (chocolate) family.

Mariana's diaries, which cover the years 1857/9, reveal that the Tuckett household was keen on Dickens.

There are a number of references to his works in the diaries, including a Christmas Day entry of 1857 which reads: "After tea we read the end of Dickens's Xmas tale (A Christmas Carol), it is very beautiful, I think."

An entry early the following year mentions Dickens reading from A Christmas Carol at the Athenaeum.

Then, on January 30, 1858, Mariana wrote: "We picked up Frank at Baldwin St and brought him out – he slept there after hearing Dickens at the Rakes – the evening was a great treat to him.

"Dickens had a good gentleman- like voice, and is rather a handsome man with beard and moustache."

It would appear from this entry that Dickens was at the Rakes' house, so how did they know him, and why was he there?

Joseph Rake's eldest daughter, Elizabeth, married Francis James Fry in 1860, and thus became the wife of a man who was later the chairman of J.S. Fry and Sons, as well as becoming the mother of another Fry's chairman, Roderick Fry.

Has anyone, I wonder, any information on the Rakes? I can be contacted on: 0117 9570942, email frenchay museum@hotmail.com or just drop into Frenchay Museum any Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday afternoon.

The museum (entry is free) can be found just inside entrance "B" of Frenchay Hospital.

Mariana's diaries can be accessed via the website www.frenchaymuseum archives.co.uk.

Alan Freke

Frenchay