Bram Stoker's Dracula

Posted by Gary Martin on May 17, 2000

In Reply to: Bram Stoker's Dracula posted by Bruce Kahl on May 17, 2000

: Everything I saw seems to point to Dracula.

: CHAPTER 12
: DR. SEWARD'S DIARY
: LETTER FROM MINA HARKER TO LUCY

: " My dears, I want to drink your health and prosperity, and may every blessing attend you both. I know you both from children, and have, with love and pride, seen you grow up. Now I want you to make your home here with me. I have left to me neither chick nor child.All are gone, and in my will I have left you everything.' I cried, Lucy dear, as Jonathan and the old man clasped hands. Our evening was a very, very happy one.

The OED has a reference that pre-dates Dracula. I know nothing about it and it may well not be the first printed use:

1809 - Malkin, Gil Blas. 'Membrilla has neither chick nor child but myself.'

Gary