It was much less so at the period in question; and as the world of readers began to be acquainted with Jeames Yellowplush, Catherine Hayes, and other heroes and heroines, the names of the author had to be inquired for.

I remember myself, when I was already well acquainted with the immortal Jeames, asking who was the writer.

The works of Charles Dickens were at that time as well known to be his, and as widely read in England, as those almost of Shakespeare.
It will be said of course that this came from the earlier popularity of Dickens.

That is of course; but why should it have been so?
They had begun to make their effort much at the same time; and if there was any advantage in point of position as they commenced, it was with Thackeray.
It might be said that the genius of the one was brighter than that of the other, or, at any rate, that it was more precocious.

But after-judgment has, I think, not declared either of the suggestions to be true.