It was as a journalist that Dickens first made his name and these writings, mostly from the mature writer, contain material that could have been used for an autobiography In 'Dullborough Town' he describes the city of Rochester that he knew as a child and in 'City of London Churches' his first love affair Some of the pieces serve to fill out the background to the novels - the little wooden midshipman of 'Dombey and Son' in 'Wapping Workhouse' and Mr Creakle's establishment in 'Our School'