The blue plaque reads "As a boy Charles Dickens worked here 1824-1825". He worked posting labels on boot polish for a business at this address. A man called "Bob Fagin" was his supervisor.
1888 puts it in the William Ewart Gladstone era; but is it he? If not, who then? There are apocryphal stories of notable Conservatives confusing the NLC for a public convenience when on their way to the House. Perhaps this is one of 'them' leaving.