"He would make a lovely corpse"

This quote from Charles Dickens is a darkly amusing comment on the physical look of a person. It suggests that the person in question is so appealing that they would make a stunning corpse. It is a morbid thought, but it is likewise a testimony to the individual's beauty. The quote implies that the individual is so attractive that even in death, they would still be gorgeous. It is an unusual method to express affection for somebody, but it is likewise a method to acknowledge the charm of an individual. It is a suggestion that appeal is fleeting and that death is inevitable. It is a tip to appreciate the charm of life while we still have it.