And I think this is the whole of my news. We are always talking of you at home. Mary Boyle dined with us a little while ago. You look out, I imagine, on a waste of water. When I came from Windsor, I thought I must have made a mistake and got into a boat (in the dark) instead of a railway-carriage. Catherine and Georgina send their kindest loves. I am ever, with the best and truest wishes of my heart, my dear Mrs. Watson,
Your most affectionate Friend.
[Sidenote: Rev. James White.]
OFFICE OF "HOUSEHOLD WORDS," _Monday, Nov. 22nd, 1852._
MY DEAR WHITE,
First and foremost, there is no doubt whatever of your story suiting "Household Words." It is a very good story indeed, and would be serviceable at any time. I am not quite so clear of its suiting the Christmas number, for this reason. You know what the spirit of the Christmas number is. When I suggested the stories being about a highwayman, I got hold of that idea as being an adventurous one, including various kinds of wrong, expressing a state of society no longer existing among us, and pleasant to hear (therefore) from an old man. Now, your highwayman not being a real highwayman after all, the kind of suitable Christmas interest I meant to awaken in the story is not in it. Do you understand? For an ordinary number it is quite un.o.bjectionable. If you should think of any other idea, narratable by an old man, which you think would strike the chord of the season; and if you should find time to work it out during the short remainder of this month, I should be greatly pleased to have it. In any case, this story goes straightway into type.
What tremendous weather it is! Our best loves to all at home. (I have just bought thirty bottles of the most stunning port on earth, which Ellis of the Star and Garter, Richmond, wrote to me of.)
I think you will find some good going in the next "Bleak House." I write shortly, having been working my head off.
Ever affectionately yours.
[Sidenote: Mrs. Gaskell.]
OFFICE OF "HOUSEHOLD WORDS," _Wednesday, Dec. 1st, 1852._
MY DEAR MRS. GASKELL,
I send you the proof of "The Old Nurse"s Story," with my proposed alteration. I shall be glad to know whether you approve of it. To a.s.sist you in your decision, I send you, also enclosed, the original ending.
And I have made a line with ink across the last slip but one, where the alteration begins. Of course if you wish to enlarge, explain, or re-alter, you will do it. Do not keep the proof longer than you can help, as I want to get to press with all despatch.
I hope I address this letter correctly. I am far from sure. In haste.
Ever faithfully yours.
[Sidenote: Mr. W. H. Wills.]
TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _Thursday, December 9th, 1852._
MY DEAR WILLS,
I am driven mad by dogs, who have taken it into their accursed heads to a.s.semble every morning in the piece of ground opposite, and who have barked this morning _for five hours without intermission_; positively rendering it impossible for me to work, and so making what is really ridiculous quite serious to me. I wish, between this and dinner, you would send John to see if he can hire a gun, with a few caps, some powder, and a few charges of small shot. If you duly commission him with a card, he can easily do it. And if I get those implements up here to-night, I"ll be the death of some of them to-morrow morning.
Ever faithfully.
[Sidenote: Rev. James White.]
TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _Thursday Evening, Dec. 9th, 1852._
MY DEAR WHITE,
I hear you are not going to poor Macready"s. Now, don"t you think it would do you good to come here instead? _I_ say it would, and I ought to know! We can give you everything but a bed (all ours are occupied in consequence of the boys being at home), and shall all be delighted to see you. Leave the bed to us, and we"ll find one hard by. I say nothing of the last day of the old year, and the dancing out of that good old worthy that will take place here (for you might like to hear the bells at home); but after the twentieth, I shall be comparatively at leisure, and good for anything or nothing. Don"t you consider it your duty to your family to come? _I_ do, and I again say that I ought to know.
Our best love to Mrs. White and Lotty--happily so much better, we rejoice to hear--and all.
So no more at present from THE INIMITABLE B.
[Sidenote: Mrs. Gaskell.]
TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _Friday, Dec. 17th, 1852._
MY DEAR MRS. GASKELL,
I received your kind note yesterday morning with the truest gratification, for I _am_ the writer of "The Child"s Story" as well as of "The Poor Relation"s." I a.s.sure you, you have given me the liveliest and heartiest pleasure by what you say of it.
I don"t claim for my ending of "The Nurse"s Story" that it would have made it a bit better. All I can urge in its behalf is, that it is what I should have done myself. But there is no doubt of the story being admirable as it stands, and there _is_ some doubt (I think) whether Forster would have found anything wrong in it, if he had not known of my hammering over the proofs in making up the number, with all the three endings before me.
With kindest regards to Mr. Gaskell, Ever faithfully yours.
[Sidenote: Mr. W. Wilkie Collins.]
TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _Monday, Dec. 20th, 1852._
MY DEAR COLLINS,
If I did not know that you are likely to have a forbearing remembrance of my occupation, I should be full of remorse for not having sooner thanked you for "Basil."
Not to play the sage or the critic (neither of which parts, I hope, is at all in my line), but to say what is the friendly truth, I may a.s.sure you that I have read the book with very great interest, and with a very thorough conviction that you have a call to this same art of fiction. I think the probabilities here and there require a little more respect than you are disposed to show them, and I have no doubt that the prefatory letter would have been better away, on the ground that a book (of all things) should speak for and explain itself. But the story contains admirable writing, and many clear evidences of a very delicate discrimination of character. It is delightful to find throughout that you have taken great pains with it besides, and have "gone at it" with a perfect knowledge of the jolter-headedness of the conceited idiots who suppose that volumes are to be tossed off like pancakes, and that any writing can be done without the utmost application, the greatest patience, and the steadiest energy of which the writer is capable.
For all these reasons, I have made "Basil"s" acquaintance with great gratification, and entertain a high respect for him. And I hope that I shall become intimate with many worthy descendants of his, who are yet in the limbo of creatures waiting to be born.
Always faithfully yours.
P.S.--I am open to any proposal to go anywhere any day or days this week. Fresh air and change in any amount I am ready for. If I could only find an idle man (this is a general observation), he would find the warmest recognition in this direction.
[Sidenote: Mr. Frank Stone, A.R.A.]
TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _Monday Evening, Dec. 20th, 1852._
MY DEAR STONE,
Every appearance of brightness! Shall I expect you to-morrow morning? If so, at what hour?
I think of taking train afterwards, and going down for a walk on Chatham lines. If you can spare the day for fresh air and an impromptu bit of fish and chop, I can recommend you one of the most delightful of men for a companion. O, he is indeed refreshing!!!
Ever affectionately yours.