The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-28

sa
imagine: ana ! an psrfectiy surs tfAt
the tsst result u your sA4setion -
observation In respect Of $the lifs
around you, would sttfaet attention
and do good.
The result was Lizzie Leigh,
which was followed BY several other
stories. Dickens admiration for Mrs.
Gaskelrs work continued. In March,
1A52, he wrote to Forster: Don't you
think Mrs. Gaskell charming? With
one ill-considered thing that looks
like want OF naturai perception, !
think it mastery" This was q refer
ence to a short story entitled. Mem
DRY ut Crawford" And In 1858 hs
wrote to Mrs. GaskelI herself:
Let me congratulate you on the
conclusion Of your story North ana
South. not because 1t 10 the end OF a
task TO which you had conceived 4
dislike, >. but because II In the Wig
orous and powerful accomplishment
es an anxious labor. 1t seems to me
that you have felt the ground thor-
strided on with a force and purpose
that must now give you pleasure.
And the letter proceeded;
You will not. I hope. allow that
non lucid interval Of dissatisfaction
with yourself land me?1. which bese.
you for minute or two once upon u
time. to linger in the shana ri any
dis1ereeahle association with House
hold Worda. shall still look forward
to the large side OF the paper ana
shall soon feel disappointed II they
don't begin to reappear.
Il thought it best that Wills Geuld
write the business letter on the con-
ciasion Of the story. az that part of
our communication has alwavs pre-
viousiy rested with him. / trust you
found it satisfaction I refer to it
not as a matter Of mere form, but
because sincerely wish everything
between us to he beyond the posi-
bility of misunderstanding or reser.
vation,"
This letter certainly tends to con-
firm the statement OF Mr.. Percy Fitz-
gerald that Dickens fouud Mrs.
Gaskell difficult person to deal with.
OF her character al Of her abilities.
he had nothing but admiration. but In
his role OF editor he found her very
"toucFy." She had an absolute con-
fidencc in her own powers. and would
not stand any nonsense" In regard to
her writings. Dickens was brilliant
editor and kindly editor. ever ready
to encourage and help, but never hest
tated to alter anybody's copy 20
bring il into compliance with his ideas
or--the same thing--with the policy
or spirit of his paper. Young men.
on the threshold Of their careers, like
Parkinson. Fitzgerald. Sala. etc, were
grateful for his suggestions and alter
atoms. but. in justice TO Mrs. Gaskell.
we have to remember that she had an
established position as a novelist be-
fore she began to write for Household
Words, and we cannot in fairness con-
denim her for directing to another
novelist, even though It were Charles
Dickens himself. altering the~produc-
lions Of her genius. So that cannot
follow Mr.. Fitzgerald when he says:
In spite Of soothing compliments and
Astounding homage. she was to be the
cause of much worry and trouble to
him. and, excellent A. her perform
ances were. it may be doubted
whether her assistance was much gain
to the paper" Even though she may
have caused Dickens much worry
and trouble" it is decidedly dinlcult
10 understand why that fact should
have prevent. say. Lizzie Leigh and
North and South" being of assistance