From Mrs Elizabeth Gaskell to Mr Charles Dickens

To: Mr. Charles Dickens
From: Mrs. Elizabeth Gaskell

December 13th, 1848

Dear Mr. Dickens,

How are you and Catherine? And all the children?

I am so sorry to hear about Franny.  She was a wonderful friend to me and I am sure your entire family will miss her dreadfully. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.  

I  had a visit from Charlotte Bronte last month and we spent hours talking about your latest Christmas novel The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain.  We wait in anxious anticipation for every new book you write.  You have such an honest way of writing my friend, I wish I had the ability to make my dark characters so realistic.  They scare me in such a delightful way, as do Charlotte's dark brooding characters.  However all is not well in the Bronte household. Emily is very ill and the family do not expect to see her last till Christmas.  Charlotte is beside herself with grief as is Anne, they were all so very close you know.

Now I will turn from dour things to happier news.  Mary Barton has been published.  It was such a work to finish but it is done and is a success.  Now I know how you feel every time one of your manuscripts are published. Being a woman published, and a married woman in all of that, gives me a vain feeling of superiority compared to all the lowly 'household' wives.  I do suppose I will come off of my high horse soon, or so Mr. Gaskell hopes.  Jane Austen was a wonderful inspiration to me, as much as dear Charlotte dislikes her books.  But you Mr. Dickens are my greatest inspiration.  I love the fact that you reveal the dirty side of the world, not just the upper class socialites.  I tried to make my Mary Barton to be as realistic to that side of life as possible, and I hope I did those people the justice they deserve.

Oh dear Julia is screaming about one thing or another.  I will write again soon friend.

Yours sincerely;

Mrs. Elizabeth Gaskell

Emma Woodhouse & Elizabeth Bennet

To: Emma Knightly

From:  Elizabeth Darcy

10 July, 1805

Dear Miss Woodhouse, 

How do you fair my gracious friend?  It was extraordinarily pleasant to have your husband Mr. Knightly come and visit with us, next time you must join him.  How does your father, the poor Mr Woodhouse fare?  In your last letter you expressed some concern for his health, I do hope that it is not serious.  And Isabella and the children?  They are all well I trust.  Your little nephew Henry is such an angel of a child, I do have particular fondness for the boy, almost as much fondness as I do for my own little William.  He is a gem of a child and so very handsome, or so everyone says.  So much like his father bless him.  

I heard the most extraordinary news from Mr. Knightly... Miss Bates is to marry? How and when has this all occurred? Last time we visited she was so preoccupied with dear Miss Fairfax  Mrs Western's little girl that she scarce had time for anyone at all.  Who is this remarkable man who is able to endure her incessant talk? Is he well off, will she finally receive what she deserves? 

We are all well here at Pemberley, recovering from the latest visit from my mother and Mary.  I would have thought that marrying off four of her daughters would have settled her 'nerves' but I believe it puts her so much more in a flutter.  Dear Mr. Darcy put a quick end to her chatter when she had the nerve to suggest to look for a wife for little William.  My angel is only four! It took me hours to placate Mr Darcy and no wonder, that woman has the most amazing talent to bedevil my husband.  

Jane is well into her confinement and I laugh when I see Charles.  I declare the man is as anxious as he was with the other two.  Only Jane's calm temperament could endure all the fussing.  They are as happy as the day they married and quite a bit wealthier also.  Charles' uncle died childless, leaving half his estate to Charles and the other half to his sisters.  We do not see them so much these days much to my relief.  Caroline did end up marrying but she can not help but flirt shamelessly with my husband every time she comes around.  She did not marry for love as we did, but for money and I believe she regrets her decision.  She is an unhappy soul and I do pity her.  

Kitty is off on her wedding trip at the moment.  You would have been able to predict it from Highbury, but I do say that Mr Darcy was quite surprised when Fitzwilliam and Kitty announced their engagement.  Kitty has developed into the most refined lady of society and she is quite the favorite here with little William.  It was well that Lydia did not have much more time with her or she would have been quite spoiled.  

Mentioning Lydia reminds me of her latest letter.  Her and Mr. Wickham have been sent off to Australia.  Mother was quite in a stir and it does cast a shadow over the entire family.  At least now that irresponsible girl is out of trouble's way.  

I must go now, little William is crying for me.  I will write soon. 

From Mrs Darcy.