Before leaving this subject, I will give two more of Charles Dickens's letters, which show that the interest he had manifested in the first beginning of the inquiry into the state of the children in coal-pits did not wane, but that, when the Report came before him in 1843, he was deeply moved, and prepared himself at once to take up arms in defence of the children. The first letter runs thus:-- DEVONSHIRE TERRACE, _Sixth March 1843_. MY DEAR DR SMITH,--I sent a message across the way to-day, urging you, in case you should come to the Sanatorium, to call on me if convenient. My reason was this: I am so perfectly stricken down by the blue-book you have sent me, that I think (as soon as I shall have done my month's work) of writing and bringing out a very cheap pamphlet called "An Appeal to the People of England on behalf of the Poor Man's Child," with my name attached, of course. I should be very glad to take counsel with you in the matter, and to receive any suggestions from you in reference to it. Suppose I were to call on you one evening in the course of ten days or so? What would be the most likely hour to find you at home?--In haste, always faithfully your friend, CHARLES DICKENS. Dr SOUTHWOOD SMITH. The next promises a "sledge-hammer" in lieu of the pamphlet. DEVONSHIRE TERRACE, _Tenth March 1843_. MY DEAR DR SMITH,--Don't be frightened when I tell you that, since I wrote to you last, reasons have presented themselves for deferring the production of that pamphlet until the end of the year. I am not at liberty to explain them further just now; but _rest assured_ that when you know them, and see what I do, and where and how, you will certainly feel that a sledge-hammer has come down with twenty times the force--twenty thousand times the force I could exert by following out my first idea. Even so recently as when I wrote to you the other day I had not contemplated the means I shall now, please God, use. But they have been suggested to me; and I have girded myself for their seizure--as you shall see in due time. If you will allow our _tête-à-tête_ and projected conversation on the subject still to come off, I will write to you as soon as I see my way to the end of my month's work.--Always faithfully yours, CHARLES DICKENS. Dr SOUTHWOOD SMITH.