As to that "cross note," which, rightly considered, was nothing of the sort, if ever you refer to it again, I'll do--I don't exactly know what, but something perfectly desperate and ferocious. If I have ever thought of it, it has only been to remember with delight how soon we came to a better understanding, and how heartily we confirmed it with a most expressive shake of the hand, one evening down in that mouldy little den of Miss Kelly's. Heartily and faithfully yours. "Daddy" Knowles. [Sidenote: Mrs. Gaskell.] DEVONSHIRE TERRACE, _January 31st, 1850._ MY DEAR MRS. GASKELL, You may perhaps have seen an announcement in the papers of my intention to start a new cheap weekly journal of general literature. I do not know what your literary vows of temperance or abstinence may be, but as I do honestly know that there is no living English writer whose aid I would desire to enlist in preference to the authoress of "Mary Barton" (a book that most profoundly affected and impressed me), I venture to ask you whether you can give me any hope that you will write a short tale, or any number of tales, for the projected pages. No writer's name will be used, neither my own nor any other; every paper will be published without any signature, and all will seem to express the general mind and purpose of the journal, which is the raising up of those that are down, and the general improvement of our social condition. I should set a value on your help which your modesty can hardly imagine; and I am perfectly sure that the least result of your reflection or observation in respect of the life around you, would attract attention and do good. Of course I regard your time as valuable, and consider it so when I ask you if you could devote any of it to this purpose. If you could and would prefer to speak to me on the subject, I should be very glad indeed to come to Manchester for a few hours and explain anything you might wish to know. My unaffected and great admiration of your book makes me very earnest in all relating to you. Forgive my troubling you for this reason, and believe me ever, Faithfully yours. P.S.--Mrs. Dickens and her sister send their love. [Sidenote: Rev. James White.] DEVONSHIRE TERRACE, _Tuesday, Feb. 5th, 1850._ MY DEAR WHITE,