Ever most affectionately. FOOTNOTE: [55] Charles Dickens, Mr. Wilkie Collins, Mr. Augustus Egg, and Edward the courier. 1854. [Sidenote: Mr. Frederick Grew.[56]] TAVISTOCK HOUSE, LONDON, _13th January, 1854._ MY DEAR SIR, I beg, through you, to assure the artizans' committee in aid of the Birmingham and Midland Institute, that I have received the resolution they have done me the honour to agree upon for themselves and their fellow-workmen, with the highest gratification. I awakened no pleasure or interest among them at Birmingham which they did not repay to me with abundant interest. I have their welfare and happiness sincerely at heart, and shall ever be their faithful friend. Your obedient servant. [Sidenote: Mrs. Gaskell.] TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _February 18th, 1854._ MY DEAR MRS. GASKELL, I am sorry to say that I am not one of the Zoologicals, or I should have been delighted to have had a hand in the introduction of a child to the lions and tigers. But Wills shall send up to the gardens this morning, and see if Mr. Mitchell, the secretary, can be found. If he be producible I have no doubt that I can send you what you want in the course of the day. Such has been the distraction of _my_ mind in _my_ story, that I have twice forgotten to tell you how much I liked the Modern Greek Songs. The article is printed and at press for the very next number as ever is. Don't put yourself out at all as to the division of the story into parts; I think you had far better write it in your own way. When we come to get a little of it into type, I have no doubt of being able to make such little suggestions as to breaks of chapters as will carry us over all that easily. My dear Mrs. Gaskell, Always faithfully yours. [Sidenote: Rev. W. Harness.] TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _Friday Evening, May 19th, 1854._ MY DEAR HARNESS, On Thursday, the first of June, we shall be delighted to come. (Might I ask for the mildest whisper of the dinner-hour?) I am more than ever devoted to your niece, if possible, for giving me the choice of two days, as on the second of June I am a fettered mortal. I heard a manly, Christian sermon last Sunday at the Foundling--with _great satisfaction_. If you should happen to know the preacher of it, pray thank him from me. Ever cordially yours. [Sidenote: Rev. James White.] TAVISTOCK HOUSE, _May 26th, 1854._ MY DEAR WHITE, Here is Conolly in a dreadful state of mind because you won't dine with him on the 7th of June next to meet Stratford-on-Avon people, writing to me, to ask me to write to you and ask you what you mean by it. What _do_ you mean by it?