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This week saw two anniversaries relating to someone who played a large part in the Brontë story: Elizabeth Gaskell. She was not only a great author in her own right, she was a great friend of Charlotte Brontë, and she was born in Chelsea on 29^th September 1810 the daughter of William and Elizabeth Stevenson (nee Holland).

The other anniversary is of a letter she wrote on this day in 1856. It’s a fascinating letter as it gives an insight into her relationship with Charlotte Brontë and into the genesis of her great Brontë biographyThe Life Of Charlotte Brontë which was being written at the time of the letter.

The letter was sent to George Smith, publisher of Elizabeth and Charlotte and is reproduced in full below:

Letter from Elizabeth Gaskell to George Smith, 2^nd October 1856

“My dear sir, your letter has done me good.

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The doctor said I was to have my mind at ease. How could I be easy thinking of that ‘very indifferent dinner’ you ate in my behalf? But now I picture you t