MRS. GASKELL.*
Mas. GASKBLVB wish was that no biography of her should be written, and she did what was in a way effectual for the fulfil- ment of this wish,—she laid a strict injunction on the filial piety of her daughters that her letters should not be pub- lished; -without letters a real biography is scarcely possible. Still, we are not disposed to censure Mrs. Chadwick for what she has done, commemorating the centenary of Elizabeth Gaskell's birth by putting together this account of her life and work. It would have been a serious loss to literary history if some of the facts which have been carefully collected in this volume had been suffered to pass into oblivion. Mrs. Gaskell's literary activities were very closely related with her life. She drew a very large proportion of her characters and incidents from actual persons and scenes, and it is highly interesting to have these origins and resem- blances verified. Thus we have the opportunity of hearing about not a few relatives, friends, and associates of the authoress, who were quite noteworthy people without being distinguished. William Stevenson, her father, for instance, is an interesting figure. He began life as Unitarian minister and classical tutor in the Manchester Academy; gave up his ministerial work because he could not conscientiously receive pay for preaching ; took to scientific farming and lost money over it; earned his living by literary work and tutoring ; was appointed private secretary to the Governor-General of India, but was disappointed by the objection raised by the East India Company to the nomination; and found a final refuge as Keeper of the Treasury Records. This career, which shows a quite un-English versatility, is frequently illustrated by passages in the daughter's writings. Generally the stand- point of the biography is external, as it should be in the circumstances, though the reader will not fail to get a good idea of Elizabeth Gaskell's personality. We venture to say that the better the acquaintance with her writings, the more interesting it will be found. A bibliography has been added. It is worthy of note that Cranford has asserted a distinct superiority over all the other books. Here is a list of the editions published in this century :—Cranford, thirty-six ; Life of Charlotte Bronte, six ; Mary Barton, six ; Syhria's Loners, five; North and South, four ; Cousin Phyllis, two; and Ruth, one.
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