Exploring Gaskell's charity work through her letters.

 

Gaskell’s Letters

J.A.V. Chapple, Elizabeth Gaskell A Portrait in Letters, (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1988.)

Chapter eight of the work is complied of Gaskell’s charity work in her letters.

Writing to a David Grundy on the 4 December 1858, Gaskell enquires if ‘you would be so kind as to give us a little help in this matter, -  my two elder girls wanted to visit at the workhouse, & I applied to Mr Rickards who did not think it desirable; but made a list of 10 old women, receiving parish relief, whom they might visit.’

Further on Gaskell writes about the benefit of steady employment, portraying her economic and political side that is often left out of her work.

To Eliza Holland, Early April 1859.

‘It is hard work making one’s idea of life dear and I am more and more convinced that where every possible individual circumstance varies so completely all one can do is to judge for oneself and take especial care not to judge others or for others. Else, I think a sewing club is an error – good for the people whh sew, as it is self denying on their part, but not doing half or a quarter so much good to others as might be done by the same amount of self denial. The best mode of administering material charity seems to me to be by giving employment and taking thought in adapting the kind of employment and in helping to find out who can do it.

In 1850 Gaskell requests some work on Christian socialism to be circulated among working people.

To William Robson, 20 February 1850

‘The pamphlet is the first of a series ‘on Christian Socialism’ proposed to be issued by the writers of ‘Politics for the People’… they are anxious to obtain a circulation among the working-classes for these tracts.

In 1862 Gaskell writes to Vernon Lushington about how far her money can be distributed among the poor.

‘We have been talking over how to make it go the farthest… We think of using part of it in allowing 6d or 8d a week to the poor old women, whom my daughters know well,- & who at present have only the workhouse allowance; barely enough for the cheapest, poorest food – only just enough to keep life in. They have worked hard all their working-yrs, poor old friendless women, and now often crave and sicken after a ‘taste of bacon’ or something different to the perpetual oat meal.’

Summary

Gaskell’s missionary work in the poorer areas of Manchester is evident throughout her letters, and her families concern for the health of the working classes in Manchester appears to be genuine. Gaskell’s presentation of the Davenport’s reflects this concern.