A collection of Elizabeth Gaskell's early short stories. Following the publication of Mary Barton in 1848, Gaskell published many of her short works for Charles Dickens's Household Words magazine between 1850 and 1858. Her earlier works were published in a variety of venues including Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine (Sketches among the Poor), William Howitt's Visits to Remarkable Places (Clopton Hall), Howitt’s Journal of Literature and Popular Progress (Libbie Marsh, The Sexton's Hero, Christmas Storms and Sunshine), the Sunday School Penny Magazine (Hand and Heart, Bessy’s Troubles at Home), Sartain’s Union Magazine (The Last Generation in England, Martha Preston) and the Ladies Companion and Monthly Magazine (Mrs. Harrison's Confessions). Summary by Phil Benson