lot is not necessarily
excluded from the sympathies and graces of imagination. This was all
finally settled by the close of 1849, when a general announcement of the
intended adventure was made. There remained only a title and an
assistant editor; and I am happy now to remember that for the latter
important duty Mr. Wills was chosen at my suggestion. He discharged his
duties with admirable patience and ability for twenty years, and
Dickens's later life had no more intimate friend.

The title took some time and occupied many letters. One of the first
thought-of has now the curious interest of having foreshadowed, by the
motto proposed to accompany it, the title of the series of _All the Year
Round_ which he was led to substitute for the older series in 1859. "THE
ROBIN. With this motto from Goldsmith. '_The redbreast, celebrated for
its affection to mankind, continues with us, the year round._'" That
however was rejected. Then came: "MANKIND. This I think very good." It
followed the other nevertheless. After it came: "And here a strange
idea, but with decided advantages. 'CHARLES DICKENS. A weekly journal
designed for the instruction and entertainment of all classes of
readers. CONDUCTED BY HIMSELF.'" Still, there was something wanting in
that also. Next day arrived: "I really think if there _be_ anything
wanting in the other name, that this is very pretty, and just supplies
it. THE HOUSEHOLD VOICE. I have thought of many others, as--THE
HOUSEHOLD GUEST. THE HOUSEHOLD FACE. THE COMRADE. THE MICROSCOPE. THE
HIGHWAY OF LIFE. THE LEVER. THE ROLLING YEARS. THE HOLLY TREE (with two
lines from Southey for a motto). EVERYTHING, But I rather think the
VOICE is it." It was near indeed; but the following day came, "HOUSEHOLD
WORDS. This is a very pretty name:" and the choice was made.

The first number appeared on Saturday the 30th of March 1850, and
contained among other things the beginning of a story by a very original
writer, Mrs. Gaskell, for whose powers he had a high admiration, and
with whom he had friendly intercourse during many years. Other
opportunities will arise for mention of those with whom this new labour
brought him into personal communication, but I may at once say that of
all the writers, before unknown, whom his journal helped to make
familiar to a wide world of readers, he had the strongest personal
interest in Mr. Sala, and placed at once in the highest rank his
capabilities of help in such an enterprise.[15