He himself, in speaking of his project, was wont to declare that he was laying out his money in the best way he could for the interest of his children;--and it turned out that he was right.
In 1863 he died in the house which he had built, and at the period of his death was writing a new novel in numbers, called _Denis Duval_.

In _The Cornhill_, _The Adventures of Philip_ had appeared.

This new enterprise was destined for commencement on 1st January, 1864, and, though the writer was gone, it kept its promise, as far as it went.
Three numbers, and what might probably have been intended for half of a fourth, appeared.

It may be seen, therefore, that he by no means held to my theory, that the author should see the end of his work before the public sees the commencement.

But neither did Dickens or Mrs.Gaskell, both of whom died with stories not completed, which, when they died, were in the course of publication.