Household Words, Volume II; September 28, 1850 – March 22, 1851

Third in a series of articles that double as synoptic introductions to the bi-annual volumes of the phenomenally successful mid-century periodicals edited by Charles Dickens during the year of his artistc maturity, 1850-1870. These complement the new accessibility of the contents of the journals in online open access format, courtesy of the website 'Dickens Journals Online' (www.djo.org.uk). The article covers in a depth not before attempted the background to the editing of the volume in terms of Dickens's personal and professional commitments 1850-51, and dedicates sub-sections to consideration of Leading Articles, Short Fiction, Poetry, Current Affairs (social & cultural; domestic politics), Science and Medicine, and a summary of the Editorial Issues encountered by Dickens and his sub-editor, William Henry Wills