He then, in 1861, accepted an offer of Joseph Cowen, M.P., to join the staff of the Newcastle Chronicle, and to act as lecturing agent for the Northern Reform Union.
After this he was employed as a writer for the Manchester City News, and subsequently edited that paper from 1865 to 1867, and remained connected with it as a contributor for two or three years longer.
As a journalist his strength lay in his great knowledge of the habits, the wants, and the aspirations of the working classes, and on these subjects his writings were always thoughtful and suggestive.
He was an advocate of the Manchester Fine Art Gallery, and took part in securing the Saturday half-holiday, and in providing public baths and washhouses.
He was the author of two prize essays: On 24 December 1843 he married Emily Frances, daughter of John Pontey and Mary Ann Kemp.