TheLeedsandSkiptonrailwayrunsalongadeepvalleyoftheAire；aslowandsluggishstream，comparedtotheneighbouringriverofWharfe。Keighleystationisonthislineofrailway，aboutaquarterofamilefromthetownofthesamename。ThenumberofinhabitantsandtheimportanceofKeighleyhavebeenverygreatlyincreasedduringthelasttwentyyears，owingtotherapidlyextendedmarketforworstedmanufactures，abranchofindustrythatmainlyemploysthefactorypopulationofthispartofYorkshire，whichhasBradfordforitscentreandmetropolis。

Keighleyisinprocessoftransformationfromapopulous，old-

fashionedvillage，intoastillmorepopulousandflourishingtown。Itisevidenttothestranger，thatasthegable-endedhouses，whichobtrudethemselvescorner-wiseonthewideningstreet，fallvacant，theyarepulleddowntoallowofgreaterspacefortraffic，andamoremodernstyleofarchitecture。Thequaintandnarrowshop-windowsoffiftyyearsago，aregivingwaytolargepanesandplate-glass。Nearlyeverydwellingseemsdevotedtosomebranchofcommerce。Inpassinghastilythroughthetown，onehardlyperceiveswherethenecessarylawyeranddoctorcanlive，solittleappearanceisthereofanydwellingsoftheprofessionalmiddle-class，suchasaboundinouroldcathedraltowns。Infact，nothingcanbemoreopposedthanthestateofsociety，themodesofthinking，thestandardsofreferenceonallpointsofmorality，manners，andevenpoliticsandreligion，insuchanewmanufacturingplaceasKeighleyinthenorth，andanystately，sleepy，picturesquecathedraltowninthesouth。YettheaspectofKeighleypromiseswellforfuturestateliness，ifnotpicturesqueness。Greystoneabounds；andtherowsofhousesbuiltofithaveakindofsolidgrandeurconnectedwiththeiruniformandenduringlines。Theframe-workofthedoors，andthelintelsofthewindows，eveninthesmallestdwellings，aremadeofblocksofstone。Thereisnopaintedwoodtorequirecontinualbeautifying，orelsepresentashabbyaspect；andthestoneiskeptscrupulouslycleanbythenotableYorkshirehousewives。Suchglimpsesintotheinteriorasapasser-byobtains，revealaroughabundanceofthemeansofliving，anddiligentandactivehabitsinthewomen。Butthevoicesofthepeoplearehard，andtheirtonesdiscordant，promisinglittleofthemusicaltastethatdistinguishesthedistrict，andwhichhasalreadyfurnishedaCarrodustothemusicalworld。Thenamesovertheshops(ofwhichtheonejustgivenisasample)seemstrangeeventoaninhabitantoftheneighbouringcounty，andhaveapeculiarsmackandflavouroftheplace。

ThetownofKeighleyneverquitemeltsintocountryontheroadtoHaworth，althoughthehousesbecomemoresparseasthetravellerjourneysupwardstothegreyroundhillsthatseemtoboundhisjourneyinawesterlydirection。Firstcomesomevillas；justsufficientlyretiredfromtheroadtoshowthattheycanscarcelybelongtoanyoneliabletobesummonedinahurry，atthecallofsufferingordanger，fromhiscomfortablefire-side；thelawyer，thedoctor，andtheclergyman，liveathand，andhardlyinthesuburbs，withascreenofshrubsforconcealment。

Inatownonedoesnotlookforvividcolouring；whattheremaybeofthisisfurnishedbythewaresintheshops，notbyfoliageoratmosphericeffects；butinthecountrysomebrilliancyandvividnessseemstobeinstinctivelyexpected，andthereisconsequentlyaslightfeelingofdisappointmentatthegreyneutraltintofeveryobject，nearorfaroff，onthewayfromKeighleytoHaworth。Thedistanceisaboutfourmiles；and，asI

havesaid，whatwithvillas，greatworstedfactories，rowsofworkmen’shouses，withhereandthereanold-fashionedfarmhouseandoutbuildings，itcanhardlybecalled"country"anypartoftheway。Fortwomilestheroadpassesovertolerablylevelground，distanthillsontheleft，a"beck"flowingthroughmeadowsontheright，andfurnishingwaterpower，atcertainpoints，tothefactoriesbuiltonitsbanks。Theairisdimandlightlesswiththesmokefromallthesehabitationsandplacesofbusiness。Thesoilinthevalley(or"bottom，"tousethelocalterm)isrich；but，astheroadbeginstoascend，thevegetationbecomespoorer；itdoesnotflourish，itmerelyexists；and，insteadoftrees，thereareonlybushesandshrubsaboutthedwellings。Stonedykesareeverywhereusedinplaceofhedges；

andwhatcropsthereare，onthepatchesofarableland，consistofpale，hungry-looking，greygreenoats。RightbeforethetravelleronthisroadrisesHaworthvillage；hecanseeitfortwomilesbeforehearrives，foritissituatedonthesideofaprettysteephill，withaback-groundofdunandpurplemoors，risingandsweepingawayyethigherthanthechurch，whichisbuiltattheverysummitofthelongnarrowstreet。Allroundthehorizonthereisthissamelineofsinuouswave-likehills；thescoopsintowhichtheyfallonlyrevealingotherhillsbeyond，ofsimilarcolourandshape，crownedwithwild，bleakmoors——grand，fromtheideasofsolitudeandlonelinesswhichtheysuggest，oroppressivefromthefeelingwhichtheygiveofbeingpent-upbysomemonotonousandillimitablebarrier，accordingtothemoodofmindinwhichthespectatormaybe。

ForashortdistancetheroadappearstoturnawayfromHaworth，asitwindsroundthebaseoftheshoulderofahill；butthenitcrossesabridgeoverthe"beck，"andtheascentthroughthevillagebegins。Theflag-stoneswithwhichitispavedareplacedend-ways，inordertogiveabetterholdtothehorses’feet；and，evenwiththishelp，theyseemtobeinconstantdangerofslippingbackwards。Theoldstonehousesarehighcomparedtothewidthofthestreet，whichmakesanabruptturnbeforereachingthemorelevelgroundattheheadofthevillage，sothatthesteepaspectoftheplace，inonepart，isalmostlikethatofawall。Butthissurmounted，thechurchliesalittleoffthemainroadontheleft；ahundredyards，orso，andthedriverrelaxeshiscare，andthehorsebreathesmoreeasily，astheypassintothequitelittleby-streetthatleadstoHaworthParsonage。Thechurchyardisononesideofthislane，theschool-houseandthesexton’sdwelling(wherethecuratesformerlylodged)ontheother。

Theparsonagestandsatrightanglestotheroad，facingdownuponthechurch；sothat，infact，parsonage，church，andbelfriedschool-house，formthreesidesofanirregularoblong，ofwhichthefourthisopentothefieldsandmoorsthatliebeyond。Theareaofthisoblongisfilledupbyacrowdedchurchyard，andasmallgardenorcourtinfrontoftheclergyman’shouse。Astheentrancetothisfromtheroadisattheside，thepathgoesroundthecornerintothelittleplotofground。Underneaththewindowsisanarrowflower-border，carefullytendedindaysofyore，althoughonlythemosthardyplantscouldbemadetogrowthere。

Withinthestonewall，whichkeepsoutthesurroundingchurchyard，arebushesofelderandlilac；therestofthegroundisoccupiedbyasquaregrass-plotandagravelwalk。Thehouseisofgreystone，twostorieshigh，heavilyroofedwithflags，inordertoresistthewindsthatmightstripoffalightercovering。Itappearstohavebeenbuiltaboutahundredyearsago，andtoconsistoffourroomsoneachstory；thetwowindowsontheright(asthevisitorstandswithhisbacktothechurch，readytoenterinatthefrontdoor)belongingtoMr。Bronte’sstudy，thetwoonthelefttothefamilysitting-room。Everythingabouttheplacetellsofthemostdaintyorder，themostexquisitecleanliness。

Thedoor-stepsarespotless；thesmallold-fashionedwindow-panesglitterlikelooking-glass。Insideandoutsideofthathousecleanlinessgoesupintoitsessence，purity。

Thelittlechurchlies，asImentioned，abovemostofthehousesinthevillage；andthegraveyardrisesabovethechurch，andisterriblyfullofuprighttombstones。Thechapelorchurchclaimsgreaterantiquitythananyotherinthatpartofthekingdom；butthereisnoappearanceofthisintheexternalaspectofthepresentedifice，unlessitbeinthetwoeasternwindows，whichremainunmodernized，andinthelowerpartofthesteeple。

Inside，thecharacterofthepillarsshowsthattheywereconstructedbeforethereignofHenryVII。Itisprobablethatthereexistedonthisground，a"field-kirk，"ororatory，intheearliesttimes；and，fromtheArchbishop’sregistryatYork，itisascertainedthattherewasachapelatHaworthin1317。Theinhabitantsreferinquirersconcerningthedatetothefollowinginscriptiononastoneinthechurchtower:-

"HicfecitCaenobiumMonachorumAutestefundator。A。D。

sexcentissimo。"

Thatistosay，beforethepreachingofChristianityinNorthumbria。Whitakersaysthatthismistakeoriginatedintheilliteratecopyingout，bysomemodernstone-cutter，ofaninscriptioninthecharacterofHenrytheEighth’stimeonanadjoiningstone:-

"OrateprobonostatuEutestTod。"

"Noweveryantiquaryknowsthattheformulaofprayer’bonostatu’

alwaysreferstotheliving。IsuspectthissingularChristiannamehasbeenmistakenbythestone-cutterforAustet，acontractionofEustatius，butthewordTod，whichhasbeenmis-

readfortheArabicfigures600，isperfectlyfairandlegible。

Onthepresumptionofthisfoolishclaimtoantiquity，thepeoplewouldneedssetupforindependence，andcontesttherightoftheVicarofBradfordtonominateacurateatHaworth。"

Ihavegiventhisextract，inordertoexplaintheimaginarygroundworkofacommotionwhichtookplaceinHaworthaboutfiveandthirtyyearsago，towhichIshallhaveoccasiontoalludeagainmoreparticularly。

Theinteriorofthechurchiscommonplace；itisneitheroldenoughnormodernenoughtocompelnotice。Thepewsareofblackoak，withhighdivisions；andthenamesofthosetowhomtheybelongarepaintedinwhitelettersonthedoors。Thereareneitherbrasses，noraltar-tombs，normonuments，butthereisamuraltabletontheright-handsideofthecommunion-table，bearingthefollowinginscription:-

HERE

LIETHEREMAINSOF

MARIABRONTE，WIFE

OFTHE

REV。P。BRONTE，A。B。，MINISTEROPHAWORTH。

HERSOUL

DEPARTEDTOTHESAVIOUR，SEPT。15TH，1821，INTHE39THYEAROFHERAGE。

"Beyealsoready:forinsuchanhourasyethinknottheSonofMancometh。"MATTHEWxxiv。44。

ALSOHERELIETHEREMAINSOF

MARIABRONTE，DAUGHTEROFTHEAFORESAID；

SHEDIEDONTHE

6THOFMAY，1825，INTHE12THYEAROFHERAGE；

ANDOF

ELIZABETHBRONTE，HERSISTER，WHODIEDJUNE15TH，1825，INTHE11THYEAROFHERAGE。

"VerilyIsayuntoyou，Exceptyebeconverted，andbecomeaslittlechildren，yeshallnotenterintothekingdomofheaven。"——

MATTHEWxviii。3。

HEREALSOLIETHEREMAINSOF

PATRICKBRANWELLBRONTE，WHODIEDSEPT。24TH，1848，AGED3OYEARS；

ANDOF

EMILYJANEBRONTE，WHODIEDDEC。19TH，1848，AGED29YEARS，SONANDDAUGHTEROFTHE

REV。P。BRONTE，INCUMBENT。

THISSTONEISALSODEDICATEDTOTHE

MEMORYOFANNEBRONTE，{1}

YOUNGESTDAUGHTEROFTHEREV。P。BRONTE，A。B。

SHEDIED，AGED27YEARS，MAY28TH，1849，ANDWASBURIEDATTHEOLDCHURCH，SCARBORO。’

Attheupperpartofthistabletamplespaceisallowedbetweenthelinesoftheinscription；whenthefirstmemorialswerewrittendown，thesurvivors，intheirfondaffection，thoughtlittleofthemarginandvergetheywereleavingforthosewhowerestillliving。Butasonedeadmemberofthehouseholdfollowsanotherfasttothegrave，thelinesarepressedtogether，andthelettersbecomesmallandcramped。AftertherecordofAnne’sdeath，thereisroomfornoother。

Butonemoreofthatgeneration——thelastofthatnurseryofsixlittlemotherlesschildren——wasyettofollow，beforethesurvivor，thechildlessandwidowedfather，foundhisrest。Onanothertablet，belowthefirst，thefollowingrecordhasbeenaddedtothatmournfullist:-

ADJOININGLIETHEREMAINSOF

CHARLOTTE，WIFE

OFTHE

REV。ARTHURBELLNICHOLLS，A。B。，ANDDAUGHTEROFTHEREV。P。BRONTE，A。B。，INCUMBENT

SHEDIEDMARCH31ST，1855，INTHE39TH

YEAROFHERAGE。{2}

Thistablet，whichcorrectstheerrorintheformertabletastotheageofAnneBronte，bearsthefollowinginscriptioninRomanletters；theinitials，however，beinginoldEnglish。

InMemoryofMaria，wifeoftheRev。P。Bronte，A。B。，MinisterofHaworth，ShediedSept。15th，1821，inthe39thyearofherage。

Also，ofMaria，theirdaughter，whodiedMay6th，1825，inthe12thyearofherage。

Also，ofElizabeth，theirdaughter，whodiedJune15th，1825，inthe11thyearofherage。

Also，ofPatrickBranwell，theirson，whodiedSept。24th，1848，aged31years。

Also，ofEmilyJane，theirdaughter，whodiedDec。19th，1848，aged30years。

Also，ofAnne，theirdaughter，whodiedMay28th，1849，aged29

years。ShewasburiedattheOldChurch，Scarborough。

Also，ofCharlotte，theirdaughter，wifeoftheRev。A。B。

Nicholls，B。A。ShediedMarch31st，1855，inthe39thyearofherage。

"Thestingofdeathissin，andthestrengthofsinisthelaw，butthanksbetoGodwhichgivethusthevictorythroughourLordJesusChrist。"——1Cor。xv。56，57。

CHAPTERII

Forarightunderstandingofthelifeofmydearfriend，CharlotteBronte，itappearstomemorenecessaryinhercasethaninmostothers，thatthereadershouldbemadeacquaintedwiththepeculiarformsofpopulationandsocietyamidstwhichherearliestyearswerepassed，andfromwhichbothherownandhersisters’

firstimpressionsofhumanlifemusthavebeenreceived。Ishallendeavour，therefore，beforeproceedingfurtherwithmywork，topresentsomeideaofthecharacterofthepeopleofHaworth，andthesurroundingdistricts。

EvenaninhabitantoftheneighbouringcountyofLancasterisstruckbythepeculiarforceofcharacterwhichtheYorkshiremendisplay。Thismakestheminterestingasarace；while，atthesametime，asindividuals，theremarkabledegreeofself-

sufficiencytheypossessgivesthemanairofindependenceratherapttorepelastranger。Iusethisexpression"self-sufficiency"

inthelargestsense。ConsciousofthestrongsagacityandthedoggedpowerofwillwhichseemalmostthebirthrightofthenativesoftheWestRiding，eachmanreliesuponhimself，andseeksnohelpatthehandsofhisneighbour。Fromrarelyrequiringtheassistanceofothers，hecomestodoubtthepowerofbestowingit:fromthegeneralsuccessofhisefforts，hegrowstodependuponthem，andtoover-esteemhisownenergyandpower。

Hebelongstothatkeen，yetshort-sightedclass，whoconsidersuspicionofallwhosehonestyisnotprovedasasignofwisdom。

Thepracticalqualitiesofamanareheldingreatrespect；butthewantoffaithinstrangersanduntriedmodesofaction，extendsitselfeventothemannerinwhichthevirtuesareregarded；andiftheyproducenoimmediateandtangibleresult，theyareratherputasideasunfitforthisbusy，strivingworld；

especiallyiftheyaremoreofapassivethananactivecharacter。

Theaffectionsarestrongandtheirfoundationsliedeep:buttheyarenot——suchaffectionsseldomare——wide-spreading；nordotheyshowthemselvesonthesurface。Indeed，thereislittledisplayofanyoftheamenitiesoflifeamongthiswild，roughpopulation。Theiraccostiscurt；theiraccentandtoneofspeechbluntandharsh。Somethingofthismay，probably，beattributedtothefreedomofmountainairandofisolatedhill-sidelife；

somethingbederivedfromtheirroughNorseancestry。Theyhaveaquickperceptionofcharacter，andakeensenseofhumour；thedwellersamongthemmustbepreparedforcertainuncomplimentary，thoughmostlikelytrue，observations，pithilyexpressed。Theirfeelingsarenoteasilyroused，buttheirdurationislasting。

Hencethereismuchclosefriendshipandfaithfulservice；andforacorrectexemplificationoftheforminwhichthelatterfrequentlyappears，Ineedonlyreferthereaderof"WutheringHeights"tothecharacterof"Joseph。"

Fromthesamecausecomealsoenduringgrudges，insomecasesamountingtohatred，whichoccasionallyhasbeenbequeathedfromgenerationtogeneration。IrememberMissBronteoncetellingmethatitwasasayingroundaboutHaworth，"Keepastoneinthypocketsevenyear；turnit，andkeepitsevenyearlonger，thatitmaybeeverreadytothinehandwhenthineenemydrawsnear。"

TheWestRidingmenaresleuth-houndsinpursuitofmoney。MissBronterelatedtomyhusbandacuriousinstanceillustrativeofthiseagerdesireforriches。Amanthatsheknew，whowasasmallmanufacturer，hadengagedinmanylocalspeculationswhichhadalwaysturnedoutwell，andtherebyrenderedhimapersonofsomewealth。Hewasratherpastmiddleage，whenhebethoughthimofinsuringhislife；andhehadonlyjusttakenouthispolicy，whenhefellillofanacutediseasewhichwascertaintoendfatallyinaveryfewdays。Thedoctor，half-hesitatingly，revealedtohimhishopelessstate。"Byjingo！"criedhe，rousingupatonceintotheoldenergy，"IshallDOtheinsurancecompany！

Ialwayswasaluckyfellow！"

Thesemenarekeenandshrewd；faithfulandperseveringinfollowingoutagoodpurpose，fellintrackinganevilone。Theyarenotemotional；theyarenoteasilymadeintoeitherfriendsorenemies；butonceloversorhaters，itisdifficulttochangetheirfeeling。Theyareapowerfulracebothinmindandbody，bothforgoodandforevil。

ThewoollenmanufacturewasintroducedintothisdistrictinthedaysofEdwardIII。ItistraditionallysaidthatacolonyofFlemingscameoverandsettledintheWestRidingtoteachtheinhabitantswhattodowiththeirwool。ThemixtureofagriculturalwithmanufacturinglabourthatensuedandprevailedintheWestRidinguptoaveryrecentperiod，soundspleasantenoughatthisdistanceoftime，whentheclassicalimpressionisleft，andthedetailsforgotten，oronlybroughttolightbythosewhoexplorethefewremotepartsofEnglandwherethecustomstilllingers。Theideaofthemistressandhermaidensspinningatthegreatwheelswhilethemasterwasabroadploughinghisfields，orseeingafterhisflocksonthepurplemoors，isverypoeticaltolookbackupon；butwhensuchlifeactuallytouchesonourowndays，andwecanhearparticularsfromthelipsofthosenowliving，therecomeoutdetailsofcoarseness——oftheuncouthnessoftherusticmingledwiththesharpnessofthetradesman——ofirregularityandfiercelawlessness——thatrathermarthevisionofpastoralinnocenceandsimplicity。Still，asitistheexceptionalandexaggeratedcharacteristicsofanyperiodthatleavethemostvividmemorybehindthem，itwouldbewrong，andinmyopinionfaithless，toconcludethatsuchandsuchformsofsocietyandmodesoflivingwerenotbestfortheperiodwhentheyprevailed，althoughtheabusestheymayhaveledinto，andthegradualprogressoftheworld，havemadeitwellthatsuchwaysandmannersshouldpassawayforever，andaspreposteroustoattempttoreturntothem，asitwouldbeforamantoreturntotheclothesofhischildhood。

ThepatentgrantedtoAldermanCockayne，andthefurtherrestrictionsimposedbyJamesI。ontheexportofundyedwoollencloths(metbyaprohibitiononthepartoftheStatesofHollandoftheimportofEnglish-dyedcloths)，injuredthetradeoftheWestRidingmanufacturersconsiderably。Theirindependenceofcharacter，theirdislikeofauthority，andtheirstrongpowersofthought，predisposedthemtorebellionagainstthereligiousdictationofsuchmenasLaud，andthearbitraryruleoftheStuarts；andtheinjurydonebyJamesandCharlestothetradebywhichtheygainedtheirbread，madethegreatmajorityofthemCommonwealthmen。IshallhaveoccasionafterwardstogiveoneortwoinstancesofthewarmfeelingsandextensiveknowledgeonsubjectsofbothhomeandforeignpoliticsexistingatthepresentdayinthevillageslyingwestandeastofthemountainousridgethatseparatesYorkshireandLancashire；theinhabitantsofwhichareofthesameraceandpossessthesamequalityofcharacter。

ThedescendantsofmanywhoservedunderCromwellatDunbar，liveonthesamelandsastheirancestorsoccupiedthen；andperhapsthereisnopartofEnglandwherethetraditionalandfondrecollectionsoftheCommonwealthhavelingeredsolongasinthatinhabitedbythewoollenmanufacturingpopulationoftheWestRiding，whohadtherestrictionstakenofftheirtradebytheProtector’sadmirablecommercialpolicy。Ihaveitongoodauthoritythat，notthirtyyearsago，thephrase，"inOliver’sdays，"wasincommonusetodenoteatimeofunusualprosperity。

TheclassofChristiannamesprevalentinadistrictisoneindicationofthedirectioninwhichitstideofhero-worshipsets。Graveenthusiastsinpoliticsorreligionperceivenottheludicroussideofthosewhichtheygivetotheirchildren；andsomearetobefound，stillintheirinfancy，notadozenmilesfromHaworth，thatwillhavetogothroughlifeasLamartine，Kossuth，andDembinsky。AndsothereisatestimonytowhatI

havesaid，ofthetraditionalfeelingofthedistrict，inthefactthattheOldTestamentnamesingeneraluseamongthePuritansareyettheprevalentappellationsinmostYorkshirefamiliesofmiddleorhumblerank，whatevertheirreligiouspersuasionmaybe。

Therearenumerousrecords，too，thatshowthekindlywayinwhichtheejectedministerswerereceivedbythegentry，aswellasbythepoorerpartoftheinhabitants，duringthepersecutingdaysofCharlesII。Theselittlefactsalltestifytotheoldhereditaryspiritofindependence，readyevertoresistauthoritywhichwasconceivedtobeunjustlyexercised，thatdistinguishesthepeopleoftheWestRidingtothepresentday。

TheparishofHalifaxtouchesthatofBradford，inwhichthechapelryofHaworthisincluded；andthenatureofthegroundinthetwoparishesismuchtheofthesamewildandhillydescription。Theabundanceofcoal，andthenumberofmountainstreamsinthedistrict，makeithighlyfavourabletomanufactures；andaccordingly，asIstated，theinhabitantshaveforcenturiesbeenengagedinmakingcloth，aswellasinagriculturalpursuits。Buttheintercourseoftradefailed，foralongtime，tobringamenityandcivilizationintotheseoutlyinghamlets，orwidelyscattereddwellings。Mr。Hunter，inhis"LifeofOliverHeywood，"quotesasentenceoutofamemorialofoneJamesRither，livinginthereignofElizabeth，whichispartiallytruetothisday:-

"Theyhavenosuperiortocourt，nocivilitiestopractise:asourandsturdyhumouristheconsequence，sothatastrangerisshockedbyatoneofdefianceineveryvoice，andanairoffiercenessineverycountenance。"

Evennow，astrangercanhardlyaskaquestionwithoutreceivingsomecrustyreply，if，indeed，hereceiveanyatall。Sometimesthesourrudenessamountstopositiveinsult。Yet，ifthe"foreigner"takesallthischurlishnessgood-humouredly，orasamatterofcourse，andmakesgoodanyclaimupontheirlatentkindlinessandhospitality，theyarefaithfulandgenerous，andthoroughlytobereliedupon。Asaslightillustrationoftheroughnessthatpervadesallclassesintheseout-of-the-wayvillages，Imayrelatealittleadventurewhichhappenedtomyhusbandandmyself，threeyearsago，atAddingham-

FromPenigenttoPendleHill，FromLintontoLong-ADDINGHAM

AndallthatCravencoastsdidtell，&c-

oneoftheplacesthatsentforthitsfightingmentothefamousoldbattleofFloddenField，andavillagenotmanymilesfromHaworth。

Weweredrivingalongthestreet，whenoneofthosene’er-do-weelladswhoseemtohaveakindofmagneticpowerformisfortunes，havingjumpedintothestreamthatrunsthroughtheplace，justwhereallthebrokenglassandbottlesarethrown，staggerednakedandnearlycoveredwithbloodintoacottagebeforeus。Besidesreceivinganotherbadcutinthearm，hehadcompletelylaidopentheartery，andwasinafairwayofbleedingtodeath——which，oneofhisrelationscomfortedhimbysaying，wouldbelikelyto"saveadealo’trouble。"

Whenmyhusbandhadcheckedtheeffusionofbloodwithastrapthatoneofthebystandersunbuckledfromhisleg，heaskedifasurgeonhadbeensentfor。

"Yoi，"wastheanswer；"butwedunnathinkhe’llcome。"

"Whynot？"

"He’sowd，yoseen，andasthmatic，andit’sup-hill。"

Myhusbandtakingaboyforhisguide，droveasfastashecouldtothesurgeon’shouse，whichwasaboutthree-quartersofamileoff，andmettheauntofthewoundedladleavingit。

"Ishecoming？"inquiredmyhusband。

"Well，hedidna’sayhewouldna’come。"

"But，tellhimtheladmaybleedtodeath。"

"Idid。"

"Andwhatdidhesay？"

"Why，only，’D-nhim；whatdoIcare？’"

Itended，however，inhissendingoneofhissons，who，thoughnotbroughtupto"thesurgeringtrade，"wasabletodowhatwasnecessaryinthewayofbandagesandplasters。Theexcusemadeforthesurgeonwas，that"hewasneareighty，andgettingabitdoited，andhadhadamattero’twentychilder。"

Amongthemostunmovedofthelookers-onwasthebrotheroftheboysobadlyhurt；andwhilehewaslyinginapoolofbloodontheflagfloor，andcryingouthowmuchhisarmwas"warching，"

hisstoicalrelationstoodcoollysmokinghisbitofblackpipe，andutterednotasinglewordofeithersympathyorsorrow。

Forestcustoms，existinginthefringesofdarkwood，whichclothedthedeclivityofthehillsoneitherside，tendedtobrutalizethepopulationuntilthemiddleoftheseventeenthcentury。Executionbybeheadingwasperformedinasummarywayuponeithermenorwomenwhowereguiltyofbutveryslightcrimes；andadogged，yetinsomecasesfine，indifferencetohumanlifewasthusgenerated。Theroadsweresonotoriouslybad，evenuptothelastthirtyyears，thattherewaslittlecommunicationbetweenonevillageandanother；iftheproduceofindustrycouldbeconveyedatstatedtimestotheclothmarketofthedistrict，itwasallthatcouldbedone；and，inlonelyhousesonthedistanthill-side，orbythesmallmagnatesofsecludedhamlets，crimesmightbecommittedalmostunknown，certainlywithoutanygreatuprisingofpopularindignationcalculatedtobringdownthestrongarmofthelaw。Itmustberememberedthatinthosedaystherewasnoruralconstabulary；andthefewmagistrateslefttothemselves，andgenerallyrelatedtooneanother，weremostoftheminclinedtotolerateeccentricity，andtowinkatfaultstoomuchliketheirown。

Menhardlypastmiddlelifetalkofthedaysoftheiryouth，spentinthispartofthecountry，when，duringthewintermonths，theyrodeuptothesaddle-girthsinmud；whenabsolutebusinesswastheonlyreasonforstirringbeyondtheprecinctsofhome，andwhenthatbusinesswasconductedunderapressureofdifficultieswhichtheythemselves，bornealongtoBradfordmarketinaswiftfirst-classcarriage，canhardlybelievetohavebeenpossible。

Forinstance，onewoollenmanufacturersaysthat，notfiveandtwentyyearsago，hehadtorisebetimestosetoffonawinter’s-

morninginordertobeatBradfordwiththegreatwaggon-loadofgoodsmanufacturedbyhisfather；thisloadwaspackedover-night，butinthemorningtherewasagreatgatheringaroundit，andflashingoflanterns，andexaminationofhorses’feet，beforetheponderouswaggongotunderway；andthensomeonehadtogogropinghereandthere，onhandsandknees，andalwayssoundingwithastaffdownthelong，steep，slipperybrow，tofindwherethehorsesmighttreadsafely，untiltheyreachedthecomparativeeasy-goingofthedeep-ruttedmainroad。Peoplewentonhorsebackovertheuplandmoors，followingthetracksofthepack-horsesthatcarriedtheparcels，baggage，orgoodsfromonetowntoanother，betweenwhichtheredidnothappentobeahighway。

Butinwinter，allsuchcommunicationwasimpossible，byreasonofthesnowwhichlaylongandlateonthebleakhighground。Ihaveknownpeoplewho，travellingbythemail-coachoverBlackstoneEdge，hadbeensnowedupforaweekortendaysatthelittleinnnearthesummit，andobligedtospendbothChristmasandNewYear’sDaythere，tillthestoreofprovisionslaidinfortheuseofthelandlordandhisfamilyfallingshortbeforetheinroadsoftheunexpectedvisitors，theyhadrecoursetotheturkeys，geese，andYorkshirepieswithwhichthecoachwasladen；andeventhesewerebeginningtofail，whenafortunatethawreleasedthemfromtheirprison。

Isolatedasthehillvillagesmaybe，theyareintheworld，comparedwiththelonelinessofthegreyancestralhousestobeseenhereandthereinthedensehollowsofthemoors。Thesedwellingsarenotlarge，yettheyaresolidandroomyenoughfortheaccommodationofthosewholiveinthem，andtowhomthesurroundingestatesbelong。ThelandhasoftenbeenheldbyonefamilysincethedaysoftheTudors；theownersare，infact，theremainsoftheoldyeomanry——smallsquires——whoarerapidlybecomingextinctasaclass，fromoneoftwocauses。Eitherthepossessorfallsintoidle，drinkinghabits，andsoisobligedeventuallytosellhisproperty:orhefinds，ifmoreshrewdandadventurous，thatthe"beck"runningdownthemountain-side，orthemineralsbeneathhisfeet，canbeturnedintoanewsourceofwealth；andleavingtheoldploddinglifeofalandownerwithsmallcapital，heturnsmanufacturer，ordigsforcoal，orquarriesforstone。

Stilltherearethoseremainingofthisclass——dwellersinthelonelyhousesfarawayintheuplanddistricts——evenatthepresentday，whosufficientlyindicatewhatstrangeeccentricity——

whatwildstrengthofwill——nay，evenwhatunnaturalpowerofcrimewasfosteredbyamodeoflivinginwhichamanseldommethisfellows，andwherepublicopinionwasonlyadistantandinarticulateechoofsomeclearervoicesoundingbehindthesweepinghorizon。

Asolitarylifecherishesmerefanciesuntiltheybecomemanias。

AndthepowerfulYorkshirecharacter，whichwasscarcelytamedintosubjectionbyallthecontactitmetwithin"busytownorcrowdedmart，"hasbeforenowbrokenoutintostrangewilfulnessintheremoterdistricts。Asingularaccountwasrecentlygivenmeofalandowner(living，itistrue，ontheLancashiresideofthehills，butofthesamebloodandnatureasthedwellersontheother，)whowassupposedtobeinthereceiptofsevenoreighthundredayear，andwhosehouseboremarksofhandsomeantiquity，asifhisforefathershadbeenforalongtimepeopleofconsideration。Myinformantwasstruckwiththeappearanceoftheplace，andproposedtothecountrymanwhowasaccompanyinghim，togouptoitandtakeanearerinspection。Thereplywas，"Yo’dbetternot；he’dthreapyo’downth’loan。He’sletflyatsomefolk’slegs，andletshotlodgein’emaforenow，forgoingtooneartohishouse。"Andfinding，oncloserinquiry，thatsuchwasreallytheinhospitablecustomofthismoorlandsquire，thegentlemangaveuphispurpose。Ibelievethatthesavageyeomanisstillliving。

Anothersquire，ofmoredistinguishedfamilyandlargerproperty——

oneisthenceledtoimagineofbettereducation，butthatdoesnotalwaysfollow——diedathishouse，notmanymilesfromHaworth，onlyafewyearsago。Hisgreatamusementandoccupationhadbeencock-fighting。Whenhewasconfinedtohischamberwithwhatheknewwouldbehislastillness，hehadhiscocksbroughtupthere，andwatchedthebloodybattlefromhisbed。Ashismortaldiseaseincreased，anditbecameimpossibleforhimtoturnsoastofollowthecombat，hehadlooking-glassesarrangedinsuchamanner，aroundandabovehim，ashelay，thathecouldstillseethecocksfighting。Andinthismannerhedied。

Thesearemerelyinstancesofeccentricitycomparedtothetalesofpositiveviolenceandcrimethathaveoccurredintheseisolateddwellings，whichstilllingerinthememoriesoftheoldpeopleofthedistrict，andsomeofwhichweredoubtlessfamiliartotheauthorsof"WutheringHeights"and"TheTenantofWildfellHall。"

Theamusementsofthelowerclassescouldhardlybeexpectedtobemorehumanethanthoseofthewealthyandbettereducated。Thegentleman，whohaskindlyfurnishedmewithsomeoftheparticularsIhavegiven，remembersthebull-baitingsatRochdale，notthirtyyearsago。Thebullwasfastenedbyachainorropetoapostintheriver。Toincreasetheamountofwater，aswellastogivetheirworkpeopletheopportunityofsavagedelight，themasterswereaccustomedtostoptheirmillsonthedaywhenthesporttookplace。Thebullwouldsometimeswheelsuddenlyround，sothattheropebywhichhewasfastenedsweptthosewhohadbeencarelessenoughtocomewithinitsrangedownintothewater，andthegoodpeopleofRochdalehadtheexcitementofseeingoneortwooftheirneighboursdrowned，aswellasofwitnessingthebullbaited，andthedogstornandtossed。

ThepeopleofHaworthwerenotlessstrongandfullofcharacterthantheirneighboursoneithersideofthehills。Thevillageliesembeddedinthemoors，betweenthetwocounties，ontheoldroadbetweenKeighleyandColne。Aboutthemiddleofthelastcentury，itbecamefamousinthereligiousworldasthesceneoftheministrationsoftheRev。WilliamGrimshaw，curateofHaworthfortwentyyears。Beforethistime，itisprobablethatthecurateswereofthesameorderasoneMr。Nicholls，aYorkshireclergyman，inthedaysimmediatelysucceedingtheReformation，whowas"muchaddictedtodrinkingandcompany-keeping，"andusedtosaytohiscompanions，"YoumustnotheedmebutwhenIamgotthreefeetabovetheearth，"thatwas，intothepulpit。

Mr。Grimshaw’slifewaswrittenbyNewton，Cowper’sfriend；andfromitmaybegatheredsomecuriousparticularsofthemannerinwhicharoughpopulationwereswayedandgovernedbyamanofdeepconvictions，andstrongearnestnessofpurpose。Itseemsthathehadnotbeeninanywayremarkableforreligiouszeal，thoughhehadledamorallife，andbeenconscientiousinfulfillinghisparochialduties，untilacertainSundayinSeptember，1744，whentheservant，risingatfive，foundhermasteralreadyengagedinprayer；shestatedthat，afterremaininginhischamberforsometime，hewenttoengageinreligiousexercisesinthehouseofaparishioner，thenhomeagaintopray；thence，stillfasting，tothechurch，where，ashewasreadingthesecondlesson，hefelldown，and，onhispartialrecovery，hadtobeledfromthechurch。

Ashewentout，hespoketothecongregation，andtoldthemnottodisperse，ashehadsomethingtosaytothem，andwouldreturnpresently。Hewastakentotheclerk’shouse，andagainbecameinsensible。Hisservantrubbedhim，torestorethecirculation；

andwhenhewasbroughttohimself"heseemedinagreatrapture，"

andthefirstwordsheutteredwere，"Ihavehadagloriousvisionfromthethirdheaven。"Hedidnotsaywhathehadseen，butreturnedintothechurch，andbegantheserviceagain，attwointheafternoon，andwentonuntilseven。

Fromthistimehedevotedhimself，withthefervourofaWesley，andsomethingofthefanaticismofaWhitfield，tocallingoutareligiouslifeamonghisparishioners。Theyhadbeeninthehabitofplayingatfoot-ballonSunday，usingstonesforthispurpose；

andgivingandreceivingchallengesfromotherparishes。Therewerehorse-racesheldonthemoorsjustabovethevillage，whichwereperiodicalsourcesofdrunkennessandprofligacy。Scarcelyaweddingtookplacewithouttheroughamusementoffoot-races，wherethehalf-nakedrunnerswereascandaltoalldecentstrangers。Theoldcustomof"arvills，"orfuneralfeasts，ledtofrequentpitchedbattlesbetweenthedrunkenmourners。SuchcustomsweretheoutwardsignsofthekindofpeoplewithwhomMr。

Grimshawhadtodeal。But，byvariousmeans，someofthemostpracticalkind，hewroughtagreatchangeinhisparish。InhispreachinghewasoccasionallyassistedbyWesleyandWhitfield，andatsuchtimesthelittlechurchprovedmuchtoosmalltoholdthethrongthatpouredinfromdistantvillages，orlonelymoorlandhamlets；andfrequentlytheywereobligedtomeetintheopenair；indeed，therewasnotroomenoughinthechurchevenforthecommunicants。Mr。WhitfieldwasoncepreachinginHaworth，andmadeuseofsomesuchexpression，asthathehopedtherewasnoneedtosaymuchtothiscongregation，astheyhadsatundersopiousandgodlyaministerforsomanyyears；"whereuponMr。

Grimshawstoodupinhisplace，andsaidwithaloudvoice，’Oh，sir！forGod’ssakedonotspeakso。Iprayyoudonotflatterthem。Ifearthegreaterpartofthemaregoingtohellwiththeireyesopen。’"Butiftheyweresobound，itwasnotforwantofexertiononMr。Grimshaw’sparttopreventthem。Heusedtopreachtwentyorthirtytimesaweekinprivatehouses。Ifheperceivedanyoneinattentivetohisprayers，hewouldstopandrebuketheoffender，andnotgoontillhesaweveryoneontheirknees。HewasveryearnestinenforcingthestrictobservanceofSunday；andwouldnotevenallowhisparishionerstowalkinthefieldsbetweenservices。HesometimesgaveoutaverylongPsalm(traditionsaysthe119th)，andwhileitwasbeingsung，heleftthereading-desk，andtakingahorsewhipwentintothepublic-

houses，andfloggedtheloiterersintochurch。Theywereswiftwhocouldescapethelashoftheparsonbysneakingoutthebackway。Hehadstronghealthandanactivebody，androdefarandwideoverthehills，"awakening"thosewhohadpreviouslyhadnosenseofreligion。Tosavetime，andbenochargetothefamiliesatwhosehousesheheldhisprayer-meetings，hecarriedhisprovisionswithhim；allthefoodhetookinthedayonsuchoccasionsconsistingsimplyofapieceofbreadandbutter，ordrybreadandarawonion。

Thehorse-raceswerejustlyobjectionabletoMr。Grimshaw；theyattractednumbersofprofligatepeopletoHaworth，andbroughtamatchtothecombustiblematerialsoftheplace，onlytooreadytoblazeoutintowickedness。Thestoryis，thathetriedallmeansofpersuasion，andevenintimidation，tohavetheracesdiscontinued，butinvain。Atlength，indespair，heprayedwithsuchfervourofearnestnessthattheraincamedownintorrents，anddelugedtheground，sothattherewasnofootingformanorbeast，evenifthemultitudehadbeenwillingtostandsuchafloodletdownfromabove。AndsoHaworthraceswerestopped，andhaveneverbeenresumedtothisday。Evennowthememoryofthisgoodmanisheldinreverence，andhisfaithfulministrationsandrealvirtuesareoneoftheboastsoftheparish。

Butafterhistime，Ifeartherewasafallingbackintothewildroughheathenways，fromwhichhehadpulledthemup，asitwere，bythepassionateforceofhisindividualcharacter。HehadbuiltachapelfortheWesleyanMethodists，andnotverylongaftertheBaptistsestablishedthemselvesinaplaceofworship。Indeed，asDr。Whitakersays，thepeopleofthisdistrictare"strongreligionists；"only，fiftyyearsago，theirreligiondidnotworkdownintotheirlives。Halfthatlengthoftimeback，thecodeofmoralsseemedtobeformeduponthatoftheirNorseancestors。

Revengewashandeddownfromfathertosonasanhereditaryduty；

andagreatcapabilityfordrinkingwithouttheheadbeingaffectedwasconsideredasoneofthemanlyvirtues。Thegamesoffoot-ballonSundays，withthechallengestotheneighbouringparishes，wereresumed，bringinginaninfluxofriotousstrangerstofillthepublic-houses，andmakethemoresober-mindedinhabitantslongforgoodMr。Grimshaw’sstoutarm，andreadyhorsewhip。Theoldcustomof"arvills"wasasprevalentasever。

Thesexton，standingatthefootoftheopengrave，announcedthatthe"arvill"wouldbeheldattheBlackBull，orwhateverpublic-

housemightbefixeduponbythefriendsofthedead；andthitherthemournersandtheiracquaintancesrepaired。Theoriginofthecustomhadbeenthenecessityoffurnishingsomerefreshmentforthosewhocamefromadistance，topaythelastmarkofrespecttoafriend。InthelifeofOliverHeywoodtherearetwoquotations，whichshowwhatsortoffoodwasprovidedfor"arvills"inquietNonconformistconnectionsintheseventeenthcentury；thefirst(fromThoresby)tellsof"coldpossets，stewedprunes，cake，andcheese，"asbeingthearvillafterOliverHeywood’sfuneral。Thesecondgives，asrathershabby，accordingtothenotionofthetimes(1673)，"nothingbutabitofcake，draughtofwine，pieceofrosemary，andpairofgloves。"

ButthearvillsatHaworthwereoftenfarmorejovialdoings。

Amongthepoor，themournerswereonlyexpectedtoprovideakindofspicedrollforeachperson；andtheexpenseoftheliquors——

rum，orale，oramixtureofbothcalled"dog’snose"——wasgenerallydefrayedbyeachguestplacingsomemoneyonaplate，setinthemiddleofthetable。Richerpeoplewouldorderadinnerfortheirfriends。AtthefuneralofMr。Charnock(thenextsuccessorbutonetoMr。Grimshawintheincumbency)，aboveeightypeoplewerebidtothearvill，andthepriceofthefeastwas4s。6d。perhead，allofwhichwasdefrayedbythefriendsofthedeceased。Asfew"shirkedtheirliquor，"therewereveryfrequently"up-and-downfights"beforethecloseoftheday；

sometimeswiththehorridadditionsof"pawsing"and"gouging，"

andbiting。

AlthoughIhavedweltontheexceptionaltraitsinthecharacteristicsofthesestalwartWest-Ridingers，suchastheywereinthefirstquarterofthiscentury，ifnotafewyearslater，Ihavelittledoubtthatintheevery-daylifeofthepeoplesoindependent，wilful，andfullofgrimhumour，therewouldbemuchfoundevenatpresentthatwouldshockthoseaccustomedonlytothelocalmannersofthesouth；and，inreturn，Isuspecttheshrewd，sagacious，energeticYorkshiremanwouldholdsuch"foreigners"innosmallcontempt。

Ihavesaid，itismostprobablethatwhereHaworthChurchnowstands，therewasonceanancient"field-kirk，"ororatory。Itoccupiedthethirdorlowestclassofecclesiasticalstructures，accordingtotheSaxonlaw，andhadnorightofsepulture，oradministrationofsacraments。Itwassocalledbecauseitwasbuiltwithoutenclosure，andopentotheadjoiningfieldsormoors。Thefounder，accordingtothelawsofEdgar，wasbound，withoutsubtractingfromhistithes，tomaintaintheministeringpriestoutoftheremainingninepartsofhisincome。AftertheReformation，therightofchoosingtheirclergyman，atanyofthosechapelsofeasewhichhadformerlybeenfield-kirks，wasvestedinthefreeholdersandtrustees，subjecttotheapprovalofthevicaroftheparish。Butowingtosomenegligence，thisrighthasbeenlosttothefreeholdersandtrusteesatHaworth，eversincethedaysofArchbishopSharp；andthepowerofchoosingaministerhaslapsedintothehandsoftheVicarofBradford。Sorunstheaccount，accordingtooneauthority。

Mr。Brontesays，——"ThislivinghasforitspatronstheVicarofBradfordandcertaintrustees。MypredecessortookthelivingwiththeconsentoftheVicarofBradford，butinoppositiontothetrustees；inconsequenceofwhichhewassoopposedthat，afteronlythreeweeks’possession，hewascompelledtoresign。"

AYorkshiregentleman，whohaskindlysentmesomeadditionalinformationonthissubjectsincethesecondeditionofmyworkwaspublished，write，thus:-

"ThesolerightofpresentationtotheincumbencyofHaworthisvestedintheVicarofBradford。Heonlycanpresent。Thefunds，however，fromwhichtheclergyman’sstipendmainlyproceeds，arevestedinthehandsoftrustees，whohavethepowertowithholdthem，ifanomineeissentofwhomtheydisapprove。OnthedeceaseofMr。Charnock，theVicarfirsttenderedtheprefermenttoMr。Bronte，andhewentovertohisexpectedcure。Hewastoldthattowardshimselftheyhadnopersonalobjection；butasanomineeoftheVicarhewouldnotbereceived。Hethereforeretired，withthedeclarationthatifhecouldnotcomewiththeapprovaloftheparish，hisministrycouldnotbeuseful。UponthistheattemptwasmadetointroduceMr。Redhead。

"WhenMr。Redheadwasrepelled，afreshdifficultyarose。Someonemustfirstmovetowardsasettlement，butaspiritbeingevokedwhichcouldnotbeallayed，actionbecameperplexing。Thematterhadtobereferredtosomeindependentarbitrator，andmyfatherwasthegentlemantowhomeachpartyturneditseye。A

meetingwasconvened，andthebusinesssettledbytheVicar’sconcedingthechoicetothetrustees，andtheacceptanceoftheVicar’spresentation。ThatchoiceforthwithfellonMr。Bronte，whosepromptnessandprudencehadwontheirhearts。"

InconversingonthecharacteroftheinhabitantsoftheWestRidingwithDr。Scoresby，whohadbeenforsometimeVicarofBradford，healludedtocertainriotoustransactionswhichhadtakenplaceatHaworthonthepresentationofthelivingtoMr。

Redhead，andsaidthattherehadbeensomuchintheparticularsindicativeofthecharacterofthepeople，thatheadvisedmetoinquireintothem。Ihaveaccordinglydoneso，and，fromthelipsofsomeofthesurvivorsamongtheactorsandspectators，IhavelearntthemeanstakentoejectthenomineeoftheVicar。

ThepreviousincumbenthadbeentheMr。CharnockwhomIhavementionedasnextbutoneinsuccessiontoMr。Grimshaw。Hehadalongillnesswhichrenderedhimunabletodischargehisdutieswithoutassistance，andMr。Redheadgavehimoccasionalhelp，tothegreatsatisfactionoftheparishioners，andwashighlyrespectedbythemduringMr。Charnock’slifetime。Butthecasewasentirelyalteredwhen，atMr。Charnock’sdeathin1819，theyconceivedthatthetrusteeshadbeenunjustlydeprivedoftheirrightsbytheVicarofBradford，whoappointedMr。Redheadasperpetualcurate。

ThefirstSundayheofficiated，HaworthChurchwasfilledeventotheaisles；mostofthepeoplewearingthewoodenclogsofthedistrict。ButwhileMr。Redheadwasreadingthesecondlesson，thewholecongregation，asbyoneimpulse，begantoleavethechurch，makingallthenoisetheycouldwithclatteringandclumpingofclogs，till，atlength，Mr。Redheadandtheclerkweretheonlytwolefttocontinuetheservice。Thiswasbadenough，butthenextSundaytheproceedingswerefarworse。Then，asbefore，thechurchwaswellfilled，buttheaisleswereleftclear；notacreature，notanobstaclewasintheway。Thereasonforthiswasmadeevidentaboutthesametimeinthereadingoftheserviceasthedisturbanceshadbegunthepreviousweek。A

manrodeintothechurchuponanass，withhisfaceturnedtowardsthetail，andasmanyoldhatspiledonhisheadashecouldpossiblycarry。Hebeganurginghisbeastroundtheaisles，andthescreams，andcries，andlaughterofthecongregationentirelydrownedallsoundofMr。Redhead’svoice，and，Ibelieve，hewasobligedtodesist。

Hithertotheyhadnotproceededtoanythinglikepersonalviolence；butonthethirdSundaytheymusthavebeengreatlyirritatedatseeingMr。Redhead，determinedtobravetheirwill，rideupthevillagestreet，accompaniedbyseveralgentlemenfromBradford。TheyputuptheirhorsesattheBlackBull——thelittleinncloseuponthechurchyard，fortheconvenienceofarvillsaswellasforotherpurposes——andwentintochurch。Onthisthepeoplefollowed，withachimney-sweeper，whomtheyhademployedtocleanthechimneysofsomeout-buildingsbelongingtothechurchthatverymorning，andafterwardpliedwithdrinktillhewasinastateofsolemnintoxication。Theyplacedhimrightbeforethereading-desk，wherehisblackenedfacenoddedadrunken，stupidassenttoallthatMr。Redheadsaid。Atlast，eitherpromptedbysomemischief-maker，orfromsometipsyimpulse，heclamberedupthepulpitstairs，andattemptedtoembraceMr。Redhead。Thentheprofanefungrewfastandfurious。Someofthemoreriotous，pushedthesoot-coveredchimney-sweeperagainstMr。Redhead，ashetriedtoescape。Theythrewbothhimandhistormentordownonthegroundinthechurchyardwherethesoot-baghadbeenemptied，and，though，atlast，Mr。RedheadescapedintotheBlackBull，thedoorsofwhichwereimmediatelybarred，thepeopleragedwithout，threateningtostonehimandhisfriends。Oneofmyinformantsisanoldman，whowasthelandlordoftheinnatthetime，andhestandstoitthatsuchwasthetemperoftheirritatedmob，thatMr。Redheadwasinrealdangerofhislife。Thisman，however，plannedanescapeforhisunpopularinmates。TheBlackBullisnearthetopofthelong，steepHaworthstreet，andatthebottom，closebythebridge，ontheroadtoKeighley，isaturnpike。

Givingdirectionstohishuntedgueststostealoutatthebackdoor(throughwhich，probably，manyane’er-do-weelhasescapedfromgoodMr。Grimshaw’shorsewhip)，thelandlordandsomeofthestable-boysrodethehorsesbelongingtothepartyfromBradfordbackwardsandforwardsbeforehisfrontdoor，amongthefiercely-

expectantcrowd。Throughsomeopeningbetweenthehouses，thoseonthehorsessawMr。Redheadandhisfriendscreepingalongbehindthestreet；andthen，strikingspurs，theydashedquicklydowntotheturnpike；theobnoxiousclergymanandhisfriendsmountedinhaste，andhadspedsomedistancebeforethepeoplefoundoutthattheirpreyhadescaped，andcamerunningtotheclosedturnpikegate。

ThiswasMr。Redhead’slastappearanceatHaworthformanyyears。

Longafterwards，hecametopreach，andinhissermontoalargeandattentivecongregationhegood-humouredlyremindedthemofthecircumstanceswhichIhavedescribed。Theygavehimaheartywelcome，fortheyowedhimnogrudge；althoughbeforetheyhadbeenreadyenoughtostonehim，inordertomaintainwhattheyconsideredtobetheirrights。

Theforegoingaccount，whichIheardfromtwoofthesurvivors，inthepresenceofafriendwhocanvouchfortheaccuracyofmyrepetition，hastoacertaindegreebeenconfirmedbyaletterfromtheYorkshiregentleman，whosewordsIhavealreadyquoted。

"Iamnotsurprisedatyourdifficultyinauthenticatingmatter-

of-fact。IfindthisinrecallingwhatIhaveheard，andtheauthorityonwhichIhaveheardanything。Astothedonkeytale，Ibelieveyouareright。Mr。RedheadandDr。Ramsbotham，hisson-

in-law，arenostrangerstome。Eachofthemhasanicheinmyaffections。

"Ihaveasked，thisday，twopersonswholivedinHaworthatthetimetowhichyouallude，thesonanddaughterofanactingtrustee，andeachofthembetweensixtyandseventyyearsofage，andtheyassuremethatthedonkeywasintroduced。Oneofthemsaysitwasmountedbyahalf-wittedman，seatedwithhisfacetowardsthetailofthebeast，andhavingseveralhatspiledonhishead。Neitherofmyinformantswas，however，presentattheseedifyingservices。IbelievethatnomovementwasmadeinthechurchoneitherSunday，untilthewholeoftheauthorisedreading-servicewasgonethrough，andIamsurethatnothingwasmoreremotefromthemorerespectablepartythananypersonalantagonismtowardMr。Redhead。Hewasoneofthemostamiableandworthyofmen，amantomyselfendearedbymanytiesandobligations。Ineverheardbeforeyourbookthatthesweepascendedthepulpitsteps。Hewaspresent，however，intheclericalhabilimentsofhisorder……ImayalsoaddthatamongthemanywhowerepresentatthosesadSundayorgiesthemajoritywerenon-residents，andcamefromthosemoorlandfastnessesontheoutskirtsoftheparishlocallydesignatedas’ovverth’steyres，’

onestagemoreremotethanHaworthfrommoderncivilization。

"ToaninstanceortwomoreoftherusticityoftheinhabitantsofthechapelryofHaworth，Imayintroduceyou。

"AHaworthcarriercalledattheofficeofafriendofminetodeliveraparcelonacoldwinter’sday，andstoodwiththedooropen。’Robin！shutthedoor！’saidtherecipient。’Haveyounodoorsinyourcountry？’’Yoi，’respondedRobin，’wehev，butwenivversteik’em。’Ihavefrequentlyremarkedthenumberofdoorsopeneveninwinter。

"Whenwelldirected，theindomitableandindependentenergiesofthenativesofthispartofthecountryareinvaluable；dangerouswhenperverted。Ishallneverforgetthefierceactionsandutterancesofonesufferingfromdeliriumtremens。Whetherinitswrath，disdain，oritsdismay，thecountenancewasinfernal。I

calledonceuponatimeonamostrespectableyeoman，andIwas，inlanguageearnestandhomely，pressedtoacceptthehospitalityofthehouse。Iconsented。Thewordtomewas，’Nah，Maister，yahmunstopanhevsumte-ah，yahmun，eah，yahmun。’A

bountifultablewassoonspread；atallevents，timesoonwentwhileIscaledthehillstosee’t’maireatworthrettyyearowd，an’t’feilatworfewer。’Onsittingdowntothetable，avenerablewomanofficiated，andafterfillingthecups，shethusaddressedme:’Nah，Maister，yahmunloawzeth’taible’(loosethetable)。Themastersaid，’Shahmeeansyahmunseyt’greyce。’I

tookthehint，andutteredtheblessing。

"Ispokewithanagedandtriedwomanatonetime，who，afterrecordinghermercies，stated，amongothers，herpowersofspeech，byasserting’ThanktheLord，ahnivverworameilly-meouthedwumman。’Ifeelparticularlyatfaultinattemptingtheorthographyofthedialect，butmustexcusemyselfbytellingyouthatIoncesawaletterinwhichthewordIhavejustnowused(excuse)waswritten’ecksqueaize！’

"Therearesomethings，however，whichrathertendtosoftentheideaoftherudenessofHaworth。Noruraldistricthasbeenmoremarkedlytheabodeofmusicaltasteandacquirement，andthisataperiodwhenitwasdifficulttofindthemtothesameextentapartfromtownsinadvanceoftheirtimes。IhavegonetoHaworthandfoundanorchestratomeetme，filledwithlocalperformers，vocalandinstrumental，towhomthebestworksofHandel，Haydn，Mozart，Marcello，&c。&c。，werefamiliarashouseholdwords。Byknowledge，taste，andvoice，theyweremarkedlyseparatefromordinaryvillagechoirs，andhavebeenputinextensiverequisitionforthesoloandchorusofmanyanimposingfestival。

Onemanstillsurvives，who，forfiftyyears，hashadoneofthefinesttenorvoicesIeverheard，andwithitarefinedandcultivatedtaste。Tohimandtoothersmanyinducementshavebeenofferedtomigrate；buttheloom，theassociation，themountainairhavehadcharmsenowtosecuretheircontinuanceathome。I

lovetherecollectionoftheirperformance；thatrecollectionextendsovermorethansixtyyears。Theattachments，theantipathiesandthehospitalitiesofthedistrictareardent，hearty，andhomely。Cordialityineachistheprominentcharacteristic。Asapeople，thesemountaineershaveeverbeenaccessibletogentlenessandtruth，sofarasIhaveknownthem；

butexcitesuspicionorresentment，andtheygiveemphaticandnotimpotentresistance。Compulsiontheydefy。

"IaccompaniedMr。HeaponhisfirstvisittoHaworthafterhisaccessiontothevicarageofBradford。ItwasonEasterday，either1816or1817。Hispredecessor，thevenerableJohnCrosse，knownasthe’blindvicar，’hadbeeninattentivetothevicarialclaims。Asearchinginvestigationhadtobemadeandenforced，andasitproceededstoutandsturdyutteranceswerenotlackingonthepartoftheparishioners。Toaspectator，thoughrude，theywereamusing，andsignificant，foretellingwhatmightbeexpected，andwhatwasafterwardsrealised，ontheadventofanewincumbent，iftheydeemedhimanintruder。

"Fromtheirpeculiarparochialpositionandcircumstances，theinhabitantsofthechapelryhavebeenprompt，earnest，andperseveringintheiroppositiontochurch-rates。Althoughtenmilesfromthemother-church，theywerecalledupontodefrayalargeproportionofthisobnoxioustax，——Ibelieveonefifth。

"Besidesthis，theyhadtomaintaintheirownedifice，&c。，&c。

Theyresisted，therefore，withenergy，thatwhichtheydeemedtobeoppressionandinjustice。ByscoreswouldtheywendtheirwayfromthehillstoattendavestrymeetingatBradford，andinsuchservicefailednottoshowlessoftheSUAVITERINMODOthantheFORTITERINRE。Happilysuchoccasionfortheiractionhasnotoccurredformanyyears。

"Theuseofpatronymicshasbeencommoninthislocality。InquireforamanbyhisChristiannameandsurname，andyoumayhavesomedifficultyinfindinghim:ask，however，for’Georgeo’Ned’s，’

or’Dicko’Bob’s，’or’Tomo’Jack’s，’asthecasemaybe，andyourdifficultyisatanend。Inmanyinstancesthepersonisdesignatedbyhisresidence。InmyearlyyearsIhadoccasiontoinquireforJonathanWhitaker，whoownedaconsiderablefarminthetownship。Iwassenthitherandthither，untilitoccurredtometoaskfor’Jonathano’th’Gate。’Mydifficultieswerethenatanend。Suchcircumstancesariseoutofthesettledcharacterandisolationofthenatives。

"ThosewhohavewitnessedaHaworthweddingwhenthepartieswereabovetherankoflabourers，willnoteasilyforgetthescene。A

levywasmadeonthehorsesoftheneighbourhood，andamerrycavalcadeofmountedmenandwomen，singleordouble，traversedthewaytoBradfordchurch。Theinnandchurchappearedtobeinnaturalconnection，andasthelaboursoftheTemperanceSocietyhadthentobegin，theinterestsofsobrietywerenotalwaysconsulted。Onremountingtheirsteedstheycommencedwitharace，andnotunfrequentlyaninebriateorunskilfulhorsemanorwomanwasputHORSDECOMBAT。Aracealsowasfrequentattheend。oftheseweddingexpeditions，fromthebridgetothetoll-baratHaworth。Therace-courseyouwillknowtobeanythingbutlevel。"

Intothemidstofthislawless，yetnotunkindlypopulation，Mr。

Brontebroughthiswifeandsixlittlechildren，inFebruary，1820。Therearethoseyetalivewhoremembersevenheavily-ladencartslumberingslowlyupthelongstonestreet，bearingthe"newparson’s"householdgoodstohisfutureabode。

Onewondershowthebleakaspectofhernewhome——thelow，oblong，stoneparsonage，highup，yetwithastillhigherback-groundofsweepingmoors——struckonthegentle，delicatewife，whosehealtheventhenwasfailing。

CHAPTERIII

TheRev。PatrickBronteisanativeoftheCountyDowninIreland。

HisfatherHughBronte，wasleftanorphanatanearlyage。Hecamefromthesouthtothenorthoftheisland，andsettledintheparishofAhaderg，nearLoughbrickland。Therewassomefamilytraditionthat，humbleasHughBronte’scircumstanceswere，hewasthedescendantofanancientfamily。Butaboutthisneitherhenorhisdescendantshavecaredtoinquire。Hemadeanearlymarriage，andrearedandeducatedtenchildrenontheproceedsofthefewacresoflandwhichhefarmed。Thislargefamilywereremarkableforgreatphysicalstrength，andmuchpersonalbeauty。

Eveninhisoldage，Mr。Bronteisastriking-lookingman，abovethecommonheight，withanobly-shapedhead，anderectcarriage。

Inhisyouthhemusthavebeenunusuallyhandsome。

HewasbornonPatrickmasday(March17)，1777，andearlygavetokensofextraordinaryquicknessandintelligence。Hehadalsohisfullshareofambition；andofhisstrongsenseandforethoughtthereisaproofinthefact，that，knowingthathisfathercouldaffordhimnopecuniaryaid，andthathemustdependuponhisownexertions，heopenedapublicschoolattheearlyageofsixteen；andthismodeoflivinghecontinuedtofollowforfiveorsixyears。HethenbecameatutorinthefamilyoftheRev。Mr。Tighe，rectorofDrumgoolandparish。ThenceheproceededtoSt。John’sCollege，Cambridge，wherehewasenteredinJuly，1802，beingatthetimefive-and-twentyyearsofage。Afternearlyfouryears’residence，heobtainedhisB。A。degree，andwasordainedtoacuracyinEssex，whenceheremovedintoYorkshire。

Thecourseoflifeofwhichthisistheoutline，showsapowerfulandremarkablecharacter，originatingandpursuingapurposeinaresoluteandindependentmanner。Hereisayouth——aboyofsixteen——separatinghimselffromhisfamily，anddeterminingtomaintainhimself；andthat，notinthehereditarymannerbyagriculturalpursuits，butbythelabourofhisbrain。

Isuppose，fromwhatIhaveheard，thatMr。Tighebecamestronglyinterestedinhischildren’stutor，andmayhaveaidedhim，notonlyinthedirectionofhisstudies，butinthesuggestionofanEnglishuniversityeducation，andinadviceastothemodeinwhichheshouldobtainentrancethere。Mr。BrontehasnownotraceofhisIrishoriginremaininginhisspeech；henevercouldhaveshownhisCelticdescentinthestraightGreeklinesandlongovalofhisface；butatfive-and-twenty，freshfromtheonlylifehehadeverknown，topresenthimselfatthegatesofSt。John’sprovednolittledeterminationofwill，andscornofridicule。

WhileatCambridge，hebecameoneofacorpsofvolunteers，whowerethenbeingcalledoutalloverthecountrytoresisttheapprehendedinvasionbytheFrench。Ihaveheardhimallude，inlateyears，toLordPalmerstonasonewhohadoftenbeenassociatedwithhimtheninthemimicmilitarydutieswhichtheyhadtoperform。

WetakehimupnowsettledasacurateatHartshead，inYorkshire——

farremovedfromhisbirth-placeandallhisIrishconnections；

withwhom，indeed，hecaredlittletokeepupanyintercourse，andwhomhenever，Ibelieve，re-visitedafterbecomingastudentatCambridge。

Hartsheadisaverysmallvillage，lyingtotheeastofHuddersfieldandHalifax；and，fromitshighsituation——onamound，asitwere，surroundedbyacircularbasin——commandingamagnificentview。Mr。Bronteresidedhereforfiveyears；and，whiletheincumbentofHartshead，hewooedandmarriedMariaBranwell。

ShewasthethirddaughterofMr。ThomasBranwell，merchant，ofPenzance。Hermother’smaidennamewasCarne:and，bothonfather’sandmother’sside，theBranwellfamilyweresufficientlywelldescendedtoenablethemtomixinthebestsocietythatPenzancethenafforded。Mr。andMrs。Branwellwouldbeliving——

theirfamilyoffourdaughtersandoneson，stillchildren——duringtheexistenceofthatprimitivestateofsocietywhichiswelldescribedbyDr。Davyinthelifeofhisbrother。

"Inthesametown，whenthepopulationwasabout2，000persons，therewasonlyonecarpet，thefloorsofroomsweresprinkledwithsea-sand，andtherewasnotasinglesilverfork。

"Atthattime，whenourcolonialpossessionswereverylimited，ourarmyandnavyonasmallscale，andtherewascomparativelylittledemandforintellect，theyoungersonsofgentlemenwereoftenofnecessitybroughtuptosometradeormechanicalart，towhichnodiscredit，orlossofcaste，asitwere，wasattached。

Theeldestson，ifnotallowedtoremainanidlecountrysquire，wassenttoOxfordorCambridge，preparatorytohisengaginginoneofthethreeliberalprofessionsofdivinity，law，orphysic；

thesecondsonwasperhapsapprenticedtoasurgeonorapothecary，orasolicitor；thethirdtoapewtererorwatchmaker；thefourthtoapackerormercer，andsoon，weretheremoretobeprovidedfor。

"Aftertheirapprenticeshipswerefinished，theyoungmenalmostinvariablywenttoLondontoperfectthemselvesintheirrespectivetradeorart:andontheirreturnintothecountry，whensettledinbusiness，theywerenotexcludedfromwhatwouldnowbeconsideredgenteelsociety。Visitingthenwasconducteddifferentlyfromwhatitisatpresent。Dinner-partieswerealmostunknown，exceptingattheannualfeast-time。Christmas，too，wasthenaseasonofpeculiarindulgenceandconviviality，andaroundofentertainmentswasgiven，consistingofteaandsupper。Exceptingatthesetwoperiods，visitingwasalmostentirelyconfinedtotea-parties，whichassembledatthreeo’clock，brokeupatnine，andtheamusementoftheeveningwascommonlysomeroundgameatcards，asPopeJoan，orCommerce。Thelowerclasswasthenextremelyignorant，andallclasseswereverysuperstitious；eventhebeliefinwitchesmaintaineditsground，andtherewasanalmostunboundedcredulityrespectingthesupernaturalandmonstrous。TherewasscarcelyaparishintheMount’sBaythatwaswithoutahauntedhouse，oraspottowhichsomestoryofsupernaturalhorrorwasnotattached。EvenwhenI

wasaboy，IrememberahouseinthebeststreetofPenzancewhichwasuninhabitedbecauseitwasbelievedtobehaunted，andwhichyoungpeoplewalkedbyatnightataquickenedpace，andwithabeatingheart。Amongstthemiddleandhigherclassestherewaslittletasteforliterature，andstilllessforscience，andtheirpursuitswererarelyofadignifiedorintellectualkind。

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