Hunting，shooting，wrestling，cock-fighting，generallyendingindrunkenness，werewhattheymostdelightedin。Smugglingwascarriedontoagreatextent；anddrunkenness，andalowstateofmorals，werenaturallyassociatedwithit。Whilstsmugglingwasthemeansofacquiringwealthtoboldandrecklessadventurers，drunkennessanddissipationoccasionedtheruinofmanyrespectablefamilies。"

IhavegiventhisextractbecauseIconceiveitbearssomereferencetothelifeofMissBronte，whosestrongmindandvividimaginationmusthavereceivedtheirfirstimpressionseitherfromtheservants(inthatsimplehousehold，almostfriendlycompanionsduringthegreaterpartoftheday，)retailingthetraditionsorthenewsofHaworthvillage；orfromMr。Bronte，whoseintercoursewithhischildrenappearstohavebeenconsiderablyrestrained，andwhoselife，bothinIrelandandatCambridge，hadbeenspentunderpeculiarcircumstances；orfromheraunt，MissBranwell，whocametotheparsonage，whenCharlottewasonlysixorsevenyearsold，totakechargeofherdeadsister’sfamily。ThisauntwasolderthanMrs。Bronte，andhadlivedlongeramongthePenzancesociety，whichDr。Davydescribes。ButintheBranwellfamilyitself，theviolenceandirregularityofnaturedidnotexist。

TheywereMethodists，and，asfarasIcangather，agentleandsincerepietygaverefinementandpurityofcharacter。Mr。

Branwell，thefather，accordingtohisdescendants’account，wasamanofmusicaltalent。Heandhiswifelivedtoseealltheirchildrengrownup，anddiedwithinayearofeachother——hein1808，shein1809，whentheirdaughterMariawastwenty-fiveortwenty-sixyearsofage。Ihavebeenpermittedtolookoveraseriesofnineletters，whichwereaddressedbyhertoMr。Bronte，duringthebrieftermoftheirengagementin1812。Theyarefulloftendergraceofexpressionandfemininemodesty；pervadedbythedeeppietytowhichIhavealludedasafamilycharacteristic。

Ishallmakeoneortwoextractsfromthem，toshowwhatsortofapersonwasthemotherofCharlotteBronte:butfirst，ImuststatethecircumstancesunderwhichthisCornishladymetthescholarfromAhaderg，nearLoughbrickland。Intheearlysummerof1812，whenshewouldbetwenty-nine，shecametovisitheruncle，theReverendJohnFennel，whowasatthattimeaclergymanoftheChurchofEngland，livingnearLeeds，butwhohadpreviouslybeenaMethodistminister。Mr。BrontewastheincumbentofHartshead；

andhadthereputationintheneighbourhoodofbeingaveryhandsomefellow，fullofIrishenthusiasm，andwithsomethingofanIrishman’scapabilityoffallingeasilyinlove。MissBranwellwasextremelysmallinperson；notpretty，butveryelegant，andalwaysdressedwithaquietsimplicityoftaste，whichaccordedwellwithhergeneralcharacter，andofwhichsomeofthedetailscalltomindthestyleofdresspreferredbyherdaughterforherfavouriteheroines。Mr。Brontewassooncaptivatedbythelittle，gentlecreature，andthistimedeclaredthatitwasforlife。Inherfirstlettertohim，datedAugust26th，sheseemsalmostsurprisedtofindherselfengaged，andalludestotheshorttimewhichshehasknownhim。IntheresttherearetouchesremindingoneofJuliet’s-

"Buttrustme，gentleman，I’llprovemoretrue，Thanthosethathavemorecunningtobestrange。"

Thereareplansforhappypic-nicpartiestoKirkstallAbbey，intheglowingSeptemberdays，when"Uncle，Aunt，andCousinJane，"——

thelastengagedtoaMr。Morgan，anotherclergyman——wereoftheparty；allsincedead，exceptMr。Bronte。Therewasnooppositiononthepartofanyofherfriendstoherengagement。Mr。andMrs。

Fennelsanctionedit，andherbrotherandsistersinfar-awayPenzanceappearfullytohaveapprovedofit。InaletterdatedSeptember18th，shesays:-

"ForsomeyearsIhavebeenperfectlymyownmistress，subjecttonocontrolwhatever；sofarfromit，thatmysisters，whoaremanyyearsolderthanmyself，andevenmydearmother，usedtoconsultmeoneveryoccasionofimportance，andscarcelyeverdoubtedtheproprietyofmyopinionsandactions:perhapsyouwillbereadytoaccusemeofvanityinmentioningthis，butyoumustconsiderthatIdonotboastofit。Ihavemanytimesfeltitadisadvantage，andalthough，IthankGod，ithasneverledmeintoerror，yet，incircumstancesofuncertaintyanddoubt，Ihavedeeplyfeltthewantofaguideandinstructor。"InthesamelettershetellsMr。Bronte，thatshehasinformedhersistersofherengagement，andthatsheshouldnotseethemagainsosoonasshehadintended。Mr。Fennel，heruncle，alsowritestothembythesamepostinpraiseofMr。Bronte。

ThejourneyfromPenzancetoLeedsinthosedayswasbothverylongandveryexpensive；thelovershadnotmuchmoneytospendinunnecessarytravelling，and，asMissBranwellhadneitherfathernormotherliving，itappearedbothadiscreetandseemlyarrangementthatthemarriageshouldtakeplacefromheruncle’shouse。Therewasnoreasoneitherwhytheengagementshouldbeprolonged。Theywerepasttheirfirstyouth；theyhadmeanssufficientfortheirunambitiouswants；thelivingofHartsheadisratedintheClergyListat202L。perannum，andshewasinthereceiptofasmallannuity(50L。Ihavebeentold)bythewillofherfather。So，attheendofSeptember，theloversbegantotalkabouttakingahouse，forIsupposethatMr。Bronteuptothattimehadbeeninlodgings；andallwentsmoothlyandsuccessfullywithaviewtotheirmarriageintheensuingwinter，untilNovember，whenamisfortunehappened，whichshethuspatientlyandprettilydescribes:-

"Isupposeyouneverexpectedtobemuchthericherforme，butI

amsorrytoinformyouthatIamstillpoorerthanIthoughtmyself。Imentionedhavingsentformybooks，clothes，&c。OnSaturdayevening，aboutthetimewhenyouwerewritingthedescriptionofyourimaginaryshipwreck，Iwasreadingandfeelingtheeffectsofarealone，havingthenreceivedaletterfrommysistergivingmeanaccountofthevesselinwhichshehadsentmyboxbeingstrandedonthecoastofDevonshire，inconsequenceofwhichtheboxwasdashedtopieceswiththeviolenceofthesea，andallmylittleproperty，withtheexceptionofaveryfewarticles，beingswallowedupinthemightydeep。IfthisshouldnotprovethepreludetosomethingworseIshallthinklittleofit，asitisthefirstdisastrouscircumstancewhichhasoccurredsinceIleftmyhome。"

ThelastoftheselettersisdatedDecemberthe5th。MissBranwellandhercousinintendedtosetaboutmakingthewedding-

cakeinthefollowingweek，sothemarriagecouldnotbefaroff。

Shehadbeenlearningbyhearta"prettylittlehymn"ofMr。

Bronte’scomposing；andreadingLordLyttelton’s"AdvicetoaLady，"onwhichshemakessomepertinentandjustremarks，showingthatshethoughtaswellasread。AndsoMariaBranwellfadesoutofsight；wehavenomoredirectintercoursewithher；wehearofherasMrs。Bronte，butitisasaninvalid，notfarfromdeath；

stillpatient，cheerful，andpious。Thewritingoftheselettersiselegantandneat；whilethereareallusionstohouseholdoccupations——suchasmakingthewedding-cake；therearealsoallusionstothebooksshehasread，orisreading，showingawell-cultivatedmind。Withouthavinganythingofherdaughter’sraretalents，Mrs。Brontemusthavebeen，Iimagine，thatunusualcharacter，awell-balancedandconsistentwoman。Thestyleofthelettersiseasyandgood；asisalsothatofapaperfromthesamehand，entitled"TheAdvantagesofPovertyinReligiousConcerns，"

whichwaswrittenratherlater，withaviewtopublicationinsomeperiodical。

Shewasmarriedfromheruncle’shouseinYorkshire，onthe29thofDecember，1812；thesamedaywasalsothewedding-dayofheryoungersister，CharlotteBranwell，indistantPenzance。IdonotthinkthatMrs。BronteeverrevisitedCornwall，butshehasleftaverypleasantimpressiononthemindsofthoserelationswhoyetsurvive；theyspeakofheras"theirfavouriteaunt，andonetowhomthey，aswellasallthefamily，lookedup，asapersonoftalentandgreatamiabilityofdisposition；"and，again，as"meekandretiring，whilepossessingmorethanordinarytalents，whichsheinheritedfromherfather，andherpietywasgenuineandunobtrusive。"

Mr。BronteremainedforfiveyearsatHartshead，intheparishofDewsbury。Therehewasmarried，andhistwochildren，MariaandElizabeth，wereborn。Attheexpirationofthatperiod，hehadthelivingofThornton，inBradfordParish。SomeofthosegreatWestRidingparishesarealmostlikebishopricsfortheiramountofpopulationandnumberofchurches。Thorntonchurchisalittleepiscopalchapelofease，richinNonconformistmonuments，asofAcceptedListerandhisfriendDr。Hall。Theneighbourhoodisdesolateandwild；greattractsofbleakland，enclosedbystonedykes，sweepingupClaytonheights。Thechurchitselflooksancientandsolitary，andasifleftbehindbythegreatstonemillsofaflourishingIndependentfirm，andthesolidsquarechapelbuiltbythemembersofthatdenomination。AltogethernotsopleasantaplaceasHartshead，withitsampleoutlookovercloud-shadowed，sun-fleckedplain，andhillrisingbeyondhilltoformthedistanthorizon。

Here，atThornton，CharlotteBrontewasborn，onthe21stofApril，1816。FastonherheelsfollowedPatrickBranwell，EmilyJane，andAnne。Afterthebirthofthislastdaughter，Mrs。

Bronte’shealthbegantodecline。Itishardworktoprovideforthelittletenderwantsofmanyyoungchildrenwherethemeansarebutlimited。Thenecessariesoffoodandclothingaremuchmoreeasilysuppliedthanthealmostequalnecessariesofattendance，care，soothing，amusement，andsympathy。MariaBronte，theeldestofsix，couldonlyhavebeenafewmonthsmorethansixyearsold，whenMr。BronteremovedtoHaworth，onFebruarythe25th，1820。

Thosewhoknewherthen，describeherasgrave，thoughtful，andquiet，toadegreefarbeyondheryears。Herchildhoodwasnochildhood；thecasesarerareinwhichthepossessorsofgreatgiftshaveknowntheblessingsofthatcarelesshappytime；THEIR

unusualpowersstirwithinthem，and，insteadofthenaturallifeofperception——theobjective，astheGermanscallit——theybeginthedeeperlifeofreflection——thesubjective。

LittleMariaBrontewasdelicateandsmallinappearance，whichseemedtogivegreatereffecttoherwonderfulprecocityofintellect。Shemusthavebeenhermother’scompanionandhelpmateinmanyahouseholdandnurseryexperience，forMr。Brontewas，ofcourse，muchengagedinhisstudy；andbesides，hewasnotnaturallyfondofchildren，andfelttheirfrequentappearanceonthesceneasadragbothonhiswife’sstrength，andasaninterruptiontothecomfortofthehousehold。

HaworthParsonageis——asImentionedinthefirstchapter——anoblongstonehouse，facingdownthehillonwhichthevillagestands，andwiththefrontdoorrightoppositetothewesterndoorofthechurch，distantaboutahundredyards。Ofthisspacetwentyyardsorsoindepthareoccupiedbythegrassygarden，whichisscarcelywiderthanthehouse。Thegraveyardliesontwosidesofthehouseandgarden。Thehouseconsistsoffourroomsoneachfloor，andistwostorieshigh。WhentheBrontestookpossession，theymadethelargerparlour，totheleftoftheentrance，thefamilysitting-room，whilethatontherightwasappropriatedtoMr。Bronteasastudy。Behindthiswasthekitchen；behindtheformer，asortofflaggedstore-room。Up-

stairswerefourbed-chambersofsimilarsize，withtheadditionofasmallapartmentoverthepassage，or"lobby"aswecallitinthenorth。Thiswastothefront，thestaircasegoinguprightoppositetotheentrance。Thereisthepleasantoldfashionofwindowseatsallthroughthehouse；andonecanseethattheparsonagewasbuiltinthedayswhenwoodwasplentiful，asthemassivestair-banisters，andthewainscots，andtheheavywindow-

framestestify。

Thislittleextraup-stairsroomwasappropriatedtothechildren。

Smallasitwas，itwasnotcalledanursery；indeed，ithadnotthecomfortofafire-placeinit；theservants——twoaffectionate，warm-heartedsisters，whocannotnowspeakofthefamilywithouttears——calledtheroomthe"children’sstudy。"Theageoftheeldeststudentwasperhapsbythistimeseven。

ThepeopleinHaworthwerenoneofthemverypoor。Manyofthemwereemployedintheneighbouringworstedmills；afewweremill-

ownersandmanufacturersinasmallway；therewerealsosomeshopkeepersforthehumblerandevery-daywants；butformedicaladvice，forstationery，books，law，dress，ordainties，theinhabitantshadtogotoKeighley。TherewereseveralSunday-

schools；theBaptistshadtakentheleadininstitutingthem，theWesleyanshadfollowed，theChurchofEnglandhadbroughtuptherear。GoodMr。Grimshaw，Wesley’sfriend，hadbuiltahumbleMethodistchapel，butitstoodclosetotheroadleadingontothemoor；theBaptiststhenraisedaplaceofworship，withthedistinctionofbeingafewyardsbackfromthehighway；andtheMethodistshavesincethoughtitwelltoerectanotherandalargerchapel，stillmoreretiredfromtheroad。Mr。Brontewaseveronkindandfriendlytermswitheachdenominationasabody；

butfromindividualsinthevillagethefamilystoodaloof，unlesssomedirectservicewasrequired，fromthefirst。"Theykeptthemselvesveryclose，"istheaccountgivenbythosewhorememberMr。andMrs。Bronte’scomingamongstthem。IbelievemanyoftheYorkshiremenwouldobjecttothesystemofparochialvisiting；

theirsurlyindependencewouldrevoltfromtheideaofanyonehavingaright，fromhisoffice，toinquireintotheircondition，tocounsel，ortoadmonishthem。Theoldhill-spiritlingersinthem，whichcoinedtherhyme，inscribedontheunderpartofoneoftheseatsintheSediliaofWhalleyAbbey，notmanymilesfromHaworth，"Whomellswi’whatanotherdoesHadbestgohomeandshoehisgoose。"

IaskedaninhabitantofadistrictclosetoHaworthwhatsortofaclergymantheyhadatthechurchwhichheattended。

"Araregoodone，"saidhe:"hemindshisownbusiness，andne’ertroubleshimselfwithours。"

Mr。Brontewasfaithfulinvisitingthesickandallthosewhosentforhim，anddiligentinattendanceattheschools；andsowashisdaughterCharlottetoo；but，cherishingandvaluingprivacythemselves，theywereperhapsover-delicateinnotintrudingupontheprivacyofothers。

FromtheirfirstgoingtoHaworth，theirwalksweredirectedratherouttowardstheheatherymoors，slopingupwardsbehindtheparsonage，thantowardsthelongdescendingvillagestreet。A

goodoldwoman，whocametonurseMrs。Bronteintheillness——aninternalcancer——whichgrewandgathereduponher，notmanymonthsafterherarrivalatHaworth，tellsmethatatthattimethesixlittlecreaturesusedtowalkout，handinhand，towardsthegloriouswildmoors，whichinafterdaystheylovedsopassionately；theelderonestakingthoughtfulcareforthetoddlingweethings。

Theyweregraveandsilentbeyondtheiryears；subdued，probably，bythepresenceofseriousillnessinthehouse；for，atthetimewhichmyinformantspeaksof，Mrs。Brontewasconfinedtothebedroomfromwhichshenevercameforthalive。"Youwouldnothaveknowntherewasachildinthehouse，theyweresuchstill，noiseless，goodlittlecreatures。Mariawouldshutherselfup"

(Maria，butseven！)"inthechildren’sstudywithanewspaper，andbeabletotelloneeverythingwhenshecameout；debatesinParliament，andIdon’tknowwhatall。Shewasasgoodasamothertohersistersandbrother。Butthereneverweresuchgoodchildren。Iusedtothinkthemspiritless，theyweresodifferenttoanychildrenIhadeverseen。Theyweregoodlittlecreatures。

Emilywastheprettiest。"

Mrs。Brontewasthesamepatient，cheerfulpersonaswehaveseenherformerly；veryill，sufferinggreatpain，butseldomifevercomplaining；atherbettertimesbegginghernursetoraiseherinbedtoletherseehercleanthegrate，"becauseshediditasitwasdoneinCornwall；"devotedlyfondofherhusband，whowarmlyrepaidheraffection，andsufferednooneelsetotakethenight-

nursing；but，accordingtomyinformant，themotherwasnotveryanxioustoseemuchofherchildren，probablybecausethesightofthem，knowinghowsoontheyweretobeleftmotherless，wouldhaveagitatedhertoomuch。Sothelittlethingsclungquietlytogether，fortheirfatherwasbusyinhisstudyandinhisparish，orwiththeirmother，andtheytooktheirmealsalone；satreading，orwhisperinglow，inthe"children’sstudy，"orwanderedoutonthehill-side，handinhand。

TheideasofRousseauandMr。Dayoneducationhadfiltereddownthroughmanyclasses，andspreadthemselveswidelyout。I

imagine，Mr。Brontemusthaveformedsomeofhisopinionsonthemanagementofchildrenfromthesetwotheorists。HispracticewasnothalfsowildorextraordinaryasthattowhichanauntofminewassubjectedbyadiscipleofMr。Day’s。Shehadbeentakenbythisgentlemanandhiswife，tolivewiththemastheiradoptedchild，perhapsaboutfive-and-twentyyearsbeforethetimeofwhichIamwriting。Theywerewealthypeopleandkindhearted，butherfoodandclothingwereoftheverysimplestandrudestdescription，onSpartanprinciples。Ahealthy，merrychild，shedidnotmuchcarefordressoreating；butthetreatmentwhichshefeltasarealcrueltywasthis。Theyhadacarriage，inwhichsheandthefavouritedogweretakenanairingonalternatedays；

thecreaturewhoseturnitwastobeleftathomebeingtossedinablanket——anoperationwhichmyauntespeciallydreaded。Heraffrightatthetossingwasprobablythereasonwhyitwasperseveredin。Dressed-upghostshadbecomecommon，andshedidnotcareforthem，sotheblanketexercisewastobethenextmodeofhardeninghernerves。ItiswellknownthatMr。DaybrokeoffhisintentionofmarryingSabrina，thegirlwhomhehadeducatedforthispurpose，because，withinafewweeksofthetimefixedforthewedding，shewasguiltyofthefrivolity，whileonavisitfromhome，ofwearingthinsleeves。YetMr。Dayandmyaunt’srelationswerebenevolentpeople，onlystronglyimbuedwiththecrotchetthatbyasystemoftrainingmightbeeducedthehardihoodandsimplicityoftheidealsavage，forgettingtheterribleisolationoffeelingsandhabitswhichtheirpupilswouldexperienceinthefuturelifewhichtheymustpassamongthecorruptionsandrefinementsofcivilization。

Mr。Brontewishedtomakehischildrenhardy，andindifferenttothepleasuresofeatinganddress。Inthelatterhesucceeded，asfarasregardedhisdaughters。

Hisstrong，passionate，Irishnaturewas，ingeneral，compresseddownwithresolutestoicism；butitwastherenotwithstandingallhisphilosophiccalmanddignityofdemeanour；thoughhedidnotspeakwhenhewasannoyedordispleased。Mrs。Bronte，whosesweetnaturethoughtinvariablyofthebrightside，wouldsay，"OughtI

nottobethankfulthathenevergavemeanangryword？"

Mr。Brontewasanactivewalker，stretchingawayoverthemoorsformanymiles，notinginhismindallnaturalsignsofwindandweather，andkeenlyobservingallthewildcreaturesthatcameandwentintheloneliestsweepsofthehills。Hehasseeneaglesstoopinglowinsearchoffoodfortheiryoung；noeagleiseverseenonthosemountainslopesnow。

Hefearlesslytookwhateversideinlocalornationalpoliticsappearedtohimright。InthedaysoftheLuddites，hehadbeenfortheperemptoryinterferenceofthelaw，atatimewhennomagistratecouldbefoundtoact，andallthepropertyoftheWestRidingwasinterribledanger。Hebecameunpopularthenamongthemillworkers，andheesteemedhislifeunsafeifhetookhislongandlonelywalksunarmed；sohebeganthehabit，whichhascontinuedtothisday，ofinvariablycarryingaloadedpistolaboutwithhim。Itlayonhisdressing-tablewithhiswatch；withhiswatchitwasputoninthemorning；withhiswatchitwastakenoffatnight。

Manyyearslater，duringhisresidenceatHaworth，therewasastrike；thehandsintheneighbourhoodfeltthemselvesaggrievedbythemasters，andrefusedtowork:Mr。Brontethoughtthattheyhadbeenunjustlyandunfairlytreated，andheassistedthembyallthemeansinhispowerto"keepthewolffromtheirdoors，"

andavoidtheincubusofdebt。SeveralofthemoreinfluentialinhabitantsofHaworthandtheneighbourhoodweremill-owners；

theyremonstratedprettysharplywithhim，buthebelievedthathisconductwasrightandperseveredinit。

Hisopinionsmightbeoftenbothwildanderroneous，hisprinciplesofactioneccentricandstrange，hisviewsoflifepartial，andalmostmisanthropical；butnotoneopinionthatheheldcouldbestirredormodifiedbyanyworldlymotive:heacteduptohisprinciplesofaction；and，ifanytouchofmisanthropymingledwithhisviewofmankindingeneral，hisconducttotheindividualswhocameinpersonalcontactwithhimdidnotagreewithsuchview。Itistruethathehadstrongandvehementprejudices，andwasobstinateinmaintainingthem，andthathewasnotdramaticenoughinhisperceptionstoseehowmiserableothersmightbeinalifethattohimwasall-sufficient。ButIdonotpretendtobeabletoharmonizepointsofcharacter，andaccountforthem，andbringthemallintooneconsistentandintelligiblewhole。ThefamilywithwhomIhavenowtodoshottheirrootsdowndeeperthanIcanpenetrate。Icannotmeasurethem，muchlessisitformetojudgethem。IhavenamedtheseinstancesofeccentricityinthefatherbecauseIholdtheknowledgeofthemtobenecessaryforarightunderstandingofthelifeofhisdaughter。

Mrs。BrontediedinSeptember，1821，andthelivesofthosequietchildrenmusthavebecomequieterandlonelierstill。Charlottetriedhard，inafteryears，torecalltheremembranceofhermother，andcouldbringbacktwoorthreepicturesofher。Onewaswhen，sometimeintheeveninglight，shehadbeenplayingwithherlittleboy，PatrickBranwell，intheparlourofHaworthParsonage。Buttherecollectionsoffourorfiveyearsoldareofaveryfragmentarycharacter。

Owingtosomeillnessofthedigestiveorgans，Mr。Brontewasobligedtobeverycarefulabouthisdiet；and，inordertoavoidtemptation，andpossiblytohavethequietnecessaryfordigestion，hehadbegun，beforehiswife’sdeath，totakehisdinneralone——ahabitwhichhealwaysretained。Hedidnotrequirecompanionship，thereforehedidnotseekit，eitherinhiswalks，orinhisdailylife。Thequietregularityofhisdomestichourswasonlybrokeninuponbychurch-wardens，andvisitorsonparochialbusiness；andsometimesbyaneighbouringclergyman，whocamedownthehills，acrossthemoors，tomountupagaintoHaworthParsonage，andspendaneveningthere。But，owingtoMrs。

Bronte’sdeathsosoonafterherhusbandhadremovedintothedistrict，andalsotothedistances，andthebleakcountrytobetraversed，thewivesoftheseclericalfriendsdidnotaccompanytheirhusbands；andthedaughtersgrewupoutofchildhoodintogirlhoodbereft，inasingularmanner，ofallsuchsocietyaswouldhavebeennaturaltotheirage，sex，andstation。

Butthechildrendidnotwantsociety。Tosmallinfantinegaietiestheywereunaccustomed。Theywereallinalltoeachother。Idonotsupposethatthereeverwasafamilymoretenderlyboundtoeachother。Mariareadthenewspapers，andreportedintelligencetoheryoungersisterswhichitiswonderfultheycouldtakeaninterestin。ButIsuspectthattheyhadno"children’sbooks，"andthattheireagerminds"browzedundisturbedamongthewholesomepasturageofEnglishliterature，"

asCharlesLambexpressesit。TheservantsofthehouseholdappeartohavebeenmuchimpressedwiththelittleBrontes’

extraordinarycleverness。InaletterwhichIhadfromhimonthissubject，theirfatherwrites:-"Theservantsoftensaidthattheyhadneverseensuchacleverlittlechild"(asCharlotte)，"andthattheywereobligedtobeontheirguardastowhattheysaidanddidbeforeher。Yetsheandtheservantsalwayslivedongoodtermswitheachother。"

Theseservantsareyetalive；elderlywomenresidinginBradford。

TheyretainafaithfulandfondrecollectionofCharlotte，andspeakofherunvaryingkindnessfromthe"timewhenshewaseversuchalittlechild！"whenshewouldnotresttillshehadgottheolddisusedcradlesentfromtheparsonagetothehousewheretheparentsofoneofthemlived，toserveforalittleinfantsister。

TheytellofonelongseriesofkindandthoughtfulactionsfromthisearlyperiodtothelastweeksofCharlotteBronte’slife；

and，thoughshehadleftherplacemanyyearsago，oneoftheseformerservantswentoverfromBradfordtoHaworthonpurposetoseeMr。Bronte，andofferhimhertruesympathy，whenhislastchilddied。ImayaddalittleanecdoteasatestimonytotheadmirablecharacterofthelikenessofMissBronteprefixedtothisvolume。Agentlemanwhohadkindlyinterestedhimselfinthepreparationofthismemoirtookthefirstvolume，shortlyafterthepublication，tothehouseofthisoldservant，inordertoshowhertheportrait。Themomentshecaughtaglimpseofthefrontispiece，"Theresheis，"inaminutesheexclaimed。"Come，John，look！"(toherhusband)；andherdaughterwasequallystruckbytheresemblance。TheremightnotbemanytoregardtheBronteswithaffection，butthosewhooncelovedthem，lovedthemlongandwell。

Ireturntothefather’sletter。Hesays:-

"Whenmerechildren，assoonastheycouldreadandwrite，Charlotteandherbrothersandsistersusedtoinventandactlittleplaysoftheirown，inwhichtheDukeofWellington，mydaughterCharlotte’shero，wassuretocomeoffconqueror；whenadisputewouldnotunfrequentlyariseamongstthemregardingthecomparativemeritsofhim，Buonaparte，Hannibal，andCaesar。Whentheargumentgotwarm，androsetoitsheight，astheirmotherwasthendead，Ihadsometimestocomeinasarbitrator，andsettlethedisputeaccordingtothebestofmyjudgment。Generally，inthemanagementoftheseconcerns，IfrequentlythoughtthatI

discoveredsignsofrisingtalent，whichIhadseldomorneverbeforeseeninanyoftheirage……AcircumstancenowoccurstomymindwhichImayaswellmention。Whenmychildrenwereveryyoung，when，asfarasIcanremember，theoldestwasabouttenyearsofage，andtheyoungestaboutfour，thinkingthattheyknewmorethanIhadyetdiscovered，inordertomakethemspeakwithlesstimidity，IdeemedthatiftheywereputunderasortofcoverImightgainmyend；andhappeningtohaveamaskinthehouse，Itoldthemalltostandandspeakboldlyfromundercoverofthemask。

"Ibeganwiththeyoungest(Anne，afterwardsActonBell)，andaskedwhatachildlikehermostwanted；sheanswered，’Ageandexperience。’Iaskedthenext(Emily，afterwardsEllisBell)，whatIhadbestdowithherbrotherBranwell，whowassometimesanaughtyboy；sheanswered，’Reasonwithhim，andwhenhewon’tlistentoreason，whiphim。’IaskedBranwellwhatwasthebestwayofknowingthedifferencebetweentheintellectsofmanandwoman；heanswered，’Byconsideringthedifferencebetweenthemastotheirbodies。’IthenaskedCharlottewhatwasthebestbookintheworld；sheanswered，’TheBible。’Andwhatwasthenextbest；sheanswered，’TheBookofNature。’Ithenaskedthenextwhatwasthebestmodeofeducationforawoman；sheanswered，’Thatwhichwouldmakeherruleherhousewell。’Lastly，Iaskedtheoldestwhatwasthebestmodeofspendingtime；sheanswered，’Bylayingitoutinpreparationforahappyeternity。’Imaynothavegivenpreciselytheirwords，butIhavenearlydoneso，astheymadeadeepandlastingimpressiononmymemory。Thesubstance，however，wasexactlywhatIhavestated。"

Thestrangeandquaintsimplicityofthemodetakenbythefathertoascertainthehiddencharactersofhischildren，andthetoneandcharacterofthesequestionsandanswers，showthecuriouseducationwhichwasmadebythecircumstancessurroundingtheBrontes。Theyknewnootherchildren。Theyknewnoothermodesofthoughtthanwhatweresuggestedtothembythefragmentsofclericalconversationwhichtheyoverheardintheparlour，orthesubjectsofvillageandlocalinterestwhichtheyhearddiscussedinthekitchen。Eachhadtheirownstrongcharacteristicflavour。

Theytookavividinterestinthepubliccharacters，andthelocalandtheforeignaswellashomepoliticsdiscussedinthenewspapers。LongbeforeMariaBrontedied，attheageofeleven，herfatherusedtosayhecouldconversewithheronanyoftheleadingtopicsofthedaywithasmuchfreedomandpleasureaswithanygrown-upperson。

CHAPTERIV

AboutayearafterMrs。Bronte’sdeath，aneldersister，asIhavebeforementioned，camefromPenzancetosuperintendherbrother-

in-law’shousehold，andlookafterhischildren。MissBranwellwas，Ibelieve，akindlyandconscientiouswoman，withagooddealofcharacter，butwiththesomewhatnarrowideasnaturaltoonewhohadspentnearlyallherlifeinthesameplace。Shehadstrongprejudices，andsoontookadistastetoYorkshire。FromPenzance，whereplantswhichweinthenorthcallgreenhouseflowersgrowingreatprofusion，andwithoutanysheltereveninthewinter，andwherethesoftwarmclimateallowstheinhabitants，ifsodisposed，toliveprettyconstantlyintheopenair，itwasagreatchangeforaladyconsiderablypastfortytocomeandtakeupherabodeinaplacewhereneitherflowersnorvegetableswouldflourish，andwhereatreeofevenmoderatedimensionsmightbehuntedforfarandwide；wherethesnowlaylongandlateonthemoors，stretchingbleaklyandbarelyfarupfromthedwellingwhichwashenceforwardtobeherhome；andwhereoften，onautumnalorwinternights，thefourwindsofheavenseemedtomeetandragetogether，tearingroundthehouseasiftheywerewildbeastsstrivingtofindanentrance。Shemissedthesmallroundofcheerful，socialvisitingperpetuallygoingoninacountrytown；shemissedthefriendsshehadknownfromherchildhood，someofwhomhadbeenherparents’friendsbeforetheywerehers；shedislikedmanyofthecustomsoftheplace，andparticularlydreadedthecolddamparisingfromtheflagfloorsinthepassagesandparloursofHaworthParsonage。Thestairs，too，Ibelieve，aremadeofstone；andnowonder，whenstonequarriesarenear，andtreesarefartoseek。IhaveheardthatMissBranwellalwayswentaboutthehouseinpattens，clickingupanddownthestairs，fromherdreadofcatchingcold。Forthesamereason，inthelatteryearsofherlife，shepassednearlyallhertime，andtookmostofhermeals，inherbedroom。Thechildrenrespectedher，andhadthatsortofaffectionforherwhichisgeneratedbyesteem；butIdonotthinktheyeverfreelylovedher。Itwasaseveretrialforanyoneathertimeoflifetochangeneighbourhoodandhabitationsoentirelyasshedid；andthegreaterhermerit。

IdonotknowwhetherMissBranwelltaughtherniecesanythingbesidessewing，andthehouseholdartsinwhichCharlotteafterwardswassuchanadept。Theirregularlessonsweresaidtotheirfather；andtheywerealwaysinthehabitofpickingupanimmenseamountofmiscellaneousinformationforthemselves。Butayearorsobeforethistime，aschoolhadbeenbegunintheNorthofEnglandforthedaughtersofclergymen。TheplacewasCowanBridge，asmallhamletonthecoach-roadbetweenLeedsandKendal，andthuseasyofaccessfromHaworth，asthecoachrandaily，andoneofitsstageswasatKeighley。Theyearlyexpenseforeachpupil(accordingtotheentrance-rulesgivenintheReportfor1842，andIbelievetheyhadnotbeenincreasedsincetheestablishmentoftheschoolsin1823)wasasfollows:

"Rule11。Thetermsforclothing，lodging，boarding，andeducating，are14L。ayear；halftobepaidinadvance，whenthepupilsaresent；andalso1L。entrance-money，fortheuseofbooks，&c。Thesystemofeducationcomprehendshistory，geography，theuseoftheglobes，grammar，writingandarithmetic，allkindsofneedlework，andthenicerkindsofhouseholdwork——

suchasgettingupfinelinen，ironing，&c。Ifaccomplishmentsarerequired，anadditionalchargeof3L。ayearismadeformusicordrawing，each。"

Rule3rdrequeststhatthefriendswillstatethelineofeducationdesiredinthecaseofeverypupil，havingaregardtoherfutureprospects。

Rule4thstatestheclothingandtoilettearticleswhichagirlisexpectedtobringwithher；andthusconcludes:"Thepupilsallappearinthesamedress。Theywearplainstrawcottagebonnets；

insummerwhitefrocksonSundays，andnankeenonotherdays；inwinter，purplestufffrocks，andpurpleclothcloaks。Forthesakeofuniformity，therefore，theyarerequiredtobring3L。inlieuoffrocks，pelisse，bonnet，tippet，andfrills；makingthewholesumwhicheachpupilbringswithhertotheschool-

7L。half-yearinadvance。

1L。entranceforbooks。

1L。entranceforclothes。

The8thruleis，——"Alllettersandparcelsareinspectedbythesuperintendent；"butthisisaveryprevalentregulationinallyoungladies’schools，whereIthinkitisgenerallyunderstoodthattheschoolmistressmayexercisethisprivilege，althoughitiscertainlyunwiseinhertoinsisttoofrequentlyuponit。

Thereisnothingatallremarkableinanyoftheotherregulations，acopyofwhichwasdoubtlessinMr。Bronte’shandswhenheformedthedeterminationtosendhisdaughterstoCowanBridgeSchool；andheaccordinglytookMariaandElizabeththitherinJuly，1824。

InowcometoapartofmysubjectwhichIfindgreatdifficultyintreating，becausetheevidencerelatingtoitoneachsideissoconflictingthatitseemsalmostimpossibletoarriveatthetruth。MissBrontemorethanoncesaidtome，thatsheshouldnothavewrittenwhatshedidofLowoodin"JaneEyre，"ifshehadthoughttheplacewouldhavebeensoimmediatelyidentifiedwithCowanBridge，althoughtherewasnotawordinheraccountoftheinstitutionbutwhatwastrueatthetimewhensheknewit；shealsosaidthatshehadnotconsidereditnecessary，inaworkoffiction，tostateeveryparticularwiththeimpartialitythatmightberequiredinacourtofjustice，nortoseekoutmotives，andmakeallowancesforhumanfailings，asshemighthavedone，ifdispassionatelyanalysingtheconductofthosewhohadthesuperintendenceoftheinstitution。Ibelievesheherselfwouldhavebeengladofanopportunitytocorrecttheover-strongimpressionwhichwasmadeuponthepublicmindbyhervividpicture，thoughevenshe，sufferingherwholelifelong，bothinheartandbody，fromtheconsequencesofwhathappenedthere，mighthavebeenapt，tothelast，totakeherdeepbeliefinfactsforthefactsthemselves——herconceptionoftruthfortheabsolutetruth。

Insomeofthenoticesofthepreviouseditionsofthiswork，itisassumedthatIderivedthegreaterpartofmyinformationwithregardtohersojournatCowanBridgefromCharlotteBronteherself。Ineverheardherspeakoftheplacebutonce，andthatwasontheseconddayofmyacquaintancewithher。Alittlechildonthatoccasionexpressedsomereluctancetofinisheatinghispieceofbreadatdinner；andshe，stoopingdown，andaddressinghiminalowvoice，toldhimhowthankfulsheshouldhavebeenathisageforapieceofbread；andwhenwe——thoughIamnotsureifImyselfspoke——askedhersomequestionastotheoccasionshealludedto，sherepliedwithreserveandhesitation，evidentlyshyingawayfromwhatsheimaginedmightleadtotoomuchconversationononeofherbooks。Shespokeoftheoat-cakeatCowanBridge(theclap-breadofWestmorland)asbeingdifferenttotheleaven-raisedoat-cakeofYorkshire，andofherchildishdistasteforit。Someonepresentmadeanallusiontoasimilarchildishdislikeinthetruetaleof"Theterribleknitterso’

Dent"giveninSouthey’s"Common-placeBook:"andshesmiledfaintly，butsaidthatthemeredifferenceinfoodwasnotall:

thatthefooditselfwasspoiltbythedirtycarelessnessofthecook，sothatsheandhersistersdislikedtheirmealsexceedingly；andshenamedherreliefandgladnesswhenthedoctorcondemnedthemeat，andspokeofhavingseenhimspititout。

TheseareallthedetailsIeverheardfromher。Shesoavoidedparticularizing，thatIthinkMr。CarusWilson’snameneverpassedbetweenus。

Idonotdoubtthegeneralaccuracyofmyinformants，——ofthosewhohavegiven，andsolemnlyrepeated，thedetailsthatfollow，——

butitisonlyjusttoMissBrontetosaythatIhavestatedaboveprettynearlyallthatIeverheardonthesubjectfromher。

Aclergyman，livingnearKirbyLonsdale，theReverendWilliamCarusWilson，wastheprimemoverintheestablishmentofthisschool。Hewasanenergeticman，sparingnolabourfortheaccomplishmentofhisends。Hesawthatitwasanextremelydifficulttaskforclergymenwithlimitedincomestoprovidefortheeducationoftheirchildren；andhedevisedascheme，bywhichacertainsumwasraisedannuallybysubscription，tocompletetheamountrequiredtofurnishasolidandsufficientEnglisheducation，forwhichtheparent’spaymentof14L。ayearwouldnothavebeensufficient。Indeed，thatmadebytheparentswasconsideredtobeexclusivelyappropriatedtotheexpensesoflodgingandboarding，andtheeducationprovidedforbythesubscriptions。Twelvetrusteeswereappointed；Mr。Wilsonbeingnotonlyatrustee，butthetreasurerandsecretary；infact，takingmostofthebusinessarrangementsuponhimself；aresponsibilitywhichappropriatelyfelltohim，ashelivednearertheschoolthananyoneelsewhowasinterestedinit。SohischaracterforprudenceandjudgmentwastoacertaindegreeimplicatedinthesuccessorfailureofCowanBridgeSchool；andtheworkingofitwasformanyyearsthegreatobjectandinterestofhislife。Buthewasapparentlyunacquaintedwiththeprimeelementingoodadministration——seekingoutthoroughlycompetentpersonstofilleachdepartment，andthenmakingthemresponsiblefor，andjudgingthemby，theresult，withoutperpetualinterferencewiththedetails。

SogreatwastheamountofgoodwhichMr。Wilsondid，byhisconstant，unweariedsuperintendence，thatIcannothelpfeelingsorrythat，inhisoldageanddeclininghealth，theerrorswhichhewasbelievedtohavecommitted，shouldhavebeenbroughtupagainsthiminaformwhichreceivedsuchwonderfulforcefromthetouchofMissBronte’sgreatgenius。Nodoubtwhatevercanbeentertainedofthedeepinterestwhichhefeltinthesuccessoftheschool。AsIwrite，Ihavebeforemehislastwordsongivingupthesecretaryshipin1850:hespeaksofthe"withdrawal，fromdeclininghealth，ofaneye，which，atallevents，haslovedtowatchovertheschoolswithanhonestandanxiousinterest；"——andagainheadds，"thatheresigns，therefore，withadesiretobethankfulforallthatGodhasbeenpleasedtoaccomplishthroughhisinstrumentality(theinfirmitiesandunworthinessesofwhichhedeeplyfeelsanddeplores)。"

CowanBridgeisaclusterofsomesixorsevencottages，gatheredtogetheratbothendsofabridge，overwhichthehighroadfromLeedstoKendalcrossesalittlestream，calledtheLeck。Thishighroadisnearlydisusednow；butformerly，whenthebuyersfromtheWestRidingmanufacturingdistrictshadfrequentoccasiontogoupintotheNorthtopurchasethewooloftheWestmorlandandCumberlandfarmers，itwasdoubtlessmuchtravelled；andperhapsthehamletofCowanBridgehadamoreprosperouslookthanitbearsatpresent。Itisprettilysituated；justwheretheLeck-fellsswoopintotheplain；andbythecourseofthebeckalder-treesandwillowsandhazelbushesgrow。Thecurrentofthestreamisinterruptedbybrokenpiecesofgreyrock；andthewatersflowoverabedoflargeroundwhitepebbles，whichafloodheavesupandmovesoneithersideoutofitsimpetuouswaytillinsomepartstheyalmostformawall。Bythesideofthelittle，shallow，sparkling，vigorousLeck，runlongpasturefields，ofthefineshortgrasscommoninhighland；forthoughCowanBridgeissituatedonaplain，itisaplainfromwhichthereismanyafallandlongdescentbeforeyouandtheLeckreachthevalleyoftheLune。Icanhardlyunderstandhowtheschooltherecametobesounhealthy，theairallroundaboutwassosweetandthyme-scented，whenIvisiteditlastsummer。Butatthisday，everyoneknowsthatthesiteofabuildingintendedfornumbersshouldbechosenwithfargreatercarethanthatofaprivatedwelling，fromthetendencytoillness，bothinfectiousandotherwise，producedbythecongregationofpeopleincloseproximity。

Thehouseisstillremainingthatformedpartofthatoccupiedbytheschool。Itisalong，bow-windowedcottage，nowdividedintotwodwellings。ItstandsfacingtheLeck，betweenwhichanditintervenesaspace，aboutseventyyardsdeep，thatwasoncetheschoolgarden。ThisoriginalhousewasanolddwellingofthePicardfamily，whichtheyhadinhabitedfortwogenerations。Theysolditforschoolpurposes，andanadditionalbuildingwaserected，runningatrightanglesfromtheolderpart。Thisnewpartwasdevotedexpresslytoschool-rooms，dormitories，&c。；andaftertheschoolwasremovedtoCasterton，itwasusedforabobbin-millconnectedwiththestream，wherewoodenreelsweremadeoutofthealders，whichgrowprofuselyinsuchgroundasthatsurroundingCowanBridge。Thismillisnowdestroyed。Thepresentcottagewas，atthetimeofwhichIwrite，occupiedbytheteachers’rooms，thedinner-roomandkitchens，andsomesmallerbedrooms。Ongoingintothisbuilding，Ifoundonepart，thatnearesttothehighroad，convertedintoapoorkindofpublic-

house，thentolet，andhavingallthesqualidappearanceofadesertedplace，whichrendereditdifficulttojudgewhatitwouldlooklikewhenneatlykeptup，thebrokenpanesreplacedinthewindows，andtherough-cast(nowcrackedanddiscoloured)madewhiteandwhole。Theotherendformsacottage，withthelowceilingsandstonefloorsofahundredyearsago；thewindowsdonotopenfreelyandwidely；andthepassageup-stairs，leadingtothebedrooms，isnarrowandtortuous:altogether，smellswouldlingeraboutthehouse，anddampclingtoit。Butsanitarymatterswerelittleunderstoodthirtyyearsago；anditwasagreatthingtogetaroomybuildingclosetothehighroad，andnottoofarfromthehabitationofMr。Wilson，theoriginatoroftheeducationalscheme。Therewasmuchneedofsuchaninstitution；numbersofill-paidclergymenhailedtheprospectwithjoy，andeagerlyputdownthenamesoftheirchildrenaspupilswhentheestablishmentshouldbereadytoreceivethem。

Mr。Wilsonwas，nodoubt，pleasedbytheimpatiencewithwhichtherealisationofhisideawasanticipated，andopenedtheschoolwithlessthanahundredpoundsinhand，andwithpupils，thenumberofwhomvariesaccordingtodifferentaccounts；Mr。W。W。

CarusWilson，thesonofthefounder，givingitasseventy；whileMr。Shepheard，theson-in-law，statesittohavebeenonlysixteen。

Mr。Wilsonfelt，mostprobably，thattheresponsibilityofthewholeplanresteduponhim。Thepaymentmadebytheparentswasbarelyenoughforfoodandlodging；thesubscriptionsdidnotflowveryfreelyintoanuntriedscheme；andgreateconomywasnecessaryinallthedomesticarrangements。Hedeterminedtoenforcethisbyfrequentpersonalinspection；carriedperhapstoanunnecessaryextent，andleadingoccasionallytoameddlingwithlittlematters，whichhadsometimestheeffectofproducingirritationoffeeling。Yet，althoughtherewaseconomyinprovidingforthehousehold，theredoesnotappeartohavebeenanyparsimony。Themeat，flour，milk，&c。，werecontractedfor，butwereofveryfairquality；andthedietary，whichhasbeenshowntomeinmanuscript，wasneitherbadnorunwholesome；nor，onthewhole，wasitwantinginvariety。Oatmealporridgeforbreakfast；apieceofoat-cakeforthosewhorequiredluncheon；

bakedandboiledbeef，andmutton，potato-pie，andplainhomelypuddingsofdifferentkindsfordinner。Atfiveo’clock，breadandmilkfortheyoungerones；andonepieceofbread(thiswastheonlytimeatwhichthefoodwaslimited)fortheelderpupils，whosatuptillalatermealofthesamedescription。

Mr。Wilsonhimselforderedinthefood，andwasanxiousthatitshouldbeofgoodquality。Butthecook，whohadmuchofhisconfidence，andagainstwhomforalongtimenoonedurstutteracomplaint，wascareless，dirty，andwasteful。Tosomechildrenoatmealporridgeisdistasteful，andconsequentlyunwholesome，evenwhenproperlymade；atCowanBridgeSchoolitwastoooftensentup，notmerelyburnt，butwithoffensivefragmentsofothersubstancesdiscoverableinit。Thebeef，thatshouldhavebeencarefullysaltedbeforeitwasdressed，hadoftenbecometaintedfromneglect；andgirls，whowereschoolfellowswiththeBrontes，duringthereignofthecookofwhomIamspeaking，tellmethatthehouseseemedtobepervaded，morning，noon，andnight，bytheodourofrancidfatthatsteamedoutoftheoveninwhichmuchoftheirfoodwasprepared。Therewasthesamecarelessnessinmakingthepuddings；oneofthoseorderedwasriceboiledinwater，andeatenwithasauceoftreacleandsugar；butitwasoftenuneatable，becausethewaterhadbeentakenoutoftheraintub，andwasstronglyimpregnatedwiththedustlodgingontheroof，whenceithadtrickleddownintotheoldwoodencask，whichalsoaddeditsownflavourtothatoftheoriginalrainwater。

Themilk，too，wasoften"bingy，"touseacountryexpressionforakindoftaintthatisfarworsethansourness，andsuggeststheideathatitiscausedbywantofcleanlinessaboutthemilkpans，ratherthanbytheheatoftheweather。OnSaturdays，akindofpie，ormixtureofpotatoesandmeat，wasservedup，whichwasmadeofallthefragmentsaccumulatedduringtheweek。Scrapsofmeatfromadirtyanddisorderlylarder，couldneverbeveryappetizing；and，Ibelieve，thatthisdinnerwasmoreloathedthananyintheearlydaysofCowanBridgeSchool。Onemayfancyhowrepulsivesuchfarewouldbetochildrenwhoseappetitesweresmall，andwhohadbeenaccustomedtofood，farsimplerperhaps，butpreparedwithadelicatecleanlinessthatmadeitbothtemptingandwholesome。AtmanyamealthelittleBronteswentwithoutfood，althoughcravingwithhunger。Theywerenotstrongwhentheycame，havingonlyjustrecoveredfromacomplicationofmeaslesandhooping-cough:indeed，Isuspecttheyhadscarcelyrecovered；fortherewassomeconsultationonthepartoftheschoolauthoritieswhetherMariaandElizabethshouldbereceivedornot，inJuly1824。Mr。Brontecameagain，intheSeptemberofthatyear，bringingwithhimCharlotteandEmilytobeadmittedaspupils。

ItappearsstrangethatMr。Wilsonshouldnothavebeeninformedbytheteachersofthewayinwhichthefoodwasservedup；butwemustrememberthatthecookhadbeenknownforsometimetotheWilsonfamily，whiletheteacherswerebroughttogetherforanentirelydifferentwork——thatofeducation。Theywereexpresslygiventounderstandthatsuchwastheirdepartment；thebuyinginandmanagementoftheprovisionsrestedwithMr。Wilsonandthecook。Theteacherswould，ofcourse，beunwillingtolayanycomplaintsonthesubjectbeforehim。

Therewasanothertrialofhealthcommontoallthegirls。ThepathfromCowanBridgetoTunstallChurch，whereMr。Wilsonpreached，andwheretheyallattendedontheSunday，ismorethantwomilesinlength，andgoessweepingalongtheriseandfalloftheunshelteredcountry，inawaytomakeitafreshandexhilaratingwalkinsummer，butabittercoldoneinwinter，especiallytochildrenlikethedelicatelittleBrontes，whosethinbloodflowedlanguidlyinconsequenceoftheirfeebleappetitesrejectingthefoodpreparedforthem，andthusinducingahalf-starvedcondition。Thechurchwasnotwarmed，therebeingnomeansforthispurpose。Itstandsinthemidstoffields，andthedampmistmusthavegatheredroundthewalls，andcreptinatthewindows。Thegirlstooktheircolddinnerwiththem，andateitbetweentheservices，inachamberovertheentrance，openingoutoftheformergalleries。Thearrangementsforthisdaywerepeculiarlytryingtodelicatechildren，particularlytothosewhowerespiritlessandlongingforhome，aspoorMariaBrontemusthavebeen；forherillhealthwasincreasing，andtheoldcough，theremainsofthehooping-cough，lingeredabouther。

Shewasfarsuperiorinmindtoanyofherplay-fellowsandcompanions，andwaslonelyamongstthemfromthatverycause；andyetshehadfaultssoannoyingthatshewasinconstantdisgracewithherteachers，andanobjectofmercilessdisliketooneofthem，whoisdepictedas"MissScatcherd"in"JaneEyre，"andwhoserealnameIwillbemercifulenoughnottodisclose。Ineedhardlysay，thatHelenBurnsisasexactatranscriptofMariaBronteasCharlotte’swonderfulpowerofreproducingcharactercouldgive。Herheart，tothelatestdayonwhichwemet，stillbeatwithunavailingindignationattheworryingandthecrueltytowhichhergentle，patient，dyingsisterhadbeensubjectedbythiswoman。Notawordofthatpartof"JaneEyre"butisaliteralrepetitionofscenesbetweenthepupilandtheteacher。

ThosewhohadbeenpupilsatthesametimeknewwhomusthavewrittenthebookfromtheforcewithwhichHelenBurns’sufferingsaredescribed。Theyhad，beforethat，recognisedthedescriptionofthesweetdignityandbenevolenceofMissTempleasonlyajusttributetothemeritsofonewhomallthatknewherappeartoholdinhonour；butwhenMissScatcherdwashelduptoopprobriumtheyalsorecognisedinthewriterof"JaneEyre"anunconsciouslyavengingsisterofthesufferer。

Oneoftheirfellow-pupils，amongotherstatementsevenworse，givesmethefollowing:-ThedormitoryinwhichMariasleptwasalongroom，holdingarowofnarrowlittlebedsoneachside，occupiedbythepupils；andattheendofthisdormitorytherewasasmallbed-chamberopeningoutofit，appropriatedtotheuseofMissScatcherd。Maria’sbedstoodnearesttothedoorofthisroom。Onemorning，aftershehadbecomesoseriouslyunwellastohavehadablisterappliedtoherside(thesorefromwhichwasnotperfectlyhealed)，whenthegetting-upbellwasheard，poorMariamoanedoutthatshewassoill，soveryill，shewishedshemightstopinbed；andsomeofthegirlsurgedhertodoso，andsaidtheywouldexplainitalltoMissTemple，thesuperintendent。

ButMissScatcherdwascloseathand，andherangerwouldhavetobefacedbeforeMissTemple’skindthoughtfulnesscouldinterfere；

sothesickchildbegantodress，shiveringwithcold，as，withoutleavingherbed，sheslowlyputonherblackworstedstockingsoverherthinwhitelegs(myinformantspokeasifshesawityet，andherwholefaceflushedoutundyingindignation)。JustthenMissScatcherdissuedfromherroom，and，withoutaskingforawordofexplanationfromthesickandfrightenedgirl，shetookherbythearm，onthesidetowhichtheblisterhadbeenapplied，andbyonevigorousmovementwhirledheroutintothemiddleofthefloor，abusingherallthetimefordirtyanduntidyhabits。

Thereshelefther。Myinformantsays，Mariahardlyspoke，excepttobegsomeofthemoreindignantgirlstobecalm；but，inslow，tremblingmovements，withmanyapause，shewentdown-stairsatlast，——andwaspunishedforbeinglate。

AnyonemayfancyhowsuchaneventasthiswouldrankleinCharlotte’smind。Ionlywonderthatshedidnotremonstrateagainstherfather’sdecisiontosendherandEmilybacktoCowanBridge，afterMaria’sandElizabeth’sdeaths。Butfrequentlychildrenareunconsciousoftheeffectwhichsomeoftheirsimplerevelationswouldhaveinalteringtheopinionsentertainedbytheirfriendsofthepersonsplacedaroundthem。Besides，Charlotte’searnestvigorousmindsaw，atanunusuallyearlyage，theimmenseimportanceofeducation，asfurnishingherwithtoolswhichshehadthestrengthandthewilltowield，andshewouldbeawarethattheCowanBridgeeducationwas，inmanypoints，thebestthatherfathercouldprovideforher。

BeforeMariaBronte’sdeath，thatlowfeverbrokeout，inthespringof1825，whichisspokenofin"JaneEyre。"Mr。Wilsonwasextremelyalarmedatthefirstsymptomsofthis。Hewenttoakindmotherlywoman，whohadhadsomeconnectionwiththeschool——

aslaundress，Ibelieve——andaskedhertocomeandtellhimwhatwasthematterwiththem。Shemadeherselfready，anddrovewithhiminhisgig。Whensheenteredtheschool-room，shesawfromtwelvetofifteengirlslyingabout；somerestingtheirachingheadsonthetable，othersontheground；allheavy-eyed，flushed，indifferent，andweary，withpainsineverylimb。Somepeculiarodour，shesays，madeherrecognisethattheyweresickeningfor"thefever；"andshetoldMr。Wilsonso，andthatshecouldnotstaythereforfearofconveyingtheinfectiontoherownchildren；buthehalfcommanded，andhalfentreatedhertoremainandnursethem；andfinallymountedhisgiganddroveaway，whileshewasstillurgingthatshemustreturntoherownhouse，andtoherdomesticduties，forwhichshehadprovidednosubstitute。

However，whenshewasleftinthisunceremoniousmanner，shedeterminedtomakethebestofit；andamostefficientnursesheproved:although，asshesays，itwasadrearytime。

Mr。Wilsonsuppliedeverythingorderedbythedoctors，ofthebestqualityandinthemostliberalmanner；theinvalidswereattendedbyDr。Batty，averycleversurgeoninKirby，whohadhadthemedicalsuperintendenceoftheestablishmentfromthebeginning，andwhoafterwardsbecameMr。Wilson’sbrother-in-law。IhaveheardfromtwowitnessesbesidesCharlotteBronte，thatDr。Battycondemnedthepreparationofthefoodbytheexpressiveactionofspittingoutaportionofit。Hehimself，itisbutfairtosay，doesnotrememberthiscircumstance，nordoeshespeakofthefeveritselfaseitheralarmingordangerous。Aboutfortyofthegirlssufferedfromthis，butnoneofthemdiedatCowanBridge；

thoughonediedatherownhome，sinkingunderthestateofhealthwhichfollowedit。NoneoftheBronteshadthefever。Butthesamecauses，whichaffectedthehealthoftheotherpupilsthroughtyphus，toldmoreslowly，butnotlesssurely，upontheirconstitutions。Theprincipalofthesecauseswasthefood。

Thebadmanagementofthecookwaschieflytobeblamedforthis；

shewasdismissed，andthewomanwhohadbeenforcedagainstherwilltoserveasheadnurse，tooktheplaceofhousekeeper；andhenceforwardthefoodwassowellpreparedthatnoonecouldeverreasonablycomplainofit。Ofcourseitcannotbeexpectedthatanewinstitution，comprisingdomesticandeducationalarrangementsfornearlyahundredpersons，shouldworkquitesmoothlyatthebeginning。

Allthisoccurredduringthefirsttwoyearsoftheestablishment，andinestimatingitseffectuponthecharacterofCharlotteBronte，wemustrememberthatshewasasensitivethoughtfulchild，capableofreflectingdeeply，ifnotofanalyzingtruly；

andpeculiarlysusceptible，asarealldelicateandsicklychildren，topainfulimpressions。Whatthehealthysufferfrombutmomentarilyandthenforget，thosewhoareailingbroodoverinvoluntarilyandrememberlong，——perhapswithnoresentment，butsimplyasapieceofsufferingthathasbeenstampedintotheirverylife。Thepictures，ideas，andconceptionsofcharacterreceivedintothemindofthechildofeightyearsold，weredestinedtobereproducedinfierywordsaquarterofacenturyafterwards。ShesawbutonesideofMr。Wilson’scharacter；andmanyofthosewhoknewhimatthattimeassuremeofthefidelitywithwhichthisisrepresented，whileatthesametimetheyregretthatthedelineationshouldhaveobliterated，asitwere，nearlyallthatwasnobleorconscientious。AndthatthereweregrandandfinequalitiesinMr。Wilson，Ihavereceivedabundantevidence。IndeedforseveralweekspastIhavereceivedlettersalmostdaily，bearingonthesubjectofthischapter；somevague，somedefinite；manyfullofloveandadmirationforMr。Wilson，someasfullofdislikeandindignation；fewcontainingpositivefacts。Aftergivingcarefulconsiderationtothismassofconflictingevidence，Ihavemadesuchalterationsandomissionsinthischapterasseemtometoberequired。ItisbutjusttostatethatthemajorpartofthetestimonywithwhichIhavebeenfavouredfromoldpupilsisinhighpraiseofMr。Wilson。AmongthelettersthatIhaveread，thereisonewhoseevidenceoughttobehighlyrespected。Itisfromthehusbandof"MissTemple。"

Shediedin1856，buthe，aclergyman，thuswroteinreplytoaletteraddressedtohimonthesubjectbyoneofMr。Wilson’sfriends:-"OftenhaveIheardmylatedearwifespeakofhersojournatCowanBridge；alwaysintermsofadmirationofMr。

CarusWilson，hisparentallovetohispupils，andtheirloveforhim；ofthefoodandgeneraltreatment，intermsofapproval。I

haveheardheralludetoanunfortunatecook，whousedattimestospoiltheporridge，butwho，shesaid，wassoondismissed。"

TherecollectionsleftofthefourBrontesistersatthisperiodoftheirlives，onthemindsofthosewhoassociatedwiththem，arenotverydistinct。Wild，stronghearts，andpowerfulminds，werehiddenunderanenforcedproprietyandregularityofdemeanourandexpression，justastheirfaceshadbeenconcealedbytheirfather，underhisstiff，unchangingmask。Mariawasdelicate，unusuallycleverandthoughtfulforherage，gentle，anduntidy。Ofherfrequentdisgracefromthislastfault——ofhersufferings，sopatientlyborne——Ihavealreadyspoken。TheonlyglimpsewegetofElizabeth，throughthefewyearsofhershortlife，iscontainedinaletterwhichIhavereceivedfrom"MissTemple。""Thesecond，Elizabeth，istheonlyoneofthefamilyofwhomIhaveavividrecollection，fromhermeetingwithasomewhatalarmingaccident，inconsequenceofwhichIhadherforsomedaysandnightsinmybedroom，notonlyforthesakeofgreaterquiet，butthatImightwatchoverhermyself。Herheadwasseverelycut，butsheborealltheconsequentsufferingwithexemplarypatience，andbyitwonmuchuponmyesteem。Ofthetwoyoungerones(iftwotherewere)Ihaveveryslightrecollections，savethatone，adarlingchild，underfiveyearsofage，wasquitethepetnurslingoftheschool。"ThislastwouldbeEmily。Charlottewasconsideredthemosttalkativeofthesisters——a"bright，clever，littlechild。"Hergreatfriendwasacertain"MellanyHane"(soMr。Brontespellsthename)，whosebrotherpaidforherschooling，andwhohadnoremarkabletalentexceptformusic，whichherbrother’scircumstancesforbadehertocultivate。Shewas"ahungry，good-natured，ordinarygirl；"olderthanCharlotte，andeverreadytoprotectherfromanypettytyrannyorencroachmentsonthepartoftheeldergirls。Charlottealwaysrememberedherwithaffectionandgratitude。

Ihavequotedtheword"bright"intheaccountofCharlotte。I

suspectthatthisyearof1825wasthelasttimeitcouldeverbeappliedtoher。Inthespringofit，MariabecamesorapidlyworsethatMr。Brontewassentfor。Hehadnotpreviouslybeenawareofherillness，andtheconditioninwhichhefoundherwasaterribleshocktohim。HetookherhomebytheLeedscoach，thegirlscrowdingoutintotheroadtofollowherwiththeireyesoverthebridge，pastthecottages，andthenoutofsightforever。Shediedaveryfewdaysafterherarrivalathome。

Perhapsthenewsofherdeathfallingsuddenlyintothelifeofwhichherpatientexistencehadformedapart，onlyalittleweekorsobefore，madethosewhoremainedatCowanBridgelookwithmoreanxietyonElizabeth’ssymptoms，whichalsoturnedouttobeconsumptive。Shewassenthomeinchargeofaconfidentialservantoftheestablishment；andshe，too，diedintheearlysummerofthatyear。Charlottewasthussuddenlycalledintotheresponsibilitiesofeldestsisterinamotherlessfamily。SherememberedhowanxiouslyherdearsisterMariahadstriven，inhergraveearnestway，tobeatenderhelperandacounsellortothemall；andthedutiesthatnowfelluponherseemedalmostlikealegacyfromthegentlelittlesufferersolatelydead。

BothCharlotteandEmilyreturnedtoschoolaftertheMidsummerholidaysinthisfatalyear。Butbeforethenextwinteritwasthoughtdesirabletoadvisetheirremoval，asitwasevidentthatthedampsituationofthehouseatCowanBridgedidnotsuittheirhealth。{3}

CHAPTERV

Forthereasonjuststated，thelittlegirlsweresenthomeintheautumnof1825，whenCharlottewaslittlemorethannineyearsold。

Aboutthistime，anelderlywomanofthevillagecametoliveasservantattheparsonage。Sheremainedthere，asamemberofthehousehold，forthirtyyears；andfromthelengthofherfaithfulservice，andtheattachmentandrespectwhichsheinspired，isdeservingofmention。TabbywasathoroughspecimenofaYorkshirewomanofherclass，indialect，inappearance，andincharacter。Sheaboundedinstrongpracticalsenseandshrewdness。

Herwordswerefarfromflattery；butshewouldsparenodeedsinthecauseofthosewhomshekindlyregarded。Sheruledthechildrenprettysharply；andyetnevergrudgedalittleextratroubletoprovidethemwithsuchsmalltreatsascamewithinherpower。Inreturn，sheclaimedtobelookeduponasahumblefriend；and，manyyearslater，MissBrontetoldmethatshefounditsomewhatdifficulttomanage，asTabbyexpectedtobeinformedofallthefamilyconcerns，andyethadgrownsodeafthatwhatwasrepeatedtoherbecameknowntowhoevermightbeinoraboutthehouse。Toobviatethispublicationofwhatitmightbedesirabletokeepsecret，MissBronteusedtotakeheroutforawalkonthesolitarymoors；where，whenbothwereseatedonatuftofheather，insomehighlonelyplace，shecouldacquainttheoldwoman，atleisure，withallthatshewantedtohear。

TabbyhadlivedinHaworthinthedayswhenthepack-horseswentthroughonceaweek，withtheirtinklingbellsandgayworstedadornment，carryingtheproduceofthecountryfromKeighleyoverthehillstoColneandBurnley。Whatismore，shehadknownthe"bottom，"orvalley，inthoseprimitivedayswhenthefairiesfrequentedthemarginofthe"beck"onmoonlightnights，andhadknownfolkwhohadseenthem。Butthatwaswhentherewerenomillsinthevalleys；andwhenallthewool-spinningwasdonebyhandinthefarm-housesround。"Itwurthefactoriesashaddriven’emaway，"shesaid。Nodoubtshehadmanyataletotellofby-gonedaysofthecountry-side；oldwaysofliving，formerinhabitants，decayedgentry，whohadmeltedaway，andwhoseplacesknewthemnomore；familytragedies，anddarksuperstitiousdooms；

andintellingthesethings，withouttheleastconsciousnessthattheremighteverbeanythingrequiringtobesofteneddown，wouldgiveatfulllengththebareandsimpledetails。

MissBranwellinstructedthechildrenatregularhoursinallshecouldteach，makingherbed-chamberintotheirschool-room。Theirfatherwasinthehabitofrelatingtothemanypublicnewsinwhichhefeltaninterest；andfromtheopinionsofhisstrongandindependentmindtheywouldgathermuchfoodforthought；butIdonotknowwhetherhegavethemanydirectinstruction。Charlotte’sdeepthoughtfulspiritappearstohavefeltalmostpainfullythetenderresponsibilitywhichresteduponherwithreferencetoherremainingsisters。ShewasonlyeighteenmonthsolderthanEmily；

butEmilyandAnneweresimplycompanionsandplaymates，whileCharlottewasmotherlyfriendandguardiantoboth；andthislovingassumptionofdutiesbeyondheryears，madeherfeelconsiderablyolderthanshereallywas。

PatrickBranwell，theironlybrother，wasaboyofremarkablepromise，and，insomeways，ofextraordinaryprecocityoftalent。

Mr。Bronte’sfriendsadvisedhimtosendhissontoschool；but，rememberingboththestrengthofwillofhisownyouthandhismodeofemployingit，hebelievedthatPatrickwasbetterathome，andthathehimselfcouldteachhimwell，ashehadtaughtothersbefore。SoPatrick，orashisfamilycalledhim——Branwell，remainedatHaworth，workinghardforsomehoursadaywithhisfather；but，whenthetimeofthelatterwastakenupwithhisparochialduties，theboywasthrownintochancecompanionshipwiththeladsofthevillage——foryouthwilltoyouth，andboyswilltoboys。

Still，hewasassociatedinmanyofhissisters’playsandamusements。Theseweremostlyofasedentaryandintellectualnature。Ihavehadacuriouspacketconfidedtome，containinganimmenseamountofmanuscript，inaninconceivablysmallspace；

tales，dramas，poems，romances，writtenprincipallybyCharlotte，inahandwhichitisalmostimpossibletodecipherwithouttheaidofamagnifyingglass。Nodescriptionwillgivesogoodanideaoftheextrememinutenessofthewritingastheannexedfacsimileofapage。

Amongthesepapersthereisalistofherworks，whichIcopy，asacuriousproofhowearlytherageforliterarycompositionhadseizeduponher:-

CATALOGUEOFMYBOOKS，WITHTHEPERIODOFTHEIRCOMPLETION，UPTO

AUGUST3RD，1830。

Tworomantictalesinonevolume；viz。，TheTwelveAdventurersandtheAdventuresinIreland，April2nd，1829。

TheSearchafterHappiness，aTale，Aug。1st，1829。

LeisureHours，aTale，andtwoFragments，July6th1829。

TheAdventuresofEdwarddeCrack，aTale，Feb。2nd，1830。

TheAdventuresofErnestAlembert，aTale，May26th，1830。

AninterestingIncidentintheLivesofsomeofthemosteminentPersonsoftheAge，aTale，June10th，1830。

TalesoftheIslanders，infourvolumes。ContentsofthelstVol。:——l。AnAccountoftheirOrigin；2。ADescriptionofVisionIsland；3。Ratten’sAttempt；4。LordCharlesWellesleyandtheMarquisofDouro’sAdventure；completedJune31st，1829。

2ndVol。:-1。TheSchool-rebellion；2。ThestrangeIncidentintheDukeofWellington’sLife；3。TaletohisSons；4。TheMarquisofDouroandLordCharlesWellesley’sTaletohislittleKingandQueen；completedDec。2nd，1829。3rdVol。:-1。TheDukeofWellington’sAdventureintheCavern；2。TheDukeofWellingtonandthelittleKing’sandQueen’svisittotheHorse-

Guards；completedMay8th，1830。4thVol。:-1。ThethreeoldWasher-womenofStrathfieldsaye；2。LordC。Wellesley’sTaletohisBrother；completedJuly30th，1830。

CharactersofGreatMenofthePresentAge，Dec。17th1829。

TheYoungMen’sMagazines，inSixNumbers，fromAugusttoDecember，thelattermonthsdoublenumber，completedDecemberthe12th，1829。Generalindextotheircontents:-1。ATrueStory；

2。CausesoftheWar；3。ASong；4。Conversations；5。ATrueStorycontinued；6。TheSpiritofCawdor；7。InteriorofaPothouse，aPoem；8。TheGlassTown，aSong；9。TheSilverCup，aTale；10。TheTableandVaseintheDesert，aSong；11。

Conversations；12。SceneontheGreatBridge；13。SongoftheAncientBritons；14。SceneinmyTun，aTale；15。AnAmericanTale；16。LineswrittenonseeingtheGardenofaGenius；17。

TheLayoftheGlassTown；18。TheSwissArtist，aTale；19。

LinesontheTransferofthisMagazine；20。OntheSame，byadifferenthand；21。ChiefGeniiinCouncil；22。HarvestinSpain；23。TheSwissArtistscontinued；24。Conversations。

ThePoetaster，aDrama，in2volumes，July12th，1830。

ABookofRhymes，finishedDecember17th，1829。Contents:-1。

TheBeautyofNature；2。AShortPoem；3。MeditationswhileJourneyinginaCanadianForest；4。SongofanExile；5。OnSeeingtheRuinsoftheTowerofBabel；6。AThingof14lines；

7。LineswrittenontheBankofaRiveronefineSummerEvening；

8。Spring，aSong；9。Autumn，aSong。

MiscellaneousPoems，finishedMay30th，1830。Contents:-1。TheChurchyard；2。DescriptionoftheDukeofWellington’sPalaceonthePleasantBanksoftheLusiva；thisarticleisasmallprosetaleorincident；3。Pleasure；4。LineswrittenontheSummitofahighMountainoftheNorthofEngland；5。Winter；6。TwoFragments，namely，1st，TheVision；2nd，AShortuntitledPoem；

theEveningWalk，aPoem，June23rd，1830。

Makinginthewholetwenty-twovolumes。

C。BRONTE，August3，1830

Aseachvolumecontainsfromsixtytoahundredpages，andthesizeofthepagelithographedisratherlessthantheaverage，theamountofthewholeseemsverygreat，ifwerememberthatitwasallwritteninaboutfifteenmonths。Somuchforthequantity；

thequalitystrikesmeasofsingularmeritforagirlofthirteenorfourteen。Bothasaspecimenofherprosestyleatthistime，andalsoasrevealingsomethingofthequietdomesticlifeledbythesechildren，Itakeanextractfromtheintroductionto"TalesoftheIslanders，"thetitleofoneoftheir"LittleMagazines:"-

"Junethe31st，1829。

"Theplayofthe’Islanders’wasformedinDecember，1827，inthefollowingmanner。Onenight，aboutthetimewhenthecoldsleetandstormyfogsofNovemberaresucceededbythesnow-storms，andhighpiercingnightwindsofconfirmedwinter，wewereallsittingroundthewarmblazingkitchenfire，havingjustconcludedaquarrelwithTabbyconcerningtheproprietyoflightingacandle，fromwhichshecameoffvictorious，nocandlehavingbeenproduced。Alongpausesucceeded，whichwasatlastbrokenbyBranwellsaying，inalazymanner，’Idon’tknowwhattodo。’

ThiswasechoedbyEmilyandAnne。

"TABBY。’Whayamaygot’bed。’

"BRANWELL。’I’dratherdoanythingthanthat。’

"CHARLOTTE。’Whyareyousoglumto-night，Tabby？Oh！supposewehadeachanislandofourown。’

"BRANWELL。’IfwehadIwouldchoosetheIslandofMan。’

"CHARLOTTE。’AndIwouldchoosetheIsleofWight。’

"EMILY。’TheIsleofArranforme。’

"ANNE。’AndmineshallbeGuernsey。’

"Wethenchosewhoshouldbechiefmeninourislands。BranwellchoseJohnBull，AstleyCooper，andLeighHunt；Emily，WalterScott，Mr。Lockhart，JohnnyLockhart；Anne，MichaelSadler，LordBentinck，SirHenryHalford。IchosetheDukeofWellingtonandtwosons，ChristopherNorthandCo。，andMr。Abernethy。Hereourconversationwasinterruptedbythe，tous，dismalsoundoftheclockstrikingseven，andweweresummonedofftobed。Thenextdayweaddedmanyotherstoourlistofmen，tillwegotalmostallthechiefmenofthekingdom。Afterthis，foralongtime，nothingworthnoticingoccurred。InJune，1828，weerectedaschoolonafictitiousisland，whichwastocontain1，000

children。Themannerofthebuildingwasasfollows。TheIslandwasfiftymilesincircumference，andcertainlyappearedmoreliketheworkofenchantmentthananythingreal，"&c。

Twoorthreethingsstrikememuchinthisfragment；oneisthegraphicvividnesswithwhichthetimeoftheyear，thehouroftheevening，thefeelingofcoldanddarknessoutside，thesoundofthenight-windssweepingoverthedesolatesnow-coveredmoors，comingnearerandnearer，andatlastshakingtheverydooroftheroomwheretheyweresitting——foritopenedoutdirectlyonthatbleak，wideexpanse——iscontrastedwiththeglow，andbusybrightnessofthecheerfulkitchenwheretheseremarkablechildrenaregrouped。Tabbymovesaboutinherquaintcountry-dress，frugal，peremptory，pronetofindfaultprettysharply，yetallowingnooneelsetoblameherchildren，wemayfeelsure。

Anothernoticeablefactistheintelligentpartisanshipwithwhichtheychoosetheirgreatmen，whoarealmostallstanchToriesofthetime。Moreover，theydonotconfinethemselvestolocalheroes；theirrangeofchoicehasbeenwidenedbyhearingmuchofwhatisnotusuallyconsideredtointerestchildren。LittleAnne，agedscarcelyeight，picksoutthepoliticiansofthedayforherchiefmen。

Thereisanotherscrapofpaper，inthisallbutillegiblehandwriting，writtenaboutthistime，andwhichgivessomeideaofthesourcesoftheiropinions。

THEHISTORYOFTHEYEAR1829。

"OncePapalentmysisterMariaabook。Itwasanoldgeography-

book；shewroteonitsblankleaf，’Papalentmethisbook。’Thisbookisahundredandtwentyyearsold；itisatthismomentlyingbeforeme。WhileIwritethisIaminthekitchenoftheParsonage，Haworth；Tabby，theservant，iswashingupthebreakfast-things，andAnne，myyoungestsister(Mariawasmyeldest)，iskneelingonachair，lookingatsomecakeswhichTabbyhasbeenbakingforus。Emilyisintheparlour，brushingthecarpet。PapaandBranwellaregonetoKeighley。Auntisup-

stairsinherroom，andIamsittingbythetablewritingthisinthekitchen。Keighleyisasmalltownfourmilesfromhere。PapaandBranwellaregoneforthenewspaper，the’LeedsIntelligencer，’amostexcellentTorynewspaper，editedbyMr。

Wood，andtheproprietor，Mr。Henneman。Wetaketwoandseethreenewspapersaweek。Wetakethe’LeedsIntelligencer，’Tory，andthe’LeedsMercury，’Whig，editedbyMr。Baines，andhisbrother，son-in-law，andhistwosons，EdwardandTalbot。Weseethe’JohnBull；’itisahighTory，veryviolent。Mr。Driverlendsusit，aslikewise’Blackwood’sMagazine，’themostableperiodicalthereis。TheEditorisMr。ChristopherNorth，anoldmanseventy-fouryearsofage；the1stofAprilishisbirth-day；hiscompanyareTimothyTickler，MorganO’Doherty，MacrabinMordecai，Mullion，Warnell，andJamesHogg，amanofmostextraordinarygenius，aScottishshepherd。Ourplayswereestablished；’YoungMen，’June，1826；’OurFellows，’July，1827；’Islanders，’December，1827。

Theseareourthreegreatplays，thatarenotkeptsecret。

Emily’sandmybestplayswereestablishedthe1stofDecember，1827；theothersMarch，1828。Bestplaysmeansecretplays；theyareveryniceones。Allourplaysareverystrangeones。TheirnatureIneednotwriteonpaper，forIthinkIshallalwaysrememberthem。The’YoungMen’s’playtookitsrisefromsomewoodensoldiersBranwellhad:’OurFellows’from’AEsop’sFables；’andthe’Islanders’fromseveraleventswhichhappened。

IwillsketchouttheoriginofourplaysmoreexplicitlyifI

can。First，’YoungMen。’PapaboughtBranwellsomewoodensoldiersatLeeds；whenPapacamehomeitwasnight，andwewereinbed，sonextmorningBranwellcametoourdoorwithaboxofsoldiers。EmilyandIjumpedoutofbed，andIsnatcheduponeandexclaimed，’ThisistheDukeofWellington！ThisshallbetheDuke！’WhenIhadsaidthis，Emilylikewisetookuponeandsaiditshouldbehers；whenAnnecamedown，shesaidoneshouldbehers。Minewastheprettiestofthewhole，andthetallest，andthemostperfectineverypart。Emily’swasagrave-lookingfellow，andwecalledhim’Gravey。’Anne’swasaqueerlittlething，muchlikeherself，andwecalledhim’Waiting-Boy。’

Branwellchosehis，andcalledhim’Buonaparte。’"

TheforegoingextractshowssomethingofthekindofreadinginwhichthelittleBronteswereinterested；buttheirdesireforknowledgemusthavebeenexcitedinmanydirections，forIfinda"listofpainterswhoseworksIwishtosee，"drawnupbyCharlottewhenshewasscarcelythirteen:-

"GuidoReni，JulioRomano，Titian，Raphael，MichaelAngelo，Correggio，AnnibalCaracci，LeonardodaVinci，FraBartolomeo，CarloCignani，Vandyke，Rubens，BartolomeoRamerghi。"

Hereisthislittlegirl，inaremoteYorkshireparsonage，whohasprobablyneverseenanythingworthythenameofapaintinginherlife，studyingthenamesandcharacteristicsofthegreatoldItalianandFlemishmasters，whoseworksshelongstoseesometime，inthedimfuturethatliesbeforeher！Thereisapaperremainingwhichcontainsminutestudiesof，andcriticismsupon，theengravingsin"Friendship’sOfferingfor1829；"showinghowshehadearlyformedthosehabitsofcloseobservation，andpatientanalysisofcauseandeffect，whichservedsowellinafter-lifeashandmaidstohergenius。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读