ThewayinwhichMr。Brontemadehischildrensympathisewithhiminhisgreatinterestinpolitics，musthavedonemuchtoliftthemabovethechancesoftheirmindsbeinglimitedortaintedbypettylocalgossip。Itaketheonlyotherremainingpersonalfragmentoutof"TalesoftheIslanders；"itisasortofapology，containedintheintroductiontothesecondvolume，fortheirnothavingbeencontinuedbefore；thewritershadbeenforalongtimetoobusy，andlatterlytoomuchabsorbedinpolitics。

"Parliamentwasopened，andthegreatCatholicquestionwasbroughtforward，andtheDuke’smeasuresweredisclosed，andallwasslander，violence，party-spirit，andconfusion。Oh，thosesixmonths，fromthetimeoftheKing’sspeechtotheend！Nobodycouldwrite，think，orspeakonanysubjectbuttheCatholicquestion，andtheDukeofWellington，andMr。Peel。IrememberthedaywhentheIntelligenceExtraordinarycamewithMr。Peel’sspeechinit，containingthetermsonwhichtheCatholicsweretobeletin！WithwhateagernessPapatoreoffthecover，andhowweallgatheredroundhim，andwithwhatbreathlessanxietywelistened，asonebyonetheyweredisclosed，andexplained，andargueduponsoably，andsowell！andthenwhenitwasallout，howauntsaidthatshethoughtitwasexcellent，andthattheCatholicscoulddonoharmwithsuchgoodsecurity！IrememberalsothedoubtsastowhetheritwouldpasstheHouseofLords，andthepropheciesthatitwouldnot；andwhenthepapercamewhichwastodecidethequestion，theanxietywasalmostdreadfulwithwhichwelistenedtothewholeaffair:theopeningofthedoors；thehush；theroyaldukesintheirrobes，andthegreatdukeingreensashandwaistcoat；therisingofallthepeeresseswhenherose；thereadingofhisspeech——Papasayingthathiswordswerelikepreciousgold；andlastly，themajorityofonetofour(sic)infavouroftheBill。Butthisisadigression，"&c。，&c。

Thismusthavebeenwrittenwhenshewasbetweenthirteenandfourteen。

Itwillbeinterestingtosomeofmyreaderstoknowwhatwasthecharacterofherpurelyimaginativewritingatthisperiod。Whileherdescriptionofanyrealoccurrenceis，aswehaveseen，homely，graphic，andforcible，whenshegiveswaytoherpowersofcreation，herfancyandherlanguagealikerunriot，sometimestotheverybordersofapparentdelirium。Ofthiswildweirdwriting，asingleexamplewillsuffice。Itisalettertotheeditorofoneofthe"LittleMagazines。"

"Sir，——ItiswellknownthattheGeniihavedeclaredthatunlesstheyperformcertainarduousdutieseveryyear，ofamysteriousnature，alltheworldsinthefirmamentwillbeburntup，andgatheredtogetherinonemightyglobe，whichwillrollinsolitarygrandeurthroughthevastwildernessofspace，inhabitedonlybythefourhighprincesoftheGenii，tilltimeshallbesucceededbyEternity；andtheimpudenceofthisisonlytobeparalleledbyanotheroftheirassertions，namely，thatbytheirmagicmighttheycanreducetheworldtoadesert，thepurestwaterstostreamsoflividpoison，andtheclearestlakestostagnantwaters，thepestilentialvapoursofwhichshallslayalllivingcreatures，excepttheblood-thirstybeastoftheforest，andtheravenousbirdoftherock。ButthatinthemidstofthisdesolationthepalaceoftheChiefGeniishallrisesparklinginthewilderness，andthehorriblehowloftheirwar-cryshallspreadoverthelandatmorning，atnoontideandnight；butthattheyshallhavetheirannualfeastoverthebonesofthedead，andshallyearlyrejoicewiththejoyofvictors。Ithink，sir，thatthehorriblewickednessofthisneedsnoremark，andthereforeI

hastetosubscribemyself，&c。

"July14，1829。"

Itisnotunlikelythattheforegoinglettermayhavehadsomeallegoricalorpoliticalreference，invisibletooureyes，butverycleartothebrightlittlemindsforwhomitwasintended。

Politicswereevidentlytheirgrandinterest；theDukeofWellingtontheirdemi-god。Allthatrelatedtohimbelongedtotheheroicage。DidCharlottewantaknight-errant，oradevotedlover，theMarquisofDouro，orLordCharlesWellesley，camereadytoherhand。Thereishardlyoneofherprose-writingsatthistimeinwhichtheyarenottheprincipalpersonages，andinwhichtheir"augustfather"doesnotappearasasortofJupiterTonans，orDeusexMachina。

AsoneevidencehowWellesleyhauntedherimagination，Icopyoutafewofthetitlestoherpapersinthevariousmagazines。

"LiffeyCastle，"aTalebyLordC。Wellesley。

"LinestotheRiverAragua，"bytheMarquisofDouro。

"AnExtraordinaryDream，"byLordC。Wellesley。

"TheGreenDwarf，aTaleofthePerfectTense，"bytheLordCharlesAlbertFlorianWellesley。

"StrangeEvents，"byLordC。A。F。Wellesley。

Lifeinanisolatedvillage，oralonelycountry-house，presentsmanylittleoccurrenceswhichsinkintothemindofchildhood，theretobebroodedover。Noothereventmayhavehappened，orbelikelytohappen，fordays，topushoneoftheseaside，beforeithasassumedavagueandmysteriousimportance。Thus，childrenleadingasecludedlifeareoftenthoughtfulanddreamy:theimpressionsmadeuponthembytheworldwithout——theunusualsightsofearthandsky——theaccidentalmeetingswithstrangefacesandfigures(rareoccurrencesinthoseout-of-the-wayplaces)——aresometimesmagnifiedbythemintothingssodeeplysignificantastobealmostsupernatural。ThispeculiarityI

perceiveverystronglyinCharlotte’swritingsatthistime。

Indeed，underthecircumstances，itisnopeculiarity。Ithasbeencommontoall，fromtheChaldeanshepherds——"thelonelyherdsmanstretchedonthesoftgrassthroughhalfasummer’sday"——

thesolitarymonk——toallwhoseimpressionsfromwithouthavehadtimetogrowandvivifyintheimagination，tilltheyhavebeenreceivedasactualpersonifications，orsupernaturalvisions，todoubtwhichwouldbeblasphemy。

TocounterbalancethistendencyinCharlotte，wasthestrongcommonsensenaturaltoher，anddailycalledintoexercisebytherequirementsofherpracticallife。Herdutieswerenotmerelytolearnherlessons，toreadacertainquantity，togaincertainideas；shehad，besides，tobrushrooms，torunerrandsupanddownstairs，tohelpinthesimplerformsofcooking，tobebyturnsplay-fellowandmonitresstoheryoungersistersandbrother，tomakeandtomend，andtostudyeconomyunderhercarefulaunt。Thusweseethat，whileherimaginationreceivedvividimpressions，herexcellentunderstandinghadfullpowertorectifythembeforeherfanciesbecamerealities。Onascrapofpaper，shehaswrittendownthefollowingrelation:-

"June22，1830，6o’clockp。m。

"Haworth，nearBradford。

"Thefollowingstrangeoccurrencehappenedonthe22ndofJune，1830:-AtthetimePapawasveryill，confinedtohisbed，andsoweakthathecouldnotrisewithoutassistance。TabbyandIwerealoneinthekitchen，abouthalf-pastnineante-meridian。

Suddenlyweheardaknockatthedoor；Tabbyroseandopenedit。

Anoldmanappeared，standingwithout，whoaccostedherthus:-

"OLDMAN——’Doestheparsonlivehere？’

"TABBY——’Yes。’

"OLDMAN——’Iwishtoseehim。’

"TABBY——’Heispoorlyinbed。’

"OLDMAN——’Ihaveamessageforhim。’

"TABBY——’Whofrom？’

"OLDMAN——’FromtheLord。’

"TABBY——’Who？’

"OLDMAN——’TheLord。HedesiresmetosaythattheBridegroomiscoming，andthatwemustpreparetomeethim；thatthecordsareabouttobeloosed，andthegoldenbowlbroken；thepitcherbrokenatthefountain。’

"Hereheconcludedhisdiscourse，andabruptlywenthisway。AsTabbyclosedthedoor，Iaskedherifsheknewhim。Herreplywas，thatshehadneverseenhimbefore，noranyonelikehim。

ThoughIamfullypersuadedthathewassomefanaticalenthusiast，wellmeaningperhaps，bututterlyignorantoftruepiety；yetI

couldnotforbearweepingathiswords，spokensounexpectedlyatthatparticularperiod。"

Thoughthedateofthefollowingpoemisalittleuncertain，itmaybemostconvenienttointroduceithere。Itmusthavebeenwrittenbefore1833，buthowmuchearliertherearenomeansofdetermining。Igiveitasaspecimenoftheremarkablepoeticaltalentshowninthevariousdiminutivewritingsofthistime；atleast，inallofthemwhichIhavebeenabletoread。

THEWOUNDEDSTAG。

PassingamidthedeepestshadeOfthewood’ssombreheart，LastnightIsawawoundeddeerLaidlonelyandapart。

Suchlightaspiercedthecrowdedboughs(Lightscattered，scantanddim，)

PassedthroughthefernthatformedhiscouchAndcentredfullonhim。

Paintrembledinhiswearylimbs，Painfilledhispatienteye，Pain-crushedamidtheshadowyfernHisbranchycrowndidlie。

Wherewerehiscomrades？wherehismate？

Allfromhisdeath-bedgone！

Andhe，thusstruckanddesolate，Sufferedandbledalone。

Didhefeelwhatamanmightfeel，Friend-left，andsoredistrest？

DidPain’skeendart，andGrief’ssharpstingStriveinhismangledbreast？

DidlongingforaffectionlostBarbeverydeadlydart；

Loveunrepaid，andFaithbetrayed，Didthesetormenthisheart？

No！leavetomanhisproperdoom！

ThesearethepangsthatriseAroundthebedofstateandgloom，WhereAdam’soffspringdies！

CHAPTERVI

ThisisperhapsafittingtimetogivesomepersonaldescriptionofMissBronte。In1831，shewasaquiet，thoughtfulgirl，ofnearlyfifteenyearsofage，verysmallinfigure——"stunted"wasthewordsheappliedtoherself，——butasherlimbsandheadwereinjustproportiontotheslight，fragilebody，nowordineversoslightadegreesuggestiveofdeformitycouldproperlybeappliedtoher；withsoft，thick，brownhair，andpeculiareyes，ofwhichIfinditdifficulttogiveadescription，astheyappearedtomeinherlaterlife。Theywerelargeandwellshaped；theircolourareddishbrown；butiftheiriswascloselyexamined，itappearedtobecomposedofagreatvarietyoftints。Theusualexpressionwasofquiet，listeningintelligence；butnowandthen，onsomejustoccasionforvividinterestorwholesomeindignation，alightwouldshineout，asifsomespirituallamphadbeenkindled，whichglowedbehindthoseexpressiveorbs。Ineversawthelikeinanyotherhumancreature。Asfortherestofherfeatures，theywereplain，large，andillset；but，unlessyoubegantocataloguethem，youwerehardlyawareofthefact，fortheeyesandpowerofthecountenanceover-balancedeveryphysicaldefect；thecrookedmouthandthelargenosewereforgotten，andthewholefacearrestedtheattention，andpresentlyattractedallthosewhomsheherselfwouldhavecaredtoattract。HerhandsandfeetwerethesmallestIeversaw；whenoneoftheformerwasplacedinmine，itwaslikethesofttouchofabirdinthemiddleofmypalm。Thedelicatelongfingershadapeculiarfinenessofsensation，whichwasonereasonwhyallherhandiwork，ofwhateverkind——writing，sewing，knitting——wassoclearinitsminuteness。Shewasremarkablyneatinherwholepersonalattire；butshewasdaintyastothefitofhershoesandgloves。

Icanwellimaginethatthegraveseriouscomposure，which，whenI

knewher，gaveherfacethedignityofanoldVenetianportrait，wasnoacquisitionoflateryears，butdatedfromthatearlyagewhenshefoundherselfinthepositionofaneldersistertomotherlesschildren。Butinagirlonlyjustenteredonherteens，suchanexpressionwouldbecalled(touseacountryphrase)"old-fashioned；"andin1831，theperiodofwhichInowwrite，wemustthinkofherasalittle，set，antiquatedgirl，veryquietinmanners，andveryquaintindress；forbesidestheinfluenceexertedbyherfather’sideasconcerningthesimplicityofattirebefittingthewifeanddaughtersofacountryclergyman，heraunt，onwhomthedutyofdressingherniecesprincipallydevolved，hadneverbeeninsocietysincesheleftPenzance，eightornineyearsbefore，andthePenzancefashionsofthatdaywerestilldeartoherheart。

InJanuary，1831，Charlottewassenttoschoolagain。ThistimeshewentasapupiltoMissW-，wholivedatRoeHead，acheerfulroomycountryhouse，standingalittleapartinafield，ontherightoftheroadfromLeedstoHuddersfield。Threetiersofold-

fashionedsemicircularbowwindowsrunfrombasementtoroof；andlookdownuponalonggreenslopeofpasture-land，endinginthepleasantwoodsofKirklees，SirGeorgeArmitage’spark。AlthoughRoeHeadandHawortharenottwentymilesapart，theaspectofthecountryisastotallydissimilarasiftheyenjoyedadifferentclimate。Thesoftcurvingandheavinglandscaperoundtheformergivesastrangertheideaofcheerfulairinessontheheights，andofsunnywarmthinthebroadgreenvalleysbelow。Itisjustsuchaneighbourhoodasthemonksloved，andtracesoftheoldPlantagenettimesaretobemetwitheverywhere，sidebysidewiththemanufacturinginterestsoftheWestRidingofto-day。ThereistheparkofKirklees，fullofsunnyglades，speckledwithblackshadowsofimmemorialyew-trees；thegreypileofbuilding，formerlya"HouseofprofessedLadies；"themoulderingstoneinthedepthofthewood，underwhichRobinHoodissaidtolie；

closeoutsidethepark，anoldstone-gabledhouse，nowaroadsideinn，butwhichbearsthenameofthe"ThreeNuns，"andhasapicturedsigntocorrespond。Andthisquaintoldinnisfrequentedbyfustian-dressedmill-handsfromtheneighbouringworstedfactories，whichstrewthehighroadfromLeedstoHuddersfield，andformthecentresroundwhichfuturevillagesgather。Sucharethecontrastsofmodesofliving，andoftimesandseasons，broughtbeforethetravelleronthegreatroadsthattraversetheWestRiding。InnootherpartofEngland，Ifancy，arethecenturiesbroughtintosuchclose，strangecontactasinthedistrictinwhichRoeHeadissituated。WithinsixmilesofMissW-’shouse——ontheleftoftheroad，comingfromLeeds——lietheremainsofHowleyHall，nowthepropertyofLordCardigan，butformerlybelongingtoabranchoftheSaviles。NeartoitisLadyAnne’swell；"LadyAnne，"accordingtotradition，havingbeenworriedandeatenbywolvesasshesatatthewell，towhichtheindigo-dyedfactorypeoplefromBirstallandBatleywoollenmillswouldformerlyrepaironPalmSunday，whenthewaterspossessremarkablemedicinalefficacy；anditisstillbelievedbysomethattheyassumeastrangevarietyofcoloursatsixo’clockonthemorningofthatday。

AllroundthelandsheldbythefarmerwholivesintheremainsofHowleyHallarestonehousesofto-day，occupiedbythepeoplewhoaremakingtheirlivingandtheirfortunesbythewoollenmillsthatencroachuponandshoulderouttheproprietorsoftheancienthalls。Thesearetobeseenineverydirection，picturesque，many-gabled，withheavystonecarvingsofcoatsofarmsforheraldicornament；belongingtodecayedfamilies，fromwhoseancestrallandsfieldafterfieldhasbeenshornaway，bytheurgencyofrichmanufacturerspressingharduponnecessity。

AsmokyatmospheresurroundstheseolddwellingsofformerYorkshiresquires，andblightsandblackenstheancienttreesthatovershadowthem；cinder-pathsleaduptothem；thegroundroundaboutissoldforbuildingupon；butstilltheneighbours，thoughtheysubsistbyadifferentstateofthings，rememberthattheirforefatherslivedinagriculturaldependenceupontheownersofthesehalls；andtreasureupthetraditionsconnectedwiththestatelyhouseholdsthatexistedcenturiesago。TakeOakwellHall，forinstance。Itstandsinapasture-field，aboutaquarterofamilefromthehighroad。Itisbutthatdistancefromthebusywhirrofthesteam-enginesemployedinthewoollenmillsatBirstall；andifyouwalktoitfromBirstallStationaboutmeal-

time，youencounterstringsofmill-hands，bluewithwoollendye，andcranchinginhungryhasteoverthecinder-pathsborderingthehighroad。Turningofffromthistotheright，youascendthroughanoldpasture-field，andenterashortby-road，calledthe"BloodyLane"——awalkhauntedbytheghostofacertainCaptainBatt，thereprobateproprietorofanoldhallcloseby，inthedaysoftheStuarts。Fromthe"BloodyLane，"overshadowedbytrees，youcomeintothefieldinwhichOakwellHallissituated。

Itisknownintheneighbourhoodtobetheplacedescribedas"FieldHead，"Shirley’sresidence。Theenclosureinfront，halfcourt，halfgarden；thepanelledhall，withthegalleryopeningintothebed-chambersrunninground；thebarbarouspeach-coloureddrawing-room；thebrightlook-outthroughthegarden-dooruponthegrassylawnsandterracesbehind，wherethesoft-huedpigeonsstilllovetocooandstrutinthesun，——aredescribedin"Shirley。"Thesceneryofthatfictionliesclosearound；therealeventswhichsuggestedittookplaceintheimmediateneighbourhood。

TheyshowabloodyfootprintinabedchamberofOakwellHall，andtellastoryconnectedwithit，andwiththelanebywhichthehouseisapproached。CaptainBattwasbelievedtobefaraway；

hisfamilywasatOakwell；wheninthedusk，onewinterevening，hecamestalkingalongthelane，andthroughthehall，andupthestairs，intohisownroom，wherehevanished。HehadbeenkilledinaduelinLondonthatverysameafternoonofDecember9th，1684。

ThestonesoftheHallformedpartofthemoreancientvicarage，whichanancestorofCaptainBatt’shadseizedinthetroubloustimesforpropertywhichsucceededtheReformation。ThisHenryBattpossessedhimselfofhousesandmoneywithoutscruple；and，atlast，stolethegreatbellofBirstallChurch，forwhichsacrilegioustheftafinewasimposedontheland，andhastobepaidbytheowneroftheHalltothisday。

ButtheOakwellpropertypassedoutofthehandsoftheBattsatthebeginningofthelastcentury；collateraldescendantssucceeded，andleftthispicturesquetraceoftheirhavingbeen。

Inthegreathallhangsamightypairofstag’shorns，anddependentfromthemaprintedcard，recordingthefactthat，onthe1stofSeptember，1763，therewasagreathunting-match，whenthisstagwasslain；andthatfourteengentlemensharedinthechase，anddinedonthespoilinthathall，alongwithFairfaxFearneley，Esq。，theowner。Thefourteennamesaregiven，doubtless"mightymenofyore；"but，amongthemall，SirFletcherNorton，Attorney-General，andMajor-GeneralBirchweretheonlyoneswithwhichIhadanyassociationin1855。PassingonfromOakwellthereliehousesrightandleft，whichwerewellknowntoMissBrontewhenshelivedatRoeHead，asthehospitablehomesofsomeofherschoolfellows。Lanesbranchoffforthreeorfourmilestoheathsandcommonsonthehigherground，whichformedpleasantwalksonholidays，andthencomesthewhitegateintothefield-pathleadingtoRoeHeaditself。

Oneofthebow-windowedroomsonthegroundfloorwiththepleasantlook-outIhavedescribedwasthedrawing-room；theotherwastheschoolroom。Thedining-roomwasononesideofthedoor，andfacedtheroad。

Thenumberofpupils，duringtheyearandahalfMissBrontewasthere，rangedfromseventoten；andastheydidnotrequirethewholeofthehousefortheiraccommodation，thethirdstorywasunoccupied，exceptbytheghostlyideaofalady，whoserustlingsilkgownwassometimesheardbythelistenersatthefootofthesecondflightofstairs。

ThekindmotherlynatureofMissW-，andthesmallnumberofthegirls，madetheestablishmentmorelikeaprivatefamilythanaschool。Moreover，shewasanativeofthedistrictimmediatelysurroundingRoeHead，aswerethemajorityofherpupils。MostlikelyCharlotteBronte，incomingfromHaworth，camethegreatestdistanceofall。"E。’s"homewasfivemilesaway；twootherdearfriends(theRoseandJessieYorkeof"Shirley")livedstillnearer；twoorthreecamefromHuddersfield；oneortwofromLeeds。

IshallnowquotefromavaluableletterwhichIhavereceivedfrom"Mary，"oneoftheseearlyfriends；distinctandgraphicinexpression，asbecomesacherishedassociateofCharlotteBronte’s。ThetimereferredtoisherfirstappearanceatRoeHead，onJanuary19th，1831。

"Ifirstsawhercomingoutofacoveredcart，inveryold-

fashionedclothes，andlookingverycoldandmiserable。ShewascomingtoschoolatMissW-’s。Whensheappearedintheschoolroom，herdresswaschanged，butjustasold。Shelookedalittleoldwoman，soshort-sightedthatshealwaysappearedtobeseekingsomething，andmovingherheadfromsidetosidetocatchasightofit。Shewasveryshyandnervous，andspokewithastrongIrishaccent。Whenabookwasgivenher，shedroppedherheadoverittillhernosenearlytouchedit，andwhenshewastoldtoholdherheadup，upwentthebookafterit，stillclosetohernose，sothatitwasnotpossibletohelplaughing。"

Thiswasthefirstimpressionshemadeupononeofthosewhosedearandvaluedfriendshewastobecomeinafter-life。AnotherofthegirlsrecallsherfirstsightofCharlotte，onthedayshecame，standingbytheschoolroomwindow，lookingoutonthesnowylandscape，andcrying，whilealltherestwereatplay。"E。"wasyoungerthanshe，andhertenderheartwastouchedbytheapparentlydesolateconditioninwhichshefoundtheoddly-

dressed，odd-lookinglittlegirlthatwintermorning，as"sickforhomeshestoodintears，"inanewstrangeplace，amongnewstrangepeople。Anyover-demonstrativekindnesswouldhavescaredthewildlittlemaidenfromHaworth；but"E。"(whoisshadowedforthintheCarolineHelstoneof"Shirley")managedtowinconfidence，andwasallowedtogivesympathy。

Toquoteagainfrom"Mary’s"letter:-

"Wethoughtherveryignorant，forshehadneverlearntgrammaratall，andverylittlegeography。"

Thisaccountofherpartialignoranceisconfirmedbyherotherschool-fellows。ButMissW-wasaladyofremarkableintelligenceandofdelicatetendersympathy。ShegaveaproofofthisinherfirsttreatmentofCharlotte。Thelittlegirlwaswell-read，butnotwell-grounded。MissW-tookherasideandtoldhershewasafraidthatshemustplaceherinthesecondclassforsometimetillshecouldovertakethegirlsofherownageintheknowledgeofgrammar，&c。；butpoorCharlottereceivedthisannouncementwithsosadafitofcrying，thatMissW-’skindheartwassoftened，andshewiselyperceivedthat，withsuchagirl，itwouldbebettertoplaceherinthefirstclass，andallowhertomakeupbyprivatestudyinthosebrancheswhereshewasdeficient。

"Shewouldconfoundusbyknowingthingsthatwereoutofourrangealtogether。Shewasacquaintedwithmostoftheshortpiecesofpoetrythatwehadtolearnbyheart；wouldtellustheauthors，thepoemstheyweretakenfrom，andsometimesrepeatapageortwo，andtellustheplot。Shehadahabitofwritinginitalics(printingcharacters)，andsaidshehadlearntitbywritingintheirmagazine。Theybroughtouta’magazine’onceamonth，andwishedittolookaslikeprintaspossible。Shetoldusataleoutofit。Noonewroteinit，andnoonereadit，butherself，herbrother，andtwosisters。Shepromisedtoshowmesomeofthesemagazines，butretracteditafterwards，andwouldneverbepersuadedtodoso。Inourplayhoursshesate，orstoodstill，withabook，ifpossible。Someofusonceurgedhertobeonoursideinagameatball。Shesaidshehadneverplayed，andcouldnotplay。Wemadehertry，butsoonfoundthatshecouldnotseetheball，soweputherout。Shetookallourproceedingswithpliableindifference，andalwaysseemedtoneedapreviousresolutiontosay’No’toanything。Sheusedtogoandstandunderthetreesintheplay-ground，andsayitwaspleasanter。

Sheendeavouredtoexplainthis，pointingouttheshadows，thepeepsofsky，&c。Weunderstoodbutlittleofit。ShesaidthatatCowanBridgesheusedtostandintheburn，onastone，towatchthewaterflowby。Itoldhersheshouldhavegonefishing；

shesaidsheneverwanted。Shealwaysshowedphysicalfeeblenessineverything。Sheatenoanimalfoodatschool。ItwasaboutthistimeItoldhershewasveryugly。Someyearsafterwards，I

toldherIthoughtIhadbeenveryimpertinent。Shereplied，’Youdidmeagreatdealofgood，Polly，sodon’trepentofit。’Sheusedtodrawmuchbetter，andmorequickly，thananythingwehadseenbefore，andknewmuchaboutcelebratedpicturesandpainters。

Wheneveranopportunityofferedofexaminingapictureorcutofanykind，shewentoveritpiecemeal，withhereyesclosetothepaper，lookingsolongthatweusedtoaskher’whatshesawinit。’Shecouldalwaysseeplenty，andexplaineditverywell。

Shemadepoetryanddrawingatleastexceedinglyinterestingtome；andthenIgotthehabit，whichIhaveyet，ofreferringmentallytoheropiniononallmattersofthatkind，alongwithmanymore，resolvingtodescribesuchandsuchthingstoher，untilIstartattherecollectionthatInevershall。"

Tofeelthefullforceofthislastsentence——toshowhowsteadyandvividwastheimpressionwhichMissBrontemadeonthosefittedtoappreciateher——Imustmentionthatthewriterofthisletter，datedJanuary18th，1856，inwhichshethusspeaksofconstantlyreferringtoCharlotte’sopinionhasneverseenherforelevenyears，nearlyallofwhichhavebeenpassedamongstrangescenes，inanewcontinent，attheantipodes。

"Weusedtobefuriouspoliticians，asonecouldhardlyhelpbeingin1832。Sheknewthenamesofthetwoministries；theonethatresigned，andtheonethatsucceededandpassedtheReformBill。

SheworshippedtheDukeofWellington，butsaidthatSirRobertPeelwasnottobetrusted；hedidnotactfromprincipleliketherest，butfromexpediency。I，beingofthefuriousradicalparty，toldher’howcouldanyofthemtrustoneanother；theywereallofthemrascals！’ThenshewouldlaunchoutintopraisesoftheDukeofWellington，referringtohisactions；whichIcouldnotcontradict，asIknewnothingabouthim。Shesaidshehadtakeninterestinpoliticseversinceshewasfiveyearsold。Shedidnotgetheropinionsfromherfather——thatis，notdirectly——butfromthepapers，&c。，hepreferred。"

Inillustrationofthetruthofthis，Imaygiveanextractfromalettertoherbrother，writtenfromRoeHead，May17th，1832:-

"LatelyIhadbeguntothinkthatIhadlostalltheinterestwhichIusedformerlytotakeinpolitics；buttheextremepleasureIfeltatthenewsoftheReformBill’sbeingthrownoutbytheHouseofLords，andoftheexpulsion，orresignationofEarlGrey，&c。，convincedmethatIhavenotasyetlostallmypenchantforpolitics。Iamextremelygladthataunthasconsentedtotakein’Fraser’sMagazine；’for，thoughIknowfromyourdescriptionofitsgeneralcontentsitwillberatheruninterestingwhencomparedwith’Blackwood，’stillitwillbebetterthanremainingthewholeyearwithoutbeingabletoobtainasightofanyperiodicalwhatever；andsuchwouldassuredlybeourcase，as，inthelittlewildmoorlandvillagewherewereside，therewouldbenopossibilityofborrowingaworkofthatdescriptionfromacirculatinglibrary。Ihopewithyouthatthepresentdelightfulweathermaycontributetotheperfectrestorationofourdearpapa’shealth；andthatitmaygiveauntpleasantreminiscencesofthesalubriousclimateofhernativeplace，"&c。

Toreturnto"Mary’s"letter。

"Sheusedtospeakofhertwoeldersisters，MariaandElizabeth，whodiedatCowanBridge。Iusedtobelievethemtohavebeenwondersoftalentandkindness。Shetoldme，earlyonemorning，thatshehadjustbeendreaming；shehadbeentoldthatshewaswantedinthedrawing-room，anditwasMariaandElizabeth。Iwaseagerforhertogoon，andwhenshesaidtherewasnomore，I

said，’butgoon！MAKEITOUT！Iknowyoucan。’Shesaidshewouldnot；shewishedshehadnotdreamed，foritdidnotgoonnicely，theywerechanged；theyhadforgottenwhattheyusedtocarefor。Theywereveryfashionablydressed，andbegancriticisingtheroom，&c。

"Thishabitof’makingout’interestsforthemselvesthatmostchildrengetwhohavenoneinactuallife，wasverystronginher。

Thewholefamilyusedto’makeout’histories，andinventcharactersandevents。Itoldhersometimestheywerelikegrowingpotatoesinacellar。Shesaid，sadly，’Yes！Iknowweare！’

"Someoneatschoolsaidshe’wasalwaystalkingaboutcleverpeople；Johnson，Sheridan，&c。’Shesaid，’Nowyoudon’tknowthemeaningofCLEVER，Sheridanmightbeclever；yes，Sheridanwasclever，——scampsoftenare；butJohnsonhadn’tasparkofcleveralityinhim。’Nooneappreciatedtheopinion；theymadesometrivialremarkabout’CLEVERALITY，’andshesaidnomore。

"Thisistheepitomeofherlife。Atourhouseshehadjustaslittlechanceofapatienthearing，forthoughnotschool-girlish，weweremoreintolerant。Wehadarageforpracticality，andlaughedallpoetrytoscorn。NeithershenorwehadanyideabutthatouropinionsweretheopinionsofalltheSENSIBLEpeopleintheworld，andweusedtoastonisheachotherateverysentence……Charlotte，atschool，hadnoplanoflifebeyondwhatcircumstancesmadeforher。Sheknewthatshemustprovideforherself，andchosehertrade；atleastchosetobeginitonce。

Herideaofself-improvementruledherevenatschool。Itwastocultivatehertastes。ShealwayssaidtherewasenoughofhardpracticalityandUSEFULknowledgeforcedonusbynecessity，andthatthethingmostneededwastosoftenandrefineourminds。

Shepickedupeveryscrapofinformationconcerningpainting，sculpture，poetry，music，&c。，asifitweregold。"

WhatIhaveheardofherschooldaysfromothersources，confirmstheaccuracyofthedetailsinthisremarkableletter。Shewasanindefatigablestudent:constantlyreadingandlearning；withastrongconvictionofthenecessityandvalueofeducation，veryunusualinagirloffifteen。Sheneverlostamomentoftime，andseemedalmosttogrudgethenecessaryleisureforrelaxationandplay-hours，whichmightbepartlyaccountedforbytheawkwardnessinallgamesoccasionedbyhershortnessofsight。

Yet，inspiteoftheseunsociablehabits，shewasagreatfavouritewithherschoolfellows。Shewasalwaysreadytotryanddowhattheywished，thoughnotsorrywhentheycalledherawkward，andleftheroutoftheirsports。Then，atnight，shewasaninvaluablestory-teller，frighteningthemalmostoutoftheirwitsastheylayinbed。Ononeoccasiontheeffectwassuchthatshewasledtoscreamoutaloud，andMissW-，comingupstairs，foundthatoneofthelistenershadbeenseizedwithviolentpalpitations，inconsequenceoftheexcitementproducedbyCharlotte’sstory。

HerindefatigablecravingforknowledgetemptedMissW-onintosettingherlongerandlongertasksofreadingforexamination；

andtowardstheendoftheyearandahalfthatsheremainedasapupilatRoeHead，shereceivedherfirstbadmarkforanimperfectlesson。ShehadhadagreatquantityofBlair’s"LecturesonBellesLettres"toread；andshecouldnotanswersomeofthequestionsuponit；CharlotteBrontehadabadmark。

MissW-wassorry，andregrettedthatshehadsetCharlottesolongatask。Charlottecriedbitterly。Butherschool-fellowsweremorethansorry——theywereindignant。TheydeclaredthattheinflictionofeversoslightapunishmentonCharlotteBrontewasunjust——forwhohadtriedtodoherdutylikeher？——andtestifiedtheirfeelinginavarietyofways，untilMissW-，whowasinrealityonlytoowillingtopassoverhergoodpupil’sfirstfault，withdrewthebadmark；andthegirlsallreturnedtotheirallegianceexcept"Mary，"whotookherownwayduringtheweekortwothatremainedofthehalf-year，choosingtoconsiderthatMissW-，ingivingCharlotteBrontesolongatask，hadforfeitedherclaimtoobedienceoftheschoolregulations。

Thenumberofpupilswassosmallthattheattendancetocertainsubjectsatparticularhours，commoninlargerschools，wasnotrigidlyenforced。Whenthegirlswerereadywiththeirlessons，theycametoMissW-tosaythem。Shehadaremarkableknackofmakingthemfeelinterestedinwhatevertheyhadtolearn。Theysettotheirstudies，notastotasksordutiestobegotthrough，butwithahealthydesireandthirstforknowledge，ofwhichshehadmanagedtomakethemperceivetherelishingsavour。Theydidnotleaveoffreadingandlearningassoonasthecompulsorypressureofschoolwastakenaway。Theyhadbeentaughttothink，toanalyse，toreject，toappreciate。CharlotteBrontewashappyinthechoicemadeforherofthesecondschooltowhichshewassent。Therewasarobustfreedomintheout-of-doorslifeofhercompanions。Theyplayedatmerrygamesinthefieldsroundthehouse:onSaturdayhalf-holidaystheywentlongscramblingwalksdownmysteriousshadylanes，thenclimbingtheuplands，andthusgainingextensiveviewsoverthecountry，aboutwhichsomuchhadtobetold，bothofitspastandpresenthistory。

MissW-musthavehadingreatperfectiontheFrenchart，"conter，"tojudgefromherpupil’srecollectionsofthetalessherelatedduringtheselongwalks，ofthisoldhouse，orthatnewmill，andofthestatesofsocietyconsequentonthechangesinvolvedbythesuggestivedatesofeitherbuilding。Sherememberedthetimeswhenwatchersorwakenersinthenightheardthedistantwordofcommand，andthemeasuredtrampofthousandsofsaddesperatemenreceivingasurreptitiousmilitarytraining，inpreparationforsomegreatdaywhichtheysawintheirvisions，whenrightshouldstrugglewithmightandcomeoffvictorious:

whenthepeopleofEngland，representedbytheworkersofYorkshire，Lancashire，andNottinghamshire，shouldmaketheirvoiceheardinaterribleslogan，sincetheirtrueandpitifulcomplaintscouldfindnohearinginparliament。Weforget，now-a-

days，sorapidhavebeenthechangesforthebetter，howcruelwastheconditionofnumbersoflabourersatthecloseofthegreatPeninsularwar。Thehalf-ludicrousnatureofsomeoftheirgrievanceshaslingeredonintradition；therealintensityoftheirsufferingshasbecomeforgotten。Theyweremaddenedanddesperate；andthecountry，intheopinionofmany，seemedtobeonthevergeofaprecipice，fromwhichitwasonlysavedbythepromptandresolutedecisionofafewinauthority。MissW-spokeofthosetimes；ofthemysteriousnightlydrillings；ofthousandsonlonelymoors；ofthemutteredthreatsofindividualstoocloselypresseduponbynecessitytobeprudent；oftheovertacts，inwhichtheburningofCartwright’smilltookaprominentplace；andthesethingssankdeepintothemindofone，atleast，amongherhearers。

Mr。CartwrightwastheownerofafactorycalledRawfolds，inLiversedge，notbeyondthedistanceofawalkfromRoeHead。Hehaddaredtoemploymachineryforthedressingofwoollencloth，whichwasanunpopularmeasurein1812，whenmanyothercircumstancesconspiredtomaketheconditionofthemill-handsunbearablefromthepressureofstarvationandmisery。Mr。

Cartwrightwasaveryremarkableman，having，asIhavebeentold，someforeignbloodinhim，thetracesofwhichwereveryapparentinhistallfigure，darkeyesandcomplexion，andsingular，thoughgentlemanlybearing。Atanyratehehadbeenmuchabroad，andspokeFrenchwell，ofitselfasuspiciouscircumstancetothebigotednationalityofthosedays。Altogetherhewasanunpopularman，evenbeforehetookthelaststepofemployingshears，insteadofhands，todresshiswool。Hewasquiteawareofhisunpopularity，andoftheprobableconsequences。Hehadhismillpreparedforanassault。Hetookuphislodgingsinit；andthedoorswerestronglybarricadedatnight。Oneverystepofthestairstherewasplacedaroller，spikedwithbarbedpointsallround，soastoimpedetheascentoftherioters，iftheysucceededinforcingthedoors。

OnthenightofSaturdaythe11thofApril，1812，theassaultwasmade。Somehundredsofstarvingcloth-dressersassembledintheveryfieldnearKirkleesthatslopeddownfromthehousewhichMissW-afterwardsinhabited，andwerearmedbytheirleaderswithpistols，hatchets，andbludgeons，manyofwhichhadbeenextortedbythenightlybandsthatprowledaboutthecountry，fromsuchinhabitantsoflonelyhousesashadprovidedthemselveswiththesemeansofself-defence。Thesilentsullenmultitudemarchedinthedeadofthatspring-nighttoRawfolds，andgivingtonguewithagreatshout，rousedMr。Cartwrightuptotheknowledgethatthelong-expectedattackwascome。Hewaswithinwalls，itistrue；

butagainstthefuryofhundredshehadonlyfourofhisownworkmenandfivesoldierstoassisthim。Thesetenmen，however，managedtokeepupsuchavigorousandwell-directedfireofmusketrythattheydefeatedallthedesperateattemptsofthemultitudeoutsidetobreakdownthedoors，andforceawayintothemill；and，afteraconflictoftwentyminutes，duringwhichtwooftheassailantswerekilledandseveralwounded，theywithdrewinconfusion，leavingMr。Cartwrightmasterofthefield，butsodizzyandexhausted，nowtheperilwaspast，thatheforgotthenatureofhisdefences，andinjuredhislegratherseriouslybyoneofthespikedrollers，inattemptingtogouphisownstaircase。Hisdwellingwasnearthefactory。Someoftheriotersvowedthat，ifhedidnotgivein，theywouldleavethis，andgotohishouse，andmurderhiswifeandchildren。Thiswasaterriblethreat，forhehadbeenobligedtoleavehisfamilywithonlyoneortwosoldierstodefendthem。Mrs。Cartwrightknewwhattheyhadthreatened；andonthatdreadfulnight，hearing，asshethought，stepsapproaching，shesnatcheduphertwoinfantchildren，andputtheminabasketupthegreatchimney，commoninold-fashionedYorkshirehouses。Oneofthetwochildrenwhohadbeenthusstowedawayusedtopointoutwithpride，aftershehadgrownuptowoman’sestate，themarksofmusketshot，andthetracesofgunpowderonthewallsofherfather’smill。Hewasthefirstthathadofferedanyresistancetotheprogressofthe"Luddites，"whohadbecomebythistimesonumerousasalmosttoassumethecharacterofaninsurrectionaryarmy。Mr。Cartwright’sconductwassomuchadmiredbytheneighbouringmill-ownersthattheyenteredintoasubscriptionforhisbenefitwhichamountedintheendto3，000L。

NotmuchmorethanafortnightafterthisattackonRawfolds，anothermanufacturerwhoemployedtheobnoxiousmachinerywasshotdowninbroaddaylight，ashewaspassingoverCrosslandMoor，whichwasskirtedbyasmallplantationinwhichthemurdererslayhidden。Thereadersof"Shirley"willrecognisethesecircumstances，whichwererelatedtoMissBronteyearsaftertheyoccurred，butontheveryspotswheretheytookplace，andbypersonswhorememberedfullwellthoseterribletimesofinsecuritytolifeandpropertyontheonehand，andofbitterstarvationandblindignorantdespairontheother。

Mr。Brontehimselfhadbeenlivingamongsttheseverypeoplein1812，ashewasthenclergymanatHartshead，notthreemilesfromRawfolds；and，asIhavementioned，itwasintheseperiloustimesthathebeganhiscustomofcarryingaloadedpistolcontinuallyaboutwithhim。FornotonlyhisTorypolitics，buthisloveandregardfortheauthorityofthelaw，madehimdespisethecowardiceofthesurroundingmagistrates，who，intheirdreadoftheLuddites，refusedtointerferesoastopreventthedestructionofproperty。Theclergyofthedistrictwerethebravestmenbyfar。

TherewasaMr。RobersonofHeald’sHall，afriendofMr。Bronte’swhohasleftadeepimpressionofhimselfonthepublicmind。HelivednearHeckmondwike，alarge，straggling，dirtyvillage，nottwomilesfromRoeHead。Itwasprincipallyinhabitedbyblanketweavers，whoworkedintheirowncottages；andHeald’sHallisthelargesthouseinthevillage，ofwhichMr。Robersonwasthevicar。

Athisowncost，hebuiltahandsomechurchatLiversedge，onahilloppositetheoneonwhichhishousestood，whichwasthefirstattemptintheWestRidingtomeetthewantsoftheovergrownpopulation，andmademanypersonalsacrificesforhisopinions，bothreligiousandpolitical，whichwereofthetrueold-fashionedTorystamp。Hehatedeverythingwhichhefanciedhadatendencytowardsanarchy。HewasloyalineveryfibretoChurchandKing；andwouldhaveproudlylaiddownhislife，anyday，forwhathebelievedtoberightandtrue。Buthewasamanofanimperialwill，andbyitheboredownopposition，tilltraditionrepresentshimashavingsomethinggrimlydemoniacabouthim。HewasintimatewithCartwright，andawareoftheattacklikelytobemadeonhismill；accordingly，itissaid，hearmedhimselfandhishousehold，andwaspreparedtocometotherescue，intheeventofasignalbeinggiventhataidwasneeded。Thusfarislikelyenough。Mr。Robersonhadplentyofwar-likespiritinhim，manofpeacethoughhewas。

But，inconsequenceofhishavingtakentheunpopularside，exaggerationsofhischaracterlingerastruthinthemindsofthepeople；andafabulousstoryistoldofhisforbiddinganyonetogivewatertothewoundedLuddites，leftinthemill-yard，whenherodeinthenextmorningtocongratulatehisfriendCartwrightonhissuccessfuldefence。Moreover，thisstern，fearlessclergymanhadthesoldiersthatweresenttodefendtheneighbourhoodbilletedathishouse；andthisdeeplydispleasedthework-people，whoweretobeintimidatedbythered-coats。Althoughnotamagistrate，hesparednopainstotrackouttheLudditesconcernedintheassassinationIhavementioned；andwassosuccessfulinhisacuteunflinchingenergy，thatitwasbelievedhehadbeensupernaturallyaided；andthecountrypeople，stealingintothefieldssurroundingHeald’sHallonduskywinterevenings，yearsafterthistime，declaredthatthroughthewindowstheysawParsonRobersondancing，inastrangeredlight，withblackdemonsallwhirlingandeddyingroundhim。Hekeptalargeboys’school；andmadehimselfbothrespectedanddreadedbyhispupils。Headdedagrimkindofhumourtohisstrengthofwill；andtheformerqualitysuggestedtohisfancystrangeout-of-the-waykindsofpunishmentforanyrefractorypupils:forinstance，hemadethemstandononeleginacorneroftheschoolroom，holdingaheavybookineachhand；andonce，whenaboyhadrunawayhome，hefollowedhimonhorseback，reclaimedhimfromhisparents，and，tyinghimbyaropetothestirrupofhissaddle，madehimrunalongsideofhishorseforthemanymilestheyhadtotraversebeforereachingHeald’sHall。

Oneotherillustrationofhischaractermaybegiven。HediscoveredthathisservantBettyhad"afollower；"and，watchinghistimetillRichardwasfoundinthekitchen，heorderedhimintothedining-room，wherethepupilswereallassembled。HethenquestionedRichardwhetherhehadcomeafterBetty；andonhisconfessingthetruth，Mr。Robersongavetheword，"Offwithhim，lads，tothepump！"Thepoorloverwasdraggedtothecourt-

yard，andthepumpsettoplayuponhim；and，betweeneverydrenching，thequestionwasputtohim，"WillyoupromisenottocomeafterBettyagain？"ForalongtimeRichardbravelyrefusedtogivein；when"Pumpagain，lads！"wastheorder。But，atlast，thepoorsoaked"follower"wasforcedtoyield，andrenouncehisBetty。

TheYorkshirecharacterofMr。RobersonwouldbeincompleteifI

didnotmentionhisfondnessforhorses。Helivedtobeaveryoldman，dyingsometimenearerto1840than1830；andevenafterhewaseightyyearsofage，hetookgreatdelightinbreakingrefractorysteeds；ifnecessary，hewouldsitmotionlessontheirbacksforhalf-an-hourormoretobringthemto。Thereisastorycurrentthatonce，inapassion，heshothiswife’sfavouritehorse，andburieditnearaquarry，wheretheground，someyearsafter，miraculouslyopenedanddisplayedtheskeleton；buttherealfactis，thatitwasanactofhumanitytoputapooroldhorseoutofmisery；andthat，tospareitpain，heshotitwithhisownhands，andburieditwhere，thegroundsinkingafterwardsbytheworkingofacoal-pit，thebonescametolight。Thetraditionalcolouringshowstheanimuswithwhichhismemoryisregardedbyonesetofpeople。Byanother，theneighbouringclergy，whorememberhimriding，inhisoldage，downthehillonwhichhishousestood，uponhisstrongwhitehorse——hisbearingproudanddignified，hisshovelhatbentoverandshadowinghiskeeneagleeyes——goingtohisSundaydutylikeafaithfulsoldierthatdiesinharness——whocanappreciatehisloyaltytoconscience，hissacrificestoduty，andhisstandbyhisreligion——

hismemoryisvenerated。Inhisextremeoldage，arubricmeetingwasheld，atwhichhisclericalbrethrengladlysubscribedtopresenthimwithatestimonialoftheirdeeprespectandregard。

ThisisaspecimenofthestrongcharacternotseldommanifestedbytheYorkshireclergyoftheEstablishedChurch。Mr。RobersonwasafriendofCharlotteBronte’sfather；livedwithinacoupleofmilesofRoeHeadwhileshewasatschoolthere；andwasdeeplyengagedintransactions，thememoryofwhichwasyetrecentwhensheheardofthem，andofthepartwhichhehadhadinthem。

ImaynowsayalittleonthecharacteroftheDissentingpopulationimmediatelysurroundingRoeHead；forthe"Toryandclergyman’sdaughter，""takinginterestinpoliticseversinceshewasfiveyearsold，"andholdingfrequentdiscussionswithsuchofthegirlsaswereDissentersandRadicals，wassuretohavemadeherselfasmuchacquaintedasshecouldwiththeconditionofthosetowhomshewasopposedinopinion。

ThebulkofthepopulationwereDissenters，principallyIndependents。InthevillageofHeckmondwike，atoneendofwhichRoeHeadissituated，thereweretwolargechapelsbelongingtothatdenomination，andonetotheMethodists，allofwhichwerewellfilledtwoorthreetimesonaSunday，besideshavingvariousprayer-meetings，fullyattended，onweek-days。Theinhabitantswereachapel-goingpeople，verycriticalaboutthedoctrineoftheirsermons，tyrannicaltotheirministers，andviolentRadicalsinpolitics。Afriend，wellacquaintedwiththeplacewhenCharlotteBrontewasatschool，hasdescribedsomeeventswhichoccurredthenamongthem:-

"Ascene，whichtookplaceattheLowerChapelatHeckmondwike，willgiveyousomeideaofthepeopleatthattime。Whenanewly-

marriedcouplemadetheirappearanceatchapel，itwasthecustomtosingtheWeddingAnthem，justafterthelastprayer，andasthecongregationwasquittingthechapel。Thebandofsingerswhoperformedthisceremonyexpectedtohavemoneygiventhem，andoftenpassedthefollowingnightindrinking；atleast，sosaidtheministeroftheplace；andhedeterminedtoputanendtothiscustom。Inthishewassupportedbymanymembersofthechapelandcongregation；butsostrongwasthedemocraticelement，thathemetwiththemostviolentopposition，andwasofteninsultedwhenhewentintothestreet。Abridewasexpectedtomakeherfirstappearance，andtheministertoldthesingersnottoperformtheanthem。Ontheirdeclaringtheywould，hehadthelargepewwhichtheyusuallyoccupiedlocked；theybrokeitopen:fromthepulpithetoldthecongregationthat，insteadoftheirsingingahymn，hewouldreadachapter；hardlyhadheutteredthefirstword，beforeuprosethesingers，headedbyatall，fierce-lookingweaver，whogaveoutahymn，andallsangitattheverytopoftheirvoices，aidedbythoseoftheirfriendswhowereinthechapel。Thosewhodisapprovedoftheconductofthesingers，andsidedwiththeminister，remainedseatedtillthehymnwasfinished。Thenhegaveoutthechapteragain，readit，andpreached。Hewasjustabouttoconcludewithprayer，whenupstartedthesingersandscreamedforthanotherhymn。Thesedisgracefulsceneswerecontinuedformanyweeks，andsoviolentwasthefeeling，thatthedifferentpartiescouldhardlykeepfromblowsastheycamethroughthechapel-yard。Theminister，atlast，lefttheplace，andalongwithhimwentmanyofthemosttemperateandrespectablepartofthecongregation，andthesingersremainedtriumphant。

"Ibelievethattherewassuchaviolentcontestrespectingthechoiceofapastor，aboutthistime，intheUpperChapelatHeckmondwike，thattheRiotActhadtobereadatachurch-

meeting。"

Certainly，theSOI-DISANTChristianswhoforciblyejectedMr。

RedheadatHaworth，tenortwelveyearsbefore，heldaveryheathenbrotherhoodwiththeSOI-DISANTChristiansofHeckmondwike；thoughtheonesetmightbecalledmembersoftheChurchofEnglandandtheotherDissenters。

TheletterfromwhichIhavetakentheaboveextractrelatesthroughouttotheimmediateneighbourhoodoftheplacewhereCharlotteBrontespentherschool-days，anddescribesthingsastheyexistedatthatverytime。Thewritersays，——"Havingbeenaccustomedtotherespectfulmannersofthelowerordersintheagriculturaldistricts，Iwasatfirst，muchdisgustedandsomewhatalarmedatthegreatfreedomdisplayedbytheworkingclassesofHeckmondwikeandGomersalltothoseinastationabovethem。Theterm’lass，’wasasfreelyappliedtoanyyounglady，astheword’wench’isinLancashire。Theextremelyuntidyappearanceofthevillagersshockedmenotalittle，thoughImustdothehousewivesthejusticetosaythatthecottagesthemselveswerenotdirty，andhadanairofroughplentyaboutthem(exceptwhentradewasbad)，thatIhadnotbeenaccustomedtoseeinthefarmingdistricts。Theheapofcoalsononesideofthehouse-

door，andthebrewingtubsontheother，andthefrequentperfumeofmaltandhopsasyouwalkedalong，provedthatfireand’home-

brewed’weretobefoundatalmosteveryman’shearth。Norwashospitality，oneofthemainvirtuesofYorkshire，wanting。Oat-

cake，cheese，andbeerwerefreelypresseduponthevisitor。

"Thereusedtobeayearlyfestival，half-religious，halfsocial，heldatHeckmondwike，called’TheLecture。’IfancyithadcomedownfromthetimesoftheNonconformists。AsermonwaspreachedbysomestrangerattheLowerChapel，onaweek-dayevening，andthenextday，twosermonsinsuccessionweredeliveredattheUpperChapel。Ofcourse，theservicewasaverylongone，andasthetimewasJune，andtheweatheroftenhot，itusedtoberegardedbymyselfandmycompanionsasnopleasurablewayofpassingthemorning。Therestofthedaywasspentinsocialenjoyment；greatnumbersofstrangersflockedtotheplace；boothswereerectedforthesaleoftoysandgingerbread(asortof’HolyFair’)；andthecottages，havinghadalittleextrapaintandwhite-washing，assumedquiteaholidaylook。

"ThevillageofGomersall"(whereCharlotteBronte’sfriend"Mary"

livedwithherfamily)，"whichwasamuchprettierplacethanHeckmondwike，containedastrange-lookingcottage，builtofroughunhewnstones，manyofthemprojectingconsiderably，withuncouthheadsandgrinningfacescarveduponthem；anduponastoneabovethedoorwascut，inlargeletters，’SPITEHALL。’Itwaserectedbyamaninthevillage，oppositetothehouseofhisenemy，whohadjustfinishedforhimselfagoodhouse，commandingabeautifulviewdownthevalley，whichthishideousbuildingquiteshutout。"

Fearless——becausethispeoplewerequitefamiliartoallofthem——

amidstsuchapopulation，livedandwalkedthegentleMissW-’seightorninepupils。Sheherselfwasbornandbredamongthisrough，strong，fierceset，andknewthedepthofgoodnessandloyaltythatlaybeneaththeirwildmannersandinsubordinateways。Andthegirlstalkedofthelittleworldaroundthem，asifitweretheonlyworldthatwas；andhadtheiropinionsandtheirparties，andtheirfiercediscussionsliketheirelders——possibly，theirbetters。Andamongthem，belovedandrespectedbyall，laughedatoccasionallybyafew，butalwaystoherface——lived，forayearandahalf，theplain，short-sighted，oddly-dressed，studiouslittlegirltheycalledCharlotteBronte。

CHAPTERVII

MissBronteleftRoeHeadin1832，havingwontheaffectionateregardbothofherteacherandherschool-fellows，andhavingformedtherethetwofastfriendshipswhichlastedherwholelifelong；theonewith"Mary，"whohasnotkeptherletters；theotherwith"E。，"whohaskindlyentrustedmewithalargeportionofMissBronte’scorrespondencewithher。ThisshehasbeeninducedtodobyherknowledgeoftheurgentdesireonthepartofMr。

Brontethatthelifeofhisdaughtershouldbewritten，andincompliancewitharequestfromherhusbandthatIshouldbepermittedtohavetheuseoftheseletters，withoutwhichsuchataskcouldbebutveryimperfectlyexecuted。Inordertoshieldthisfriend，however，fromanyblameormisconstruction，itisonlyrighttostatethat，beforegrantingmethisprivilege，shethroughoutmostcarefullyandcompletelyeffacedthenamesofthepersonsandplaceswhichoccurredinthem；andalsothatsuchinformationasIhaveobtainedfromherbearsreferencesolelytoMissBronteandhersisters，andnottoanyotherindividualswhomImayfinditnecessarytoalludetoinconnectionwiththem。

Inlookingovertheearlierportionofthiscorrespondence，Iamstruckafreshbytheabsenceofhope，whichformedsuchastrongcharacteristicinCharlotte。Atanagewhengirls，ingeneral，lookforwardtoaneternaldurationofsuchfeelingsastheyortheirfriendsentertain，andcanthereforeseenohindrancetothefulfilmentofanyengagementsdependentonthefuturestateoftheaffections，sheissurprisedthat"E。"keepsherpromisetowrite。

Inafter-life，Iwaspainfullyimpressedwiththefact，thatMissBronteneverdaredtoallowherselftolookforwardwithhope；

thatshehadnoconfidenceinthefuture；andIthought，whenI

heardofthesorrowfulyearsshehadpassedthrough，thatithadbeenthispressureofgriefwhichhadcrushedallbuoyancyofexpectationoutofher。Butitappearsfromtheletters，thatitmusthavebeen，sotospeak，constitutional；or，perhaps，thedeeppangoflosinghertwoeldersisterscombinedwithapermanentstateofbodilyweaknessinproducingherhopelessness。IfhertrustinGodhadbeenlessstrong，shewouldhavegivenwaytounboundedanxiety，atmanyaperiodofherlife。Asitwas，weshallsee，shemadeagreatandsuccessfulefforttoleave"hertimesinHishands。"

Afterherreturnhome，sheemployedherselfinteachinghersisters，overwhomshehadhadsuperioradvantages。Shewritesthus，July21st，1832，ofhercourseoflifeattheparsonage:-

"Anaccountofonedayisanaccountofall。Inthemorning，fromnineo’clocktillhalf-pasttwelve，Iinstructmysisters，anddraw；thenwewalktilldinner-time。AfterdinnerIsewtilltea-

time，andafterteaIeitherwrite，read，ordoalittlefancy-

work，ordraw，asIplease。Thus，inonedelightful，thoughsomewhatmonotonouscourse，mylifeispassed。IhavebeenonlyouttwicetoteasinceIcamehome。Weareexpectingcompanythisafternoon，andonTuesdaynextweshallhaveallthefemaleteachersoftheSunday-schooltotea。"

ImayhereintroduceaquotationfromaletterwhichIhavereceivedfrom"Mary"sincethepublicationofthepreviouseditionsofthismemoir。

"SoonafterleavingschoolsheadmittedreadingsomethingofCobbett’s。’Shedidnotlikehim，’shesaid；’butallwasfishthatcametohernet。’Atthistimeshewrotetomethatreadinganddrawingweretheonlyamusementsshehad，andthathersupplyofbookswasverysmallinproportiontoherwants。Sheneverspokeofheraunt。WhenIsawMissBranwellshewasaverypreciseperson，andlookedveryodd，becauseherdress，&c。，wassoutterlyoutoffashion。Shecorrectedoneofusonceforusingtheword’spit’or’spitting。’ShemadeagreatfavouriteofBranwell。Shemadeherniecessew，withpurposeorwithout，andasfaraspossiblediscouragedanyotherculture。Sheusedtokeepthegirlssewingcharityclothing，andmaintainedtomethatitwasnotforthegoodoftherecipients，butofthesewers。’Itwasproperforthemtodoit，’shesaid。Charlotteneverwas’inwildexcitement’thatIknowof。Wheninhealthsheusedtotalkbetter，andindeedwheninlowspiritsneverspokeatall。Sheneededherbestspiritstosaywhatwasinherheart，foratothertimesshehadnotcourage。Shenevergavedecidedopinionsatsuchtimes……

"Charlottesaidshecouldgetonwithanyonewhohadabumpatthetopoftheirheads(meaningconscientiousness)。IfoundthatIseldomdifferedfromher，exceptthatshewasfartootolerantofstupidpeople，iftheyhadagrainofkindnessinthem。"

ItwasaboutthistimethatMr。Bronteprovidedhischildrenwithateacherindrawing，whoturnedouttobeamanofconsiderabletalent，butverylittleprinciple。Althoughtheyneverattainedtoanythinglikeproficiency，theytookgreatinterestinacquiringthisart；evidently，fromaninstinctivedesiretoexpresstheirpowerfulimaginationsinvisibleforms。Charlottetoldme，thatatthisperiodofherlife，drawing，andwalkingoutwithhersisters，formedthetwogreatpleasuresandrelaxationsofherday。

Thethreegirlsusedtowalkupwardstowardthe"purple-black"

moors，thesweepingsurfaceofwhichwasbrokenbyhereandthereastone-quarry；andiftheyhadstrengthandtimetogofarenough，theyreachedawaterfall，wherethebeckfelloversomerocksintothe"bottom。"Theyseldomwentdownwardsthroughthevillage。Theywereshyofmeetingevenfamiliarfaces，andwerescrupulousaboutenteringthehouseoftheverypoorestuninvited。

TheyweresteadyteachersattheSunday-School，ahabitwhichCharlottekeptupveryfaithfully，evenaftershewasleftalone；

buttheyneverfacedtheirkindvoluntary，andalwayspreferredthesolitudeandfreedomofthemoors。

IntheSeptemberofthisyear，Charlottewenttopayherfirstvisittoherfriend"E。"IttookherintotheneighbourhoodofRoeHead，andbroughtherintopleasantcontactwithmanyofheroldschool-fellows。AfterthisvisitsheandherfriendseemtohaveagreedtocorrespondinFrench，forthesakeofimprovementinthelanguage。Butthisimprovementcouldnotbegreat，whenitcouldonlyamounttoagreaterfamiliaritywithdictionarywords，andwhentherewasnoonetoexplaintothemthataverbaltranslationofEnglishidiomshardlyconstitutedFrenchcomposition；buttheeffortwaslaudable，andofitselfshowshowwillingtheybothweretocarryontheeducationwhichtheyhadbegununderMissW。Iwillgiveanextractwhich，whatevermaybethoughtofthelanguage，isgraphicenough，andpresentsuswithahappylittlefamilypicture；theeldestsisterreturninghometothetwoyounger，afterafortnight’sabsence。

"J’arrivaiteHaworthenparfaitesauvetesanslemoindreaccidentoumalheur。Mespetitessoeurscouraienthorsdelamaisonpourmerencontreraussitotquelavoituresefitvoir，etellesm’embrassaientavecautantd’empressementetdeplaisircommesij’avaiseteabsentepourplusd’an。MonPapa，maTante，etlemonsieurdentmenfrereavoitparle，furenttousassemblesdansleSalon，etenpeudetempsjem’yrendisaussi。C’estsouventl’ordreduCielquequandonaperduunplaisirilyenaunautrepreteprendresaplace。Ainsijevenoisdepartirdetres-chersamis，maistoutel’heurejerevinsedesparensaussichersetbondanslemoment。Memequevousmeperdiez(ose-jecroirequemondepartvousetaitunchagrin？)vousattenditesl’arriveedevotrefrere，etdevotresoeur。J’aidonneemessoeurslespommesquevousleurenvoyiezavectantdebonte；ellesdisentqu’ellessontsurqueMademoiselleE。esttres-aimableetbonne；

l’uneetl’autresontextremementimpatientesdevousvoir；

j’esperequ’enpeudemoisellesaurontceplaisir。"

Butitwassometimeyetbeforethefriendscouldmeet，andmeanwhiletheyagreedtocorrespondonceamonth。TherewerenoeventstochronicleintheHaworthletters。Quietdays，occupiedinreaching，andfeminineoccupationsinthehouse，didnotpresentmuchtowriteabout；andCharlottewasnaturallydriventocriticisebooks。

Ofthesethereweremanyindifferentplights，andaccordingtotheirplight，keptindifferentplaces。Thewell-boundwererangedinthesanctuaryofMr。Bronte’sstudy；butthepurchaseofbookswasanecessaryluxurytohim，butasitwasoftenachoicebetweenbindinganoldone，orbuyinganewone，thefamiliarvolume，whichhadbeenhungrilyreadbyallthemembersofthefamily，wassometimesinsuchaconditionthatthebedroomshelfwasconsidereditsfittingplace。Upanddownthehouseweretobefoundmanystandardworksofasolidkind。SirWalterScott’swritings，Wordsworth’sandSouthey’spoemswereamongthelighterliterature；while，ashavingacharacteroftheirown——earnest，wild，andoccasionallyfanatical——maybenamedsomeofthebookswhichcamefromtheBranwellsideofthefamily——fromtheCornishfollowersofthesaintlyJohnWesley——andwhicharetouchedonintheaccountoftheworkstowhichCarolineHelstonehadaccessin"Shirley:"——"SomevenerableLady’sMagazines，thathadonceperformedavoyagewiththeirowner，andundergoneastorm"——

(possiblypartoftherelicsofMrs。Bronte’spossessions，containedintheshipwreckedonthecoastofCornwall)——"andwhosepageswerestainedwithsaltwater；somemadMethodistMagazinesfullofmiraclesandapparitions，andpreternaturalwarnings，ominousdreams，andfrenziedfanaticisms；andtheequallymadlettersofMrs。ElizabethRowefromtheDeadtotheLiving。"

Mr。Bronteencouragedatasteforreadinginhisgirls；andthoughMissBranwellkeptitinduebounds，bythevarietyofhouseholdoccupations，inwhichsheexpectedthemnotmerelytotakeapart，buttobecomeproficients，therebyoccupyingregularlyagoodportionofeveryday，theywereallowedtogetbooksfromthecirculatinglibraryatKeighley；andmanyahappywalk，upthoselongfourmiles，musttheyhavehad，burdenedwithsomenewbook，intowhichtheypeepedastheyhurriedhome。Notthatthebookswerewhatwouldgenerallybecallednew；inthebeginningof1833，thetwofriendsseemalmostsimultaneouslytohavefallenupon"Kenilworth，"andCharlottewritesasfollowsaboutit:-

"Iamgladyoulike’Kenilworth；’itiscertainlymoreresemblingaromancethananovel:inmyopinion，oneofthemostinterestingworksthateveremanatedfromthegreatSirWalter’spen。Varneyiscertainlythepersonificationofconsummatevillainy；andinthedelineationofhisdarkandprofoundlyartfulmind，Scottexhibitsawonderfulknowledgeofhumannature，aswellasasurprisingskillinembodyinghisperceptions，soastoenableotherstobecomeparticipatorsinthatknowledge。"

Commonplaceasthisextractmayseem，itisnoteworthyontwoorthreeaccounts:inthefirstplace，insteadofdiscussingtheplotorstory，sheanalysesthecharacterofVarney；andnext，she，knowingnothingoftheworld，bothfromheryouthandherisolatedposition，hasyetbeensoaccustomedtohear"humannature"distrusted，astoreceivethenotionofintenseandartfulvillainywithoutsurprise。

Whatwasformalandsetinherwayofwritingto"E。"diminishedastheirpersonalacquaintanceincreased，andaseachcametoknowthehomeoftheother；sothatsmalldetailsconcerningpeopleandplaceshadtheirinterestandtheirsignificance。Inthesummerof1833，shewrotetoinviteherfriendtocomeandpayheravisit。"Auntthoughtitwouldbebetter"(shesays)"todeferituntilaboutthemiddleofsummer，asthewinter，andeventhespringseasons，areremarkablycoldandbleakamongourmountains。"

Thefirstimpressionmadeonthevisitorbythesistersofherschool-friendwas，thatEmilywasatall，long-armedgirl，morefullygrownthanhereldersister；extremelyreservedinmanner。

Idistinguishreservefromshyness，becauseIimagineshynesswouldplease，ifitknewhow；whereas，reserveisindifferentwhetheritpleasesornot。Anne，likehereldestsister，wasshy；

Emilywasreserved。

Branwellwasratherahandsomeboy，with"tawny"hair，touseMissBronte’sphraseforamoreobnoxiouscolour。Allwereveryclever，original，andutterlydifferenttoanypeopleorfamily"E。"hadeverseenbefore。But，onthewhole，itwasahappyvisittoallparties。Charlottesays，inwritingto"E。，"justafterherreturnhome——"WereItotellyouoftheimpressionyouhavemadeoneveryonehere，youwouldaccusemeofflattery。

Papaandauntarecontinuallyadducingyouasanexampleformetoshapemyactionsandbehaviourby。EmilyandAnnesay’theyneversawanyonetheylikedsowellasyou。’AndTabby，whomyouhaveabsolutelyfascinated，talksagreatdealmorenonsenseaboutyourladyshipthanIcaretorepeat。Itisnowsodarkthat，notwithstandingthesingularpropertyofseeinginthenight-time，whichtheyoungladiesatRoeHeadusedtoattributetome，Icanscribblenolonger。"

Toavisitorattheparsonage，itwasagreatthingtohaveTabby’sgoodword。ShehadaYorkshirekeennessofperceptionintocharacter，anditwasnoteverybodysheliked。

Haworthisbuiltwithanutterdisregardofallsanitaryconditions:thegreatoldchurchyardliesaboveallthehouses，anditisterribletothinkhowtheverywater-springsofthepumpsbelowmustbepoisoned。Butthiswinterof1833-4wasparticularlywetandrainy，andtherewereanunusualnumberofdeathsinthevillage。Adrearyseasonitwastothefamilyintheparsonage:theirusualwalksobstructedbythespongystateofthemoors——thepassingandfuneralbellssofrequentlytolling，andfillingtheheavyairwiththeirmournfulsound——and，whentheywerestill，the"chip，chip，"ofthemason，ashecutthegrave-stonesinashedcloseby。Inmany，living，asitwere，inachurchyard，andwithallthesightsandsoundsconnectedwiththelastofficestothedeadthingsofevery-dayoccurrence，theveryfamiliaritywouldhavebredindifference。ButitwasotherwisewithCharlotteBronte。Oneofherfriendssays:-"I

haveseenherturnpaleandfeelfaintwhen，inHartsheadchurch，someoneaccidentallyremarkedthatwewerewalkingovergraves。

Charlottewascertainlyafraidofdeath。Notonlyofdeadbodies，ordyingpeople。Shedreadeditassomethinghorrible。Shethoughtwedidnotknowhowlongthe’momentofdissolution’mightreallybe，orhowterrible。Thiswasjustsuchaterrorasonlyhypochondriacscanprovideforthemselves。Shetoldmelongagothatamisfortunewasoftenprecededbythedreamfrequentlyrepeatedwhichshegivesto’JaneEyre，’ofcarryingalittlewailingchild，andbeingunabletostillit。Shedescribedherselfashavingthemostpainfulsenseofpityforthelittlething，lyingINERT，assickchildrendo，whileshewalkedaboutinsomegloomyplacewithit，suchastheaisleofHaworthChurch。

Themisfortunesshementionedwerenotalwaystoherself。Shethoughtsuchsensitivenesstoomenswaslikethecholera，presenttosusceptiblepeople，——somefeelingmore，someless。"

Aboutthebeginningof1834，"E。"wenttoLondonforthefirsttime。Theideaofherfriend’svisitseemstohavestirredCharlottestrangely。Sheappearstohaveformedhernotionsofitsprobableconsequencesfromsomeofthepapersinthe"BritishEssayists，""TheRambler，""TheMirror，"or"TheLounger，"whichmayhavebeenamongtheEnglishclassicsontheparsonagebookshelves；forsheevidentlyimaginesthatanentirechangeofcharacterfortheworseistheusualeffectofavisitto"thegreatmetropolis，"andisdelightedtofindthat"E。"is"E。"

still。And，asherfaithinherfriend’sstabilityisrestored，herownimaginationisdeeplymovedbytheideaofwhatgreatwondersaretobeseeninthatvastandfamouscity。

"Haworth，February20th，1834。

"Yourlettergavemerealandheartfeltpleasure，mingledwithnosmallshareofastonishment。MaryhadpreviouslyinformedmeofyourdepartureforLondon，andIhadnotventuredtocalculateonanycommunicationfromyouwhilesurroundedbythesplendoursandnoveltiesofthatgreatcity，whichhasbeencalledthemercantilemetropolisofEurope。Judgingfromhumannature，Ithoughtthatalittlecountrygirl，forthefirsttimeinasituationsowellcalculatedtoexcitecuriosity，andtodistractattention，wouldloseallremembrance，foratimeatleast，ofdistantandfamiliarobjects，andgiveherselfupentirelytothefascinationofthosesceneswhichwerethenpresentedtoherview。Yourkind，interesting，andmostwelcomeepistleshowedme，however，thatI

hadbeenbothmistakenanduncharitableinthesesuppositions。I

wasgreatlyamusedatthetoneofnonchalancewhichyouassumed，whiletreatingofLondonanditswonders。DidyounotfeelawedwhilegazingatSt。Paul’sandWestminsterAbbey？Hadyounofeelingofintenseandardentinterest，wheninSt。James’syousawthepalacewheresomanyofEngland’skingshaveheldtheircourts，andbeheldtherepresentationsoftheirpersonsonthewalls？YoushouldnotbetoomuchafraidofappearingCOUNTRY-

BRED；themagnificenceofLondonhasdrawnexclamationsofastonishmentfromtravelledmen，experiencedintheworld，itswondersandbeauties。HaveyouyetseenanythingofthegreatpersonageswhomthesittingofParliamentnowdetainsinLondon——

theDukeofWellington，SirRobertPeel，EarlGrey，Mr。Stanley，Mr。O’Connell？IfIwereyou，Iwouldnotbetooanxioustospendmytimeinreadingwhilstintown。Makeuseofyourowneyesforthepurposesofobservationnow，and，foratimeatleast，layasidethespectacleswithwhichauthorswouldfurnishus。"

Inapostscriptsheadds:-

"WillyoubekindenoughtoinformmeofthenumberofperformersintheKing’smilitaryband？"

Andinsomethingofthesamestrainshewriteson"June19th。

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