第1章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Life of Charlotte Bronte",免费读到尾

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

  Keighleyisinprocessoftransformationfromapopulous,old-

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

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

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

  havesaid,whatwithvillas,greatworstedfactories,rowsofworkmen’shouses,withhereandthereanold-fashionedfarmhouseandoutbuildings,itcanhardlybecalled\"country\"anypartoftheway。Fortwomilestheroadpassesovertolerablylevelground,distanthillsontheleft,a\"beck\"flowingthroughmeadowsontheright,andfurnishingwaterpower,atcertainpoints,tothefactoriesbuiltonitsbanks。Theairisdimandlightlesswiththesmokefromallthesehabitationsandplacesofbusiness。Thesoilinthevalleyor\"bottom,\"tousethelocaltermisrich;but,astheroadbeginstoascend,thevegetationbecomespoorer;itdoesnotflourish,itmerelyexists;and,insteadoftrees,thereareonlybushesandshrubsaboutthedwellings。Stonedykesareeverywhereusedinplaceofhedges;

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

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

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

  Withinthestonewall,whichkeepsoutthesurroundingchurchyard,arebushesofelderandlilac;therestofthegroundisoccupiedbyasquaregrass-plotandagravelwalk。Thehouseisofgreystone,twostorieshigh,heavilyroofedwithflags,inordertoresistthewindsthatmightstripoffalightercovering。Itappearstohavebeenbuiltaboutahundredyearsago,andtoconsistoffourroomsoneachstory;thetwowindowsontherightasthevisitorstandswithhisbacktothechurch,readytoenterinatthefrontdoorbelongingtoMr。Bronte’sstudy,thetwoonthelefttothefamilysitting-room。Everythingabouttheplacetellsofthemostdaintyorder,themostexquisitecleanliness。

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

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

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

  \"HicfecitCaenobiumMonachorumAutestefundator。A。D。

  sexcentissimo。\"

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

  \"OrateprobonostatuEutestTod。\"

  \"Noweveryantiquaryknowsthattheformulaofprayer’bonostatu’

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

  readfortheArabicfigures600,isperfectlyfairandlegible。

  Onthepresumptionofthisfoolishclaimtoantiquity,thepeoplewouldneedssetupforindependence,andcontesttherightoftheVicarofBradfordtonominateacurateatHaworth。\"

  Ihavegiventhisextract,inordertoexplaintheimaginarygroundworkofacommotionwhichtookplaceinHaworthaboutfiveandthirtyyearsago,towhichIshallhaveoccasiontoalludeagainmoreparticularly。

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

  HERE

  LIETHEREMAINSOF

  MARIABRONTE,WIFE

  OFTHE

  REV。P。BRONTE,A。B。,MINISTEROPHAWORTH。

  HERSOUL

  DEPARTEDTOTHESAVIOUR,SEPT。15TH,1821,INTHE39THYEAROFHERAGE。

  \"Beyealsoready:forinsuchanhourasyethinknottheSonofMancometh。\"MATTHEWxxiv。44。

  ALSOHERELIETHEREMAINSOF

  MARIABRONTE,DAUGHTEROFTHEAFORESAID;

  SHEDIEDONTHE

  6THOFMAY,1825,INTHE12THYEAROFHERAGE;

  ANDOF

  ELIZABETHBRONTE,HERSISTER,WHODIEDJUNE15TH,1825,INTHE11THYEAROFHERAGE。

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

  MATTHEWxviii。3。

  HEREALSOLIETHEREMAINSOF

  PATRICKBRANWELLBRONTE,WHODIEDSEPT。24TH,1848,AGED3OYEARS;

  ANDOF

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

  REV。P。BRONTE,INCUMBENT。

  THISSTONEISALSODEDICATEDTOTHE

  MEMORYOFANNEBRONTE,{1}

  YOUNGESTDAUGHTEROFTHEREV。P。BRONTE,A。B。

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

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

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

  ADJOININGLIETHEREMAINSOF

  CHARLOTTE,WIFE

  OFTHE

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

  SHEDIEDMARCH31ST,1855,INTHE39TH

  YEAROFHERAGE。{2}

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Also,ofAnne,theirdaughter,whodiedMay28th,1849,aged29

  years。ShewasburiedattheOldChurch,Scarborough。

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

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

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

  CHAPTERII

  Forarightunderstandingofthelifeofmydearfriend,CharlotteBronte,itappearstomemorenecessaryinhercasethaninmostothers,thatthereadershouldbemadeacquaintedwiththepeculiarformsofpopulationandsocietyamidstwhichherearliestyearswerepassed,andfromwhichbothherownandhersisters’

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

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

  sufficiencytheypossessgivesthemanairofindependenceratherapttorepelastranger。Iusethisexpression\"self-sufficiency\"

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

  Hebelongstothatkeen,yetshort-sightedclass,whoconsidersuspicionofallwhosehonestyisnotprovedasasignofwisdom。

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

  especiallyiftheyaremoreofapassivethananactivecharacter。

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

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

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

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

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

  Ialwayswasaluckyfellow!\"

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

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

  ThepatentgrantedtoAldermanCockayne,andthefurtherrestrictionsimposedbyJamesI。ontheexportofundyedwoollenclothsmetbyaprohibitiononthepartoftheStatesofHollandoftheimportofEnglish-dyedcloths,injuredthetradeoftheWestRidingmanufacturersconsiderably。Theirindependenceofcharacter,theirdislikeofauthority,andtheirstrongpowersofthought,predisposedthemtorebellionagainstthereligiousdictationofsuchmenasLaud,andthearbitraryruleoftheStuarts;andtheinjurydonebyJamesandCharlestothetradebywhichtheygainedtheirbread,madethegreatmajorityofthemCommonwealthmen。IshallhaveoccasionafterwardstogiveoneortwoinstancesofthewarmfeelingsandextensiveknowledgeonsubjectsofbothhomeandforeignpoliticsexistingatthepresentdayinthevillageslyingwestandeastofthemountainousridgethatseparatesYorkshireandLancashire;theinhabitantsofwhichareofthesameraceandpossessthesamequalityofcharacter。

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

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

  havesaid,ofthetraditionalfeelingofthedistrict,inthefactthattheOldTestamentnamesingeneraluseamongthePuritansareyettheprevalentappellationsinmostYorkshirefamiliesofmiddleorhumblerank,whatevertheirreligiouspersuasionmaybe。

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

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

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

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

  FromPenigenttoPendleHill,FromLintontoLong-ADDINGHAM

  AndallthatCravencoastsdidtell,&c-

  oneoftheplacesthatsentforthitsfightingmentothefamousoldbattleofFloddenField,andavillagenotmanymilesfromHaworth。

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

  Whenmyhusbandhadcheckedtheeffusionofbloodwithastrapthatoneofthebystandersunbuckledfromhisleg,heaskedifasurgeonhadbeensentfor。

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

  \"Whynot?\"

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

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

  \"Ishecoming?\"inquiredmyhusband。

  \"Well,hedidna’sayhewouldna’come。\"

  \"But,tellhimtheladmaybleedtodeath。\"

  \"Idid。\"

  \"Andwhatdidhesay?\"

  \"Why,only,’D-nhim;whatdoIcare?’\"

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

  Amongthemostunmovedofthelookers-onwasthebrotheroftheboysobadlyhurt;andwhilehewaslyinginapoolofbloodontheflagfloor,andcryingouthowmuchhisarmwas\"warching,\"

  hisstoicalrelationstoodcoollysmokinghisbitofblackpipe,andutterednotasinglewordofeithersympathyorsorrow。

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

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

  Forinstance,onewoollenmanufacturersaysthat,notfiveandtwentyyearsago,hehadtorisebetimestosetoffonawinter’s-

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

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

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

  Stilltherearethoseremainingofthisclass——dwellersinthelonelyhousesfarawayintheuplanddistricts——evenatthepresentday,whosufficientlyindicatewhatstrangeeccentricity——

  whatwildstrengthofwill——nay,evenwhatunnaturalpowerofcrimewasfosteredbyamodeoflivinginwhichamanseldommethisfellows,andwherepublicopinionwasonlyadistantandinarticulateechoofsomeclearervoicesoundingbehindthesweepinghorizon。

  Asolitarylifecherishesmerefanciesuntiltheybecomemanias。

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

  Anothersquire,ofmoredistinguishedfamilyandlargerproperty——

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

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

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

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

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

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

  andwhenhewasbroughttohimself\"heseemedinagreatrapture,\"

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

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

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

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

  Grimshawstoodupinhisplace,andsaidwithaloudvoice,’Oh,sir!forGod’ssakedonotspeakso。Iprayyoudonotflatterthem。Ifearthegreaterpartofthemaregoingtohellwiththeireyesopen。’\"Butiftheyweresobound,itwasnotforwantofexertiononMr。Grimshaw’sparttopreventthem。Heusedtopreachtwentyorthirtytimesaweekinprivatehouses。Ifheperceivedanyoneinattentivetohisprayers,hewouldstopandrebuketheoffender,andnotgoontillhesaweveryoneontheirknees。HewasveryearnestinenforcingthestrictobservanceofSunday;andwouldnotevenallowhisparishionerstowalkinthefieldsbetweenservices。HesometimesgaveoutaverylongPsalmtraditionsaysthe119th,andwhileitwasbeingsung,heleftthereading-desk,andtakingahorsewhipwentintothepublic-

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

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

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

  Revengewashandeddownfromfathertosonasanhereditaryduty;

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

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

  housemightbefixeduponbythefriendsofthedead;andthitherthemournersandtheiracquaintancesrepaired。Theoriginofthecustomhadbeenthenecessityoffurnishingsomerefreshmentforthosewhocamefromadistance,topaythelastmarkofrespecttoafriend。InthelifeofOliverHeywoodtherearetwoquotations,whichshowwhatsortoffoodwasprovidedfor\"arvills\"inquietNonconformistconnectionsintheseventeenthcentury;thefirstfromThoresbytellsof\"coldpossets,stewedprunes,cake,andcheese,\"asbeingthearvillafterOliverHeywood’sfuneral。Thesecondgives,asrathershabby,accordingtothenotionofthetimes1673,\"nothingbutabitofcake,draughtofwine,pieceofrosemary,andpairofgloves。\"

  ButthearvillsatHaworthwereoftenfarmorejovialdoings。

  Amongthepoor,themournerswereonlyexpectedtoprovideakindofspicedrollforeachperson;andtheexpenseoftheliquors——

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

  sometimeswiththehorridadditionsof\"pawsing\"and\"gouging,\"

  andbiting。

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

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

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

  AYorkshiregentleman,whohaskindlysentmesomeadditionalinformationonthissubjectsincethesecondeditionofmyworkwaspublished,write,thus:-

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

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

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

  InconversingonthecharacteroftheinhabitantsoftheWestRidingwithDr。Scoresby,whohadbeenforsometimeVicarofBradford,healludedtocertainriotoustransactionswhichhadtakenplaceatHaworthonthepresentationofthelivingtoMr。

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

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

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

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

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

  Givingdirectionstohishuntedgueststostealoutatthebackdoorthroughwhich,probably,manyane’er-do-weelhasescapedfromgoodMr。Grimshaw’shorsewhip,thelandlordandsomeofthestable-boysrodethehorsesbelongingtothepartyfromBradfordbackwardsandforwardsbeforehisfrontdoor,amongthefiercely-

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

  ThiswasMr。Redhead’slastappearanceatHaworthformanyyears。

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

  Theforegoingaccount,whichIheardfromtwoofthesurvivors,inthepresenceofafriendwhocanvouchfortheaccuracyofmyrepetition,hastoacertaindegreebeenconfirmedbyaletterfromtheYorkshiregentleman,whosewordsIhavealreadyquoted。

  \"Iamnotsurprisedatyourdifficultyinauthenticatingmatter-

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

  in-law,arenostrangerstome。Eachofthemhasanicheinmyaffections。

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

  onestagemoreremotethanHaworthfrommoderncivilization。

  \"ToaninstanceortwomoreoftherusticityoftheinhabitantsofthechapelryofHaworth,Imayintroduceyou。

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

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

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

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

  tookthehint,andutteredtheblessing。

  \"Ispokewithanagedandtriedwomanatonetime,who,afterrecordinghermercies,stated,amongothers,herpowersofspeech,byasserting’ThanktheLord,ahnivverworameilly-meouthedwumman。’Ifeelparticularlyatfaultinattemptingtheorthographyofthedialect,butmustexcusemyselfbytellingyouthatIoncesawaletterinwhichthewordIhavejustnowusedexcusewaswritten’ecksqueaize!’

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

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

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

  butexcitesuspicionorresentment,andtheygiveemphaticandnotimpotentresistance。Compulsiontheydefy。

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

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

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

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

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

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

  \"ThosewhohavewitnessedaHaworthweddingwhenthepartieswereabovetherankoflabourers,willnoteasilyforgetthescene。A

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

  Intothemidstofthislawless,yetnotunkindlypopulation,Mr。

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

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

  CHAPTERIII

  TheRev。PatrickBronteisanativeoftheCountyDowninIreland。

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

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

  Inhisyouthhemusthavebeenunusuallyhandsome。

  HewasbornonPatrickmasdayMarch17,1777,andearlygavetokensofextraordinaryquicknessandintelligence。Hehadalsohisfullshareofambition;andofhisstrongsenseandforethoughtthereisaproofinthefact,that,knowingthathisfathercouldaffordhimnopecuniaryaid,andthathemustdependuponhisownexertions,heopenedapublicschoolattheearlyageofsixteen;andthismodeoflivinghecontinuedtofollowforfiveorsixyears。HethenbecameatutorinthefamilyoftheRev。Mr。Tighe,rectorofDrumgoolandparish。ThenceheproceededtoSt。John’sCollege,Cambridge,wherehewasenteredinJuly,1802,beingatthetimefive-and-twentyyearsofage。Afternearlyfouryears’residence,heobtainedhisB。A。degree,andwasordainedtoacuracyinEssex,whenceheremovedintoYorkshire。

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

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

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

  WetakehimupnowsettledasacurateatHartshead,inYorkshire——

  farremovedfromhisbirth-placeandallhisIrishconnections;

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

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

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

  theirfamilyoffourdaughtersandoneson,stillchildren——duringtheexistenceofthatprimitivestateofsocietywhichiswelldescribedbyDr。Davyinthelifeofhisbrother。

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

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

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

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

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

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

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