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，themajorityofonetofoursicinfavouroftheBill。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——theaccidentalmeetingswithstrangefacesandfiguresrareoccurrencesinthoseout-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。
SuchlightaspiercedthecrowdedboughsLightscattered，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，suchanexpressionwouldbecalledtouseacountryphrase\"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；twootherdearfriendstheRoseandJessieYorkeof\"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。Shehadahabitofwritinginitalicsprintingcharacters，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，andhadanairofroughplentyaboutthemexceptwhentradewasbad，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；boothswereerectedforthesaleoftoysandgingerbreadasortof’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……
\"Charlottesaidshecouldgetonwithanyonewhohadabumpatthetopoftheirheadsmeaningconscientiousness。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。Memequevousmeperdiezose-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。