Herfatherhadquiteenoughofthespiritofhero-worshipinhimtomakehimtakeavividpleasureintheaccountsofwhatshehadheardandwhomshehadseen。ItwasontheoccasionofoneofhervisitstoLondonthathehaddesiredhertoobtainasightofPrinceAlbert’sarmoury，ifpossible。Iamnotawarewhethershemanagedtodothis；butshewenttooneortwoofthegreatnationalarmouriesinorderthatshemightdescribethesternsteelharnessandglitteringswordstoherfather，whoseimaginationwasforciblystruckbytheideaofsuchthings；andoftenafterwards，whenhisspiritsflaggedandthelanguorofoldageforatimegotthebetterofhisindomitablenature，shewouldagainstrikeonthemeasurewild，andspeakaboutthearmiesofstrangeweaponsshehadseeninLondon，tillheresumedhisinterestintheoldsubject，andwashisownkeen，warlike，intelligentselfagain。
CHAPTERV
HerlifeatHaworthwassounvariedthatthepostman’scallwastheeventofherday。Yetshedreadedthegreattemptationofcentringallherthoughtsuponthisonetime，andlosingherinterestinthesmallerhopesandemploymentsoftheremaininghours。Thussheconscientiouslydeniedherselfthepleasureofwritingletterstoofrequently，becausetheanswerswhenshereceivedthemtooktheflavouroutoftherestofherlife；orthedisappointment，whentherepliesdidnotarrive，lessenedherenergyforherhomeduties。
Thewinterofthisyearinthenorthwashardandcold；itaffectedMissBronte’shealthlessthanusual，however，probablybecausethechangeandthemedicaladviceshehadtakeninLondonhaddonehergood；probably，also，becauseherfriendhadcometopayheravisit，andenforcedthatattentiontobodilysymptomswhichMissBrontewastooapttoneglect，fromafearofbecomingnervousherselfaboutherownstateandthusinfectingherfather。ButshecouldscarcelyhelpfeelingmuchdepressedinspiritsastheanniversaryofhersisterEmily’sdeathcameround；alltherecollectionsconnectedwithitwerepainful，yettherewerenooutwardeventstocalloffherattention，andpreventthemfrompressingharduponher。Atthistime，asatmanyothers，IfindheralludinginherletterstothesolacewhichshefoundinthebookssentherfromCornhill。
\"What，Isometimesask，couldIdowithoutthem？Ihaverecoursetothemastofriends；theyshortenandcheermanyanhourthatwouldbetoolongandtoodesolateotherwise；evenwhenmytiredsightwillnotpermitmetocontinuereading，itispleasanttoseethemontheshelf，oronthetable。Iamstillveryrich，formystockisfarfromexhausted。Someotherfriendshavesentmebookslately。TheperusalofHarrietMartineau’s’EasternLife’
hasaffordedmegreatpleasure；andIhavefoundadeepandinterestingsubjectofstudyinNewman’sworkontheSoul。Haveyoureadthiswork？Itisdaring，——itmaybemistaken，——butitispureandelevated。Froude’s’NemesisofFaith’Ididnotlike；I
thoughtitmorbid；yetinitspages，too，arefoundsprinklingsoftruth。\"
Bythistime，\"Airedale，Wharfedale，Calderdale，andRibblesdale\"
allknewtheplaceofresidenceofCurrerBell。Shecomparedherselftotheostrichhidingitsheadinthesand；andsaysthatshestillburieshersintheheathofHaworthmoors；but\"theconcealmentisbutself-delusion。\"Indeeditwas。FarandwideintheWestRidinghadspreadtheintelligencethatCurrerBellwasnootherthanadaughterofthevenerableclergymanofHaworth；
thevillageitselfcaughtuptheexcitement。
\"Mr——，havingfinished’JaneEyre，’isnowcryingoutforthe’otherbook；’heistohaveitnextweek……Mr。R——hasfinished’Shirley；’heisdelightedwithit。John——’swifeseriouslythoughthimgonewronginthehead，assheheardhimgivingventtoroarsoflaughterashesatalone，clappingandstampingonthefloor。Hewouldreadallthescenesaboutthecuratesaloudtopapa。\"……\"Marthacameinyesterday，puffingandblowing，andmuchexcited。’I’veheardsichnews！’shebegan。
’Whatabout？’’Please，ma’am，you’vebeenandwrittentwobooks——
thegrandestbooksthateverwasseen。MyfatherhashearditatHalifax，andMr。G——T——andMr。G——andMr。M——atBradford；andtheyaregoingtohaveameetingattheMechanics’
Institute，andtosettleaboutorderingthem。’’Holdyourtongue，Martha，andbeoff。’Ifellintoacoldsweat。\"JaneEyre\"willbereadbyJ——B——，byMrs。T——，andB。Heavenhelp，keep，anddeliverme！\"……\"TheHaworthpeoplehavebeenmakinggreatfoolsofthemselvesaboutShirley；theyhavetakenitinanenthusiasticlight。WhentheygotthevolumesattheMechanics’
Institute，allthememberswantedthem。Theycastlotsforthewholethree，andwhoevergotavolumewasonlyallowedtokeepittwodays，andwastobefinedashillingperdiemforlongerdetention。Itwouldbemerenonsenseandvanitytotellyouwhattheysay。\"
ThetoneoftheseextractsisthoroughlyconsonantwiththespiritofYorkshireandLancashirepeople，whotryaslongastheycantoconcealtheiremotionsofpleasureunderabanteringexterior，almostasifmakingfunofthemselves。MissBrontewasextremelytouchedinthesecretplacesofherwarmheartbythewayinwhichthosewhohadknownherfromherchildhoodwereproudandgladofhersuccess。Allroundaboutthenewshadspread；strangerscame\"frombeyondBurnley\"toseeher，asshewentquietlyandunconsciouslyintochurchandthesexton\"gainedmanyahalf-crown\"forpointingherout。
Butthereweredrawbackstothisheartyandkindlyappreciationwhichwassomuchmorevaluablethanfame。TheJanuarynumberoftheEdinburghReviewhadcontainedthearticleonShirley，ofwhichhercorrespondent，Mr。Lewes，wasthewriter。IhavesaidthatMissBrontewasespeciallyanxioustobecriticisedasawriter，withoutrelationtohersexasawoman。Whetherrightorwrong，herfeelingwasstrongonthispoint。NowinthisreviewofShirley，theheadingofthefirsttwopagesranthus:\"MentalEqualityoftheSexes？\"\"FemaleLiterature，\"andthroughthewholearticlethefactoftheauthor’ssexisneverforgotten。
Afewdaysafterthereviewappeared，Mr。Lewesreceivedthefollowingnote，——ratherinthestyleofAnneCountessofPembroke，Dorset，andMontgomery。
ToG。H。LEWES，ESQ。
\"Icanbeonmyguardagainstmyenemies，butGoddelivermefrommyfriends！
CURRERBELL。\"
Insomeexplanatorynotesonherletterstohim，withwhichMr。
Leweshasfavouredme，hesays:——
\"Seeingthatshewasunreasonablebecauseangry，Iwrotetoremonstratewithheronquarrellingwiththeseverityorfranknessofareview，whichcertainlywasdictatedbyrealadmirationandrealfriendship；evenunderitsobjectionsthefriend’svoicecouldbeheard。\"
Thefollowingletterisherreply:——
ToG。H。LEWES，ESQ。
\"Jan。19th，1850。
\"MydearSir，——IwilltellyouwhyIwassohurtbythatreviewintheEdinburgh；notbecauseitscriticismwaskeenoritsblamesometimessevere；notbecauseitspraisewasstintedfor，indeed，IthinkyougivemequiteasmuchpraiseasIdeserve，butbecauseafterIhadsaidearnestlythatIwishedcriticswouldjudgemeasanAUTHOR，notasawoman，yousoroughly——I
eventhoughtsocruelly——handledthequestionofsex。Idaresayyoumeantnoharm，andperhapsyouwillnotnowbeabletounderstandwhyIwassogrievedatwhatyouwillprobablydeemsuchatrifle；butgrievedIwas，andindignanttoo。
\"Therewasapassageortwowhichyoudidquitewrongtowrite。
\"However，Iwillnotbearmaliceagainstyouforit；Iknowwhatyournatureis:itisnotabadorunkindone，thoughyouwouldoftenjarterriblyonsomefeelingswithwhoserecoilandquiveryoucouldnotpossiblysympathise。Iimagineyouarebothenthusiasticandimplacable，asyouareatoncesagaciousandcareless；youknowmuchanddiscovermuch，butyouareinsuchahurrytotellitallyounevergiveyourselftimetothinkhowyourrecklesseloquencemayaffectothers；and，whatismore，ifyouknewhowitdidaffectthem，youwouldnotmuchcare。
\"However，Ishakehandswithyou:youhaveexcellentpoints；youcanbegenerous。Istillfeelangry，andthinkIdowelltobeangry；butitistheangeroneexperiencesforroughplayratherthanforfoulplay——Iamyours，withacertainrespect，andmorechagrin，CURRERBELL。\"
AsMr。Lewessays，\"thetoneofthisletteriscavalier。\"ButI
thankhimforhavingallowedmetopublishwhatissocharacteristicofonephaseofMissBronte’smind。Herhealth，too，wassufferingatthistime。\"Idon’tknowwhatheavinessofspirithasbesetmeoflate\"shewrites，inpatheticwords，wrungoutofthesadnessofherheart，\"mademyfacultiesdull，maderestweariness，andoccupationburdensome。Nowandthen，thesilenceofthehouse，thesolitudeoftheroom，haspressedonmewithaweightIfounditdifficulttobear，andrecollectionhasnotfailedtobeasalert，poignant，obtrusive，asotherfeelingswerelanguid。Iattributethisstateofthingspartlytotheweather。Quicksilverinvariablyfallslowinstormsandhighwinds，andIhaveerethisbeenwarnedofapproachingdisturbanceintheatmospherebyasenseofbodilyweakness，anddeep，heavymentalsadness，suchassomewouldcallPRESENTIMENT，——presentimentindeeditis，butnotatallsuper-natural……Icannothelpfeelingsomethingoftheexcitementofexpectationtilltheposthourcomes，andwhen，dayafterday，itbringsnothing，Igetlow。Thisisastupid，disgraceful，unmeaningstateofthings。Ifeelbitterlyvexedatmyowndependenceandfolly；butitissobadforthemindtobequitealone，andtohavenonewithwhomtotalkoverlittlecrossesanddisappointments，andtolaughthemaway。IfIcouldwrite，IdaresayIshouldbebetter，butIcannotwritealine。
HoweverbyGod’shelp，Iwillcontendagainstthisfolly。
\"Ihadratherafoolishlettertheotherdayfrom。Somethingsinitnettledme，especiallyanunnecessarilyearnestassurancethat，inspiteofallIhaddoneinthewritingline，I
stillretainedaplaceinheresteem。Myanswertookstrongandhighgroundatonce。IsaidIhadbeentroubledbynodoubtsonthesubject；thatIneitherdidhernormyselftheinjusticetosupposetherewasanythinginwhatIhadwrittentoincur。thejustforfeitureofesteem……
\"Afewdayssince，alittleincidenthappenedwhichcuriouslytouchedme。Papaputintomyhandsalittlepacketoflettersandpapers，——tellingmethattheyweremamma’s，andthatImightreadthem。Ididreadthem，inaframeofmindIcannotdescribe。Thepaperswereyellowwithtime，allhavingbeenwrittenbeforeI
wasbornitwasstrangenowtoperuse，forthefirsttime，therecordsofamindwhencemyownsprang；andmoststrange，andatoncesadandsweet，tofindthatmindofatrulyfine，pure，andelevatedorder。Theywerewrittentopapabeforetheyweremarried。Thereisarectitude，arefinementaconstancy，amodesty，asense，agentlenessaboutthemindescribable。Iwishedthatshehadlived，andthatIhadknownher……AllthroughthismonthofFebruary，Ihavehadacrushingtimeofit。Icouldnotescapefromorriseabovecertainmostmournfulrecollections，——thelastdays，thesufferings，therememberedwords——mostsorrowfultome，ofthosewho，Faithassuresme，arenowhappy。Ateveningandbed-time，suchthoughtswouldhauntme，bringingawearyheartache。\"
Thereadermayrememberthestrangepropheticvision，whichdictatedafewwords，writtenontheoccasionofthedeathofapupilofhersinJanuary，1840:
\"WhereverIseekforhernowinthisworld，shecannotbefound；
nomorethanafloweroraleafwhichwitheredtwentyyearsago。
Abereavementofthiskindgivesoneaglimpseofthefeelingthosemusthave，whohaveseenalldroproundthem——friendafterfriend，andarelefttoendtheirpilgrimagealone。\"
Eveninpersonsofnaturallyrobusthealth，andwithno\"RicordarsiditempofeliceNellamiseria——\"
towear，withslowdroppingbutperpetualpain，upontheirspirits，thenervesandappetitewillgivewayinsolitude。HowmuchmoremustithavebeensowithMissBronte，delicateandfrailinconstitution，triedbymuchanxietyandsorrowinearlylife，andnowlefttofaceherlifealone。OwingtoMr。Bronte’sgreatage，andlong-formedhabitsofsolitaryoccupationwheninthehouse，hisdaughterwaslefttoherselfforthegreaterpartoftheday。Eversincehisseriousattacksofillness，hehaddinedalone；aportionofherdinner，regulatedbystrictattentiontothedietmostsuitableforhim，beingtakenintohisroombyherself。Afterdinnershereadtohimforanhourorso，ashissightwastooweaktoallowofhisreadinglongtohimself。Hewasoutofdoorsamonghisparishionersforagoodpartofeachday；oftenforalongertimethanhisstrengthwouldpermit。Yethealwayslikedtogoalone，andconsequentlyheraffectionatecarecouldbenocheckuponthelengthofhiswalkstothemoredistanthamletswhichwereinhiscure。Hewouldcomebackoccasionallyutterlyfatigued；andbeobligedtogotobed，questioninghimselfsadlyastowhereallhisformerstrengthofbodyhadgoneto。Hisstrengthofwillwasthesameasever。Thatwhichheresolvedtodohedid，atwhatevercostofweariness；
buthisdaughterwasallthemoreanxiousfromseeinghimsoregardlessofhimselfandhishealth。ThehoursofretiringforthenighthadalwaysbeenearlyintheParsonage；nowfamilyprayerswereateighto’clock；directlyafterwhichMr。BronteandoldTabbywenttobed，andMarthawasnotlonginfollowing。
ButCharlottecouldnothavesleptifshehadgone，——couldnothaverestedonherdesolatecouch。Shestoppedup，——itwasverytempting，——lateandlater，strivingtobeguilethelonelynightwithsomeemployment，tillherweakeyesfailedtoreadortosew，andcouldonlyweepinsolitudeoverthedeadthatwerenot。
Nooneonearthcanevenimaginewhatthosehoursweretoher。
AllthegrimsuperstitionsoftheNorthhadbeenimplantedinherduringherchildhoodbytheservants，whobelievedinthem。Theyrecurredtohernow，——withnoshrinkingfromthespiritsoftheDead，butwithsuchanintenselongingoncemoretostandfacetofacewiththesoulsofhersisters，asnoonebutshecouldhavefelt。Itseemedasiftheverystrengthofheryearningshouldhavecompelledthemtoappear。Onwindynights，cries，andsobs，andwailingsseemedtogoroundthehouse，asofthedearly-belovedstrivingtoforcetheirwaytoher。Someoneconversingwithheronceobjected，inmypresence，tothatpartof\"JaneEyre\"inwhichshehearsRochester’svoicecryingouttoherinagreatcrisisofherlife，hebeingmany，manymilesdistantatthetime。IdonotknowwhatincidentwasinMissBronte’srecollectionwhenshereplied，inalowvoice，drawinginherbreath，\"Butitisatruething；itreallyhappened。\"
Thereader，whohasevenfaintlypicturedtohimselfherlifeatthistime，——thesolitarydays，——thewaking，watchingnights，——mayimaginetowhatasensitivepitchhernerveswerestrung，andhowsuchastatewassuretoaffectherhealth。
ItwasnobadthingforherthataboutthistimevariouspeoplebegantogoovertoHaworth，curioustoseethescenerydescribedin\"Shirley，\"ifasympathywiththewriter，ofamoregenerouskindthantobecalledmerecuriosity，didnotmakethemwishtoknowwhethertheycouldnotinsomewayserveorcheeronewhohadsufferedsodeeply。
AmongthisnumberwereSirJamesandLadyKayShuttleworth。TheirhouseliesoverthecrestofthemoorswhichriseaboveHaworth，ataboutadozenmiles’distanceasthecrowflies，thoughmuchfurtherbytheroad。But，accordingtotheacceptationofthewordinthatuninhabiteddistrict，theywereneighbours，iftheysowilledit。Accordingly，SirJamesandhiswifedroveoveronemorning，atthebeginningofMarch，tocalluponMissBronteandherfather。Beforetakingleave，theypressedhertovisitthematGawthorpeHall，theirresidenceonthebordersofEastLancashire。Aftersomehesitation，andattheurgencyofherfather，whowasextremelyanxioustoprocureforheranychangeofsceneandsocietythatwasoffered，sheconsentedtogo。Onthewhole，sheenjoyedhervisitverymuch，inspiteofhershyness，andthedifficultyshealwaysexperiencedinmeetingtheadvancesofthosestrangerswhosekindnessshedidnotfeelherselfinapositiontorepay。
Shetookgreatpleasureinthe\"quietdrivestooldruinsandoldhalls，situatedamongolderhillsandwoods；thedialoguesbytheoldfiresideintheantiqueoak-panneleddrawing-room，whiletheysuitedhim，didnottoomuchoppressandexhaustme。Thehouse，too，ismuchtomytaste；nearthreecenturiesold，grey，stately，andpicturesque。Onthewhole，nowthatthevisitisover，Idonotregrethavingpaidit。Theworstofitis，thatthereisnowsomemenacehangingovermyheadofaninvitationtogototheminLondonduringtheseason。This，whichwouldbeagreatenjoymenttosomepeople，isaperfectterrortome。I
shouldhighlyprizetheadvantagestobegainedinanextendedrangeofobservation；butItrembleatthethoughtofthepriceI
mustnecessarilypayinmentaldistressandphysicalwearandtear。\"
Onthesamedayonwhichshewrotetheabove，shesentthefollowinglettertoMr。Smith。
\"March16th，1850。
\"IreturnMr。H——’snote，afterreadingitcarefully。Itriedveryhardtounderstandallhesaysaboutart；but，tospeaktruth，myeffortswerecrownedwithincompletesuccess。Thereisacertainjargoninuseamongstcriticsonthispointthroughwhichitisphysicallyandmorallyimpossibletometoseedaylight。Onethinghowever，Iseeplainlyenough，andthatis，Mr。CurrerBellneedsimprovement，andoughttostriveafterit；
andthisD。V。hehonestlyintendstodo——takinghistime，however，andfollowingashisguidesNatureandTruth。Iftheseleadtowhatthecriticscallart，itisallverywell；butifnot，thatgranddesideratumhasnochanceofbeingrunafterorcaught。Thepuzzleis，thatwhilethepeopleoftheSouthobjecttomydelineationofNorthernlifeandmanners，thepeopleofYorkshireandLancashireapprove。Theysayitispreciselythecontrastofroughnaturewithhighlyartificialcultivationwhichformsoneoftheirmaincharacteristics。Such，orsomethingverysimilar，hasbeentheobservationmadetomelately，whilstI
havebeenfromhome，bymembersofsomeoftheancientEastLancashirefamilies，whosemansionslieonthehillyborder-landbetweenthetwocounties。Thequestionarises，whetherdotheLondoncritics，ortheoldNorthernsquires，understandthematterbest？
\"Anypromiseyourequirerespectingthebooksshallbewillinglygiven，providedonlyIamallowedtheJesuit’sprincipleofamentalreservation，givinglicencetoforgetandpromisewheneveroblivionshallappearexpedient。ThelasttwoorthreenumbersofPendenniswillnot，Idaresay，begenerallythoughtsufficientlyexciting，yetIlikethem。Thoughthestorylingers，formetheinterestdoesnotflag。Hereandtherewefeelthatthepenhasbeenguidedbyatiredhand，thatthemindofthewriterhasbeensomewhatchafedanddepressedbyhisrecentillness，orbysomeothercause；butThackeraystillproveshimselfgreaterwhenheiswearythanotherwritersarewhentheyarefresh。Thepublic，ofcourse，willhavenocompassionforhisfatigue，andmakenoallowancefortheebbofinspiration；butsometrue-heartedreadershereandthere，whilegrievingthatsuchamanshouldbeobligedtowritewhenheisnotinthemood，willwonderthat，undersuchcircumstances，heshouldwritesowell。Theparcelofbookswillcome，Idoubtnot，atsuchtimeasitshallsuitthegoodpleasureoftherailwayofficialstosenditon，——orrathertoyieldituptotherepeatedandhumblesolicitationsofHaworthcarriers；——tillwhenIwaitinallreasonablepatienceandresignation，lookingwithdocilitytothatmodelofactiveself-helpfulnessPunchfriendlyoffersthe’WomenofEngland，’inhis’UnprotectedFemale。’\"
Thebookslentherbyherpublisherswere，asIhavebeforesaid，agreatsolaceandpleasuretoher。TherewasmuchinterestinopeningtheCornhillparcel。Buttherewaspaintoo；for，assheuntiedthecords，andtookoutthevolumesonebyone，shecouldscarcelyfailtoberemindedofthosewhoonce，onsimilaroccasions，lookedonsoeagerly。\"Imissfamiliarvoices，commentingmirthfullyandpleasantly；theroomseemsverystill——
veryempty；butyetthereisconsolationinrememberingthatPapawilltakepleasureinsomeofthebooks。Happinessquiteunsharedcanscarcelybecalledhappiness；ithasnotaste。\"Shegoesontomakeremarksuponthekindofbookssent。
\"Iwonderhowyoucanchoosesowell；onnoaccountwouldI
forestallthechoice。IamsureanyselectionImightmakeformyselfwouldbelesssatisfactorythantheselectionotherssokindlyandjudiciouslymakeforme；besides，ifIknewallthatwascoming，itwouldbecomparativelyflat。Iwouldmuchrathernotknow。
\"Amongsttheespeciallywelcomeworksare’Southey’sLife’，the’WomenofFrance，’Hazlitt’s’Essays，’Emerson’s’RepresentativeMen；’butitseemsinvidioustoparticularisewhenallaregood……Itookupasecondsmallbook，Scott’s’SuggestionsonFemaleEducation；’that，too，Iread，andwithunalloyedpleasure。Itisverygood；justlythought，andclearlyandfelicitouslyexpressed。Thegirlsofthisgenerationhavegreatadvantages；itseemstomethattheyreceivemuchencouragementintheacquisitionofknowledge，andthecultivationoftheirminds；inthesedays，womenmaybethoughtfulandwellread，withoutbeinguniversallystigmatisedas’Blues’and’Pedants。’
Menbegintoapproveandaid，insteadofridiculingorcheckingthemintheireffortstobewise。Imustsaythat，formyownpart，wheneverIhavebeensohappyastosharetheconversationofareallyintellectualman，myfeelinghasbeen，notthatthelittleIknewwasaccountedasuperfluityandimpertinence，butthatIdidnotknowenoughtosatisfyjustexpectation。Ihavealwaystoexplain，’Inmeyoumustnotlookforgreatattainments:whatseemstoyoutheresultofreadingandstudyischieflyspontaneousandintuitive。’……Againsttheteachingofsomeevenclevermen，oneinstinctivelyrevolts。Theymaypossessattainments，theymayboastvariedknowledgeoflifeandoftheworld；butifofthefinerperceptions，ofthemoredelicatephasesoffeeling，theybedestituteandincapable，ofwhatavailistherest？Believeme，whilehintswellworthconsiderationmaycomefromunpretendingsources，frommindsnothighlycultured，butnaturallyfineanddelicate，fromheartskindly，feeling，andunenvious，learneddictumsdeliveredwithpompandsoundmaybeperfectlyempty，stupid，andcontemptible。
Nomaneveryet’byaidofGreekclimbedParnassus，’ortaughtotherstoclimbit……Iencloseforyourperusalascrapofpaperwhichcameintomyhandswithouttheknowledgeofthewriter。Heisapoorworkingmanofthisvillage——athoughtful，reading，feelingbeing，whosemindistookeenforhisframe，andwearsitout。Ihavenotspokentohimabovethriceinmylife，forheisaDissenter，andhasrarelycomeinmyway。Thedocumentisasortofrecordofhisfeelings，aftertheperusalof\"JaneEyre；\"itisartlessandearnest；genuineandgenerous。
Youmustreturnittome，forIvalueitmorethantestimoniesfromhighersources。Hesaid，’MissBronte，ifsheknewhehadwrittenit，wouldscornhim；’but，indeed，MissBrontedoesnotscornhim；sheonlygrievesthatamindofwhichthisistheemanation，shouldbekeptcrushedbytheleadenhandofpoverty——bythetrialsofuncertainhealth，andtheclaimsofalargefamily。
\"AstotheTimes，asyousay，theacrimonyofitscritiquehasproved，insomemeasure，itsownantidote；tohavebeenmoreeffective，itshouldhavebeenjuster。IthinkithashadlittleweightuphereintheNorthitmaybethatannoyingremarks，ifmade，arenotsufferedtoreachmyear；butcertainly，whileI
haveheardlittlecondemnatoryofShirley，morethanoncehaveI
beendeeplymovedbymanifestationsofevenenthusiasticapprobation。Ideemitunwisetodwellmuchonthesematters；butforonceImustpermitmyselftoremark，thatthegenerouspridemanyoftheYorkshirepeoplehavetakeninthematter，hasbeensuchastoawakeandclaimmygratitude——especiallysinceithasaffordedasourceofrevivingpleasuretomyfatherinhisoldage。Theverycurates，poorfellows！shownoresentmenteachcharacteristicallyfindssolaceforhisownwoundsincrowingoverhisbrethren。Mr。Donnewasatfirstalittledisturbed；foraweekortwohewasindisquietude，butheisnowsootheddown；
onlyyesterdayIhadthepleasureofmakinghimacomfortablecupoftea，andseeinghimsipitwithrevivedcomplacency。Itisacuriousfactthat，sinceheread’Shirley，’hehascometothehouseoftenerthanever，andbeenremarkablymeekandassiduoustoplease。Somepeople’snaturesareveritableenigmasIquiteexpectedtohavehadonegoodsceneatleastwithhim；butasyetnothingofthesorthasoccurred。\"
CHAPTERVI
Duringtheearliermonthsofthisspring，Haworthwasextremelyunhealthy。Theweatherwasdamp，lowfeverwasprevalent，andthehouseholdattheParsonagesufferedalongwithitsneighbours。
Charlottesays，\"Ihavefeltitthefeverinfrequentthirstandinfrequentappetite；Papatoo，andevenMartha，havecomplained。\"Thisdepressionofhealthproduceddepressionofspirits，andshegrewmoreandmoretodreadtheproposedjourneytoLondonwithSirJamesandLadyKayShuttleworth。\"Iknowwhattheeffectandwhatthepainwillbe，howwretchedIshalloftenfeel，andhowthinandhaggardIshallget；buthewhoshunssufferingwillneverwinvictory。IfImeantoimprove，Imuststriveandendure……SirJameshasbeenaphysician，andlooksatmewithaphysician’seye:hesawatoncethatIcouldnotstandmuchfatigue，norbearthepresenceofmanystrangers。
Ibelievehewouldpartlyunderstandhowsoonmystockofanimalspiritswasbroughttoalowebb；butnone——notthemostskilfulphysician——cangetatmorethantheoutsideofthesethings:theheartknowsitsownbitterness，andtheframeitsownpoverty，andtheminditsownstruggles。Papaiseagerandrestlessformetogo；theideaofarefusalquitehurtshim。\"
Butthesensationsofillnessinthefamilyincreased；thesymptomswereprobablyaggravated，ifnotcaused，bytheimmediatevicinityofthechurch-yard，\"pavedwithrain-blackenedtomb-stones。\"OnApril29thshewrites:——
\"WehavehadbutapoorweekofitatHaworth。Papacontinuesfarfromwell；heisoftenverysicklyinthemorning，asymptomwhichIhaveremarkedbeforeinhisaggravatedattacksofbronchitis；unlessheshouldgetmuchbetter，IshallneverthinkofleavinghimtogotoLondon。Marthahassufferedfromtic-douloureux，withsicknessandfever，justlikeyou。Ihaveabadcold，andastubbornsorethroat；inshort，everybodybutoldTabbyisoutofsorts。When——washere，hecomplainedofasuddenheadache，andthenightafterhewasgoneIhadsomethingsimilar，verybad，lastingaboutthreehours。\"
Afortnightlatershewrites:——
\"IdidnotthinkPapawellenoughtobeleft，andaccordinglybeggedSirJamesandLadyKayShuttleworthtoreturntoLondonwithoutme。Itwasarrangedthatweweretostayatseveraloftheirfriends’andrelatives’housesontheway；aweekormorewouldhavebeentakenuponthejourney。IcannotsaythatI
regrethavingmissedthisordeal；Iwouldasliefhavewalkedamongred-hotplough-shares；butIdoregretonegreattreat，whichIshallnowmiss。NextWednesdayistheanniversarydinneroftheRoyalLiteraryFundSociety，heldinFreemasons’Hall。
OctavianBlewitt，thesecretary，offeredmeaticketfortheladies’gallery。Ishouldhaveseenallthegreatliteratiandartistsgatheredinthehallbelow，andheardthemspeak；
ThackerayandDickensarealwayspresentamongtherest。Thiscannotnowbe。Idon’tthinkallLondoncanaffordanothersighttomesointeresting。\"
Itbecamerequisite，however，beforelong，thatsheshouldgotoLondononbusiness；andasSirJamesKayShuttleworthwasdetainedinthecountrybyindisposition，sheacceptedMrs。
Smith’sinvitationtostayquietlyatherhouse，whileshetransactedheraffairs。
Intheintervalbetweentherelinquishmentofthefirstplanandtheadoptionofthesecond，shewrotethefollowinglettertoonewhowasmuchvaluedamongherliteraryfriends:——
\"May22nd。
\"IhadthoughttobringtheLeaderandtheAthenaeummyselfthistime，andnottohavetosendthembypost，butitturnsoutotherwise；myjourneytoLondonisagainpostponed，andthistimeindefinitely。SirJamesKayShuttleworth’sstateofhealthisthecause-acause，Ifear，notlikelytobesoonremoved……Oncemore，then，IsettlemyselfdowninthequietudeofHaworthParsonage，withbooksformyhouseholdcompanions，andanoccasionalletterforavisitor；amutesociety，butneitherquarrelsome，norvulgarising，norunimproving。
\"OneofthepleasuresIhadpromisedmyselfconsistedinaskingyouseveralquestionsabouttheLeader，whichisreally，initsway，aninterestingpaper。Iwanted，amongstotherthings，toaskyoutherealnamesofsomeofthecontributors，andalsowhatLeweswritesbesideshisApprenticeshipofLife。Ialwaysthinkthearticleheaded’Literature’ishis。Someofthecommunicationsinthe’OpenCouncil’departmentareoddproductions；butitseemstomeveryfairandrighttoadmitthem。Isnotthesystemofthepaperaltogetheranovelone？Idonotrememberseeinganythingpreciselylikeitbefore。
\"Ihavejustreceivedyoursofthismorning；thankyoufortheenclosednote。ThelongingsforlibertyandleisurewhichMaysunshinewakensinyou，stirmysympathy。IamafraidCornhillislittlebetterthanaprisonforitsinmatesonwarmspringorsummerdays。Itisapitytothinkofyoualltoilingatyourdesksinsuchgenialweatherasthis。Formypart，Iamfreetowalkonthemoors；butwhenIgoouttherealone，everythingremindsmeofthetimeswhenotherswerewithme，andthenthemoorsseemawilderness，featureless，solitary，saddening。MysisterEmilyhada。particularloveforthem，andthereisnotaknollofheather，notabranchoffern，notayoungbilberryleaf，notaflutteringlarkorlinnet，butremindsmeofher。ThedistantprospectswereAnne’sdelight，andwhenIlookround，sheisinthebluetints，thepalemists，thewavesandshadowsofthehorizon。Inthehill-countrysilence，theirpoetrycomesbylinesandstanzasintomymind:onceIlovedit；nowIdarenotreadit，andamdrivenoftentowishIcouldtasteonedraughtofoblivion，andforgetmuchthat，whilemindremains，Inevershallforget。Manypeopleseemtorecalltheirdepartedrelativeswithasortofmelancholycomplacency，butIthinkthesehavenotwatchedthemthroughlingeringsickness，norwitnessedtheirlastmoments:itisthesereminiscencesthatstandbyyourbedsideatnight，andriseatyourpillowinthemorning。Attheendofall，however，existstheGreatHope。EternalLifeistheirsnow。\"
Shehadtowritemanyletters，aboutthistime，toauthorswhosenthertheirbooks，andstrangerswhoexpressedtheiradmirationofherown。Thefollowingwasinreplytooneofthelatterclass，andwasaddressedtoayoungmanatCambridge:——
\"May23rd，1850。
\"Apologiesareindeedunnecessaryfora’realityoffeeling，foragenuineunaffectedimpulseofthespirit，’suchaspromptedyoutowritetheletterwhichInowbrieflyacknowledge。
\"Certainlyitis’somethingtome’thatwhatIwriteshouldbeacceptabletothefeelingheartandrefinedintellect；
undoubtedlyitismuchtomethatmycreationssuchastheyare
shouldfindharbourage，appreciation，indulgence，atanyfriendlyhand，orfromanygenerousmind。YouareverywelcometotakeJane，Caroline，andShirleyforyoursisters，andItrusttheywilloftenspeaktotheiradoptedbrotherwhenheissolitary，andsoothehimwhenheissad。Iftheycannotmakethemselvesathomeinathoughtful，sympatheticmind，anddiffusethroughitstwilightacheering，domesticglow，itistheirfault；theyarenot，inthatcase，soamiable，sobenignant，notsorealastheyoughttobe。IftheyCAN，andcanfindhouseholdaltarsinhumanhearts，theywillfulfilthebestdesignoftheircreation，inthereinmaintainingagenialflame，whichshallwarmbutnotscorch，lightbutnotdazzle。
\"Whatdoesitmatterthatpartofyourpleasureinsuchbeingshasitssourceinthepoetryofyourownyouthratherthaninanymagicoftheirs？What，thatperhaps，tenyearshence，youmaysmiletorememberyourpresentrecollections，andviewunderanotherlightboth’CurrerBell’andhiswritings？Tomethisconsiderationdoesnotdetractfromthevalueofwhatyounowfeel。Youthhasitsromance，andmaturityitswisdom，asmorningandspringhavetheirfreshness，noonandsummertheirpower，nightandwintertheirrepose。Eachattributeisgoodinitsownseason。Yourlettergavemepleasure，andIthankyouforit。
\"CURRERBELL。\"
MissBrontewentuptotownatthebeginningofJune，andmuchenjoyedherstaythere；seeingveryfewpersons，accordingtotheagreementshemadebeforeshewent；andlimitinghervisittoafortnight，dreadingthefeverishnessandexhaustionwhichweretheinevitableconsequencesoftheslightestexcitementuponhersusceptibleframe。
\"June12th。
\"SinceIwrotetoyoulast，Ihavenothadmanymomentstomyself，exceptsuchasitwasabsolutelynecessarytogivetorest。Onthewhole，however，Ihavethusfargotonverywell，sufferingmuchlessfromexhaustionthanIdidlasttime。
\"OfcourseIcannotgiveyouinaletteraregularchronicleofhowmytimehasbeenspent。Icanonly——justnotify。whatIdeemthreeofitschiefincidents:asightoftheDukeofWellingtonattheChapelRoyalheisarealgrandoldman，avisittotheHouseofCommonswhichIhopetodescribetoyousomedaywhenI
seeyou，andlast，notleast，aninterviewwithMr。Thackeray。
Hemadeamorningcall，andsatabovetwohours。Mr。Smithonlywasintheroomthewholetime。Hedescribeditafterwardsasa’queerscene，’and——Isupposeitwas。Thegiantsatebeforeme；I
wasmovedtospeaktohimofsomeofhisshort-comingsliteraryofcourse；onebyonethefaultscameintomyhead，andonebyoneIbroughtthemout，andsoughtsomeexplanationordefence。
Hediddefendhimself，likeagreatTurkandheathen；thatistosay，theexcuseswereoftenworsethanthecrimeitself。Thematterendedindecentamity；ifallbewell，Iamtodineathishousethisevening。
\"IhaveseenLewestoo……Icouldnotfeelotherwisetohimthanhalf-sadly，half-tenderly，——aqueerwordthatlast，butI
useitbecausetheaspectofLewes’sfacealmostmovesmetotears；itissowonderfullylikeEmily，——hereyes，herfeatures，theverynose，thesomewhatprominentmouth，theforehead，even，atmoments，theexpression:whateverLewessays，IbelieveI
cannothatehim。AnotherlikenessIhaveseen，too，thattouchedmesorrowfully。YouremembermyspeakingofaMissK。，ayoungauthoress，whosupportedhermotherbywriting？Hearingthatshehadalongingtoseeme，Icalledonheryesterday……Shemetmehalf-frankly，half-tremblingly；wesatedowntogether，andwhenIhadtalkedwithherfiveminutes，herfacewasnolongerstrange，butmournfullyfamiliar；——itwasMarthaineverylineament。Ishalltrytofindamomenttoseeheragain……I
donotintendtostayhere，atthefurthest，morethanaweeklonger；butattheendofthattimeIcannotgohome，forthehouseatHaworthisjustnowunroofed；repairswerebecomenecessary。\"
Shesoonfollowedherlettertothefriendtowhomitwaswritten；buthervisitwasaveryshortone，for，inaccordancewithaplanmadebeforeleavingLondon，shewentontoEdinburghtojointhefriendswithwhomshehadbeenstayingintown。SheremainedonlyafewdaysinScotland，andthosewereprincipallyspentinEdinburgh，withwhichshewasdelighted，callingLondona\"drearyplace\"incomparison。
\"MystayinScotland\"shewrotesomeweekslater\"wasshort，andwhatIsawwaschieflycomprisedinEdinburghandtheneighbourhood，inAbbotsfordandinMelrose，forIwasobligedtorelinquishmyfirstintentionofgoingfromGlasgowtoOban，andthencethroughaportionoftheHighlands；butthoughthetimewasbrief，andtheviewofobjectslimited，Ifoundsuchacharmofsituation，association，andcircumstance，thatIthinktheenjoymentexperiencedinthatlittlespaceequalledindegree，andexcelledinkind，allwhichLondonyieldedduringamonth’ssojournEdinburgh，comparedtoLondon，islikeavividpageofhistorycomparedtoalargedulltreatiseonpoliticaleconomy；
andastoMelroseandAbbotsford，theverynamespossessmusicandmagic。\"
Andagain，inalettertoadifferentcorrespondent，shesays:——
\"Iwouldnotwritetoyouimmediatelyonmyarrivalathome，becauseeachreturntothisoldhousebringswithitaphaseoffeelingwhichitisbettertopassthroughquietlybeforebeginningtoinditeletters。Thesixweeksofchangeandenjoymentarepast，buttheyarenotlost；memorytookasketchofeachasitwentby，and，especially，adistinctdaguerreotypeofthetwodaysIspentinScotland。Thoseweretwoverypleasantdays。IalwayslikedScotlandasanidea，butnow，asareality，Ilikeitfarbetter；itfurnishedmewithsomehoursashappyalmostasanyIeverspent。Donotfear，however，thatIamgoingtoboreyouwithdescription；youwill，beforenow，havereceivedapithyandpleasantreportofallthings，towhichanyadditionofminewouldbesuperfluous。Mypresentendeavoursaredirectedtowardsrecallingmythoughts，croppingtheirwings，drillingthemintocorrectdiscipline，andforcingthemtosettletosomeusefulwork:theyareidle，andkeeptakingthetraindowntoLondon，ormakingaforayovertheBorder——especiallyaretheypronetoperpetratethatlastexcursion；andwho，indeed，thathasonceseenEdinburgh，withitscouchantcrag-lion，butmustseeitagainindreams，wakingorsleeping？Mydearsir，doriotthinkIblaspheme，whenItellyouthatyourgreatLondon，ascomparedtoDun-Edin，’mineownromantictown，’isasprosecomparedtopoetry，orasagreatrumbling，rambling，heavyepiccomparedtoalyric，brief，bright，clearandvitalasaflashoflightning。YouhavenothinglikeScott’smonument，or，ifyouhadthat，andallthegloriesofarchitectureassembledtogether，youhavenothinglikeArthur’sSeat，and，aboveall，youhaveriottheScotchnationalcharacter；anditisthatgrandcharacterafterallwhichgivesthelanditstruecharm，itstruegreatness。
OnherreturnfromScotland，sheagainspentafewdayswithherfriends，andthenmadeherwaytoHaworth。
\"July15th。
Igothomeverywell，andfullgladwasIthatnoinsuperableobstaclehaddeferredmyreturnonesingledaylonger。JustatthefootofBridgehousehill，ImetJohn，staffinhand；hefortunatelysawmeinthecab，stopped，andinformedmehewassettingofftoB——，byMr。Bronte’sorders，toseehowIwas，forthathehadbeenquitemiserableeversincehegotMiss——’sletter。Ifound，onmyarrival，thatPapahadworkedhimselfuptoasadpitchofnervousexcitementandalarm，inwhichMarthaandTabbywerebuttooobviouslyjoininghim……
Thehouselooksveryclean，and，Ithink，isnotdamp；thereis，however，stillagreatdealtodointhewayofsettlingandarranging，——enoughtokeepmedisagreeablybusyforsometimetocome。IwastrulythankfultofindPapaprettywell，butIfearheisjustbeginningtoshowsymptomsofacold:mycoldcontinuesbetter……AnarticleinanewspaperIfoundawaitingmeonmyarrival，amusedme；itwasapaperpublishedwhileIwasinLondon。Iencloseittogiveyoualaugh；itprofessestobewrittenbyanAuthorjealousofAuthoresses。Idonotknowwhoheis，buthemustbeoneofthoseImet……The’uglymen，’givingthemselves’Rochesterairs，’isnobadhit；
someofthosealludedtowillnotlikeit。\"
WhileMissBrontewasstayinginLondon，shewasinducedtositforherportraittoRichmond。Itisacrayondrawing；inmyjudgmentanadmirablelikeness，thoughofcoursethereissomedifferenceofopiniononthesubject；and，asusual，thosebestacquaintedwiththeoriginalwereleastsatisfiedwiththeresemblance。Mr。BrontethoughtthatitlookedolderthanCharlottedid，andthatherfeatureshadnotbeenflattered；butheacknowledgedthattheexpressionwaswonderfullygoodandlife-like。Shesentthefollowingamusingaccountofthearrivaloftheportraittothedonor:——
\"Aug。1st。
\"ThelittleboxformecameatthesametimeasthelargeoneforPapa。WhenyoufirsttoldmethatyouhadhadtheDuke’spictureframed，andhadgivenittome，Ifelthalfprovokedwithyouforperformingsuchaworkofsupererogation，butnow，whenIseeitagain，Icannotbutacknowledgethat，insodoing，youwerefelicitouslyinspired。Itishisveryimage，and，asPapasaidwhenhesawit，scarcelyintheleastliketheordinaryportraits；notonlytheexpression，buteventheformoftheheadisdifferent，andofafarnoblercharacter。Iesteemitatreasure。Theladywholefttheparcelformewas，itseems，Mrs。
Gore。Theparcelcontainedoneofherworks，’TheHamiltons，’andaverycivilandfriendlynote，inwhichIfindmyselfaddressedas’DearJane。’Papaseemsmuchpleasedwiththeportrait，asdothefewotherpersonswhohaveseenit，withonenotableexception；viz。，ouroldservant，whotenaciouslymaintainsthatitisnotlike——thatitistooold-looking；butasshe，withequaltenacity，assertsthattheDukeofWellington’spictureisaportraitof’theMaster’meaningPapa，Iamafraidnotmuchweightistobeascribedtoheropinion:doubtlesssheconfusesherrecollectionsofmeasIwasinchildhoodwithpresentimpressions。Requestingalwaystobeverykindlyrememberedtoyourmotherandsisters，Iam，yoursverythanklesslyaccordingtodesire，\"C。BRONTE。\"
ItmayeasilybeconceivedthattwopeoplelivingtogetherasMr。
Bronteandhisdaughterdid，almostentirelydependentoneachotherforsociety，andlovingeachotherdeeplyalthoughnotdemonstratively——thatthesetwolastmembersofafamilywouldhavetheirmomentsofkeenanxietyrespectingeachother’shealth。ThereisnotoneletterofherswhichIhaveread，thatdoesnotcontainsomementionofherfather’sstateinthisrespect。EithershethanksGodwithsimpleearnestnessthatheiswell，orsomeinfirmitiesofagebesethim，andshementionsthefact，andthenwincesawayfromit，asfromasorethatwillnotbeartobetouched。He，inhisturn，notedeveryindispositionofhisoneremainingchild’s，exaggerateditsnature，andsometimesworkedhimselfupintoamiserablestateofanxiety，asinthecasesherefersto，when，herfriendhavingnamedinalettertohimthathisdaughterwassufferingfromabadcold，hecouldnotresttillhedespatchedamessenger，togo，\"staffinhand\"adistanceoffourteenmiles，andseewithhisowneyeswhatwasherrealstate，andreturnandreport。
Sheevidentlyfeltthatthisnaturalanxietyonthepartofherfatherandfriendincreasedthenervousdepressionofherownspirits，whenevershewasill；andinthefollowinglettersheexpressesherstrongwishthatthesubjectofherhealthshouldbeaslittlealludedtoaspossible。
\"Aug。7th。
\"IamtrulysorrythatIallowedthewordstowhichyourefertoescapemylips，sincetheireffectonyouhasbeenunpleasant；
buttrytochaseeveryshadowofanxietyfromyourmind，and，unlesstherestraintbeverydisagreeabletoyou，permitmetoaddanearnestrequestthatyouwillbroachthesubjecttomenomore。Itistheundisguisedandmostharassinganxietyofothersthathasfixedinmymindthoughtsandexpectationswhichmustcankerwherevertheytakeroot；againstwhicheveryeffortofreligionorphilosophymustattimestotallyfail；andsubjugationtowhichisacruelterriblefate——thefate，indeed，ofhimwhoselifewaspassedunderaswordsuspendedbyahorse-hair。IhavehadtoentreatPapa’sconsiderationonthispoint。Mynervoussystemissoonwroughton。Ishouldwishtokeepitinrationalstrengthandcoolness；buttodosoImustdeterminedlyresistthekindly-meant，buttooirksomeexpressionofanapprehension，fortherealisationordefeatofwhichIhavenopossiblepowertoberesponsible。Atpresent，Iamprettywell。ThankGod！Papa，Itrust，isnoworse，buthecomplainsofweakness。\"
CHAPTERVII
Herfatherwasalwaysanxioustoprocureeverychangethatwaspossibleforher，seeing，ashedid，thebenefitwhichshederivedfromit，howeverreluctantshemighthavebeentoleaveherhomeandhimbeforehand。ThisAugustshewasinvitedtogoforaweektotheneighbourhoodofBowness，whereSirJamesKayShuttleworthhadtakenahouse；butshesays，\"Iconsentedtogo，withreluctance，chieflytopleasePapa，whomarefusalonmypartwouldmuchhaveannoyed；butIdisliketoleavehim。Itrustheisnotworse，buthiscomplaintisstillweakness。Itisnotrighttoanticipateevil，andtobealwayslookingforwardwithanapprehensivespirit；butIthinkgriefisatwo-edgedsword，itcutsbothways；thememoryofonelossistheanticipationofanother。\"
ItwasduringthisvisitattheBriery——LadyKayShuttleworthhavingkindlyinvitedmetomeetherthere——thatIfirstmadeacquaintancewithMissBronte。IfIcopyoutpartofaletter，whichIwrotesoonafterthistoafriend，whowasdeeplyinterestedinherwritings，IshallprobablyconveymyfirstimpressionsmoretrulyandfreshlythanbyamplifyingwhatIthensaidintoalongerdescription。
\"DarkwhenIgottoWindermerestation；adrivealongthelevelroadtoLow-wood；thenastoppageataprettyhouse，andthenaprettydrawing-room，inwhichwereSirJamesandLadyKayShuttleworth，andalittleladyinablack-silkgown，whomI
couldnotseeatfirstforthedazzleintheroom；shecameupandshookhandswithmeatonce。Iwentuptounbonnet，etc。；
camedowntotea；thelittleladyworkedawayandhardlyspokebutIhadtimeforagoodlookather。SheisasshecallsherselfUNDEVELOPED，thin，andmorethanhalfaheadshorterthanIam；softbrownhair，notverydark；eyesverygoodandexpressive，lookingstraightandopenatyouofthesamecolourasherhair；alargemouth；theforeheadsquare，broadandratherover-hanging。Shehasaverysweetvoice；ratherhesitatesinchoosingherexpressions，butwhenchosentheyseemwithoutaneffortadmirable，andjustbefittingtheoccasion；thereisnothingoverstrained，butperfectlysimple……Afterbreakfast，wefourwentoutonthelake，andMissBronteagreedwithmeinlikingMr。Newman’sSoul，andinlikingModernPainters，andtheideaoftheSevenLamps；andshetoldmeaboutFatherNewman’slecturesattheOratoryinaveryquiet，concise，graphicway……SheismorelikeMiss——thananyoneinherways——ifyoucanfancyMiss——tohavegonethroughsufferingenoughtohavetakenouteverysparkofmerriment，andtobeshyandsilentfromthehabitofextreme，intensesolitude。SuchalifeasMissBronte’sIneverheardofbefore——describedherhometomeasinavillageofgreystonehouses，percheduponthenorthsideofableakmoor，lookingoversweepsofbleakmoors，etc。，etc。
\"Wewereonlythreedaystogether；thegreaterpartofwhichwasspentindrivingabout，inordertoshowMissBrontetheWestmorelandscenery，asshehadneverbeentherebefore。WewerebothincludedinaninvitationtodrinkteaquietlyatFoxHow；
andIthensawhowseverelyhernervesweretaxedbytheeffortofgoingamongststrangers。Weknewbeforehandthatthenumberofthepartywouldnotexceedtwelve；butshesufferedthewholedayfromanacuteheadachebroughtonbyapprehensionoftheevening。
\"BrierlyClosewassituatedhighaboveLow-wood，andofcoursecommandedanextensiveviewandwidehorizon。IwasstruckbyMissBronte’scarefulexaminationoftheshapeofthecloudsandthesignsoftheheavens，inwhichsheread，asfromabook，whatthecomingweatherwouldbe。ItoldherthatIsawshemusthaveaviewequalinextentatherownhome。ShesaidthatIwasright，butthatthecharacteroftheprospectfromHaworthwasverydifferent；thatIhadnoideawhatacompaniontheskybecametoanyonelivinginsolitude，——morethananyinanimateobjectonearth，——morethanthemoorsthemselves。\"
Thefollowingextractsconveysomeofherownimpressionsandfeelingsrespectingthisvisit:——
\"YousaidIshouldstaylongerthanaweekinWestmoreland；yououghtbythistimetoknowmebetter。IsitmyhabittokeepdawdlingataplacelongafterthetimeIfirstfixedonfordeparting？Ihavegothome，andIamthankfultosayPapaseems，——tosaytheleast，——noworsethanwhenIlefthim，yetI
wishhewerestronger。Myvisitpassedoffverywell；IamgladI
went。Thesceneryis，ofcourse，grand；couldIhavewanderedaboutamongstthosehillsALONE，Icouldhavedrankinalltheirbeauty；eveninacarriagewithcompany，itwasverywell。SirJameswasallthewhileaskindandfriendlyashecouldbe:heisinmuchbetterhealth……MissMartineauwasfromhome；shealwaysleavesherhouseatAmblesideduringtheLakeseason，toavoidtheinfluxofvisitorstowhichshewouldotherwisebesubject。
\"IfIcouldonlyhavedroppedunseenoutofthecarriage，andgoneawaybymyselfinamongstthosegrandhillsandsweetdales，Ishouldhavedrankinthefullpowerofthisgloriousscenery。
Incompanythiscanhardlybe。Sometimes，while——waswarningmeagainstthefaultsoftheartist-class，allthewhilevagrantartistinstinctswerebusyinthemindofhislistener。
\"Iforgettotellyouthat，aboutaweekbeforeIwenttoWestmoreland，therecameaninvitationtoHardenGrange；which，ofcourse，Ideclined。Twoorthreedaysafter，alargepartymadetheirappearancehere，consistingofMrs。F——andsundryotherladiesandtwogentlemen；onetallandstately，blackhairedandwhiskered，whoturnedouttobeLordJohnManners，——theothernotsodistinguished-looking，shy，andalittlequeer，whowasMr。Smythe，thesonofLordStrangford。I
foundMrs。F。atrueladyinmannersandappearance，verygentleandunassuming。LordJohnMannersbroughtinhishandabraceofgrouseforPapa，whichwasawell-timedpresent:adayortwobeforePapahadbeenwishingforsome。\"
TotheseextractsImustaddoneotherfromaletterreferringtothistime。ItisaddressedtoMissWooler，thekindfriendofbothhergirlhoodandwomanhood，whohadinvitedhertospendafortnightwithherathercottagelodgings。
\"Haworth，Sept。27th，1850。
\"WhenItellyouthatIhavealreadybeentotheLakesthisseason，andthatitisscarcelymorethanamonthsinceI
returned，youwillunderstandthatitisnolongerwithinmyoptiontoacceptyourkindinvitation。IwishIcouldhavegonetoyou。Ihavealreadyhadmyexcursion，andthereisanendofit。SirJamesKayShuttleworthisresidingnearWindermere，atahousecalledthe’Briery，’anditwasthereIwasstayingforalittletimethisAugust。Heverykindlyshowedmetheneighbourhood，asitcanbeseenfromacarriage，andIdiscernedthattheLakecountryisagloriousregion，ofwhichIhadonlyseenthesimilitudeindreams，wakingorsleeping。DecidedlyI
finditdoesnotagreewithmetoprosecutethesearchofthepicturesqueinacarriage。Awaggon，aspring-cart，evenapost-chaisemightdo；butthecarriageupsetseverything。I
longedtoslipoutunseen，andtorunawaybymyselfinamongstthehillsanddales。Erraticandvagrantinstinctstormentedme，andtheseIwasobligedtocontrolorrathersuppressforfearofgrowinginanydegreeenthusiastic，andthusdrawingattentiontothe’lioness’——theauthoress。
\"YousaythatyoususpectIhaveformedalargecircleofacquaintancebythistime。No:IcannotsaythatIhave。IdoubtwhetherIpossesseitherthewishorthepowertodoso。AfewfriendsIshouldliketohave，andthesefewIshouldliketoknowwell；Ifsuchknowledgebroughtproportionateregard，I
couldnothelpconcentratingmyfeelings；dissipation，Ithink，appearssynonymouswithdilution。However，Ihave，asyet，scarcelybeentried。DuringthemonthIspentinLondoninthespring，Ikeptveryquiet，havingthefearoflionisingbeforemyeyes。Ionlywentoutoncetodinner；andoncewaspresentataneveningparty；andtheonlyvisitsIhavepaidhavebeentoSirJamesKayShuttleworth’sandmypublisher’s。FromthissystemI
shouldnotliketodepart；asfarasIcansee，Indiscriminatevisitingtendsonlytoawasteoftimeandavulgarisingofcharacter。Besides，itwouldbewrongtoleavePapaoften；heisnowinhisseventy-fifthyear，theinfirmitiesofagebegintocreepuponhim；duringthesummerhehasbeenmuchharassedbychronicbronchitis，butIamthankfultosaythatheisnowsomewhatbetter。Ithinkmyownhealthhasderivedbenefitfromchangeandexercise。
\"SomebodyinD——professestohaveauthorityforsaying，that’whenMissBrontewasinLondonsheneglectedtoattendDivineserviceontheSabbath，andintheweekspenthertimeingoingabouttoballs，theatres，andoperas。’Ontheotherhand，theLondonquidnuncsmakemyseclusionamatterofwonder，anddevisetwentyromanticfictionstoaccountforit。FormerlyIusedtolistentoreportwithinterest，andacertaincredulity；butIamnowgrowndeafandsceptical:experiencehastaughtmehowabsolutelydevoidoffoundationherstoriesmaybe。\"
ImustnowquotefromthefirstletterIhadtheprivilegeofreceivingfromMissBronte。ItisdatedAugustthe27th。
\"PapaandIhavejusthadtea；heissittingquietlyinhisroom，andIinmine；’stormsofrain’aresweepingoverthegardenandchurchyard:astothemoors，theyarehiddeninthickfog。Thoughalone，Iamnotunhappy；Ihaveathousandthingstobethankfulfor，and，amongsttherest，thatthismorningIreceivedaletterfromyou，andthatthiseveningIhavetheprivilegeofansweringit。
\"Idonotknowthe’LifeofSydneyTaylor；’wheneverIhavetheopportunityIwillgetit。ThelittleFrenchbookyoumentionshallalsotakeitsplaceonthelistofbookstobeprocuredassoonaspossible。Ittreatsasubjectinterestingtoallwomen——
perhaps，moreespeciallytosinglewomen；though，indeed，mothers，likeyou，studyitforthesakeoftheirdaughters。TheWestminsterReviewisnotaperiodicalIseeregularly，butsometimesinceIgotholdofanumber——forlastJanuary，Ithink——inwhichtherewasanarticleentitled’Woman’sMission’thephraseishackneyed，containingagreatdealthatseemedtomejustandsensible。Menbegintoregardthepositionofwomaninanotherlightthantheyusedtodo；andafewmen，whosesympathiesarefineandwhosesenseofjusticeisstrong，thinkandspeakofitwithacandourthatcommandsmyadmiration。Theysay，however——
and，toanextent，truly——thattheameliorationofourconditiondependsonourselves。Certainlythereareevilswhichourowneffortswillbestreach；butascertainlythereareotherevils——
deep-rootedinthefoundationofthesocialsystem——whichnoeffortsofourscantouch:ofwhichwecannotcomplain；ofwhichitisadvisablenottoooftentothink。
\"IhavereadTennyson’s’InMemoriam，’orratherpartofit；I
closedthebookwhenIhadgotabouthalfway。Itisbeautiful；
itismournful；itismonotonous。Manyofthefeelingsexpressedbear，intheirutterance，thestampoftruth；yet，ifArthurHallamhadbeensomwhatnearerAlfredTennyson，hisbrotherinsteadofhisfriend，——Ishouldhavedistrustedthisrhymed，andmeasured，andprintedmonumentofgrief。WhatchangethelapseofyearsmayworkIdonotknow；butitseemstomethatbittersorrow，whilerecent，doesnotflowoutinverse。
\"IpromisedtosendyouWordsworth’s’Prelude，’and，accordingly，despatchitbythispost；theotherlittlevolumeshallfollowinadayortwo。Ishallbegladtohearfromyouwheneveryouhavetimetowritetome，butyouarenever，onanyaccount，todothisexceptwheninclinationpromptsandleisurepermits。I
shouldneverthankyouforaletterwhichyouhadfeltitatasktowrite。\"
AshorttimeafterwehadmetattheBriery，shesentmethevolumeofCurrer，Ellis，andActonBell’spoems；andthusalludestotheminthenotethataccompaniedtheparcel:——
\"Thelittlebookofrhymeswassentbywayoffulfillingarashly-madepromise；andthepromisewasmadetopreventyoufromthrowingawayfourshillingsinaninjudiciouspurchase。Idonotlikemyownshareofthework，norcarethatitshouldberead:
EllisBell’sIthinkgoodandvigorous，andActon’shavethemeritoftruthandsimplicity。Minearechieflyjuvenileproductions；therestlesseffervescenceofamindthatwouldnotbestill。Inthosedays，theseatoooften’wroughtandwastempestuous，’andweed，sand，shingle——allturnedupinthetumult。Thisimageismuchtoomagniloquentforthesubject，butyouwillpardonit。\"
Anotherletterofsomeinterestwasaddressed，aboutthistime，toaliteraryfriend，onSept。5th:——
\"ThereappearanceoftheAthenaeumisveryacceptable，notmerelyforitsownsake，——thoughIesteemtheopportunityofitsperusalaprivilege，——butbecause，asaweeklytokenoftheremembranceoffriends，itcheersandgivespleasure。Ionlyfearthatitsregulartransmissionmaybecomeatasktoyou；inthiscase，discontinueitatonce。
\"IdidindeedenjoymytriptoScotland，andyetIsawlittleofthefaceofthecountry；nothingofitsgrandeurorfinerscenicfeatures；butEdinburgh，Melrose，Abbotsford——thesethreeinthemselvessufficedtostirfeelingsofsuchdeepinterestandadmiration，thatneitheratthetimedidIregret，norhaveI
sinceregretted，thewantofwiderspaceoverwhichtodiffusethesenseofenjoyment。Therewasroomandvarietyenoughtobeveryhappy，and’enough，’theproverbsays，’isasgoodasafeast。’Thequeen，indeed，wasrighttoclimbArthur’sSeatwithherhusbandandchildren。IshallnotsoonforgethowIfeltwhen，havingreacheditssummit，weallsatdownandlookedoverthecity——towardstheseaandLeith，andthePentlandHills。NodoubtyouareproudofbeinganativeofScotland，——proudofyourcountry，hercapital，herchildren，andherliterature。Youcannotbeblamed。
\"ThearticleinthePalladiumisoneofthosenoticesoverwhichanauthorrejoicestrembling。Herejoicestofindhisworkfinely，fully，ferventlyappreciated，andtremblesundertheresponsibilitysuchappreciationseemstodevolveuponhim。Iamcounselledtowaitandwatch——D。V。Iwilldoso；yetitishardertowaitwiththehandsbound，andtheobservantandreflectivefacultiesattheirsilentandunseenwork，thantolabourmechanically。
\"IneednotsayhowIfelttheremarkson’WutheringHeights；’
theywokethesaddestyetmostgratefulfeelings；theyaretrue，theyarediscriminating，theyarefulloflatejustice，butitisverylate——alas！inonesense，TOOlate。Ofthis，however，andofthepangofregretforalightprematurelyextinguished，itisnotwisetospeakmuch。Whoevertheauthorofthisarticlemaybe，Iremainhisdebtor。
\"Yet，yousee，evenhere，Shirleyisdisparagedincomparisonwith\"JaneEyre\"；andyetItookgreatpainswithShirley。Ididnothurry；Itriedtodomybest，andmyownimpressionwasthatitwasnotinferiortotheformerwork；indeed，Ihadbestowedonitmoretime，thought，andanxiety:butgreatpartofitwaswrittenundertheshadowofimpendingcalamity；andthelastvolume，Icannotdeny，wascomposedintheeager，restlessendeavourtocombatmentalsufferingsthatwerescarcelytolerable。
\"Yousentthetragedyof’GalileoGalilei，’bySamuelBrown，inoneoftheCornhillparcels；itcontained，Iremember，passagesofverygreatbeauty。WheneveryousendanymorebooksbutthatmustnotbetillIreturnwhatInowhaveIshouldbegladifyouwouldincludeamongstthemthe’LifeofDr。Arnold。’Doyouknowalsothe’LifeofSydneyTaylor？’Iamnotfamiliarevenwiththename，butithasbeenrecommendedtomeasaworkmeritingperusal。Ofcourse，whenInameanybook，itisalwaysunderstoodthatitshouldbequiteconvenienttosendit。\"
CHAPTERVIII
Itwasthoughtdesirableaboutthistime，torepublish\"WutheringHeights\"and\"AgnesGrey\"，theworksofthetwosisters，andCharlotteundertookthetaskofeditingthem。
ShewrotetoMr。Williams，September29th，1850，\"Itismyintentiontowriteafewlinesofremarkon’WutheringHeights，’
which，however，Iproposetoplaceapartasabriefprefacebeforethetale。Iamlikewisecompellingmyselftoreaditover，forthefirsttimeofopeningthebooksincemysister’sdeath。
Itspowerfillsmewithrenewedadmiration；butyetIamoppressed:thereaderisscarcelyeverpermittedatasteofunalloyedpleasure；everybeamofsunshineispoureddownthroughblackbarsofthreateningcloud；everypageissurchargedwithasortofmoralelectricity；andthewriterwasunconsciousofallthis——nothingcouldmakeherconsciousofit。
\"Andthismakesmereflect，——perhapsIamtooincapableofperceivingthefaultsandpeculiaritiesofmyownstyle。
\"Ishouldwishtorevisetheproofs，ifitbenottoogreataninconveniencetosendthem。ItseemstomeadvisabletomodifytheorthographyoftheoldservantJoseph’sspeeches；forthough，asitstands，itexactlyrenderstheYorkshiredialecttoaYorkshireear，yet，IamsureSouthernsmustfinditunintelligible；andthusoneofthemostgraphiccharactersinthebookislostonthem。
\"IgrievetosaythatIpossessnoportraitofeitherofmysisters。\"