Toherowndearfriend，astoonewhohadknownandlovedhersisters，shewritesstillmorefullyrespectingthepainfulnessofhertask。
\"Thereisnothingwrong，andIamwritingyoualineasyoudesire，merelytosaythatIAMbusyjustnow。Mr。SmithwishestoreprintsomeofEmily’sandAnnie’sworks，withafewlittleadditionsfromthepaperstheyhaveleft；andIhavebeencloselyengagedinrevising，transcribing，preparingapreface，notice，etc。Asthetimefordoingthisislimited，Iamobligedtobeindustrious。Ifoundthetaskatfirstexquisitelypainfulanddepressing；butregardingitinthelightofaSACREDDUTY，I
wenton，andnowcanbearitbetter。Itiswork，however，thatI
cannotdointheevening，forifIdid，Ishouldhavenosleepatnight。Papa，Iamthankfultosay，isinimprovedhealth，andso，Ithink，amI；Itrustyouarethesame。
\"IhavejustreceivedakindletterfromMissMartineau。ShehasgotbacktoAmbleside，andhadheardofmyvisittotheLakes。
Sheexpressedherregret，etc。，atnotbeingathome。
\"Iambothangryandsurprisedatmyselffornotbeinginbetterspirits；fornotgrowingaccustomed，oratleastresigned，tothesolitudeandisolationofmylot。Butmylateoccupationleftaresultforsomedays，andindeedstill，verypainful。Thereadingoverofpapers，therenewalofremembrancesbroughtbackthepangofbereavement，andoccasionedadepressionofspiritswellnighintolerable。Foroneortwonights，Iscarcelyknewhowtogetontillmorning；andwhenmorningcame，Iwasstillhauntedwithasenseofsickeningdistress。Itellyouthesethings，becauseitisabsolutelynecessarytometohavesomerelief。Youwillforgiveme，andnottroubleyourself，orimaginethatIamonewhitworsethanIsay。Itisquiteamentalailment，andI
believeandhopeisbetternow。Ithinkso，becauseIcanspeakaboutit，whichInevercanwhengriefisatitsworst。
\"Ithoughttofindoccupationandinterestinwriting，whenaloneathome，buthithertomyeffortshavebeenvain；thedeficiencyofeverystimulusissocomplete。Youwillrecommendme，Idaresay，togofromhome；butthatdoesnogood，evencouldIagainleavePapawithaneasymindthankGod！heisbetter。IcannotdescribewhatatimeofitIhadaftermyreturnfromLondon，Scotland，etc。Therewasareactionthatsunkmetotheearth；
thedeadlysilence，solitude，desolation，wereawful；thecravingforcompanionship，thehopelessnessofrelief，werewhatIshoulddreadtofeelagain。
\"Dear——，whenIthinkofyou，itiswithacompassionandtendernessthatscarcelycheerme。Mentally，Ifear，youalsoaretoolonelyandtoolittleoccupied。Itseemsourdoom，forthepresentatleast。MayGodinHismercyhelpustobearit！\"
DuringherlastvisittoLondon，asmentionedinoneofherletters，shehadmadetheacquaintanceofhercorrespondent，Mr。
Lewes。Thatgentlemansays:——
\"Somemonthsafter\"theappearanceofthereviewof\"Shirley\"intheEdinburgh，\"CurrerBellcametoLondon，andIwasinvitedtomeetheratyourhouse。Youmayremember，sheaskedyounottopointmeouttoher，butallowhertodiscovermeifshecould。
SheDIDrecognisemealmostassoonasIcameintotheroom。Youtriedmeinthesameway；Iwaslesssagacious。However，Isatbyhersideagreatpartoftheeveningandwasgreatlyinterestedbyherconversation。Onpartingweshookhands，andshesaid，’Wearefriendsnow，arewenot？’’Werewenotalways，then？’I
asked。’No！notalways，’shesaid，significantly；andthatwastheonlyallusionshemadetotheoffendingarticle。IlenthersomeofBalzac’sandGeorgeSand’snovelstotakewithherintothecountry；andthefollowingletterwaswrittenwhentheywerereturned:\"——
\"Iamsureyouwillhavethoughtmeverydilatoryinreturningthebooksyousokindlylentme。Thefactis，havingsomeotherbookstosend，Iretainedyourstoenclosetheminthesameparcel。
\"Acceptmythanksforsomehoursofpleasantreading。Balzacwasformequiteanewauthor；andinmakingbigacquaintance，throughthemediumof’ModesteMignon，’and’Illusionsperdues，’
youcannotdoubtIhavefeltsomeinterest。Atfirst，Ithoughthewasgoingtobepainfullyminute，andfearfullytedious；onegrewimpatientofhislongparadeofdetail，hisslowrevelationofunimportantcircumstances，asheassembledhispersonagesonthestage；butbyandbyeIseemedtoenterintothemysteryofhiscraft，andtodiscover，withdelight，wherehisforcelay:isitnotintheanalysisofmotive；andinasubtleperceptionofthemostobscureandsecretworkingsofthemind？Still，admireBalzacaswemay，Ithinkwedonotlikehim；weratherfeeltowardshimastowardsanungenialacquaintancewhoisforeverholdingupinstronglightourdefects，andwhorarelydrawsforthourbetterqualities。
\"Truly，IlikeGeorgeSandbetter。
\"Fantastic，fanatical，unpracticalenthusiastassheoftenis——farfromtruthfulasaremanyofherviewsoflife——misled，assheisapttobe，byherfeelings——GeorgeSandhasabetternaturethanM。deBalzac；herbrainislarger，herheartwarmerthanhis。The’Lettresd’unVoyageur’arefullofthewriter’sself；andIneverfeltsostrongly，asintheperusalofthiswork，thatmostofherveryfaultsspringfromtheexcessofhergoodqualities:itisthisexcesswhichhasoftenhurriedherintodifficulty，whichhaspreparedforherenduringregret。
\"ButIbelievehermindisofthatorderwhichdisastrousexperienceteaches，withoutweakeningortoomuchdisheartening；
and，inthatcase，thelongershelivesthebettershewillgrow。
AhopefulpointinallherwritingsisthescarcityoffalseFrenchsentiment；IwishIcouldsayitsabsence；buttheweedflourisheshereandthere，eveninthe’Lettres。’\"
IrememberthegoodexpressionofdisgustwhichMissBrontemadeuseofinspeakingtomeofsomeofBalzac’snovels:\"Theyleavesuchabadtasteinmymouth。\"
ThereaderwillnoticethatmostofthelettersfromwhichInowquotearedevotedtocriticalandliterarysubjects。Thesewere，indeed，herprincipalinterestsatthistime；therevisionofhersister’sworks，andwritingashortmemoirofthem，wasthepainfulemploymentofeverydayduringthedrearyautumnof1850。
Weariedoutbythevividnessofhersorrowfulrecollections，shesoughtreliefinlongwalksonthemoors。Afriendofhers，whowrotetomeontheappearanceoftheeloquentarticleintheDailyNewsuponthe\"DeathofCurrerBell，\"givesananecdotewhichmaywellcomeinhere。
\"Theyaremistakeninsayingshewastooweaktoroamthehillsforthebenefitoftheair。Idonotthinkanyone，certainlynotanywoman，inthislocality，wentsomuchonthemoorsasshedid，whentheweatherpermitted。Indeed，shewassomuchinthehabitofdoingso，thatpeople，wholivequiteawayontheedgeofthecommon，knewherperfectlywell。Irememberononeoccasionanoldwomansawheratalittledistance，andshecalledout，’How！MissBronte！Heyyahhaveyouseenoughto’
mycofecalf？’MissBrontetoldhershecouldnotsay，forshedidnotknowit。’Well！’shesaid，’Yahknow，it’sgettinguplikenahnow，betweenacahcowandacofe——whatwecallastirk，yahknow，MissBronte；willyahturnitthiswayifyahhappentosee’t，asyah’regoingback，MissBronte；nahDO，MissBronte。’\"
Itmusthavebeenaboutthistimethatavisitwaspaidtoherbysomeneighbours，whowereintroducedtoherbyamutualfriend。
ThisvisithasbeendescribedinaletterfromwhichIampermittedtogiveextracts，whichwillshowtheimpressionmadeuponstrangersbythecharacterofthecountryroundherhome，andothercircumstances。\"Thoughtheweatherwasdrizzly，weresolvedtomakeourlong-plannedexcursiontoHaworth；sowepackedourselvesintothebuffalo-skin，andthatintothegig，andsetoffabouteleven。Therainceased，andthedaywasjustsuitedtothescenery，——wildandchill，——withgreatmassesofcloudgloomingoverthemoors，andhereandtherearayofsunshinecovertlystealingthrough，andrestingwithadimmagicallightuponsomehighbleakvillage；ordartingdownintosomedeepglen，lightingupthetallchimney，orglisteningonthewindowsandwetroofofthemillwhichliescouchinginthebottom。ThecountrygotwilderandwilderasweapproachedHaworth；forthelastfourmileswewereascendingahugemoor，attheverytopofwhichliesthedrearyblack-lookingvillageofHaworth。Thevillage-streetitselfisoneofthesteepesthillsI
haveeverseen，andthestonesaresohorriblyjoltingthatI
shouldhavegotoutandwalkedwithW——，ifpossible，but，havingoncebeguntheascent，tostopwasoutofthequestion。Atthetopwastheinnwhereweputup，closebythechurch；andtheclergyman’shouse，weweretold，wasatthetopofthechurchyard。Sothroughthatwewent，——adreary，drearyplace，literallyPAVEDwithrain-blackenedtombstones，andallontheslope，foratHaworththereisonthehighestheightahigherstill，andMr。Bronte’shousestandsconsiderablyabovethechurch。Therewasthehousebeforeus，asmalloblongstonehouse，withnotatreetoscreenitfromthecuttingwind；buthowwerewetogetatitfromthechurchyardwecouldnotsee！
Therewasanoldmaninthechurchyard，broodinglikeaGhouloverthegraves，withasortofgrimhilarityonhisface。I
thoughthelookedhardlyhuman；however，hewashumanenoughtotellustheway；andpresentlywefoundourselvesinthelittlebareparlour。Presentlythedooropened，andincameasuperannuatedmastiff，followedbyanoldgentlemanverylikeMissBronte，whoshookhandswithus，andthenwenttocallhisdaughter。Alonginterval，duringwhichwecoaxedtheolddog，andlookedatapictureofMissBronte，byRichmond，thesolitaryornamentoftheroom，lookingstrangelyoutofplaceonthebarewalls，andatthebooksonthelittleshelves，mostofthemevidentlythegiftoftheauthorssinceMissBronte’scelebrity。
Presentlyshecamein，andwelcomedusverykindly，andtookmeupstairstotakeoffmybonnet，andherselfbroughtmewaterandtowels。Theuncarpetedstonestairsandfloors，theolddrawersproppedonwood，wereallscrupulouslycleanandneat。Whenwewentintotheparlouragain，webegantalkingverycomfortably，whenthedooropenedandMr。Brontelookedin；seeinghisdaughterthere，Isupposehethoughtitwasallright，andheretreatedtohisstudyontheoppositesideofthepassage；
presentlyemergingagaintobringW——acountrynewspaper。Thiswashislastappearancetillwewent。MissBrontespokewiththegreatestwarmthofMissMartineau，andofthegoodshehadgainedfromher。Well！wetalkedaboutvariousthings；thecharacterofthepeople，——abouthersolitude，etc。，tillshelefttheroomtohelpaboutdinner，Isuppose，forshedidnotreturnforanage。
Theolddoghadvanished；afatcurly-haireddoghonoureduswithhiscompanyforsometime，butfinallymanifestedawishtogetout，sowewereleftalone。Atlastshereturned，followedbythemaidanddinner，whichmadeusallmorecomfortable；andwehadsomeverypleasantconversation，inthemidstofwhichtimepassedquickerthanwesupposed，foratlastW——foundthatitwashalf-pastthree，andwehadfourteenorfifteenmilesbeforeus。Sowehurriedoff，havingobtainedfromherapromisetopayusavisitinthespring；andtheoldgentlemanhavingissuedoncemorefromhisstudytosaygood-bye，wereturnedtotheinn，andmadethebestofourwayhomewards。
\"MissBronteputmesoinmindofherown’JaneEyre。’Shelookedsmallerthanever，andmovedaboutsoquietly，andnoiselessly，justlikealittlebird，asRochestercalledher，barringthatallbirdsarejoyous，andthatjoycanneverhaveenteredthathousesinceitwasfirstbuilt；andyet，perhaps，whenthatoldmanmarried，andtookhomehisbride，andchildren’svoicesandfeetwereheardaboutthehouse，eventhatdesolatecrowdedgrave-yardandbitingblastcouldnotquenchcheerfulnessandhope。Nowthereissomethingtouchinginthesightofthatlittlecreatureentombedinsuchaplace，andmovingaboutherselflikeaspirit，especiallywhenyouthinkthattheslightstillframeenclosesaforceofstrongfierylife，whichnothinghasbeenabletofreezeorextinguish。\"
Inoneoftheprecedingletters，MissBrontereferredtoamarticleinthePalladium，whichhadrenderedwhatsheconsideredtheduemeedofmeritto\"WutheringHeights\"，hersisterEmily’stale。Herownworkswerepraised，andpraisedwithdiscrimination，andshewasgratefulforthis。Butherwarmheartwasfilledtothebrimwithkindlyfeelingstowardshimwhohaddonejusticetothedead。Sheanxiouslysoughtoutthenameofthewriter；andhavingdiscoveredthatitwasMr。SydneyDobellheimmediatelybecameoneofher\"PeculiarpeoplewhomDeathhadmadedear。\"
Shelookedwithinterestuponeverythinghewrote；andbeforelongweshallfindthattheycorresponded。
ToW。S。WILLIAMS，ESQ。
\"Oct。25th。
\"Theboxofbookscamelastnight，and，asusual，Ihaveonlygratefullytoadmiretheselectionmade:’Jeffrey’sEssays，’’Dr。
Arnold’sLife，’’TheRoman，’’AltonLoche，’thesewereallwishedforandwelcome。
\"YousayIkeepnobooks；pardonme——IamashamedofmyownrapaciousnessIhavekept’Macaulay’sHistory，’andWordsworth’s’Prelude’，andTaylor’s’PhilipVanArtevelde。’Isoothemyconsciencebysayingthatthetwolast，——beingpoetry——donotcount。ThisisaconvenientdoctrineformeImeditateactinguponitwithreferencetotheRoman，soItrustnobodyinCornhillwilldisputeitsvalidityoraffirmthat’poetry’hasavalue，exceptfortrunk-makers。
\"Ihavealreadyhad’Macaulay’sEssays，’’SidneySmith’sLecturesonMoralPhilosophy，’and’KnoxonRace。’Pickering’sworkonthesamesubjectIhavenotseen；norallthevolumesofLeighHunt’sAutobiography。However，Iamnowabundantlysuppliedforalongtimetocome。IlikedHazlitt’sEssaysmuch。
\"Theautumn，asyousay，hasbeenveryfine。Iandsolitudeandmemoryhaveoftenprofitedbyitssunshineonthemoors。
\"Ihadfeltsomedisappointmentatthenon-arrivaloftheproof-
sheetsof’WutheringHeights；’afeverishimpatiencetocompletetherevisionisapttobesetme。Theworkoflookingoverpapers，etc。，couldnotbegonethroughwithimpunity，andwithunalteredspirits；associationstootender，regretstoobitter，sprangoutofit。Meantime，theCornhillbooksnow，asheretofore，aremybestmedicine，——affordingasolacewhichcouldnotbeyieldedbytheverysamebooksprocuredfromacommonlibrary。
\"AlreadyIhavereadthegreatestpartofthe’Roman；’passagesinitpossessakindlingvirtuesuchastruepoetryalonecanboast；thereareimagesofgenuinegrandeur；therearelinesthatatoncestampthemselvesonthememory。Canitbetruethatanewplanethasrisenontheheaven，whenceallstarsseemedfastfading？Ibelieveitis；forthisSydneyorDobellspeakswithavoiceofhisown，unborrowed，unmimicked。YouhearTennyson，indeed，sometimes，andByronsometimes，insomepassagesoftheRoman；butthenagainyouhaveanewnote，——nowhereclearerthaninacertainbrieflyric，sanginameetingofminstrels，asortofdirgeoveradeadbrother；——THATnotonlycharmedtheearandbrain，itsoothedtheheart。\"
ThefollowingextractwillbereadwithinterestasconveyingherthoughtsaftertheperusalofDr。Arnold’sLife:——
\"Nov。6th。
\"Ihavejustfinishedreadingthe’LifeofDr。Arnold；’butnowwhenIwish，accordingtoyourrequest，toexpresswhatIthinkofit，Idonotfindthetaskveryeasy；propertermsseemwanting。Thisisnotacharactertobedismissedwithafewlaudatorywords；itisnotaone-sidedcharacter；purepanegyricwouldbeinappropriate。Dr。Arnolditseemstomewasnotquitesaintly；hisgreatnesswascastinamortalmould；hewasalittlesevere，almostalittlehard；hewasvehementandsomewhatoppugnant。Himselfthemostindefatigableofworkers，Iknownotwhetherhecouldhaveunderstood，ormadeallowancefor，atemperamentthatrequiredmorerest；yetnottoonemanintwentythousandisgivenhisgiantfacultyoflabour；byvirtueofitheseemstomethegreatestofworkingmen。Exactinghemighthavebeen，then，onthispoint；andgrantingthathewereso，andalittlehasty，stern，andpositive，thosewerehissolefaultsif，indeed，thatcanbecalledafaultwhichinnoshapedegradestheindividual’sowncharacter；butisonlyapttooppressandoverstraintheweakernatureofhisneighbours。
Afterwardscomehisgoodqualities。Aboutthesethereisnothingdubious。Wherecanwefindjustice，firmness，independence，earnestness，sincerity，fullerandpurerthaninhim？
\"Butthisisnotall，andIamgladofit。Besideshighintellectandstainlessrectitude，hislettersandhislifeattesthispossessionofthemosttrue-heartedaffection。WITHOUTthis，howeveronemightadmire，wecouldnotlovehim；butWITHitI
thinkwelovehimmuch。Ahundredsuchmen——fifty——nay，tenorfivesuchrighteousmenmightsaveanycountry；mightvictoriouslychampionanycause。
\"Iwasstruck，too，bythealmostunbrokenhappinessofhislife；
ahappinessresultingchiefly，nodoubt，fromtherightusetowhichheputthathealthandstrengthwhichGodhadgivenhim，butalsoowingpartlytoasingularexemptionfromthosedeepandbittergriefswhichmosthumanbeingsarecalledontoendure。
Hiswifewaswhathewished；hischildrenwerehealthyandpromising；hisownhealthwasexcellent；hisundertakingswerecrownedwithsuccess；evendeathwaskind，——for，howeversharpthepainsofhislasthour，theywerebutbrief。God’sblessingseemstohaveaccompaniedhimfromthecradletothegrave。Onefeelsthankfultoknowthatithasbeenpermittedtoanymantolivesuchalife。
\"WhenIwasinWestmorelandlastAugust，IspentaneveningatFoxHow，whereMrs。Arnoldandherdaughtersstillreside。ItwastwilightasIdrovetotheplace，andalmostdarkereIreachedit；stillIcouldperceivethatthesituationwaslovely。Thehouselookedlikeanesthalfburiedinflowersandcreepers:
and，duskasitwas，IcouldFEELthatthevalleyandthehillsroundwerebeautifulasimaginationcoulddream。\"
IfIsayagainwhatIhavesaidalreadybefore，itisonlytoimpressandre-impressuponmyreadersthedrearymonotonyofherlifeatthistime。Thedark，bleakseasonoftheyearbroughtbackthelongevenings，whichtriedherseverely:allthemoreso，becauseherweakeyesightrenderedherincapableoffollowinganyoccupationbutknittingbycandle-light。Forherfather’ssake，aswellasforherown，shefounditnecessarytomakesomeexertiontowardoffsettleddepressionofspirits。SheaccordinglyacceptedaninvitationtospendaweekortendayswithMissMartineauatAmbleside。ShealsoproposedtocometoManchesterandseeme，onherwaytoWestmoreland。But，unfortunately，Iwasfromhome，andunabletoreceiveher。ThefriendswithwhomIwasstayingintheSouthofEnglandhearingmeexpressmyregretthatIcouldnotacceptherfriendlyproposal，andawareofthesadstateofhealthandspiritswhichmadesomechangenecessaryforherwrotetodesirethatshewouldcomeandspendaweekortwowithmeattheirhouse。Sheacknowledgedthisinvitationinalettertome，dated——
\"Dec。13th，1850。
\"MydearMrs。Gaskell，——Miss——’skindnessandyoursissuchthatIamplacedinthedilemmaofnotknowinghowadequatelytoexpressmysenseofit。THISIknow，however，verywell-thatifI
COULDgoandbewithyouforaweekortwoinsuchaquietsouth-countryhouse，andwithsuchkindpeopleasyoudescribe，I
shouldlikeitmuch。Ifindtheproposalmarvellouslytomytaste；itisthepleasantest，gentlest，sweetest，temptationpossible；but，delectableasitis，itssolicitationsarebynomeanstobeyieldedtowithoutthesanctionofreason，andthereforeIdesireforthepresenttobesilent，andtostandbacktillIhavebeentoMissMartineau’s，andreturnedhome，andconsideredwellwhetheritisaschemeasrightasagreeable。
\"Meantime，themerethoughtdoesmegood。\"
Onthe10thofDecember，thesecondeditionof\"WutheringHeights\"waspublished。ShesentacopyofittoMr。Dobell，withthefollowingletter:——
ToMR。DOBELL。
\"Haworth，nearKeighley，Yorkshire，\"Dec。8th，1850。
\"Iofferthislittlebooktomycriticinthe’Palladium，’andhemustbelieveitaccompaniedbyatributeofthesincerestgratitude；notsomuchforanythinghehassaidofmyself，asforthenoblejusticehehasrenderedtoonedeartomeasmyself——
perhapsdearer；andperhapsonekindwordspokenforherawakensadeeper，tenderer，sentimentofthankfulnessthaneulogiesheapedonmyownhead。Asyouwillseewhenyouhavereadthebiographicalnotice，mysistercannotthankyouherself；sheisgoneoutofyoursphereandmine，andhumanblameandpraisearenothingtohernow。Buttome，forhersake，theyaresomethingstill；itrevivedmeformanyadaytofindthat，deadasshewas，theworkofhergeniushadatlastmetwithworthyappreciation。
\"Tellme，whenyouhavereadtheintroduction，whetheranydoubtsstilllingerinyourmindrespectingtheauthorshipof’WutheringHeights，’’WildfellHall，’etc。Yourmistrustdidmesomeinjustice；itprovedageneralconceptionofcharactersuchasI
shouldbesorrytocallmine；butthesefalseideaswillnaturallyarisewhenweonlyjudgeanauthorfromhisworks。Infairness，Imustalsodisclaimtheflatteringsideoftheportrait。Iamno’youngPenthesileamediisinmillibus，’butaplaincountryparson’sdaughter。
\"OncemoreIthankyou，andthatwithafullheart。
\"C。BRONTE。\"
CHAPTERIX。
Immediatelyaftertherepublicationofhersisters’bookshewenttoMissMartineau’s。
\"Icanwritetoyounow，dearE——，forIamawayfromhomeandrelieved，temporarily，atleast，bychangeofairandscene，fromtheheavyburdenofdepressionwhich，Iconfess，hasfornearlythreemonthsbeensinkingmetotheearth。Inevershallforgetlastautumn！Somedaysandnightshavebeencruel；butnow，havingoncetoldyouthis，Ineedsaynomoreonthesubject。Myloathingofsolitudegrewextreme；myrecollectionofmysistersintolerablypoignant。Iambetternow。IamatMissMartineau’sforaweek。Herhouseisverypleasant，bothwithinandwithout；
arrangedat；allpointswithadmirableneatnessandcomfort。Hervisitorsenjoythemostperfectliberty；whatsheclaimsforherselfsheallowsthem。Iriseatmyownhour，breakfastalonesheisupatfive，takesacoldbath，andawalkbystarlight，andhasfinishedbreakfastandgottoherworkbyseveno’clock。
Ipassthemorninginthedrawing-room——she，inherstudy。Attwoo’clockwemeet——work，talk，andwalktogethertillfive，herdinner-hour，spendtheeveningtogether，whensheconversesfluentlyandabundantly，andwiththemostcompletefrankness。I
gotomyown。roomsoonafterten，——shesitsupwritingletterstilltwelve。Sheappearsexhaustlessinstrengthandspirits，andindefatigableinthefacultyoflabour。Sheisagreatandagoodwoman；ofcoursenotwithoutpeculiarities，butIhaveseennoneasyetthatannoyme。Sheisbothhardandwarm-hearted，abruptandaffectionate，liberalanddespotic。Ibelievesheisnotatallconsciousofherownabsolutism。WhenItellherofit，shedeniesthechargewarmly；thenIlaughather。IbelieveshealmostrulesAmbleside。Someofthegentrydislikeher，butthelowerordershaveagreatregardforher……IthoughtI
shouldliketospendtwoorthreedayswithyoubeforegoinghome，so，ifitisnotinconvenienttoyou，IwillD。V。comeonMondayandstaytillThursday……Ihavetrulyenjoyedmyvisithere。Ihaveseenagoodmanypeople，andallhavebeensomarvellouslykind；nottheleastso，thefamilyofDr。Arnold。
MissMartineauIrelishinexpressibly。\"
MissBrontepaidthevisitshehereproposestoherfriend，butonlyremainedtwoorthreedays。Shethenreturnedhome，andimmediatelybegantosufferfromheroldenemy，sicklyanddepressingheadache。Thiswasallthemoretryingtobear，asshewasobligedtotakeanactiveshareinthehouseholdwork，——oneservantbeingillinbed，andtheother，Tabby，agedupwardsofeighty。
ThisvisittoAmblesidedidMissBrontemuchgood，andgaveherastockofpleasantrecollections，andfreshinterests，todwelluponinhersolitarylife。TherearemanyreferencesinherletterstoMissMartineau’scharacterandkindness。
\"Sheiscertainlyawomanofwonderfulendowments，bothintellectualandphysical；andthoughIsharefewofheropinions，andregardherasfallibleoncertainpointsofjudgment，Imuststillawardhermysincerestesteem。Themannerinwhichshecombinesthehighestmentalculturewiththenicestdischargeoffemininedutiesfilledmewithadmiration；whileheraffectionatekindnessearnedmygratitude。\"\"Ithinkhergoodandnoblequalitiesfaroutweighherdefects。Itismyhabittoconsidertheindividualapartfromhisorherreputation，practiceindependentoftheory，naturaldispositionisolatedfromacquiredopinions。HarrietMartineau’sperson，practice，andcharacter，inspiremewiththetruestaffectionandrespect。\"YouaskmewhetherMissMartineaumademeaconverttomesmerism？
Scarcely；yetIheardmiraclesofitsefficacy，andcouldhardlydiscreditthewholeofwhatwastoldme。Ievenunderwentapersonalexperiment；andthoughtheresultwasnotabsolutelyclear，itwasinferredthatintimeIshouldproveanexcellentsubject。Thequestionofmesmerismwillbediscussedwithlittlereserve，Ibelieve，inaforthcomingworkofMissMartineau’s；
andIhavesomepainfulanticipationsofthemannerinwhichothersubjects，offeringlesslegitimategroundforspeculation，willbehandled。\"
\"YourlastletterevincedsuchasincereanddiscriminatingadmirationforDr。Arnold，thatperhapsyouwillnotbewhollyuninterestedinhearingthat，duringmylatevisittoMissMartineau，IsawmuchmoreofFoxHowanditsinmates，anddailyadmired，inthewidowandchildrenofoneofthegreatestandbestmenofhistime，thepossessionofqualitiesthemostestimableandendearing。Ofmykindhostessherself，Icannotspeakintermstoohigh。Withoutbeingabletoshareallheropinions，philosophical，political，orreligious，——withoutadoptinghertheories，——Iyetfindaworthandgreatnessinherself，andaconsistency，benevolence，perseveranceinherpractice，suchaswinsthesincerestesteemandaffection。Sheisnotapersontobejudgedbyherwritingsalone，butratherbyherowndeedsandlife，thanwhichnothingcanbemoreexemplaryornobler。SheseemstomethebenefactressofAmbleside，yettakesnosortofcredittoherselfforheractiveandindefatigablephilanthropy。Thegovernmentofherhouseholdisadmirablyadministered:allshedoesiswelldone，fromthewritingofahistorydowntothequietestfemaleoccupation。Nosortofcarelessnessorneglectisallowedunderherrule，andyetsheisnotover-strict，nortoorigidlyexacting:herservantsandherpoorneighboursloveaswellasrespecther。
\"Imustnot，however，fallintotheerroroftalkingtoomuchabouthermerelybecausemyownmindisjustnowdeeplyimpressedwithwhatIhaveseenofherintellectualpowerandmoralworth。
Faultsshehas；buttometheyappearverytrivialweighedinthebalanceagainstherexcellences。\"
\"YouraccountofMr。A——talliesexactlywithMissM——’s。
She，too，saidthatplacidityandmildnessratherthanoriginalityandpowerwerehisexternalcharacteristics。ShedescribedhimasacombinationoftheantiqueGreeksagewiththeEuropeanmodernmanofscience。Perhapsitwasmereperversityinmetogetthenotionthattorpidveins，andacold，slow-beatingheart，layunderhismarbleoutside。Butheisamaterialist:heserenelydeniesusourhopeofimmortality，andquietlyblotsfromman’sfutureHeavenandtheLifetocome。Thatiswhyasavourofbitternessseasonedmyfeelingtowardshim。
\"AllyousayofMr。Thackerayismostgraphicandcharacteristic。
Hestirsinmebothsorrowandanger。Whyshouldheleadsoharassingalife？Whyshouldhismockingtonguesoperverselydenythebetterfeelingsofhisbettermoods？\"
Forsometime，whenevershewaswellenoughinhealthandspirits，shehadbeenemployingherselfuponVillette；butshewasfrequentlyunabletowrite，andwasbothgrievedandangrywithherselfforherinability。InFebruary，shewritesasfollowstoMr。Smith:——
\"SomethingyousayaboutgoingtoLondon；butthewordsaredreamy，andfortunatelyIamnotobligedtohearoranswerthem。
Londonandsummeraremanymonthsaway:ourmoorsareallwhitewithsnowjustnow，andlittleredbreastscomeeverymorningtothewindowforcrumbs。Onecanlaynoplansthreeorfourmonthsbeforehand。Besides，Idon’tdeservetogotoLondon；nobodymeritsachangeoratreatless。Isecretlythink，onthecontrary，Ioughttobeputinprison，andkeptonbreadandwaterinsolitaryconfinement——withoutevenaletterfromCornhill——tillIhadwrittenabook。Oneoftwothingswouldcertainlyresultfromsuchamodeoftreatmentpursuedfortwelvemonths；eitherIshouldcomeoutattheendofthattimewithathree-volumeMS。inmyhand，orelsewithaconditionofintellectthatwouldexemptmeeverafterfromliteraryeffortsandexpectations。\"
Meanwhile，shewasdisturbedanddistressedbythepublicationofMissMartineau’s\"Letters，\"etc。；theycamedownwithapeculiarforceandheavinessuponaheartthatlooked，withfondandearnestfaith，toafuturelifeastothemeeting-placewiththosewhowere\"lovedandlostawhile。\"
\"Feb。11th，1851。
\"MydearSir，——HaveyouyetreadMissMartineau’sandMr。
Atkinson’snewwork，’LettersontheNatureandDevelopmentofMan’？Ifyouhavenot，itwouldbeworthyourwhiletodoso。
\"Oftheimpressionthisbookhasmadeonme，Iwillnotnowsaymuch。ItisthefirstexpositionofavowedatheismandmaterialismIhaveeverread；thefirstunequivocaldeclarationofdisbeliefintheexistenceofaGodorafuturelifeIhaveeverseen。Injudgingofsuchexpositionanddeclaration，onewouldwishentirelytoputasidethesortofinstinctivehorrortheyawaken，andtoconsidertheminanimpartialspiritandcollectedmood。ThisIfinditdifficulttodo。Thestrangestthingis，thatwearecalledontorejoiceoverthishopelessblank-toreceivethisbitterbereavementasgreatgain——towelcomethisunutterabledesolationasastateofpleasantfreedom。WhoCOULDdothisifhewould？WhoWOULDdoitifhecould？
\"Sincerely，formyownpart，doIwishtofindandknowtheTruth；butifthisbeTruth，wellmaysheguardherselfwithmysteries，andcoverherselfwithaveil。IfthisbeTruth，manorwomanwhobeholdshercanbutcursethedayheorshewasborn。Isaid，however，IwouldnotdwellonwhatIthought；I
wishtohear，rather，whatsomeotherpersonthinks，——someonewhosefeelingsareunapttobiashisjudgment。Readthebook，then，inanunprejudicedspirit，andcandidlysaywhatyouthinkofit。Imean，ofcourse，ifyouhavetime——NOTOTHERWISE。\"
Andyetshecouldnotbearthecontemptuoustoneinwhichthisworkwasspokenofbymanycritics；itmadehermoreindignantthanalmostanyothercircumstanceduringmyacquaintancewithher。Muchassheregrettedthepublicationofthebook，shecouldnotseethatithadgivenanyonearighttosneeratanaction，certainlypromptedbynoworldlymotive，andwhichwasbutoneerror——thegravityofwhichsheadmitted——intheconductofapersonwhohad，allherlifelong，beenstriving，bydeepthoughtandnoblewords，toserveherkind。
\"YourremarksonMissMartineauandherbookpleasedmegreatly，fromtheirtoneandspirit。Ihaveeventakenthelibertyoftranscribingforherbenefitoneortwophrases，becauseIknowtheywillcheerher；shelikessympathyandappreciationasallpeopledowhodeservethem；andmostfullydoIagreewithyouinthedislikeyouexpressofthathard，contemptuoustoneinwhichherworkisspokenofbymanycritics。
BeforeIreturnfromtheliteraryopinionsoftheauthortothedomesticinterestsofthewoman，Imustcopyoutwhatshefeltandthoughtabout\"TheStonesofVenice\"。
\"’TheStonesofVenice’seemnoblylaidandchiselled。Howgrandlythequarryofvastmarblesisdisclosed！Mr。Ruskinseemstomeoneofthefewgenuinewriters，asdistinguishedfrombook-makers，ofthisage。Hisearnestnessevenamusesmeincertainpassages；forIcannothelplaughingtothinkhowutilitarianswillfumeandfretoverhisdeep，seriousandasTHEYwillthink，fanaticalreverenceforArt。Thatpureandseveremindyouascribedtohimspeaksineveryline。HewriteslikeaconsecratedPriestoftheAbstractandIdeal。
\"Ishallbringwithme’TheStonesofVenice’；allthefoundationsofmarbleandofgranite，togetherwiththemightyquarryoutofwhichtheywerehewn；and，intothebargain，asmallassortmentofcrotchetsanddicta——theprivatepropertyofoneJohnRuskin，Esq。\"
Asspringdrewon，thedepressionofspiritstowhichshewassubjectbegantograspheragain，and\"tocrushherwithaday-
andnight-mare。\"Shebecameafraidofsinkingaslowasshehaddoneintheautumn；andtoavoidthis，sheprevailedonheroldfriendandschoolfellowtocomeandstaywithherforafewweeksinMarch。Shefoundgreatbenefitfromthiscompanionship，——bothfromthecongenialsocietyinitself，andfromtheself-restraintofthoughtimposedbythenecessityofentertainingherandlookingafterhercomfort。Onthisoccasion，MissBrontesaid，\"Itwillnotdotogetintothehabitoffromhome，andthustemporarilyevadinganrunningawayoppressioninsteadoffacing，wrestlingwithandconqueringitorbeingconqueredbyit。\"
Ishallnowmakeanextractfromoneofherletters，whichispurposelydisplacedastotime。Iquoteitbecauseitrelatestoathirdofferofmarriagewhichshehad，andbecauseIfindthatsomeareapttoimagine，fromtheextraordinarypowerwithwhichsherepresentedthepassionofloveinhernovels，thatsheherselfwaseasilysusceptibleofit。
\"CouldIeverfeelenoughfor——，toacceptofhimasahusband？Friendship——gratitude——esteem——Ihave；buteachmomenthecamenearme，andthatIcouldseehiseyesfastenedonme，myveinsranice。Nowthatheisaway，Ifeelfarmoregentlytowardshim，itisonlyclosebythatIgrowrigid，stiffeningwithastrangemixtureofapprehensionandanger，whichnothingsoftensbuthisretreat，andaperfectsubduingofhismanner。I
didnotwanttobeproud，norintendtobeproud，butIwasforcedtobeso。Mosttrueitis，thatweareover-ruledbyOneaboveus；thatinHishandsourverywillisasclayinthehandsofthepotter。\"
Ihavenownamedalltheoffersofmarriagesheeverreceived，untilthatwasmadewhichshefinallyaccepted。Thegentle-manreferredtointhisletterretainedsomuchregardforherastobeherfriendtotheendofherlife；acircumstancetohiscreditandtohers。
BeforeherfriendE——tookherdeparture，Mr。Brontecaughtcold，andcontinuedforsomeweeksmuchoutofhealth，withanattackofbronchitis。Hisspirits，too，becamemuchdepressed；
andallhisdaughter’seffortsweredirectedtowardscheeringhim。
Whenhegrewbetter，andhadregainedhispreviousstrength，sheresolvedtoavailherselfofaninvitationwhichshehadreceivedsometimebefore，topayavisitinLondon。Thisyear，1851，was，aseveryoneremembers，thetimeofthegreatExhibition；butevenwiththatattractioninprospect，shedidnotintendtostaytherelong；and，asusual，shemadeanagreementwithherfriends，beforefinallyacceptingtheirofferedhospitality，thathersojournattheirhousewastobeasquietasever，sinceanyotherwayofproceedingdisagreedwithherbothmentallyandphysically。Sheneverlookedexcitedexceptforamoment，whensomethinginconversationcalledherout；butsheoftenfeltso，evenaboutcomparativetrifles，andtheexhaustionofreactionwassuretofollow。Undersuchcircumstances，shealwaysbecameextremelythinandhaggard；yetsheaverredthatthechangeinvariablydidhergoodafterwards。
Herpreparationsinthewayofdressforthisvisit，inthegaytimeofthatgayseason，weresingularlyinaccordancewithherfemininetaste；quietlyanxioustosatisfyherloveformodest，dainty，neatattire，andnotregardlessofthebecoming，yetrememberingconsistency，bothwithhergeneralappearanceandwithhermeans，ineveryselectionshemade。
\"Bythebye，ImeanttoaskyouwhenyouwenttoLeeds，todoasmallerrandforme，butfearyourhandswillbetoofullofbusiness。Itwasmerelythis:incaseyouchancedtobeinanyshopwherethelacecloaks，bothblackandwhite，ofwhichI
spoke，weresold，toasktheirprice。IsupposetheywouldhardlyliketosendafewtoHaworthtobelookedat；indeed，iftheycostverymuch，itwouldbeuseless，butiftheyarereasonableandtheywouldsendthem，Ishouldliketoseethem；andalsosomechemisettesofsmallsizethefullwoman’ssizedon’tfitme，bothofsimplestyleforeverydayandgoodqualityforbest。\"……\"ItappearsIcouldnotrestsatisfiedwhenIwaswelloff。ItoldyouIhadtakenoneoftheblacklacemantles，butwhenIcametotryitwiththeblacksatindress，withwhichIshouldchieflywanttowearit，Ifoundtheeffectwasfarfromgood；thebeautyofthelacewaslost，anditlookedsomewhatbrownandrusty；IwrotetoMr——，requestinghimtochangeitforaWHITEmantleofthesameprice；hewasextremelycourteous，andsenttoLondonforone，whichIhavegotthismorning。Thepriceisless，beingbut1pound14s。；itispretty，neatandlight，lookswellonblack；anduponreasoningthematterover，I
cametothephilosophicconclusion，thatitwouldbenoshameforapersonofmymeanstowearacheaperthing；soIthinkIshalltakeit，andifyoueverseeitandcallit’trumpery’somuchtheworse。\"
\"DoyouknowthatIwasinLeedsontheverysamedaywithyou——
lastWednesday？IhadthoughtoftellingyouwhereIwasgoing，andhavingyourhelpandcompanyinbuyingabonnet，etc。，butthenIreflectedthiswouldmerelybemakingaselfishuseofyou，soIdeterminedtomanageormismanagethematteralone。I
wenttoHurstandHall’sforthebonnet，andgotonewhichseemedgraveandquietthereamongstallthesplendours；butnowitlooksinfinitelytoogaywithitspinklining。Isawsomebeautifulsilksofpalesweetcolours，buthadnotthespiritnorthemeanstolaunchoutattherateoffiveshillingsperyard，andwentandboughtablacksilkatthreeshillingsafterall。I
ratherregretthis，becausepapasayshewouldhavelentmeasovereignifhehadknown。Ibelieve，ifyouhadbeenthere，youwouldhaveforcedmetogetintodebt……IreallycannomorecometoB——beforeIgotoLondonthanIcanfly。Ihavequantitiesofsewingtodo，aswellashouseholdmatterstoarrange，beforeIleave，astheywillclean，etc。，inmyabsence。
Besides，Iamgrievouslyafflictedwithheadache，whichItrusttochangeofairforrelieving；butmeantime，asitproceedsfromthestomach，itmakesmeverythinandgrey；neitheryounoranybodyelsewouldfattenmeuporputmeintogoodconditionforthevisit；itisfatedotherwise。Nomatter。Calmyourpassion；
yetIamgladtoseeit。Suchspiritseemstoprovehealth。
Good-bye，inhaste。
\"YourpoormotherislikeTabby，MarthaandPapa；allthesefancyIamsomehow，bysomemysteriousprocess，tobemarriedinLondon，ortoengagemyselftomatrimony。HowIsmileinternally！
Howgroundlessandimprobableistheidea！Papaseriouslytoldmeyesterday，thatifImarriedandlefthimheshouldgiveuphousekeepingandgointolodgings！\"
Icopythefollowing，forthesakeofthefewwordsdescribingtheappearanceoftheheatherymoorsinlatesummer。
TOSYDNEYDOBELL，ESQ。
\"May24th，1851。
\"MydearSir，——IhastentosendMrs。Dobelltheautograph。Itwastheword’Album’thatfrightenedmeIthoughtshewishedmetowriteasonnetonpurposeforit，whichIcouldnotdo。
\"YourproposalrespectingajourneytoSwitzerlandisdeeplykind；itdrawsmewiththeforceofamightyTemptation，butthesternImpossibleholdsmeback。No！IcannotgotoSwitzerlandthissummer。
\"Whydidtheeditorofthe’Eclectic’erasethatmostpowerfulandpictorialpassage？Hecouldnotbeinsensibletoitsbeauty；
perhapshethoughtitprofane。Poorman！
\"Iknownothingofsuchanorchard-countryasyoudescribe。I
haveneverseensucharegion。Ourhillsonlyconfessthecomingofsummerbygrowinggreenwithyoungfernandmoss，insecretlittlehollows。Theirbloomisreservedforautumn；thentheyburnwithakindofdarkglow，different，doubtless，fromtheblushofgardenblossoms。Aboutthecloseofnextmonth，IexpecttogotoLondon，topayabriefandquietvisit。IfearchancewillnotbesopropitiousastobringyoutotownwhileIamthere；otherwise，howgladIshouldbeifyouwouldcall。WithkindregardstoMrs。Dobell，——Believeme，sincerelyyours，C。BRONTE。\"
HernextletterisdatedfromLondon。
\"June2nd。
\"IcamehereonWednesday，beingsummonedadaysoonerthanI
expected，inordertobeintimeforThackeray’ssecondlecture，whichwasdeliveredonThursdayafternoon。This，asyoumaysuppose，wasagenuinetreattome，andIwasgladnottomissit。ItwasgiveninWillis’Rooms，wheretheAlmacksballsareheld——agreatpaintedandgildedsaloonwithlongsofasforbenches。TheaudiencewassaidtobethecreamofLondonsociety，anditlookedso。Ididnotatallexpectthegreatlecturerwouldknowmeornoticemeunderthesecircumstances，withadmiringduchessesandcountessesseatedinrowsbeforehim；buthemetmeasIentered——shookhands——tookmetohismother，whomIhadnotbeforeseen，andintroducedme。Sheisafine，handsome，young-lookingoldlady；wasverygracious，andcalledwithoneofhergrand-daughtersnextday。
\"Thackeraycalledtoo，separately。Ihadalongtalkwithhim，andIthinkheknowsmenowalittlebetterthanhedid:butofthisIcannotyetbesure；heisagreatandstrangeman。Thereisquiteafurorforhislectures。Theyareasortofessays，characterisedbyhisownpeculiaroriginalityandpower，anddeliveredwithafinishedtasteandease，whichisfelt，butcannotbedescribed。Justbeforethelecturebegan，somebodycamebehindme，leanedoverandsaid，’Permitme，asaYorkshireman，tointroducemyself。’Iturnedround——sawastrange，nothandsome，face，whichpuzzledmeforhalfaminute，andthenI
said，’YouareLordCarlisle。’Henoddedandsmiled；hetalkedafewminutesverypleasantlyandcourteously。
\"Afterwardscameanothermanwiththesameplea，thathewasaYorkshireman，andthisturnedouttobeMr。MoncktonMilnes。ThencameDr。Forbes，whomIwassincerelygladtosee。OnFriday，I
wenttotheCrystalPalace；itisamarvellous，stirring，bewilderingsight——amixtureofageniipalace，andamightybazaar，butitisnotmuchinmyway；Ilikedthelecturebetter。
OnSaturdayIsawtheExhibitionatSomersetHouse；abouthalfadozenofthepicturesaregoodandinteresting，therestoflittleworth。Sunday——yesterday——wasadaytobemarkedwithawhitestone；throughmostofthedayIwasveryhappy，withoutbeingtiredorover-excited。Intheafternoon，IwenttohearD’Aubigne，thegreatProtestantFrenchpreacher；itwaspleasant——halfsweet，halfsad——andstrangelysuggestivetoheartheFrenchlanguageoncemore。Forhealth，Ihavesofargotonveryfairly，consideringthatIcameherefarfromwell。\"
Thelady，whoaccompaniedMissBrontetothelectureatThackeray’salludedto，saysthat，soonaftertheyhadtakentheirplaces，shewasawarethathewaspointingouthercompaniontoseveralofhisfriends，butshehopedthatMissBronteherselfwouldnotperceiveit。Aftersometime，however，duringwhichmanyheadshadbeenturnedround，andmanyglassesputup，inordertolookattheauthorof\"JaneEyre\"，MissBrontesaid，\"IamafraidMr。Thackerayhasbeenplayingmeatrick；\"butshesoonbecametoomuchabsorbedinthelecturetonoticetheattentionwhichwasbeingpaidtoher，exceptwhenitwasdirectlyoffered，asinthecaseofLordCarlisleandMr。
MoncktonMilnes。Whenthelecturewasended，Mr。Thackeraycamedownfromtheplatform，andmakinghiswaytowardsher，askedherforheropinion。Thisshementionedtomenotmanydaysafterwards，addingremarksalmostidenticalwiththosewhichI
subsequentlyreadin’Villette，’whereasimilaractiononthepartofM。PaulEmanuelisrelated。
\"AsourpartylefttheHall，hestoodattheentrance；hesawandknewme，andliftedhishat；heofferedhishandinpassing，andutteredthewords’Qu’endites-vous？’——questioneminentlycharacteristic，andremindingme，eveninthishismomentoftriumph，ofthatinquisitiverestlessness，thatabsenceofwhatI
considereddesirableself-control，whichwereamongsthisfaults。
HeshouldnothavecaredjustthentoaskwhatIthought，orwhatanybodythought；butheDIDcare，andhewastoonaturaltoconceal，tooimpulsivetorepresshiswish。Well！ifIblamedhisover-eagerness，Ilikedhisnaivete。Iwouldhavepraisedhim；I
hadplentyofpraiseinmyheart；butalasInowordsonmylips。
WhoHASwordsattherightmoment？Istammeredsomelameexpressions；butwastrulygladwhenotherpeople，comingupwithprofusecongratulations，coveredmydeficiencybytheirredundancy。\"
Astheywerepreparingtoleavetheroom，hercompanionsawwithdismaythatmanyoftheaudiencewereformingthemselvesintotwolines，oneachsideoftheaisledownwhichtheyhadtopassbeforereachingthedoor。Awarethatanydelaywouldonlymaketheordealmoretrying，herfriendtookMissBronte’sarminhers，andtheywentalongtheavenueofeagerandadmiringfaces。
Duringthispassagethroughthe\"creamofsociety，\"MissBronte’shandtrembledtosuchadegree，thathercompanionfearedlestsheshouldturnfaintandbeunabletoproceed；andshedarednotexpresshersympathyortrytogiveherstrengthbyanytouchorword，lestitmightbringonthecrisisshedreaded。
Surely，suchthoughtlessmanifestationofcuriosityisablotonthescutcheonoftruepoliteness！Therestoftheaccountofthis，herlongestvisittoLondon，shallbetoldinherownwords。
\"Isitdowntowritetoyouthismorninginaninexpressiblyflatstate；havingspentthewholeofyesterdayandthedaybeforeinagraduallyincreasingheadache，whichgrewatlastrampantandviolent，endedwithexcessivesickness，andthismorningIamquiteweakandwashy。IhopedtoleavemyheadachesbehindmeatHaworth；butitseemsIbroughtthemcarefullypackedinmytrunk，andverymuchhavetheybeeninmywaysinceIcame……
SinceIwrotelast，Ihaveseenvariousthingsworthdescribing；
Rachel，thegreatFrenchactress，amongstthenumber。Butto-dayIreallyhavenopithforthetask。Icanonlywishyougood-byewithallmyheart。\"
\"IcannotboastthatLondonhasagreedwithmewellthistime；
theoppressionoffrequentheadache，sickness，andalowtoneofspirits，haspoisonedmanymomentswhichmightotherwisehavebeenpleasant。SometimesIhavefeltthishard，andbeentemptedtomurmuratFate，whichcompelsmetocomparativesilenceandsolitudeforelevenmonthsintheyear，andinthetwelfth，whileofferingsocialenjoyment，takesawaythevigourandcheerfulnesswhichshouldturnittoaccount。Butcircumstancesareorderedforus，andwemustsubmit。\"
\"Yourletterwouldhavebeenansweredyesterday，butIwasalreadygoneoutbeforeposttime，andwasoutallday。Peopleareverykind，andperhapsIshallbegladofwhatIhaveseenafterwards，butitisoftenalittletryingatthetime。OnThursday，theMarquisofWestminsteraskedmetoagreatparty，towhichIwastogowithMrs。D——，abeautiful，and，Ithink，akindwomantoo；butthisIresolutelydeclined。OnFridayI
dinedatthe——’s，andmetMrs。D——andMr。MoncktonMilnes。
OnSaturdayIwenttohearandseeRachel；awonderfulsight——terribleasiftheearthhadcrackeddeepatyourfeet，andrevealedaglimpseofhell。Ishallneverforgetit。Shemademeshuddertothemarrowofmybones；inhersomefiendhascertainlytakenupanincarnatehome。Sheisnotawoman；sheisasnake；sheisthe。OnSundayIwenttotheSpanishAmbassador’sChapel，whereCardinalWiseman，inhisarchiepiscopalrobesandmitre，heldaconfirmation。Thewholescenewasimpiouslytheatrical。YesterdayMondayIwassentforattentobreakfastwithMr。Rogers，thepatriarch-poet。Mrs。
D——andLordGlenelgwerethere；nooneelsethiscertainlyprovedamostcalm，refined，andintellectualtreat。Afterbreakfast，SirDavidBrewstercametotakeustotheCrystalPalace。Ihadratherdreadedthis，forSirDavidisamanofprofoundestscience，andIfeareditwouldbeimpossibletounderstandhisexplanationsofthemechanism，etc。；indeed，I
hardlyknewhowtoaskhimquestions。Iwassparedalltroublewithoutbeingquestioned，hegaveinformationinthekindestandsimplestmanner。AftertwohoursspentattheExhibition，andwhere，asyoumaysuppose，IwasVERYtired，wehadtogotoLordWestminster’s，andspendtwohoursmoreinlookingatthecollectionofpicturesinhissplendidgallery。\"
Toanotherfriendshewrites:——
\"——mayhavetoldyouthatIhavespentamonthinLondonthissummer。Whenyoucome，youshallaskwhatquestionsyoulikeonthatpoint，andIwillanswertothebestofmystammeringability。Donotpressmemuchonthesubjectofthe’CrystalPalace。’Iwenttherefivetimes，andcertainlysawsomeinterestingthings，andthe’coupd’oeil’isstrikingandbewilderingenough；butIneverwasabletogetanyrapturesonthesubject，andeachrenewedvisitwasmadeundercoercionratherthanmyownfreewill。Itisanexcessivelybustlingplace；and，afterall，itswondersappealtooexclusivelytotheeye，andrarelytouchtheheartorhead。Imakeanexceptiontothelastassertion，infavourofthosewhopossessalargerangeofscientificknowledge。OnceIwentwithSirDavidBrewster，andperceivedthathelookedonobjectswithothereyesthanmine。\"
MissBrontereturnedfromLondonbyManchester，andpaidusavisitofacoupleofdaysattheendofJune。Theweatherwassointenselyhot，andsheherselfsomuchfatiguedwithherLondonsight-seeing，thatwedidlittlebutsitin-doors，withopenwindows，andtalk。TheonlythingshemadeapointofexertingherselftoprocurewasapresentforTabby。Itwastobeashawl，orratheralargehandkerchief，suchasshecouldpinacrossherneckandshoulders，intheold-fashionedcountrymanner。MissBrontetookgreatpainsinseekingoutonewhichshethoughtwouldpleasetheoldwoman。Onherarrivalathome，sheaddressedthefollowinglettertothefriendwithwhomshehadbeenstayinginLondon:——
\"Haworth，July1st，1851。
\"MydearMrs。Smith，——OncemoreIamathome，where，Iamthankfultosay，Ifoundmyfatherverywell。ThejourneytoManchesterwasalittlehotanddusty，butotherwisepleasantenough。Thetwostoutgentlemen，whofilledaportionofthecarriagewhenIgotin，quitteditatRugby，andtwootherladiesandmyselfhadittoourselvestherestoftheway。ThevisittoMrs。Gaskellformedacheeringbreakinthejourney。HaworthParsonageisratheracontrast，yetevenHaworthParsonagedoesnotlookgloomyinthisbrightsummerweather；itissomewhatstill，butwiththewindowsopenIcanhearabirdortwosingingoncertainthorn-treesinthegarden。MyfatherandtheservantsthinkmelookingbetterthanwhenIfelthome，andIcertainlyfeelbettermyselfforthechange。YouaretoomuchlikeyoursontorenderitadvisableIshouldsaymuchaboutyourkindnessduringmyvisit。However，onecannothelplikeCaptainCuttle
makinganoteofthesematters。PapasaysIamtothankyouinhisname，andofferyouhisrespects，whichIdoaccordingly——Withtruestregardstoallyourcircle，believemeverysincerelyyours，C。BRONTE。\"
\"July8th，1851。
\"MydearSir，——Thackeray’slastlecturemust，Ithink，havebeenhisbest。WhathesaysaboutSterneistrue。Hisobservationsonliterarymen，andtheirsocialobligationsandindividualduties，seemtomealsotrueandfullofmentalandmoralvigour……
TheInternationalCopyrightMeetingseemstohavehadbutabarrenresult，judgingfromthereportintheLiteraryGazette。I
cannotseethatSirE。BulwerandtherestDIDanything；norcanIwellseewhatitisintheirpowertodo。TheargumentbroughtforwardaboutthedamageaccruingtoAmericannationalliteraturefromthepresentpiraticalsystem，Isagoodandsoundargument，butIamafraidthepublishers——honestmen——arenotyetmentallypreparedtogivesuchreasoningdueweight。Ishouldthink，thatwhichreferstotheinjuryinflicteduponthemselves，byanoppressivecompetitioninpiracy，wouldinfluencethemmore；but，Isuppose，allestablishedmatters，betheygoodorevil，aredifficulttochange。Aboutthe’PhrenologicalCharacter’Imustnotsayaword。Ofyourownaccord，youhavefoundthesafestpointfromwhichtoviewit:Iwillnotsay’lookhigher！’I
thinkyouseethematterasitisdesirableweshouldallseewhatrelatestoourselves。IfIhadarighttowhisperawordofcounsel，itshouldbemerelythis:whateveryourpresentselfmaybe，resolvewithallyourstrengthofresolution，nevertodegeneratethence。Bejealousofashadowoffallingoff。
Determinerathertolookabovethatstandard，andtostrivebeyondit。Everybodyappreciatescertainsocialproperties，andlikeshisneighbourforpossessingthem；butperhapsfewdwelluponafriend’scapacityfortheintellectual，orcarehowthismightexpand，iftherewerebutfacilitiesallowedforcultivation，andspacegivenforgrowth。Itseemstomethat，evenshouldsuchspaceandfacilitiesbedeniedbystringentcircumstancesandarigidfate，stillitshoulddoyougoodfullytoknow，andtenaciouslytoremember，thatyouhavesuchacapacity。Whenotherpeopleoverwhelmyouwithacquiredknowledge，suchasyouhavenothadopportunity，perhapsnotapplication，togain——derivenotpride，butsupportfromthethought。Ifnonewbookshadeverbeenwritten，someofthesemindswouldthemselveshaveremainedblankpages:theyonlytakeanimpression；theywerenotbornwitharecordofthoughtonthebrain，oraninstinctofsensationontheheart。IfIhadneverseenaprintedvolume，Naturewouldhaveofferedmyperceptionsavaryingpictureofacontinuousnarrative，which，withoutanyotherteacherthanherself，wouldhaveschooledmetoknowledge，unsophisticated，butgenuine。
\"BeforeIreceivedyourlast，IhadmadeupmymindtotellyouthatIshouldexpectnoletterforthreemonthstocomeintendingafterwardstoextendthisabstinencetosixmonths，forIamjealousofbecomingdependentonthisindulgence:youdoubtlesscannotseewhy，becauseyoudonotlivemylife。NorshallInowexpectaletter；butsinceyousaythatyouwouldliketowritenowandthen，Icannotsay’neverwrite，’withoutimposingonmyrealwishesafalsehoodwhichtheyreject，anddoingtothemaviolence，towhichtheyentirelyrefusetosubmit。Icanonlyobservethatwhenitpleasesyoutowrite，whetherseriouslyorforalittleamusement，yournotes，iftheycometome，willcomewheretheyarewelcome。Tell——Iwilltrytocultivategoodspirits，asassiduouslyasshecultivateshergeraniums。\"
CHAPTERX。
Soonaftershereturnedhome，herfriendpaidheravisit。WhileshestayedatHaworth，MissBrontewrotetheletterfromwhichthefollowingextractistaken。Thestrongsenseandrightfeelingdisplayedinitonthesubjectoffriendship，sufficientlyaccountfortheconstancyofaffectionwhichMissBronteearnedfromallthosewhooncebecameherfriends。
ToW。S。WILLIAMS，ESQ。
\"July21th，1851。
\"……IcouldnothelpwonderingwhetherCornhillwilleverchangeforme，asOxfordhaschangedforyou。Ihavesomepleasantassociationsconnectedwithitnow——willthesealtertheircharactersomeday？
\"Perhapstheymay——thoughIhavefaithtothecontrary，because，ITHINK，Idonotexaggeratemypartialities；ITHINKItakefaultsalongwithexcellences——blemishestogetherwithbeauties。
And，besides，inthematteroffriendship，Ihaveobservedthatdisappointmenthereariseschiefly，NOTfromlikingourfriendstoowell，orthinkingofthemtoohighly，butratherfromanover-estimateofTHEIRlikingforandopinionofUS；andthatifweguardourselveswithsufficientscrupulousnessofcarefromerrorinthisdirection，andcanbecontent，andevenhappytogivemoreaffectionthanwereceive——canmakejustcomparisonofcircumstances，andbeseverelyaccurateindrawinginferencesthence，andneverletself-loveblindoureyes——Ithinkwemaymanagetogetthroughlifewithconsistencyandconstancy，unembitteredbythatmisanthropywhichspringsfromrevulsionsoffeeling。Allthissoundsalittlemetaphysical，butitisgoodsenseifyouconsiderit。Themoralofitis，thatifwewouldbuildonasurefoundationinfriendship，wemustloveourfriendsforTHEIRsakesratherthanforOUROWN；wemustlookattheirtruthtoTHEMSELVES，fullasmuchastheirtruthtoUS。Inthelattercase，everywoundtoself-lovewouldbeacauseofcoldness；intheformer，onlysomepainfulchangeinthefriend’scharacteranddisposition——somefearfulbreachinhisallegiancetohisbetterself——couldalienatetheheart。
\"Howinterestingyouroldmaiden-cousin’sgossipaboutyourparentsmusthavebeentoyou；andhowgratifyingtofindthatthereminiscenceturnedonnonebutpleasantfactsandcharacteristics！Lifemust，indeed，beslowinthatlittledecayinghamletamongstthechalkhills。Afterall，dependuponit，itisbettertobewornoutwithworkinathrongedcommunity，thantoperishofinactioninastagnantsolitudetakethistruthintoconsiderationwheneveryougettiredofworkandbustle。\"
Ireceivedaletterfromheralittlelaterthanthis；andthoughthereisreferencethroughouttowhatImusthavesaidinwritingtoher，allthatitcalledforthinreplyissopeculiarlycharacteristic，thatIcannotprevailuponmyselftopassitoverwithoutafewextracts:——
\"Haworth，Aug。6th，1851。
\"MydearMrs。Gaskell，——Iwastoomuchpleasedwithyourletter，whenIgotitatlast，tofeeldisposedtomurmurnowaboutthedelay。
\"Aboutafortnightago，IreceivedaletterfromMissMartineau；
alsoalongletter，andtreatingpreciselythesamesubjectsonwhichyoursdwelt，viz。，theExhibitionandThackeray’slastlecture。Itwasinterestingmentallytoplacethetwodocumentssidebyside——tostudythetwoaspectsofmind——toview，alternately，thesamescenethroughtwomediums。Fullstrikingwasthedifference；andthemorestrikingbecauseitwasnottheroughcontrastofgoodandevil，butthemoresubtleopposition，themoredelicatediversityofdifferentkindsofgood。TheexcellencesofonenatureresembledIthoughtthatofsomesovereignmedicine——harsh，perhaps，tothetaste，butpotenttoinvigorate；thegoodoftheotherseemedmoreakintothenourishingefficacyofourdailybread。Itisnotbitter；itisnotlusciouslysweet:itpleases，withoutflatteringthepalate；
itsustains，withoutforcingthestrength。
\"Iverymuchagreewithyouinallyousay。Forthesakeofvariety，Icouldalmostwishthattheconcordofopinionwerelesscomplete。
\"TobeginwithTrafalgarSquare。MytastegoeswithyoursandMeta’scompletelyonthispoint。IhavealwaysthoughtitafinesiteandSIGHTalso。TheviewfromthesummitofthosestepshaseverstruckmeasgrandandimposingNelsonColumnincludedthefountainsIcoulddispensewith。Withrespect，also，totheCrystalPalace，mythoughtsarepreciselyyours。
\"ThenIfeelsureyouspeakjustlyofThackeray’slecture。Youdowelltosetasideodiouscomparisons，andtowaximpatientofthattritetwaddleabout’nothingnewness’——ajargonwhichsimplyproves，inthosewhohabituallyuseit，acoarseandfeeblefacultyofappreciation；aninabilitytodiscerntherelativevalueofORIGINALITYandNOVELTY；alackofthatrefinedperceptionwhich，dispensingwiththestimulusofanever-newsubject，canderivesufficiencyofpleasurefromfreshnessoftreatment。Tosuchcritics，theprimeofasummermorningwouldbringnodelight；whollyoccupiedwithrailingattheircookfornothavingprovidedanovelandpiquantbreakfast-dish，theywouldremaininsensibletosuchinfluencesaslieinsunrise，dew，andbreeze:thereinwouldbe’nothingnew。’
\"IsitMr——’sfamilyexperiencewhichhasinfluencedyourfeelingsabouttheCatholics？Iown，Icannotbesorryforthiscommencingchange。Goodpeople——VERYgoodpeople——Idoubtnot，thereareamongsttheRomanists，butthesystemisnotonewhichwouldhavesuchsympathyasYOURS。LookatPoperytakingoffthemaskinNaples！
\"Ihavereadthe’Saints’Tragedy。’Asa’workofart’itseemstomefarsuperiortoeither’AltonLocke’or’Yeast。’Faultyitmaybe，crudeandunequal，yetthereareportionswheresomeofthedeepchordsofhumannaturearesweptwithahandwhichisstrongevenwhileitfalters。WeseethroughoutITHINKthatElizabethhasnot，andneverbad，amindperfectlysane。Fromthetimethatshewaswhatsheherself，intheexaggerationofherhumility，calls’anidiotgirl，’tothehourwhenshelaymoaninginvisionsonherdyingbed，aslightcrazerunsthroughherwholeexistence。Thisisgood:thisistrue。Asoundmind，ahealthyintellect，wouldhavedashedthepriest-powertothewall；wouldhavedefendedhernaturalaffectionsfromhisgrasp，asalionessdefendsheryoung；wouldhavebeenastruetohusbandandchildren，asyourleal-heartedlittleMaggiewastoherFrank。OnlyamindweakwithsomefatalflawCOULDhavebeeninfluencedaswasthispoorsaint’s。Butwhatanguishwhatstruggles！SeldomdoIcryoverbooks；buthere，myeyesrainedasIread。WhenElizabethturnsherfacetothewall——Istopped——
thereneedednomore。
\"Deeptruthsaretouchedoninthistragedy——touchedon，notfullyelicited；truthsthatstirapeculiarpity——acompassionhotwithwrath，andbitterwithpain。Thisisnopoet’sdream:weknowthatsuchthingsHAVEbeendone；thatmindsHAVEbeenthussubjugated，andlivesthuslaidwaste。
\"RemembermekindlyandrespectfullytoMr。Gaskell，andthoughI
havenotseenMarianne，ImustbegtoincludeherintheloveI
sendtheothers。Couldyoumanagetoconveyasmallkisstothatdear，butdangerouslittleperson，Julia？Shesurreptitiouslypossessedherselfofaminutefractionofmyheart，whichhasbeenmissing，eversinceIsawher——Believeme，sincerelyandaffectionatelyyours，C。BRONTE。\"
Thereferencewhichshemakesattheendofthisletteristomyyoungestlittlegirl，betweenwhomandherastrongmutualattractionexisted。ThechildwouldstealherlittlehandintoMissBronte’sscarcelylargerone，andeachtookpleasureinthisapparentlyunobservedcaress。YetoncewhenItoldJuliatotakeandshowherthewaytosomeroominthehouse，MissBronteshrunkback:\"DonotBIDherdoanythingforme，\"shesaid；\"ithasbeensosweethithertotohaveherrenderingherlittlekindnessesSPONTANEOUSLY。\"
Asillustratingherfeelingswithregardtochildren，Imaygivewhatshesaysillanotherofherletterstome。
\"WheneverIseeFlorenceandJuliaagain，Ishallfeellikeafondbutbashfulsuitor，whoviewsatadistancethefairpersonagetowhom，inhisclownishawe，hedarenotriskanearapproach。SuchistheclearestideaIcangiveyouofmyfeelingtowardschildrenIlike，buttowhomIamastranger；——andtowhatchildrenamInotastranger？Theyseemtomelittlewonders；theirtalk，theirwaysareallmatterofhalf-admiring，half-puzzledspeculation。\"
ThefollowingispartofalongletterwhichIreceivedfromher，datedSeptember20th，1851:——
\"……BeautifularethosesentencesoutofJamesMartineau’ssermons；someofthemgemsmostpureandgenuine；ideasdeeplyconceived，finelyexpressed。Ishouldlikemuchtoseehisreviewofhissister’sbook。Ofallthearticlesrespectingwhichyouquestionme，Ihaveseennone，exceptthatnotableoneinthe’Westminster’ontheEmancipationofWomen。ButwhyareyouandI
tothinkperhapsIshouldrathersaytoFEELsoexactlyalikeonsomepointsthattherecanbenodiscussionbetweenus？Yourwordsonthispaperexpressmythoughts。Well-argueditis，——clear，logical，——butvastisthehiatusofomission；harshtheconsequentjaroneveryfinerchordofthesoul。Whatisthishiatus？IthinkIknow；and，knowing，Iwillventuretosay。I
thinkthewriterforgetsthereissuchathingasself-sacrificingloveanddisinteresteddevotion。WhenIfirstreadthepaper，Ithoughtitwastheworkofapowerful-minded，clear-headedwoman，whohadahard，jealousheart，musclesofiron，andnervesofbend*leather；ofawomanwholongedforpower，andhadneverfeltaffection。Tomanywomenaffectionissweet，andpowerconqueredindifferent-thoughwealllikeinfluencewon。IbelieveJ。S。Millwouldmakeahard，dry，dismalworldofit；andyethespeaksadmirablesensethroughagreatportionofhisarticle——especiallywhenhesays，thatiftherebeanaturalunfitnessinwomenformen’semployment，thereisnoneedtomakelawsonthesubject；leaveallcareersopen；
letthemtry；thosewhooughttosucceedwillsucceed，or，atleast，willhaveafairchance——theincapablewillfallbackintotheirrightplace。Helikewisedisposesofthe’maternity’
questionveryneatly。Inshort，J。S。Mill’sheadis，Idaresay，verygood，butIfeeldisposedtoscornhisheart。Youarerightwhenyousaythatthereisalargemargininhumannatureoverwhichthelogicianshavenodominion；gladamIthatitisso。
*\"Bend，\"inYorkshire，isstrongoxleather。
\"IsendbythispostRuskin’s’StonesofVenice，’andIhopeyouandMetawillfindpassagesinitthatwillpleaseyou。Somepartswouldbedryandtechnicalwereitnotforthecharacter，themarkedindividualitywhichpervadeseverypage。IwishMariannehadcometospeaktomeatthelecture；itwouldhavegivenmesuchpleasure。WhatyousayofthatsmallspriteJulia，amusesmemuch。Ibelieveyoudon’tknowthatshehasagreatdealofhermama’snaturemodifiedinher；yetIthinkyouwillfindshehasasshegrowsup。
\"Willitnotbeagreatmistake，ifMr。ThackerayshoulddeliverhislecturesatManchesterundersuchcircumstancesandconditionsaswillexcludepeoplelikeyouandMr。Gaskellfromthenumberofhisaudience？IthoughthisLondon-plantoonarrow。
CharlesDickenswouldnotthuslimithissphereofaction。