\"Youchargemetowriteaboutmyself。WhatcanIsayonthatprecioustopic？Myhealthisprettygood。Myspiritsarenotalwaysalike。Nothinghappenstome。Ihopeandexpectlittleinthisworld，andamthankfulthatIdonotdespondandsuffermore。Thankyouforinquiringafterouroldservant；sheisprettywell；thelittleshawl，etc。，pleasedhermuch。Papalikewise，Iamgladtosay，isprettywell；withhisandmykindestregardstoyouandMr。Gaskell——Believemesincerelyandaffectionatelyyours，C。BRONTE。\"
Beforetheautumnwasfaradvanced，theusualeffectsofhersolitarylife，andoftheunhealthysituationofHaworthParsonage，begantoappearintheformofsickheadaches，andmiserable，starting，wakefulnights。Shedoesnotdwellonthisinherletters；butthereisanabsenceofallcheerfulnessoftone，andanoccasionalsentenceforcedoutofher，whichimplyfarmorethanmanywordscouldsay。TherewasillnessallthroughtheParsonagehousehold——takingitsaccustomedformsoflingeringinfluenzaandlowfever；sheherselfwasoutwardlythestrongestofthefamily，andalldomesticexertionfellforatimeuponhershoulders。
TOW。S。WILLIAMS，ESQ。
\"Sept。26th。
\"AsIlaiddownyourletter，afterreadingwithinterestthegraphicaccountitgivesofaverystrikingscene，Icouldnothelpfeelingwithrenewedforceatruth，triteenough，yeteverimpressive；viz。，thatitisgoodtobeattractedoutofourselves——tobeforcedtotakeanearviewofthesufferings，theprivations，theefforts，thedifficultiesofothers。Ifweourselvesliveinfulnessofcontent，itiswelltoberemindedthatthousandsofourfellow-creaturesundergoadifferentlot；
itiswelltohavesleepysympathiesexcited，andlethargicselfishnessshakenup。If，ontheotherhand，webecontendingwiththespecialgrief，——theintimatetrial，——thepeculiarbitternesswithwhichGodhasseenfittomingleourowncupofexistence，——itisverygoodtoknowthatourovercastlotisnotsingular；itstillstherepiningwordandthought，——itrousestheflaggingstrength，tohaveitvividlysetbeforeusthattherearecountlessafflictionsintheworld，eachperhapsrivalling——somesurpassing——theprivatepainoverwhichwearetooproneexclusivelytosorrow。
\"Allthosecrowdedemigrantshadtheirtroubles，——theiruntowardcausesofbanishment；you，thelooker-on，had’yourwishesandregrets，’——youranxieties，alloyingyourhomehappinessanddomesticbliss；andtheparallelmightbepursuedfurther，andstillitwouldbetrue，——stillthesame；athorninthefleshforeach；someburden，someconflictforall。
\"Howfarthisstateofthingsissusceptibleofameliorationfromchangesinpublicinstitutions，——alterationsinnationalhabits，——mayandoughttobeearnestlyconsidered:butthisisaproblemnoteasilysolved。Theevils，asyoupointthemout，aregreat，real，andmostobvious；theremedyisobscureandvague；
yetforsuchdifficultiesasspringfromover-competition，emigrationmustbegood；thenewlifeinanewcountrymustgiveanewleaseofhope；thewiderfield，lessthicklypeopled，mustopenanewpathforendeavour。ButIalwaysthinkgreatphysicalpowersofexertionandenduranceoughttoaccompanysuchastep……IamtrulygladtohearthatanORIGINALwriterhasfalleninyourway。Originalityisthepearlofgreatpriceinliterature，——therarest，themostpreciousclaimbywhichanauthorcanberecommended。Arenotyourpublishingprospectsforthecomingseasontolerablyrichandsatisfactory？Youinquireafter’CurrerBell。’Itseemstomethattheabsenceofhisnamefromyourlistofannouncementswillleavenoblank，andthathemayatleastsparehimselfthedisquietudeofthinkingheiswantedwhenitiscertainlynothislottoappear。
\"PerhapsCurrerBellhashissecretmoanaboutthesematters；butifso，hewillkeepittohimself。Itisanaffairaboutwhichnowordsneedbewasted，fornowordscanmakeachange:itisbetweenhimandhisposition，hisfacultiesandhisfate。\"
MyhusbandandIwereanxiousthatsheshouldpayusavisitbeforethewinterhadsetcompletelyin；andshethuswrote，decliningourinvitation:——
\"Nov。6th。
\"Ifanybodywouldtemptmefromhome，youwould；but，justnow，fromhomeImustnot，willnotgo。IfeelgreatlybetteratpresentthanIdidthreeweeksago。Foramonthorsixweeksabouttheequinoxautumnalorvernalisaperiodoftheyearwhich，Ihavenoticed，strangelytriesme。Sometimesthestrainfallsonthemental，sometimesonthephysicalpartofme；Iamillwithneuralgicheadache，orIamgroundtothedustwithdeepdejectionofspiritsnot，however，suchdejectionbutIcankeepittomyself。Thatwearytimehas，Ithinkandtrust，gotoverforthisyear。Itwastheanniversaryofmypoorbrother’sdeath，andofmysister’sfailinghealth:Ineedsaynomore。
\"AstorunningawayfromhomeeverytimeIhaveabattleofthissorttofight，itwouldnotdobesides，the’weird’wouldfollow。
Astoshakingitoff，thatcannotbe。IhavedeclinedtogotoMrs——，toMissMartineau，andnowIdeclinetogotoyou。ButlistendonotthinkthatIthrowyourkindnessaway；orthatitfailsofdoingthegoodyoudesire。Onthecontrary，thefeelingexpressedinyourletter，——provedbyyourinvitation——goesRIGHT
HOMEwhereyouwouldhaveittogo，andhealsasyouwouldhaveittoheal。
\"YourdescriptionofFrederikaBremertalliesexactlywithoneI
readsomewhere，inIknownotwhatbook。IlaughedoutwhenIgottothementionofFrederika’sspecialaccomplishment，givenbyyouwithadistinctsimplicitythat，tomytaste，iswhattheFrenchwouldcall’impayable。’Wheredoyoufindtheforeignerwhoiswithoutsomelittledrawbackofthisdescription？Itisapity。\"
AvisitfromMissWooleratthisperioddidMissBrontemuchgoodforthetime。Shespeaksofherguest’scompanyasbeingverypleasant，\"likegoodwine，\"bothtoherfatherandtoherself。ButMissWoolercouldnotremainwithherlong；andthenagainthemonotonyofherlifereturneduponherinallitsforce；theonlyeventsofherdaysandweeksconsistinginthesmallchangeswhichoccasionallettersbrought。Itmustberememberedthatherhealthwasoftensuchastopreventherstirringoutofthehouseininclementorwintryweather。Shewasliabletosorethroat，anddepressingpainatthechest，anddifficultyofbreathing，ontheleastexposuretocold。
Aletterfromherlatevisitortouchedandgratifiedhermuch；itwassimplyexpressiveofgratitudeforattentionandkindnessshowntoher，butitwoundupbysayingthatshehadnotformanyyearsexperiencedsomuchenjoymentasduringthetendayspassedatHaworth。ThislittlesentencecalledoutawholesomesensationofmodestpleasureinMissBronte’smind；andshesays，\"itdidmegood。\"
Ifind，inalettertoadistantfriend，writtenaboutthistime，aretrospectofhervisittoLondon。Itistooampletobeconsideredasamererepetitionofwhatshehadsaidbefore；and，besides，itshowsthatherfirstimpressionsofwhatshesawandheardwerenotcrudeandtransitory，butstoodthetestsoftimeandafter-thought。
\"Ispentafewweeksintownlastsummer，asyouhaveheard；andwasmuchinterestedbymanythingsIheardandsawthere。WhatnowchieflydwellsinmymemoryareMr。Thackeray’slectures，MademoiselleRachel’sacting，D’Aubigne’s，Melville’s，andMaurice’spreaching，andtheCrystalPalace。
\"Mr。Thackeray’slecturesyouwillhaveseenmentionedandcommentedoninthepapers；theywereveryinteresting。Icouldnotalwayscoincidewiththesentimentsexpressed，ortheopinionsbroached；butIadmiredthegentlemanlikeease，thequiethumour，thetaste，thetalent，thesimplicity，andtheoriginalityofthelecturer。
\"Rachel’sactingtransfixedmewithwonder，enchainedmewithinterest，andthrilledmewithhorror。ThetremendousforcewithwhichsheexpressestheveryworstpassionsintheirstrongestessenceformsanexhibitionasexcitingasthebullfightsofSpain，andthegladiatorialcombatsofoldRome，anditseemedtomenotonewhitmoremoralthanthesepoisonedstimulantstopopularferocity。Itisscarcelyhumannaturethatsheshowsyou；
itissomethingwilderandworse；thefeelingsandfuryofafiend。Thegreatgiftofgeniussheundoubtedlyhas；but，Ifear，sheratherabusesitthanturnsittogoodaccount。
\"WithallthethreepreachersIwasgreatlypleased。Melvilleseemedtomethemosteloquent，Mauricethemostinearnest；hadIthechoice，itisMauricewhoseministryIshouldfrequent。
\"OntheCrystalPalaceIneednotcomment。Youmustalreadyhaveheardtoomuchofit。Itstruckmeatthefirstwithonlyavaguesortofwonderandadmiration；buthavingonedaytheprivilegeofgoingoveritincompanywithaneminentcountrymanofyours，SirDavidBrewster，andhearing，inhisfriendlyScotchaccent，hislucidexplanationofmanythingsthathadbeentomebeforeasealedbook，Ibeganalittlebettertocomprehendit，oratleastasmallpartofit:whetheritsfinalresultswillequalexpectation，Iknownot。\"
Herincreasingindispositionsubduedheratlast，inspiteofallhereffortsofreasonandwill。Shetriedtoforgetoppressiverecollectionsinwriting。Herpublisherswereimportunateforanewbookfromherpen。\"Villette\"wasbegun，butshelackedpowertocontinueit。
\"Itisnotatalllikely\"shesays\"thatmybookwillbereadyatthetimeyoumention。Ifmyhealthisspared，Ishallgetonwithitasfastasisconsistentwithitsbeingdone，ifnotWELL，yetaswellasIcandoit。NOTONEWHITFASTER。Whenthemoodleavesmeithasleftmenow，withoutvouchsafingsomuchasawordoramessagewhenitwillreturnIputbytheMS。andwaittillitcomesbackagain。Godknows，Isometimeshavetowaitlong——VERYlongitseemstome。Meantime，ifImightmakearequesttoyou，itwouldbethis。Pleasetosaynothingaboutmybooktillitiswritten，andinyourhands。Youmaynotlikeit。
Iamnotmyselfelatedwithitasfarasitisgone，andauthors，youneednotbetold，arealwaystenderlyindulgent，evenblindlypartialtotheirown。Evenifitshouldturnoutreasonablywell，stillIregarditasruintotheprosperityofanephemeralbooklikeanovel，tobemuchtalkedofbeforehand，asifitweresomethinggreat。Peopleareapttoconceive，oratleasttoprofess，exaggeratedexpectation，suchasnoperformancecanrealise；thenensuedisappointmentandtheduerevenge，detraction，andfailure。IfwhenIwrite，Iweretothinkofthecriticswho，Iknow，arewaitingforCurrerBell，ready’tobreakallhisbonesoreverhecomestothebottomoftheden，’myhandwouldfallparalysedonmydesk。However，Icanbutdomybest，andthenmufflemyheadinthemantleofPatience，andsitdownatherfeetandwait。\"
The\"mood\"herespokenofdidnotgooff；ithadaphysicalorigin。Indigestion，nausea，headache，sleeplessness，——allcombinedtoproducemiserabledepressionofspirits。Alittleeventwhichoccurredaboutthistime，didnottendtocheerher。
ItwasthedeathofpooroldfaithfulKeeper，Emily’sdog。HehadcometotheParsonageinthefiercestrengthofhisyouth。SullenandferocioushehadmetwithhismasterintheindomitableEmily。Likemostdogsofhiskind，hefeared，respected，anddeeplylovedherwhosubduedhim。Hehadmournedherwiththepatheticfidelityofhisnature，fallingintooldageafterherdeath。Andnow，hersurvivingsisterwrote:\"PooroldKeeperdiedlastMondaymorning，afterbeingillonenight；hewentgentlytosleep；welaidhisoldfaithfulheadinthegarden。Flossythe’fatcurly-haireddog’isdull，andmisseshim。Therewassomethingverysadinlosingtheolddog；yetIamgladhemetanaturalfate。Peoplekepthintingheoughttobeputaway，whichneitherpapanorIlikedtothinkof。\"
WhenMissBrontewrotethis，onDecember8th，shewassufferingfromabadcold，andpaininherside。Herillnessincreased，andonDecember17th，she——sopatient，silent，andenduringofsuffering——soafraidofanyunselfishtaxingofothers——hadtocalltoherfriendforhelp:
\"Icannotatpresentgotoseeyou，butIwouldbegratefulifyoucouldcomeandseeme，evenwereitonlyforafewdays。Tospeaktruth，Ihaveputonbutapoortimeofitduringthismonthpast。Ikepthopingtobebetter，butwasatlastobligedtohaverecoursetoamedicalman。SometimesIhavefeltveryweakandlow，andlongedmuchforsociety，butcouldnotpersuademyselftocommittheselfishactofaskingyoumerelyformyownrelief。Thedoctorspeaksencouragingly，butasyetIgetnobetter。Astheillnesshasbeencomingonforalongtime，itcannot，Isuppose，beexpectedtodisappearallatonce。Iamnotconfinedtobed，butIamweak，——havehadnoappetiteforaboutthreeweeks——andmynightsareverybad。Iamwellawaremyselfthatextremeandcontinuousdepressionofspiritshashadmuchtodowiththeoriginoftheillness；andIknowalittlecheerfulsocietywoulddomemoregoodthangallonsofmedicine。IfyouCANcome，comeonFriday。Writeto-morrowandsaywhetherthisbepossible，andwhattimeyouwillbeatKeighley，thatImaysendthegig。Idonotaskyoutostaylong；afewdaysisallI
request。\"
Ofcourse，herfriendwent；andacertainamountofbenefitwasderivedfromhersociety，alwayssogratefultoMissBronte。Buttheevilwasnowtoodeep-rootedtobemorethanpalliatedforatimeby\"thelittlecheerfulsociety\"forwhichshesotouchinglybesought。
Arelapsecameonbeforelong。Shewasveryill，andtheremediesemployedtookanunusualeffectonherpeculiarsensitivenessofconstitution。Mr。Brontewasmiserablyanxiousaboutthestateofhisonlyremainingchild，forshewasreducedtothelastdegreeofweakness，asshehadbeenunabletoswallowfoodforaboveaweekbefore。Sherallied，andderivedhersolesustenancefromhalf-a-tea-cupofliquid，administeredbytea-spoonfuls，inthecourseoftheday。Yetshekeptoutofbed，forherfather’ssake，andstruggledinsolitarypatiencethroughherworsthours。
Whenshewasrecovering，herspiritsneededsupport，andthensheyieldedtoherfriend’sentreatythatshewouldvisither。AllthetimethatMissBronte’sillnesshadlasted，Miss——hadbeendesirousofcomingtoher；butsherefusedtoavailherselfofthiskindness，saying，that\"itwasenoughtoburdenherself；
thatitwouldbemiserytoannoyanother；\"and，evenatherworsttime，shetellsherfriend，withhumorousglee，howcoollyshehadmanagedtocaptureoneofMiss——’sletterstoMr。Bronte，whichshesuspectedwasofakindtoaggravatehisalarmabouthisdaughter’sstate，\"andatonceconjecturingitstenor，madeitscontentsherown。\"
Happilyforallparties，Mr。Brontewaswonderfullywellthiswinter；goodsleep，goodspirits，andanexcellentsteadyappetite，allseemedtomarkvigour；andinsuchastateofhealth，Charlottecouldleavehimtospendaweekwithherfriend，withoutanygreatanxiety。
Shebenefitedgreatlybythekindattentionsandcheerfulsocietyofthefamilywithwhomshewenttostay。Theydidnotcareforherintheleastas\"CurrerBell，\"buthadknownandlovedherforyearsasCharlotteBronte。Tothemherinvalidweaknesswasonlyafreshclaimupontheirtenderregard，fromthesolitarywoman，whomtheyhadfirstknownasalittle，motherlessschool-girl。
MissBrontewrotetomeaboutthistime，andtoldmesomethingofwhatshehadsuffered。
\"Feb。6th，1852。
\"Certainly，thepastwinterhasbeentomeastrangetime；hadI
theprospectbeforemeoflivingitoveragain，myprayermustnecessarilybe，’Letthiscuppassfromme。’Thatdepressionofspirits，whichIthoughtwasgonebywhenIwrotelast，camebackagainwithaheavyrecoil；internalcongestionensued，andtheninflammation。Ihadseverepaininmyrightside，frequentburningandachinginmychest；sleepalmostforsookme，orwouldnevercome，exceptaccompaniedbyghastlydreams；appetitevanished，andslowfeverwasmycontinualcompanion。ItwassometimebeforeIcouldbringmyselftohaverecoursetomedicaladvice。Ithoughtmylungswereaffected，andcouldfeelnoconfidenceinthepowerofmedicine。When，atlast，however，adoctorwasconsulted，hedeclaredmylungsandchestsound，andascribedallmysufferingstoderangementoftheliver，onwhichorganitseemstheinflammationhadfallen。Thisinformationwasagreatrelieftomydearfather，aswellastomyself；butIhadsubsequentlyrathersharpmedicaldisciplinetoundergo，andwasmuchreduced。Thoughnotyetwell，itiswithdeepthankfulnessthatIcansay，IamGREATLYBETTER。Mysleep，appetite，andstrengthseemallreturning。\"
Itwasagreatinteresttohertobeallowedanear]yreadingofEsmond；andsheexpressedherthoughtsonthesubject，inacriticisinglettertoMr。Smith，whohadgivenherthisprivilege。
\"Feb。14th，1852。
\"MydearSir，——IthasbeenagreatdelighttometoreadMr。
Thackeray’swork；andIsoseldomnowexpressmysenseofkindnessthat，foronce，youmustpermitme，withoutrebuke，tothankyouforapleasuresorareandspecial。YetIamnotgoingtopraiseeitherMr。Thackerayorhisbook。Ihaveread，enjoyed，beeninterested，and，afterall，feelfullasmuchireandsorrowasgratitudeandadmiration。Andstillonecanneverlaydownabookofhiswithoutthelasttwofeelingshavingtheirpart，bethesubjectortreatmentwhatitmay。Inthefirsthalfofthebook，whatchieflystruckmewasthewonderfulmannerinwhichthewriterthrowshimselfintothespiritandlettersofthetimeswhereofhetreats；theallusions，theillustrations，thestyle，allseemtomesomasterlyintheirexactkeeping，theirharmoniousconsistency，theirnice，naturaltruth，theirpureexemptionfromexaggeration。Nosecond-rateimitatorcanwriteinthatway；nocoarsescene-paintercancharmuswithanallusionsodelicateandperfect。Butwhatbittersatire，whatrelentlessdissectionofdiseasedsubjects！Well，andthis，too，isright，orwouldberight，ifthesavagesurgeondidnotseemsofiercelypleasedwithhiswork。Thackeraylikestodissectanulcerorananeurism；hehaspleasureinputtinghiscruelknifeorprobeintoquivering，livingflesh。Thackeraywouldnotlikealltheworldtobegood；nogreatsatiristwouldlikesocietytobeperfect。
\"Asusual，heisunjusttowomen；quiteunjust。ThereishardlyanypunishmenthedoesnotdeserveformakingLadyCastlewoodpeepthroughakeyhole，listenatadoor，andbejealousofaboyandamilkmaid。ManyotherthingsInoticedthat，formypart，grievedandexasperatedmeasIread；butthen，again，camepassagessotrue，sodeeplythought，sotenderlyfelt，onecouldnothelpforgivingandadmiring……
ButIwishhecouldbetoldnottocaremuchfordwellingonthepoliticalorreligiousintriguesofthetimes。Thackeray，inhisheart，doesnotvaluepoliticalorreligiousintriguesofanyageordate。Helikestoshowushumannatureathome，ashehimselfdailyseesit；hiswonderfulobservantfacultylikestobeinaction。Inhimthisfacultyisasortofcaptainandleader；andifeveranypassageinhiswritingslacksinterest，itiswhenthismaster-facultyisforatimethrustintoasubordinateposition。Ithinksuchisthecaseintheformerhalfofthepresentvolume。Towardsthemiddle，hethrowsoffrestraint，becomeshimself，andisstrongtotheclose。Everythingnowdependsonthesecondandthirdvolumes。If，inpithandinterest，theyfallshortofthefirst，atruesuccesscannotensue。Ifthecontinuationbeanimprovementuponthecommencement，ifthestreamgatherforceasitrolls，Thackeraywilltriumph。Somepeoplehavebeeninthehabitofterminghimthesecondwriteroftheday；itjustdependsonhimselfwhetherornotthesecriticsshallbejustifiedintheiraward。Heneednotbethesecond。Godmadehimsecondtonoman。IfIwerehe，I
wouldshowmyselfasIam，notascriticsreportme；atanyrate，Iwoulddomybest。Mr。Thackerayiseasyandindolent，andseldomcarestodohisbest。Thankyouoncemore；andbelievemeyourssincerely，C。BRONTE。\"
MissBronte’shealthcontinuedsuch，thatshecouldnotapplyherselftowritingasshewished，formanyweeksaftertheseriousattackfromwhichshehadsuffered。Therewasnotverymuchtocheerherinthefeweventsthattouchedherinterestsduringthistime。SheheardinMarchofthedeathofafriend’srelationintheColonies；andweseesomethingofwhatwasthecorrodingdreadatherheart。
\"ThenewsofE——’sdeathcametomelastweekinaletterfromM——；alongletter，whichwrungmyheartso，initssimple，strong，truthfulemotion，Ihaveonlyventuredtoreaditonce。
Itrippeduphalf-scarredwoundswithterribleforce。Thedeath-bedwasjustthesame，——breathfailing，etc。Shefearssheshallnow，inherdrearysolitude，becomea’stern，harsh，selfishwoman。’Thisfearstruckhome；againandagainhaveI
feltitformyself，andwhatisMYpositiontoM——’s？MayGodhelpher，asGodonlycanhelp！\"
Againandagain，herfriendurgedhertoleavehome；norwerevariousinvitationswantingtoenablehertodothis，whentheseconstitutionalaccessesoflowspiritspreyedtoomuchuponherinhersolitude。Butshewouldnotallowherselfanysuchindulgence，unlessitbecameabsolutelynecessaryfromthestateofherhealth。Shedreadedtheperpetualrecoursetosuchstimulantsaschangeofsceneandsociety，becauseofthereactionthatwassuretofollow。Asfarasshecouldsee，herlifewasordainedtobelonely，andshemustsubduehernaturetoherlife，and，ifpossible，bringthetwointoharmony。Whenshecouldemployherselfinfiction，allwascomparativelywell。Thecharacterswerehercompanionsinthequiethours，whichshespentutterlyalone，unableoftentostiroutofdoorsformanydaystogether。Theinterestsofthepersonsinhernovelssuppliedthelackofinterestinherownlife；andMemoryandImaginationfoundtheirappropriatework，andceasedtopreyuponhervitals。Buttoofrequentlyshecouldnotwrite，couldnotseeherpeople，norhearthemspeak；agreatmistofhead-achehadblottedthemout；theywerenon-existenttoher。
Thiswasthecaseallthroughthepresentspring；andanxiousasherpublisherswereforitscompletion，Villettestoodstill。
Evenherletterstoherfriendarescarceandbrief。HereandthereIfindasentenceinthemwhichcanbeextracted，andwhichisworthpreserving。
\"M——’sletterisveryinteresting；itshowsamindonecannotbuttrulyadmire。Compareitsserenetrustingstrength，withpoor——’svacillatingdependence。Whenthelatterwasinherfirstburstofhappiness，IneverrememberthefeelingfindingventinexpressionsofgratitudetoGod。Therewasalwaysacontinuedclaimuponyoursympathyinthemistrustanddoubtshefeltofherownbliss。M——believes；herfaithisgratefulandatpeace；yetwhilehappyinherself，howthoughtfulsheisforothers！\"
\"March23rd，1852。
\"Yousay，dearE——，thatyouoftenwishIwouldchatonpaper，asyoudo。HowcanI？Wherearemymaterials？Ismylifefertileinsubjectsofchat？WhatcallersdoIsee？WhatvisitsdoIpay？
No，youmustchat，andImustlisten，andsay’Yes，’and’No，’
and’Thankyou！’forfiveminutes’recreation……
\"Iamamusedattheinterestyoutakeinpolitics。Don’texpecttorouseme；tome，allministriesandalloppositionsseemtobeprettymuchalike。D’IsraeliwasfactiousasleaderoftheOpposition；LordJohnRussellisgoingtobefactious，nowthathehassteppedintoD’Israeli’sshoes。LordDerby’s’Christianloveandspirit，’isworththreehalf-pencefarthing。\"
ToW。S。WILLIAMS，ESQ。
\"March25th，1852。
\"MydearSir，——Mr。Smithintimatedashorttimesince，thathehadsomethoughtsofpublishingareprintofShirley。Havingrevisedthework，Inowenclosetheerrata。Ihavelikewisesentoffto-day，perrail，areturn-boxofCornhillbooks。
\"Ihavelatelyreadwithgreatpleasure，’TheTwoFamilies。’Thiswork，itseems，shouldhavereachedmeinJanuary；butowingtoamistake，itwasdetainedattheDeadLetterOffice，andlaytherenearlytwomonths。Ilikedthecommencementverymuch；thecloseseemedtomescarcelyequalto’RoseDouglas。’Ithoughttheauthoresscommittedamistakeinshiftingthemaininterestfromthetwopersonagesonwhomitfirstrests——viz。，BenWilsonandMary——toothercharactersofquiteinferiorconception。HadshemadeBenandMaryherheroandheroine，andcontinuedthedevelopmentoftheirfortunesandcharactersinthesametruthfulnaturalveininwhichshecommencesit，anexcellent，evenanoriginal，bookmighthavebeentheresult。AsforLiliasandRonald，theyaremereromanticfigments，withnothingofthegenuineScottishpeasantaboutthem；theydonotevenspeaktheCaledoniandialect；theypalaverlikeafineladyandgentleman。
\"IoughtlongsincetohaveacknowledgedthegratificationwithwhichIreadMissKavanagh’s’WomenofChristianity。’Hercharityandonthewholeherimpartialityareverybeautiful。Shetouches，indeed，withtoogentleahandthethemeofElizabethofHungary；and，inherownmind，sheevidentlymisconstruesthefactofProtestantcharitiesSEEMINGtobefewerthanCatholic。
Sheforgets，ordoesnotknow，thatProtestantismisaquietercreedthanRomanism；asitdoesnotclotheitspriesthoodinscarlet，soneitherdoesitsetupitsgoodwomenforsaints，canonisetheirnames，andproclaimtheirgoodworks。Intherecordsofman，theiralmsgivingwillnotperhapsbefoundregistered，butHeavenhasitsaccountaswellasearth。
\"Withkindregardstoyourselfandfamily，who，Itrust，haveallsafelyweatheredtheroughwinterlatelypast，aswellastheeastwinds，whicharestillnippingourspringinYorkshire，——I
am，mydearSir，yourssincerely，C。BRONTE。\"
\"April3rd，1852。
\"MydearSir，——Theboxarrivedquitesafely，andIverymuchthankyouforthecontents，whicharemostkindlyselected。
\"AsyouwishedmetosaywhatIthoughtof’TheSchoolforFathers，’Ihastenedtoreadit。Thebookseemstomeclever，interesting，veryamusing，andlikelytopleasegenerally。Thereisameritinthechoiceofground，whichisnotyettoohackneyed；thecomparativefreshnessofsubject，character，andepochgivethetaleacertainattractiveness。Thereisalso，I
think，agraphicrenderingofsituations，andalivelytalentfordescribingwhateverisvisibleandtangible——whattheeyemeetsonthesurfaceofthings。Thehumourappearstomesuchaswouldanswerwellonthestage；mostofthescenesseemtodemanddramaticaccessoriestogivethemtheirfulleffect。ButIthinkonecannotwithjusticebestowhigherpraisethanthis。Tospeakcandidly，Ifelt，inreadingthetale，awondroushollownessinthemoralandsentiment；astrangedilettanteshallownessinthepurposeandfeeling。Afterall，’Jack’isnotmuchbetterthana’TonyLumpkin，’andthereisnoverygreatbreadthofchoicebetweentheclownheISandthefophisfatherwouldhavemadehim。ThegrosslymateriallifeoftheoldEnglishfox-hunter，andthefrivolousexistenceofthefinegentlemanpresentextremes，eachinitswaysorepugnant，thatonefeelshalfinclinedtosmilewhencalledupontosentimentaliseoverthelotofayouthforcedtopassfromonetotheother；tornfromthestables，tobeusheredperhapsintotheball-room。Jackdiesmournfullyindeed，andyouaresorryforthepoorfellow’suntimelyend；butyoucannotforgetthat，ifhehadnotbeenthrustintothewayofColonelPenruddock’sweapon，hemightpossiblyhavebrokenhisneckinafox-hunt。ThecharacterofSirThomasWarrenisexcellent；consistentthroughout。ThatofMr。Addisonnotbad，butsketchy，amereoutline——wantingcolourandfinish。Theman’sportraitisthere，andhiscostume，andfragmentaryanecdotesofhislife；butwhereistheman’snature——soulandself？Isaynothingaboutthefemalecharacters——notoneword；onlythatLydiaseemstomelikeaprettylittleactress，prettilydressedgracefullyappearinganddisappearing，andreappearinginagenteelcomedy，assumingthepropersentimentsofherpartwithallduetactandnaivete，and——thatisall。
\"Yourdescriptionofthemodelmanofbusinessistrueenough，I
doubtnot；butwewillnotfearthatsocietywilleverbebroughtquitetothisstandard；humannaturebadasitishas，afterall，elementsthatforbidit。Buttheverytendencytosuchaconsummation——themarkedtendency，Ifear，oftheday——produces，nodoubt，cruelsuffering。Yet，whentheevilofcompetitionpassesacertainlimit，mustitnotintimeworkitsowncure？I
supposeitwill，butthenthroughsomeconvulsedcrisis，shatteringallarounditlikeanearthquake。Meantime，forhowmanyislifemadeastruggle；enjoymentandrestcurtailed；
labourterriblyenhancedbeyondalmostwhatnaturecanbearI
oftenthinkthatthisworldwouldbethemostterribleofenigmas，wereitnotforthefirmbeliefthatthereisaworldtocome，whereconscientiouseffortandpatientpainwillmeettheirreward——Believeme，mydearSir，sincerelyyours，C。BRONTE。\"
AlettertoheroldBrusselsschoolfellowgivesashortretrospectofthedrearywintershehadpassedthrough。
\"Haworth，April12th，1852。
\"……Istruggledthroughthewinter，andtheearlypartofthespring，oftenwithgreatdifficulty。MyfriendstayedwithmeafewdaysintheearlypartofJanuary；shecouldnotbesparedlonger。Iwasbetterduringhervisit，buthadarelapsesoonaftersheleftme，whichreducedmystrengthverymuch。Itcannotbedeniedthatthesolitudeofmypositionfearfullyaggravateditsotherevils。Somelongstormydaysandnightstherewere，whenIfeltsuchacravingforsupportandcompanionshipasI
cannotexpress。Sleepless，Ilayawakenightafternight，weakandunabletooccupymyself。Isatinmychairdayafterday，thesaddestmemoriesmyonlycompany。ItwasatimeIshallneverforget；butGodsentit，anditmusthavebeenforthebest。
\"Iambetternow；andverygratefuldoIfeelfortherestorationoftolerablehealth；but，asiftherewasalwaystobesomeaffliction，papa，whoenjoyedwonderfulhealthduringthewholewinter，isailingwithhisspringattackofbronchitis。I
earnestlytrustitmaypassoverinthecomparativelyamelioratedforminwhichithashithertoshownitself。
\"Letmenotforgettoansweryourquestionaboutthecataract。
TellyourpapathatMYfatherwasseventyatthetimeheunderwentanoperation；hewasmostreluctanttotrytheexperiment；couldnotbelievethat，athisage，andwithhiswantofrobuststrength，itwouldsucceed。Iwasobligedtobeverydecidedinthematter，andtoactentirelyonmyownresponsibility。Nearlysixyearshavenowelapsedsincethecataractwasextracteditwasnotmerelydepressed；hehasneveronceduringthattimeregrettedthestep，andadayseldompassesthathedoesnotexpressgratitudeandpleasureattherestorationofthatinestimableprivilegeofvisionwhoselossheonceknew。\"
IhadgivenMissBronte；inoneofmyletters，anoutlineofthestoryonwhichIwasthenengaged，andinreplyshesays:——
\"ThesketchyougiveofyourworkrespectingwhichIam，ofcourse，dumbseemstomeverynoble；anditspurposemaybeasusefulinpracticalresultasitishighandjustintheoreticaltendency。Suchabookmayrestorehopeandenergytomanywhothoughttheyhadforfeitedtheirrighttoboth；andopenaclearcourseforhonourableefforttosomewhodeemedthattheyandallhonourhadpartedcompanyinthisworld。
\"Yet——hearmyprotest！
\"Whyshouldshedie？Whyarewetoshutupthebookweeping？
\"Myheartfailsmealreadyatthethoughtofthepangitwillhavetoundergo。Andyetyoumustfollowtheimpulseofyourowninspiration。IfTHATcommandstheslayingofthevictim，nobystanderhasarighttoputouthishandtostaythesacrificialknife:butIholdyouasternpriestessinthesematters。\"
Asthemilderweathercameon，herhealthimproved，andherpowerofwritingincreased。Shesetherselfwithredoubledvigourtotheworkbeforeher；anddeniedherselfpleasureforthepurposeofsteadylabour。Henceshewritestoherfriend:——
\"May11th。
\"DearE——，——Imustadheretomyresolutionofneithervisitingnorbeingvisitedatpresent。StayyouquietlyatB。，tillyougotoS。，asIshallstayatHaworth；assincereafarewellcanbetakenwiththeheartaswiththelips，andperhapslesspainful。Iamgladtheweatherischanged；thereturnofthesouth-westwindsuitsme；butIhopeyouhavenocausetoregretthedepartureofyourfavouriteeastwind。Whatyousayabout——doesnotsurpriseme；IhavehadmanylittlenoteswhereofIansweraboutoneinthreebreathingthesamespirit，——selfandchildthesoleall-absorbingtopics，onwhichthechangesarerungeventoweariness。ButIsupposeonemustnotheedit，orthinkthecasesingular。Nor，Iamafraid，mustoneexpecthertoimprove。IreadinaFrenchbooklately，asentencetothiseffect，that’marriagemightbedefinedasthestateoftwo-foldselfishness。’Letthesinglethereforetakecomfort。ThankyouforMary’sletter。SheDOESseemmosthappy；
andIcannottellyouhowmuchmorereal，lasting，andbetter-warrantedherhappinessseemsthanever——’sdid。I
thinksomuchofitisinherself，andherownserene，pure，trusting，religiousnature——’salwaysgivesmetheideaofavacillating，unsteadyrapture，entirelydependentoncircumstanceswithalltheirfluctuations。IfMarylivestobeamother，youwillthenseeagreaterdifference。
\"Iwishyou，dearE。，allhealthandenjoymentinyourvisit；
and，asfarasonecanjudgeatpresent，thereseemsafairprospectofthewishbeingrealised——Yourssincerely，\"C。BRONTE。\"
CHAPTERXI。
ThereaderwillrememberthatAnneBrontehadbeeninterredinthechurchyardoftheOldChurchatScarborough。Charlottehadleftdirectionsforatombstonetobeplacedoverher；butmanyatimeduringthesolitudeofthepastwinter，hersad，anxiousthoughtshadrevisitedthesceneofthatlastgreatsorrow，andshehadwonderedwhetheralldecentserviceshadbeenrenderedtothememoryofthedead，untilatlastshecametoasilentresolutiontogoandseeforherselfwhetherthestoneandinscriptionwereinasatisfactorystateofpreservation。
\"CliffeHouse，Filey，June6th，1852。
\"DearE——，——IamatFileyutterlyalone。Donotbeangry，thestepisright。Iconsideredit，andresolvedonitwithduedeliberation。Changeofairwasnecessary；therewerereasonswhyIshouldNOTgotothesouth，andwhyIshouldcomehere。OnFridayIwenttoScarborough，visitedthechurchyardandstone。
Itmustberefacedandrelettered；therearefiveerrors。Igavethenecessarydirections。THATduty，then，isdone；longhasitlainheavyonmymind；andthatwasapilgrimageIfeltIcouldonlymakealone。
\"IaminouroldlodgingsatMrs。Smith’s；not，however，inthesamerooms，butinlessexpensiveapartments。Theyseemedgladtoseeme，rememberedyouandmeverywell，and，seemingly，withgreatgoodwill。Thedaughterwhousedtowaitonusisjustmarried。Fileyseemstomemuchaltered；morelodging-houses——someofthemveryhandsome——havebeenbuilt；theseahasallitsoldgrandeur。Iwalkonthesandsagooddeal，andtryNOTtofeeldesolateandmelancholy。Howsorelymyheartlongsforyou，Ineednotsay。Ihavebathedonce；itseemedtodomegood。Imay，perhaps，stayhereafortnight。Thereareasyetscarcelyanyvisitors。ALadyWenlockisstayingatthelargehouseofwhichyouusedsovigilantlytoobservetheinmates。OnedayIsetoutwithintenttotrudgetoFileyBridge，butwasfrightenedbackbytwocows。Imeantotryagainsomemorning。I
leftpapawell。Ihavebeenagooddealtroubledwithheadache，andwithsomepaininthesidesinceIcamehere，butIfeelthatthishasbeenowingtothecoldwind，forverycoldhasitbeentilllately；atpresentIfeelbetter。ShallIsendthepaperstoyouasusualWriteagaindirectly，andtellmethis，andanythingandeverythingelsethatcomesintoyourmind——Believeme，yoursfaithfully，\"C。BRONTE。\"
\"Filey，June16th，1852。
\"DearE——，——Bequiteeasyaboutme。IreallythinkIambetterformystayatFiley；thatIhavederivedmorebenefitfromitthanIdaredtoanticipate。Ibelieve，couldIstayheretwomonths，andenjoysomethinglikesocialcheerfulnessaswellasexerciseandgoodair，myhealthwouldbequiterenewed。This，however，cannotpossiblybe；butIammostthankfulforthegoodreceived。Istayhereanotherweek。
\"Ireturn——’sletter。Iamsorryforher:Ibelieveshesuffers；butIdonotmuchlikeherstyleofexpressingherself……Griefaswellasjoymanifestsitselfinmostdifferentwaysindifferentpeople；andIdoubtnotsheissincereandinearnestwhenshetalksofher’precious，saintedfather；’butI
couldwishsheusedsimplerlanguage。\"
SoonafterherreturnfromFiley，shewasalarmedbyaveryseriousandsharpattackofillnesswithwhichMr。Brontewasseized。Therewassomefear，forafewdays，thathissightwaspermanentlylost，andhisspiritssankpainfullyunderthisdread。
\"Thisprostrationofspirits，\"writeshisdaughter，\"whichaccompaniesanythinglikearelapseisalmostthemostdifficultpointtomanage。DearE——，youaretenderlykindinofferingyoursociety；butrestverytranquilwhereyouare；befullyassuredthatitisnotnow，norunderpresentcircumstances，thatIfeelthelackeitherofsocietyoroccupation；mytimeisprettywellfilledup，andmythoughtsappropriated……I
cannotpermitmyselftocommentmuchonthechiefcontentsofyourlast；adviceisnotnecessary:asfarasIcanjudge，youseemhithertoenabledtotakethesetrialsinagoodandwisespirit。Icanonlypraythatsuchcombinedstrengthandresignationmaybecontinuedtoyou。Submission，courage，exertion，whenpracticable——theseseemtobetheweaponswithwhichwemustfightlife’slongbattle。\"
Isupposethat，duringtheverytimewhenherthoughtswerethusfullyoccupiedwithanxietyforherfather，shereceivedsomeletterfromherpublishers，makinginquiryastotheprogressoftheworkwhichtheyknewshehadinhand，asIfindthefollowinglettertoMr。Williams，bearingreferencetosomeofMessrs。
SmithandElder’sproposedarrangements。
\"ToW。S。WILLIAMS，ESQ。
\"July28th，1852。
\"MydearSir，——Isitincontemplationtopublishtheneweditionof’Shirley’soon？Woulditnotbebettertodeferitforatime？
Inreferencetoapartofyourletter，permitmetoexpressthiswish，——andItrustindoingso，Ishallnotberegardedassteppingoutofmypositionasanauthor，andencroachingonthearrangementsofbusiness，——viz。:thatnoannouncementofanewworkbytheauthorof’JaneEyre’shallbemadetilltheMS。ofsuchworkisactuallyinmypublisher’shands。Perhapswearenoneofusjustifiedinspeakingverydecidedlywherethefutureisconcerned；butforsometoomuchcautioninsuchcalculationscanscarcelybeobserved:amongstthisnumberImustclassmyself。Nor，indoingso，canIassumeanapologetictone。Hedoesrightwhodoeshisbest。
\"LastautumnIgotonforatimequickly。Iventuredtolookforwardtospringastheperiodofpublication:myhealthgaveway；Ipassedsuchawinteras，havingbeenonceexperienced，willneverbeforgotten。Thespringprovedlittlebetterthanaprotractionoftrial。Thewarmweatherandavisittotheseahavedonememuchgoodphysically；butasyetIhaverecoveredneitherelasticityofanimalspirits，norflowofthepowerofcomposition。Andifitwereotherwise，thedifferencewouldbeofnoavail；mytimeandthoughtsareatpresenttakenupwithcloseattendanceonmyfather，whosehealthisjustnowinaverycriticalstate，theheatoftheweatherhavingproduceddeterminationofbloodtothehead——Iam，yourssincerely，C。BRONTE。\"
BeforetheendofAugust，Mr。Bronte’sconvalescencebecamequiteestablished，andhewasanxioustoresumehisdutiesforsometimebeforehiscarefuldaughterwouldpermithim。
OnSeptemberthe14ththe\"greatduke\"died。Hehadbeen，aswehaveseen，herherofromchildhood；butIfindnofurtherreferencetohimatthistimethanwhatisgiveninthefollowingextractfromalettertoherfriend:——
\"Idohopeandbelievethechangesyouhavebeenhavingthissummerwilldoyoupermanentgood，notwithstandingthepainwithwhichtheyhavebeentoooftenmingled。YetIfeelgladthatyouaresooncominghome；andIreallymustnottrustmyselftosayhowmuchIwishthetimewerecomewhen，withoutletorhindrance，IcouldoncemorewelcomeyoutoHaworth。ButohI
don’tgeton；Ifeelfretted——incapable——sometimesverylow。
However，atpresent，thesubjectmustnotbedweltupon；itpressesmetoohardly——nearly——andpainfully。LessthanevercanItasteorknowpleasuretillthisworkiswoundup。AndyetI
oftensitupinbedatnight，thinkingofandwishingforyou。
ThankyoufortheTimes；whatitsaidonthemightyandmournfulsubjectwaswellsaid。Allatoncethewholenationseemstotakeajustviewofthatgreatcharacter。TherewasareviewtooofanAmericanbook，whichIwasgladtosee。Read’UncleTom’sCabin’:
probably，though，youhavereadit。
\"Papa’shealthcontinuessatisfactory，thankGod！Asforme，mywretchedliverhasbeendisorderedagainoflate，butIhopeitisnowgoingtobeonbetterbehaviour；ithindersmeinworking——depressesbothpowerandtoneoffeeling。Imustexpectthisderangementfromtimetotime。\"
Haworthwasinanunhealthystate，asusual；andbothMissBronteandTabbysufferedseverelyfromtheprevailingepidemics。Theformerwaslonginshakingofftheeffectsofthisillness。Invainsheresolvedagainstallowingherselfanysocietyorchangeofsceneuntilshehadaccomplishedherlabour。Shewastooilltowrite；andwithillnesscameontheoldheavinessofheart，recollectionsofthepast，andanticipationsofthefuture。AtlastMr。Bronteexpressedsostrongawishthatherfriendshouldbeaskedtovisither，andshefeltsomelittlerefreshmentsoabsolutelynecessary，thatonOctoberthe9thshebeggedhertocometoHaworth，justforasingleweek。
\"IthoughtIwouldpersistindenyingmyselftillIhaddonemywork，butIfinditwon’tdo；thematterrefusestoprogress，andthisexcessivesolitudepressestooheavily；soletmeseeyourdearface，E。，justforonerevivingweek。\"
Butshewouldonlyacceptofthecompanyofherfriendfortheexacttimespecified。ShethuswritestoMissWooleronOctoberthe21st:——
\"E——hasonlybeenmycompaniononelittleweek。Iwouldnothaveheranylonger，forIamdisgustedwithmyselfandmydelays；andconsideritwasaweakyieldingtotemptationinmetosendforheratall；butintruth，myspiritsweregettinglow——prostratesometimes——andshehasdonemeinexpressiblegood。
IwonderwhenIshallseeyouatHaworthagain；bothmyfatherandtheservantshaveagainandagaininsinuatedadistinctwishthatyoushouldberequestedtocomeinthecourseofthesummerandautumn，butIhavealwaysturnedratheradeafear；’notyet，’wasmythought，’Iwantfirsttobefree；’workfirst，thenpleasure。\"
Miss——’svisithaddonehermuchgood。Pleasantcompanionshipduringthedayproduced，forthetime，theunusualblessingofcalmreposeatnight；andafterherfriend’sdepartureshewaswellenoughto\"falltobusiness，\"andwriteaway，almostincessantly，atherstoryofVillette，nowdrawingtoaconclusion。ThefollowinglettertoMr。Smith，seemstohaveaccompaniedthefirstpartoftheMS。
\"Oct。30th，1852。
\"MydearSir，——Youmustnotifyhonestlywhatyouthinkof’Villette’whenyouhavereadit。IcanhardlytellyouhowI
hungertohearsomeopinionbesidesmyown，andhowIhavesometimesdesponded，andalmostdespaired，becausetherewasnoonetowhomtoreadaline，orofwhomtoaskacounsel。’JaneEyre’wasnotwrittenundersuchcircumstances，norweretwo-thirdsof’Shirley’。Igotsomiserableaboutit，Icouldbearnoallusiontothebook。Itisnotfinishedyet；butnowIhope。
Astotheanonymouspublication，Ihavethistosay:Ifthewithholdingoftheauthor’snameshouldtendmateriallytoinjurethepublisher’sinterest，tointerferewithbooksellers’orders，etc。，Iwouldnotpressthepoint；butifnosuchdetrimentiscontingent，Ishouldbemostthankfulfortheshelteringshadowofanincognito。Iseemtodreadtheadvertisements——thelarge-lettered’CurrerBell’sNewNovel，’or’NewWork，bytheAuthorofJaneEyre。’These，however，Ifeelwellenough，arethetranscendentalismsofaretiredwretch；soyoumustspeakfrankly……Ishallbegladtosee’ColonelEsmond。’Myobjectiontothesecondvolumelayhere:Ithoughtitcontaineddecidedlytoomuchhistory——toolittlestory。\"
Inanotherletter，referringto\"Esmond，\"sheusesthefollowingwords:——
\"Thethirdvolumeseemedtometopossessthemostsparkle，impetus，andinterest。Ofthefirstandsecondmyjudgmentwas，thatpartsofthemwereadmirable；buttherewasthefaultofcontainingtoomuchHistory——toolittlestory。Iholdthataworkoffictionoughttobeaworkofcreation:thattheREALshouldbesparinglyintroducedinpagesdedicatedtotheIDEAL。Plainhouseholdbreadisafarmorewholesomeandnecessarythingthancake；yetwhowouldliketoseethebrownloafplacedonthetablefordessert？Inthesecondvolume，theauthorgivesusanamplesupplyofexcellentbrownbread；inhisthird，onlysuchaportionasgivessubstance，likethecrumbsofbreadinawell-made，nottoorich，plum-pudding。\"
HerlettertoMr。Smith，containingtheallusionto’Esmond，’
whichremindedmeofthequotationjustgivencontinues:——
\"Youwillseethat’Villette’touchesonnomatterofpublicinterest。Icannotwritebookshandlingthetopicsoftheday；itisofnousetrying。NorcanIwriteabookforitsmoral。NorcanItakeupaphilanthropicscheme，thoughIhonourphilanthropy；andvoluntarilyandsincerelyveilmyfacebeforesuchamightysubjectasthathandledinMrs。BeecherStowe’swork，’UncleTom’sCabin。’Tomanagethesegreatmattersrightly，theymustbelongandpracticallystudied——theirbearingsknownintimately，andtheirevilsfeltgenuinely；theymustnotbetakenupasabusinessmatter，andatradingspeculation。I
doubtnot，Mrs。Stowehadfelttheironofslaveryenterintoherheart，fromchildhoodupwards，longbeforesheeverthoughtofwritingbooks。Thefeelingthroughoutherworkissincere，andnotgotup。Remembertobeanhonestcriticof’Villette，’andtellMr。Williamstobeunsparing:notthatIamlikelytoalteranything，butIwanttoknowhisimpressionsandyours。\"
ToG。SMITH，ESQ。
\"Nov。3rd。
\"MydearSir，——Ifeelverygratefulforyourletter；itrelievedmemuch，forIwasagooddealharassedbydoubtsastohow’Villette’mightappearinothereyesthanmyown。Ifeelinsomedegreeauthorisedtorelyonyourfavourableimpressions，becauseyouarequiterightwhereyouhintdisapprobation。YouhaveexactlyhittwopointsatleastwhereIwasconsciousofdefect；——thediscrepancy，thewantofperfectharmony，betweenGraham’sboyhoodandmanhood，——theangularabruptnessofhischangeofsentimenttowardsMissFanshawe。Youmustremember，though，thatinsecrethehadforsometimeappreciatedthatyoungladyatasomewhatdepressedstandard——heldheraLITTLE
lowerthantheangels。Butstillthereaderoughttohavebeenbettermadetofeelthispreparationtowardsachangeofmood。Astothepublishingarrangement，IleavethemtoCornhill。Thereis，undoubtedly，acertainforceinwhatyousayabouttheinexpediencyofaffectingamysterywhichcannotbesustained；soyoumustactasyouthinkisforthebest。Isubmit，also，totheadvertisementsinlargeletters，butunderprotest，andwithakindofostrich-longingforconcealment。Mostofthethirdvolumeisgiventothedevelopmentofthe’crabbedProfessor’s’
character。LucymustnotmarryDr。John；heisfartooyouthful，handsome，bright-spirited，andsweet-tempered；heisa’curleddarling’ofNatureandofFortune，andmustdrawaprizeinlife’slottery。Hiswifemustbeyoung，rich，pretty；hemustbemadeveryhappyindeed。IfLucymarriesanybody，itmustbetheProfessor——amaninwhomthereismuchtoforgive，muchto’putupwith。’ButIamnotlenientlydisposedtowardsMissFROSTfromthebeginning，Inevermeanttoappointherlinesinpleasantplaces。Theconclusionofthisthirdvolumeisstillamatterofsomeanxiety:Icanbutdomybest，however。Itwouldspeedilybefinished，couldIwardoffcertainobnoxiousheadaches，which，wheneverIgetintothespiritofmywork，areapttoseizeandprostrateme……
\"ColonelHenryEsmondisjustarrived。HelooksveryantiqueanddistinguishedinhisQueenAnne’sgarb；theperiwig，sword，lace，andrufflesareverywellrepresentedbytheold’Spectator’
type。\"
Inreferencetoasentencetowardsthecloseofthisletter，I
maymentionwhatshetoldme；thatMr。Brontewasanxiousthathernewtaleshouldendwell，ashedislikednovelswhichleftamelancholyimpressionuponthemind；andherequestedhertomakeherheroandheroineliketheheroesandheroinesinfairy-tales\"marry，andliveveryhappilyeverafter。\"ButtheideaofM。PaulEmanuel’sdeathatseawasstampedonherimaginationtillitassumedthedistinctforceofreality；andshecouldnomorealterherfictitiousendingthaniftheyhadbeenfactswhichshewasrelating。Allshecoulddoincompliancewithherfather’swishwassotoveilthefateinoracularwords，astoleaveittothecharacteranddiscernmentofherreaderstointerprethermeaning。
ToW。S。WILLIAMS，ESQ。
\"Nov。6th，1852。
\"MydearSir，——Imustnotdelaythankingyouforyourkindletter，withitscandidandablecommentaryon’Villette。’WithmanyofyourstricturesIconcur。Thethirdvolumemay，perhaps，doawaywithsomeoftheobjections；othersstillremaininforce。Idonotthinktheinterestculminatesanywheretothedegreeyouwouldwish。Whatclimaxthereisdoesnotcomeontillneartheconclusion；andeventhen，Idoubtwhethertheregularnovel-readerwillconsiderthe’agonypiledsufficientlyhigh’astheAmericanssay，orthecoloursdashedontothecanvaswiththeproperamountofdaring。Still，Ifear，theymustbesatisfiedwithwhatisoffered:mypaletteaffordsnobrightertints；werettoattempttodeepenthereds，orburnishtheyellows，Ishouldbutbotch。
\"UnlessIammistaken，theemotionofthebookwillbefoundtobekeptthroughoutintolerablesubjection。Astothenameoftheheroine，Icanhardlyexpresswhatsubtletyofthoughtmademedecideupongivingheracoldname；but，atfirst，Icalledher’LucySnowe’speltwithan’e’；whichSnoweIafterwardschangedto’Frost。’Subsequently，Iratherregrettedthechange，andwishedit’Snowe’again。Ifnottoolate，IshouldlikethealterationtobemadenowthroughouttheMS。ACOLDnameshemusthave；partly，perhaps，onthe’lucusanonlucendo’principle——
partlyonthatofthe’fitnessofthings，’forshehasaboutheranexternalcoldness。
\"Yousaythatshemaybethoughtmorbidandweak，unlessthehistoryofherlifebemorefullygiven。Iconsiderthatsheisbothmorbidandweakattimes；hercharactersetsupnopretensionstounmixedstrength，andanybodylivingherlifewouldnecessarilybecomemorbid。Itwasnoimpetusofhealthyfeelingwhichurgedhertotheconfessional，forinstance；itwasthesemi-deliriumofsolitarygriefandsickness。If，however，thebookdoesnotexpressallthis，theremustbeagreatfaultsomewhere。Imightexplainawayafewotherpoints，butitwouldbetoomuchlikedrawingapictureandthenwritingunderneaththenameoftheobjectintendedtoberepresented。Weknowwhatsortofapencilthatiswhichneedsanallyinthepen。
\"Thankingyouagainfortheclearnessandfulnesswithwhichyouhaverespondedtomyrequestforastatementofimpressions，I
am，mydearSir，yoursverysincerely，\"C。BRONTE。\"
\"ItrusttheworkwillbeseeninMS。bynooneexceptMr。Smithandyourself。\"
\"Nov。10th，1852。
\"MydearSir，——Ionlywishedthepublicationof’Shirley’tobedelayedtill’Villette’wasnearlyready；sothattherecannowbenoobjectiontoitsbeingissuedwheneveryouthinkfit。AboutputtingtheMS。intotype，Icanonlysaythat，shouldIbeabletoproceedwiththethirdvolumeatmyaveragerateofcomposition，andwithnomorethantheaverageamountofinterruptions，Ishouldhopetohaveitreadyinaboutthreeweeks。Ileaveittoyoutodecidewhetheritwouldbebettertodelaytheprintingthatspaceoftime，ortocommenceitimmediately。Itwouldcertainlybemoresatisfactoryifyouweretoseethethirdvolumebeforeprintingthefirstandthesecond；
yet，ifdelayislikelytoproveinjurious，Idonotthinkitisindispensable。Ihavereadthethirdvolumeof’Esmond。’Ifounditbothentertainingandexcitingtome；itseemstopossessanimpetusandexcitementbeyondtheothertwo，——thatmovementandbrilliancyitspredecessorssometimeswanted，neverfailshere。
Incertainpassages，IthoughtThackerayusedallhispowers；
theirgrand，seriousforceyieldedaprofoundsatisfaction。’Atlastheputsforthhisstrength，’Icouldnothelpsayingtomyself。NocharacterinthebookstrikesmeasmoremasterlythanthatofBeatrix；itsconceptionisfresh，anditsdelineationvivid。Itispeculiar；ithasimpressionsofanewkind——new，atleast，tome。Beatrixisnot，inherself，allbad。Somuchdoesshesometimesrevealofwhatisgoodandgreatastosuggestthisfeeling——youwouldthinkshewasurgedbyafate。Youwouldthinkthatsomeantiquedoompressesonherhouse，andthatonceinsomanygenerationsitsbrightestornamentwastobecomeitsgreatestdisgrace。Attimes，whatisgoodinherstrugglesagainstthisterribledestiny，buttheFateconquers。Beatrixcannotbeanhonestwomanandagoodman’swife。She’tries，andsheCANNOT。’Proud，beautiful，andsullied，shewasbornwhatshebecomes，aking’smistress。IknownotwhetheryouhaveseenthenoticeintheLeader；Ireaditjustafterconcludingthebook。
CanIbewrongindeemingitanoticetame，cold，andinsufficient？Withallitsprofessedfriendliness，itproducedonmeamostdishearteningimpression。Surely，anothersortofjusticethanthiswillberenderedto’Esmond’fromotherquarters。OneacuteremarkofthecriticistotheeffectthatBlancheAmoryandBeatrixareidentical——sketchedfromthesameoriginal！TometheyareaboutasidenticalasaweazelandaroyaltigressofBengal；boththelatterarequadrupeds，——boththeformer，women。ButImustnottakeupeitheryourtimeormyownwithfurtherremarks。Believemeyourssincerely，\"C。BRONTE。\"
OnaSaturday，alittlelaterinthismonth，MissBrontecompleted’Villette，’andsentitofftoherpublishers。\"IsaidmyprayerswhenIhaddoneit。Whetheritiswellorilldone，I
don’tknow；D。V。，Iwillnowtryandwaittheissuequietly。Thebook，Ithink，willnotbeconsideredpretentious；norisitofacharactertoexcitehostility。\"
Asherlabourwasended，shefeltatlibertytoallowherselfalittlechange。TherewereseveralfriendsanxioustoseeherandwelcomehertotheirhomesMissMartineau，Mrs。Smith，andherownfaithfulE。Withthelast，inthesameletterasthatinwhichsheannouncedthecompletionof’Villette，’sheofferedtospendaweek。Shebegan，also，toconsiderwhetheritmightnotbewelltoavailherselfofMrs。Smith’skindinvitation，withaviewtotheconvenienceofbeingonthespottocorrecttheproofs。
Thefollowingletterisgiven，notmerelyonaccountofherowncriticismson’Villette，’butbecauseitshowshowshehadlearnedtomagnifythemeaningoftrifles，asalldowholiveaself-containedandsolitarylife。Mr。Smithhadbeenunabletowritebythesamepostasthatwhichbroughtthemoneyfor’Villette，’andsheconsequentlyreceiveditwithoutaline。Thefriendwithwhomshewasstayingsays，thatsheimmediatelyfanciedtherewassomedisappointmentabout’Villette，’orthatsomewordoractofhershadgivenoffence；andhadnottheSundayintervened，andsoallowedtimeforMr。Smith’slettertomakeitsappearance，shewouldcertainlyhavecrosseditonherwaytoLondon。
\"Dec。6th，1852。
\"MydearSir，——Thereceiptshavereachedmesafely。IreceivedthefirstonSaturday，enclosedinacoverwithoutaline，andhadmadeupmymindtotakethetrainonMonday，andgouptoLondontoseewhatwasthematter，andwhathadstruckmypublishermute。OnSundaymorningyourlettercame，andyouhavethusbeensparedthevisitationoftheunannouncedandunsummonedapparitionofCurrerBellinCornhill。Inexplicabledelaysshouldbeavoidedwhenpossible，fortheyareapttourgethosesubjectedtotheirharassmenttosuddenandimpulsivesteps。I
mustpronounceyourightagain，inyourcomplaintofthetransferofinterestinthethirdvolume，fromonesetofcharacterstoanother。Itisnotpleasant，anditwillprobablybefoundasunwelcometothereader，asitwas，inasense，compulsoryuponthewriter。Thespiritofromancewouldhaveindicatedanothercourse，farmorefloweryandinviting；itwouldhavefashionedaparamounthero，keptfaithfullywithhim，andmadehimsupremelyworshipful；heshouldhavebeenanidol，andnotamute，unrespondingidoleither；butthiswouldhavebeenunlikerealLIFE——inconsistentwithtruth——atvariancewithprobability。I
greatlyapprehend，however，thattheweakestcharacterinthebookistheoneIaimedatmakingthemostbeautiful；and，ifthisbethecase，thefaultliesinitswantingthegermofthereal——initsbeingpurelyimaginary。Ifeltthatthischaracterlackedsubstance；Ifearthatthereaderwillfeelthesame。
UnionwithitresemblestoomuchthefateofIxion，whowasmatedwithacloud。ThechildhoodofPaulinais，however，Ithink，prettywellimagined，buther……\"theremainderofthisinterestingsentenceistornofftheletter。\"AbriefvisittoLondonbecomesthusmorepracticable，andifyourmotherwillkindlywrite，whenshehastime，andnameadayafterChristmaswhichwillsuither，Ishallhavepleasure，papa’shealthpermitting，inavailingmyselfofherinvitation。IwishIcouldcomeintimetocorrectsomeatleastoftheproofs；itwouldsavetrouble。\"
CHAPTERXII。
Thedifficultythatpresenteditselfmoststronglytome，whenI
firsthadthehonourofbeingrequestedtowritethisbiography，washowIcouldshowwhatanoble，true，andtenderwomanCharlotteBrontereallywas，withoutminglingupwithherlifetoomuchofthepersonalhistoryofhernearestandmostintimatefriends。Aftermuchconsiderationofthispoint，Icametotheresolutionofwritingtruly，ifIwroteatall；ofwithholdingnothing，thoughsomethings，fromtheirverynature，couldnotbespokenofsofullyasothers。
Oneofthedeepestinterestsofherlifecentresnaturallyroundhermarriage，andtheprecedingcircumstances；butmorethanallothereventsbecauseofmorerecentdate，andconcerninganotherasintimatelyasherself，itrequiresdelicatehandlingonmypart，lestIintrudetooroughlyonwhatismostsacredtomemory。YetIhavetworeasons，whichseemtomegoodandvalidones，forgivingsomeparticularsofthecourseofeventswhichledtoherfewmonthsofweddedlife——thatshortspellofexceedinghappiness。ThefirstismydesiretocallattentiontothefactthatMr。Nichollswasonewhohadseenheralmostdailyforyears；seenherasadaughter，asister，amistressandafriend。Hewasnotamantobeattractedbyanykindofliteraryfame。Iimaginethatthis，byitself，wouldratherrepelhimwhenhesawitinthepossessionofawoman。Hewasagrave，reserved，conscientiousman，withadeepsenseofreligion，andofhisdutiesasoneofitsministers。
Insilencehehadwatchedher，andlovedherlong。Theloveofsuchaman——adailyspectatorofhermanneroflifeforyears——isagreattestimonytohercharacterasawoman。
HowdeephisaffectionwasIscarcelydaretotell，evenifI
couldinwords。Shedidnotknow——shehadhardlybeguntosuspect——thatshewastheobjectofanypeculiarregardonhispart，when，inthisveryDecember，hecameoneeveningtotea。
Aftertea，shereturnedfromthestudytoherownsitting-room，aswashercustom，leavingherfatherandhiscuratetogether。
Presentlysheheardthestudy-dooropen，andexpectedtohearthesucceedingclashofthefrontdoor。Instead，cameatap；and，\"likelightning，itflasheduponmewhatwascoming。Heentered。