The Life of Charlotte Bronte小说第8章_无广告免费阅读-丁香书院

第8章

　　CHAPTERI。
　　Mr。Bronteafflictedwithblindness，andrelievedbyasuccessfuloperationforcataract——CharlotteBronte’sfirstworkoffiction，"TheProfessor"——Shecommences"JaneEyre"——Circumstancesattendingitscomposition——Herideasofaheroine——Herattachmenttohome——HaworthinDecember——Aletterofconfessionandcounsel。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　StateofCharlotteBronte’shealthatthecommencementof1847——
　　Familytrials——"WutheringHeights"and"AgnesGrey"acceptedbyapublisher——"TheProfessor"rejected——Completionof"JaneEyre"，itsreceptionandpublication——Thereviewsof"JaneEyre"，andtheauthor’scommentsonthem——Herfather’sreceptionofthebook——Publicinterestexcitedby"JaneEyre"——DedicationofthesecondeditiontoMr。Thackeray——CorrespondenceofCurrerBellwithMr。Leweson"JaneEyre"——Publicationof"WutheringHeights"
　　and"AgnesGrey"——MissBronte’saccountoftheauthoressof"WutheringHeights"——DomesticanxietiesoftheBrontesisters——CurrerBell’scorrespondencewithMr。Lewes——UnhealthystateofHaworth——CharlotteBronteontherevolutionsof1848——Herrepudiationofauthorship——AnneBronte’ssecondtale，"TheTenantofWildfellHall"——MisunderstandingastotheindividualityofthethreeBells，anditsresults——CurrerandActonBellvisitLondon——CharlotteBronte’saccountofhervisit——TheChapterCoffeeHouse——TheClergyDaughters’SchoolatCasterton——DeathofBranwellBronte——IllnessanddeathofEmilyBronte。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　TheQuarterlyReviewon"JaneEyre"——SevereillnessofAnneBronte——Herlastverses——SheisremovedtoScarborough——Herlasthours，anddeathandburialthere——Charlotte’sreturntoHaworth，andherloneliness。
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　Commencementandcompletionof"Shirley"——Originalsofthecharacters，andcircumstancesunderwhichitwaswritten——Lossonrailwayshares——LetterstoMr。Lewesandotherfriendson"Shirley，"andthereviewsofit——MissBrontevisitsLondon，meetsMr。Thackeray，andmakestheacquaintanceofMissMartineau——Herimpressionsofliterarymen。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　"CurrerBell"identifiedasMissBronteatHaworthandthevicinity——HerlettertoMr。Lewesonhisreviewof"Shirley"——Solitudeandheavymentalsadnessandanxiety——ShevisitsSirJ。andLadyKayShuttleworth——Hercommentsoncritics，andremarksonThackeray’s"Pendennis"andScott’s"SuggestionsonFemaleEducation"——Opinionsof"Shirley"byYorkshirereaders。
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　AnunhealthyspringatHaworth——MissBronte’sproposedvisittoLondon——Herremarkson"TheLeader"——Associationsofherwalksonthemoors——Lettertoanunknownadmirerofherworks——IncidentsofhervisittoLondon——HerimpressionsofavisittoScotland——Herportrait，byRichmond——Anxietyaboutherfather。
　　CHAPTERVII。
　　VisittoSirJ。andLadyKayShuttleworth——Thebiographer’simpressionsofMissBronte——MissBronte’saccountofhervisittotheLakesofWestmoreland——Herdisinclinationforacquaintanceandvisiting——Remarkson"Woman’sMission，"Tennyson’s"InMemoriam，"etc——ImpressionsofhervisittoScotland——Remarksonareviewinthe"Palladium。"
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　Intendedrepublicationof"WutheringHeights"and"AgnesGrey"——
　　ReactionafterhervisittoScotland——HerfirstmeetingwithMr。
　　Lewes——HeropinionofBalzacandGeorgeSand——Acharacteristicincident——AccountofafriendlyvisittoHaworthParsonage——Remarkson"TheRoman，"bySydneyDobell，andonthecharacterofDr。Arnold——LettertoMr。Dobell。
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　MissBronte’svisittoMissMartineau，andestimateofherhostess——RemarksonMr。Ruskin’s"StonesofVenice"——PreparationsforanothervisittoLondon——LettertoMr。SydneyDobell:themoorsinautumn——Mr。Thackeray’ssecondlectureatWillis’sRooms，andsensationproducedbyCurrerBell’sappearancethere——HeraccountofhervisittoLondon——ShebreakfastswithMr。Rogers，visitstheGreatExhibition，andseesLordWestminster’spictures——ReturntoHaworthandletterthence——HercommentonMr。Thackeray’sLecture——Counselondevelopmentofcharacter。
　　CHAPTERX。
　　Remarksonfriendship——LettertoMrs。GaskellonherandMissMartineau’sviewsoftheGreatExhibitionandMr。Thackeray’slecture，andonthe"Saint’sTragedy"——MissBronte’sfeelingstowardschildren——HercommentsonMr。J。S。Mill’sarticleontheEmancipationofWomen——MoreillnessatHaworthParsonage——LetteronEmigration——Periodicalreturnsofillness——MissWoolervisitsHaworth——MissBronte’simpressionsofhervisittoLondon——HeraccountoftheprogressofVillette——Herincreasingillnessandsufferingsduringwinter——HerletteronMr。Thackeray’sEsmond——
　　Revivalofsorrowsandaccessionsoflowspirits——Remarksonsomerecentbooks——Retrospectofthewinterof1851-2——LettertoMrs。
　　Gaskellon"Ruth。"
　　CHAPTERXI。
　　MissBronterevisitsScarborough——Seriousillnessandultimateconvalescenceofherfather——Herownillness——"Villette"nearlycompleted——Furtherremarkson"Esmond"and"UncleTom’sCabin"——Letterrespecting"Villette"——Anotherletterabout"Villette"——Instanceofextremesensibility。
　　CHAPTERXII。
　　Thebiographer’sdifficulty——DeepandenduringattachmentofMr。
　　NichollsforMissBronte——Instanceofherself-abnegation——SheagainvisitsLondon——Impressionsofthisvisit——LettertoMrs。
　　Gaskell——Receptionofthecritiqueson"Villette"——MisunderstandingwithMissMartineau——LetteronMr。
　　Thackeray’sportrait——VisitoftheBishopofRipontoHaworthParsonage——Herwishtoseetheunfavourablecritiquesonherworks——Hernervousshynessofstrangers，anditscause——LetteronMr。Thackeray’slectures。
　　CHAPTERXIII。
　　LettertoMrs。Gaskellonwritingfiction，etc——Thebiographer’saccountofhervisittoHaworth，andreminiscencesofconversationswithMissBronte——LettersfromMissBrontetoherfriends——HerengagementtoMr。Nicholls，andpreparationsforthemarriage——Themarriageceremonyandweddingtour——Herhappinessinthemarriedstate——Newsymptomsofillness，andtheircause——ThetwolastletterswrittenbyMrs。Nicholls——Analarmingchange——Herdeath。
　　CHAPTERXIV。
　　Mournersatthefuneral——Conclusion。
　　CHAPTERI
　　Duringthissummerof1846，whileherliteraryhopeswerewaning，ananxietyofanotherkindwasincreasing。Herfather’seyesighthadbecomeseriouslyimpairedbytheprogressofthecataractwhichwasforming。Hewasnearlyblind。Hecouldgropehiswayabout，andrecognisethefiguresofthoseheknewwell，whentheywereplacedagainstastronglight；buthecouldnolongerseetoread；andthushiseagerappetiteforknowledgeandinformationofallkindswasseverelybalked。Hecontinuedtopreach。Ihaveheardthathewasledupintothepulpit，andthathissermonswereneversoeffectiveaswhenhestoodthere，agreysightlessoldman，hisblindeyeslookingoutstraightbeforehim，whilethewordsthatcamefromhislipshadallthevigourandforceofhisbestdays。Anotherfacthasbeenmentionedtome，curiousasshowingtheaccuratenessofhissensationoftime。Hissermonshadalwayslastedexactlyhalfanhour。Withtheclockrightbeforehim，andwithhisreadyflowofwords，thishadbeennodifficultmatteraslongashecouldsee。Butitwasthesamewhenhewasblind；astheminute-handcametothepoint，markingtheexpirationofthethirtyminutes，heconcludedhissermon。
　　Underhisgreatsorrowhewasalwayspatient。Asintimesoffargreateraffliction，heenforcedaquietenduranceofhiswoeuponhimself。Butsomanyinterestswerequenchedbythisblindnessthathewasdriveninwards，andmusthavedweltmuchonwhatwaspainfulanddistressinginregardtohisonlyson。Nowonderthathisspiritsgaveway，andweredepressed。Forsometimebeforethisautumn，hisdaughtershadbeencollectingalltheinformationtheycouldrespectingtheprobablesuccessofoperationsforcataractperformedonapersonoftheirfather’sage。AbouttheendofJuly，EmilyandCharlottehadmadeajourneytoManchesterforthepurposeofsearchingoutanoperator；andtheretheyheardofthefameofthelateMr。Wilsonasanoculist。Theywenttohimatonce，buthecouldnottell，fromdescription，whethertheeyeswerereadyforbeingoperateduponornot。ItthereforebecamenecessaryforMr。Brontetovisithim；andtowardstheendofAugust，Charlottebroughtherfathertohim。Hedeterminedatoncetoundertaketheoperation，andrecommendedthemtocomfortablelodgings，keptbyanoldservantofhis。Thesewereinoneofnumeroussimilarstreetsofsmallmonotonous-lookinghouses，inasuburbofthetown。Fromthencethefollowingletterisdated，onAugust21st，1846:——
　　"IjustscribblealinetoyoutoletyouknowwhereIam，inorderthatyoumaywritetomehere，foritseemstomethataletterfromyouwouldrelievemefromthefeelingofstrangenessIhaveinthisbigtown。PapaandIcamehereonWednesday；wesawMr。Wilson，theoculist，thesameday；hepronouncedpapa’seyesquitereadyforanoperation，andhasfixednextMondayfortheperformanceofit。Thinkofusonthatday！Wegotintoourlodgingsyesterday。Ithinkweshallbecomfortable；atleastourroomsareverygood，butthereisnomistressofthehousesheisveryill，andgoneoutintothecountry，andIamsomewhatpuzzledinmanagingaboutprovisions；weboardourselves。Ifindmyselfexcessivelyignorant。Ican’ttellwhattoorderinthewayofmeat。ForourselvesIcouldcontrive，papa’sdietissoverysimple；buttherewillbeanursecominginadayortwo，andIamafraidofnothavingthingsgoodenoughforher。Paparequiresnothing，youknow，butplainbeefandmutton，teaandbreadandbutter；butanursewillprobablyexpecttolivemuchbetter；givemesomehintsifyoucan。Mr。Wilsonsaysweshallhavetostayhereforamonthatleast。IwonderhowEmilyandAnnewillgetonathomewithBranwell。They，too，willhavetheirtroubles。WhatwouldInotgivetohaveyouhere！Oneisforced，stepbystep，togetexperienceintheworld；butthelearningissodisagreeable。Onecheerfulfeatureinthebusinessis，thatMr。Wilsonthinksmostfavourablyofthecase。"
　　"August26th，1846。
　　"Theoperationisover；ittookplaceyesterdayMr。Wilsonperformedit；twoothersurgeonsassisted。Mr。Wilsonsays，heconsidersitquitesuccessful；butpapacannotyetseeanything。
　　Theaffairlastedpreciselyaquarterofanhour；itwasnotthesimpleoperationofcouchingMr。C。described，butthemorecomplicatedoneofextractingthecataract。Mr。Wilsonentirelydisapprovesofcouching。Papadisplayedextraordinarypatienceandfirmness；thesurgeonsseemedsurprised。Iwasintheroomallthetime；asitwashiswishthatIshouldbethere；ofcourse，Ineitherspokenormovedtillthethingwasdone，andthenIfeltthatthelessIsaid，eithertopapaorthesurgeons，thebetter。Papaisnowconfinedtohisbedinadarkroom，andisnottobestirredforfourdays；heistospeakandbespokentoaslittleaspossible。Iamgreatlyobligedtoyouforyourletter，andyourkindadvice，whichgavemeextremesatisfaction，becauseIfoundIhadarrangedmostthingsinaccordancewithit，and，asyourtheorycoincideswithmypractice，Ifeelassuredthelatterisright。IhopeMr。Wilsonwillsoonallowmetodispensewiththenurse；sheiswellenough，nodoubt，butsomewhattooobsequious；andnot，Ishouldthink，tobemuchtrusted；yetIwasobligedtotrustherinsomethings……
　　"GreatlywasIamusedbyyouraccountof——’sflirtations；andyetsomethingsaddenedalso。IthinkNatureintendedhimforsomethingbetterthantofritterawayhistimeinmakingasetofpoor，unoccupiedspinstersunhappy。Thegirls，unfortunately，areforcedtocareforhim，andsuchashim，because，whiletheirmindsaremostlyunemployed，theirsensationsareallunworn，and，consequently，freshandgreen；andhe，onthecontrary，hashadhisfillofpleasure，andcanwithimpunitymakeamerepastimeofotherpeople’storments。Thisisanunfairstateofthings；thematchisnotequal。IonlywishIhadthepowertoinfuseintothesoulsofthepersecutedalittleofthequietstrengthofpride——ofthesupportingconsciousnessofsuperiorityfortheyaresuperiortohimbecausepurer——ofthefortifyingresolveoffirmnesstobearthepresent，andwaittheend。Couldallthevirginpopulationof——receiveandretainthesesentiments，hewouldcontinuallyhavetoveilhiscrestbeforethem。Perhaps，luckily，theirfeelingsarenotsoacuteasonewouldthink，andthegentleman’sshaftsconsequentlydon’twoundsodeeplyashemightdesire。Ihopeitisso。"
　　Afewdayslater，shewritesthus:"Papaisstilllyinginbed，inadarkroom，withhiseyesbandaged。Noinflammationensued，butstillitappearsthegreatestcare，perfectquiet，andutterprivationoflightarenecessarytoensureagoodresultfromtheoperation。Heisverypatient，but，ofcourse，depressedandweary。Hewasallowedtotryhissightforthefirsttimeyesterday。Hecouldseedimly。Mr。Wilsonseemedperfectlysatisfied，andsaidallwasright。IhavehadbadnightsfromthetoothachesinceIcametoManchester。"
　　Allthistime，notwithstandingthedomesticanxietieswhichwereharassingthem——notwithstandingtheill-successoftheirpoems——thethreesistersweretryingthatotherliteraryventure，towhichCharlottemadeallusioninoneofherletterstotheMessrs。Aylott。Eachofthemhadwrittenaprosetale，hopingthatthethreemightbepublishedtogether。"WutheringHeights"
　　and"AgnesGrey"arebeforetheworld。Thethird——Charlotte’scontribution——isyetinmanuscript，butwillbepublishedshortlyaftertheappearanceofthismemoir。Theplotinitselfisofnogreatinterest；butitisapoorkindofinterestthatdependsuponstartlingincidentsratherthanupondramaticdevelopmentofcharacter；andCharlotteBronteneverexcelledoneortwosketchesofportraitswhichshehadgivenin"TheProfessor"，nor，ingraceofwomanhood，eversurpassedoneofthefemalecharacterstheredescribed。Bythetimeshewrotethistale，hertasteandjudgmenthadrevoltedagainsttheexaggeratedidealismsofherearlygirlhood，andshewenttotheextremeofreality，closelydepictingcharactersastheyhadshownthemselvestoherinactuallife:iftheretheywerestrongeventocoarseness，——aswasthecasewithsomethatshehadmetwithinfleshandbloodexistence，——she"wrotethemdownanass；"ifthesceneryofsuchlifeasshesawwasforthemostpartwildandgrotesque，insteadofpleasantorpicturesque，shedescribeditlineforline。Thegraceoftheoneortwoscenesandcharacters，whicharedrawnratherfromherownimaginationthanfromabsolutefactstandoutinexquisiterelieffromthedeepshadowsandwaywardlinesofothers，whichcalltomindsomeoftheportraitsofRembrandt。
　　Thethreetaleshadtriedtheirfateinvaintogether，atlengththeyweresentforthseparately，andformanymonthswithstill-
　　continuedillsuccess。Ihavementionedthishere，because，amongthedispiritingcircumstancesconnectedwithheranxiousvisittoManchester，Charlottetoldmethathertalecamebackuponherhands，curtlyrejectedbysomepublisher，ontheverydaywhenherfatherwastosubmittohisoperation。ButshehadtheheartofRobertBrucewithinher，andfailureuponfailuredauntedhernomorethanhim。Notonlydid"TheProfessor"returnagaintotryhischanceamongtheLondonpublishers，butshebegan，inthistimeofcareanddepressinginquietude，inthosegrey，weary，uniformstreets；whereallfaces，savethatofherkinddoctor，werestrangeanduntouchedwithsunlighttoher，——thereandthen，didthebravegeniusbegin"JaneEyre"。Readwhatsheherselfsays:——"CurrerBell’sbookfoundacceptancenowhere，noranyacknowledgmentofmerit，sothatsomethinglikethechillofdespairbegantoinvadehisheart。"And，rememberitwasnottheheartofapersonwho，disappointedinonehope，canturnwithredoubledaffectiontothemanycertainblessingsthatremain。
　　Thinkofherhome，andtheblackshadowofremorselyingoveroneinit，tillhisverybrainwasmazed，andhisgiftsandhislifewerelost；——thinkofherfather’ssighthangingonathread；——ofhersister’sdelicatehealth，anddependenceonhercare；——andthenadmireasitdeservestobeadmired，thesteadycouragewhichcouldworkawayat"JaneEyre"，allthetime"thattheone-volumetalewasploddingitswearyroundinLondon。"
　　IbelieveIhavealreadymentionedthatsomeofhersurvivingfriendsconsiderthatanincidentwhichsheheard，whenatschoolatMissWooler’s，wasthegermofthestoryofJaneEyre。Butofthisnothing。canbeknown，exceptbyconjecture。Thosetowhomshespokeuponthesubjectofherwritingsaredeadandsilent；andthereadermayprobablyhavenoticed，thatinthecorrespondencefromwhichIhavequoted，therehasbeennoallusionwhatevertothepublicationofherpoems，noristheretheleasthintoftheintentionofthesisterstopublishanytales。Iremember，however，manylittleparticularswhichMissBrontegaveme，inanswertomyinquiriesrespectinghermodeofcomposition，etc。Shesaid，thatitwasnoteveryday，thatshecouldwrite。Sometimesweeksorevenmonthselapsedbeforeshefeltthatshehadanythingtoaddtothatportionofherstorywhichwasalreadywritten。Then，somemorning，shewouldwakenup，andtheprogressofhertalelayclearandbrightbeforeher，indistinctvision。whenthiswasthecase，allhercarewastodischargeherhouseholdandfilialduties，soastoobtainleisuretositdownandwriteouttheincidentsandconsequentthoughts，whichwere，infact，morepresenttohermindatsuchtimesthanheractuallifeitself。Yetnotwithstandingthis"possession"asitwere，thosewhosurvive，ofherdailyandhouseholdcompanions，areclearintheirtestimony，thatneverwastheclaimofanyduty，neverwasthecallofanotherforhelp，neglectedforaninstant。IthadbecomenecessarytogiveTabby——nownearlyeightyyearsofage——theassistanceofagirl。
　　Tabbyrelinquishedanyofherworkwithjealousreluctance，andcouldnotbeartobereminded，thougheversodelicately，thattheacutenessofhersenseswasdulledbyage。Theotherservantmightnotinterferewithwhatshechosetoconsiderherexclusivework。Amongotherthings，shereservedtoherselftherightofpeelingthepotatoesfordinner；butasshewasgrowingblind，sheoftenleftinthoseblackspecks，whichweintheNorthcallthe"eyes"ofthepotato。MissBrontewastoodaintyahousekeepertoputupwiththis；yetshecouldnotbeartohurtthefaithfuloldservant，bybiddingtheyoungermaidengooverthepotatoesagain，andsoremindingTabbythatherworkwaslesseffectualthanformerly。Accordinglyshewouldstealintothekitchen，andquietlycarryoffthebowlofvegetables，withoutTabby’sbeingaware，andbreakingoffinthefullflowofinterestandinspirationinherwriting，carefullycutoutthespecksinthepotatoes，andnoiselesslycarrythembacktotheirplace。Thislittleproceedingmayshowhoworderlyandfullysheaccomplishedherduties，evenatthosetimeswhenthe"possession"wasuponher。
　　Anyonewhohasstudiedherwritings，——whetherinprintorinherletters；anyonewhohasenjoyedtherareprivilegeoflisteningtohertalk，musthavenoticedhersingularfelicityinthechoiceofwords。Sheherself，inwritingherbooks，wassolicitousonthispoint。Onesetofwordswasthetruthfulmirrorofherthoughts；noothers，howeverapparentlyidenticalinmeaning，woulddo。Shehadthatstrongpracticalregardforthesimpleholytruthofexpression，whichMr。Trenchhasenforced，asadutytoooftenneglected。Shewouldwaitpatientlysearchingfortherightterm，untilitpresenteditselftoher。
　　Itmightbeprovincial，itmightbederivedfromtheLatin；sothatitaccuratelyrepresentedheridea，shedidnotmindwhenceitcame；butthiscaremakesherstylepresentthefinishofapieceofmosaic。Eachcomponentpart，howeversmall，hasbeendroppedintotherightplace。Sheneverwrotedownasentenceuntilsheclearlyunderstoodwhatshewantedtosay，haddeliberatelychosenthewords，andarrangedthemintheirrightorder。Henceitcomesthat，inthescrapsofpapercoveredwithherpencilwritingwhichIhaveseen，therewilloccasionallybeasentencescoredout，butseldom，ifever，awordoranexpression。Shewroteonthesebitsofpaperinaminutehand，holdingeachagainstapieceofboard，suchasisusedinbindingbooks，foradesk。Thisplanwasnecessaryforonesoshort-sightedasshewas；and，besides，itenabledhertousepencilandpaper，asshesatnearthefireinthetwilighthours，orifaswastoooftenthecaseshewaswakefulforhoursinthenight。Herfinishedmanuscriptswerecopiedfromthesepencilscraps，inclear，legible，delicatetracedwriting，almostaseasytoreadasprint。
　　Thesistersretainedtheoldhabit，whichwasbegunintheiraunt’slife-time，ofputtingawaytheirworkatnineo’clock，andbeginningtheirstudy，pacingupanddownthesittingroom。Atthistime，theytalkedoverthestoriestheywereengagedupon，anddescribedtheirplots。Onceortwiceaweek，eachreadtotheotherswhatshehadwritten，andheardwhattheyhadtosayaboutit。Charlottetoldme，thattheremarksmadehadseldomanyeffectininducinghertoalterherwork，sopossessedwasshewiththefeelingthatshehaddescribedreality；butthereadingswereofgreatandstirringinteresttoall，takingthemoutofthegnawingpressureofdaily-recurringcares，andsettingtheminafreeplace。Itwasononeoftheseoccasions，thatCharlottedeterminedtomakeherheroineplain，small，andunattractive，indefianceoftheacceptedcanon。
　　Thewriterofthebeautifulobituaryarticleon"thedeathofCurrerBell"mostlikelylearntfromherselfwhatistherestated，andwhichIwilltakethelibertyofquoting，aboutJaneEyre。
　　"Sheoncetoldhersistersthattheywerewrong——evenmorallywrong——inmakingtheirheroinesbeautifulasamatterofcourse。
　　Theyrepliedthatitwasimpossibletomakeaheroineinterestingonanyotherterms。Heranswerwas，’Iwillprovetoyouthatyouarewrong；Iwillshowyouaheroineasplainandassmallasmyself，whoshallbeasinterestingasanyofyours。’Hence’JaneEyre，’saidsheintellingtheanecdote:’butsheisnotmyself，anyfurtherthanthat。’Astheworkwenton，theinterestdeepenedtothewriter。Whenshecameto’Thornfield’shecouldnotstop。Beingshort-sightedtoexcess，shewroteinlittlesquarepaper-books，heldclosetohereyes，andthefirstcopy
　　inpencil。Onshewent，writingincessantlyforthreeweeks；bywhichtimeshehadcarriedherheroineawayfromThornfield，andwasherselfinafeverwhichcompelledhertopause。"
　　Thisisall，Ibelieve，whichcannowbetoldrespectingtheconceptionandcompositionofthiswonderfulbook，whichwas，however，onlyatitscommencementwhenMissBrontereturnedwithherfathertoHaworth，aftertheiranxiousexpeditiontoManchester。
　　TheyarrivedathomeabouttheendofSeptember。Mr。Brontewasdailygainingstrength，buthewasstillforbiddentoexercisehissightmuch。ThingshadgoneonmorecomfortablywhileshewasawaythanCharlottehaddaredtohope，andsheexpressesherselfthankfulforthegoodensuredandtheevilsparedduringherabsence。
　　Soonafterthissomeproposal，ofwhichIhavenotbeenabletogainaclearaccount，wasagainmootedforMissBronte’sopeningaschoolatsomeplacedistantfromHaworth。Itelicitedthefollowingfragmentofacharacteristicreply:——
　　"Leavehome！——Ishallneitherbeabletofindplacenoremployment，perhaps，too，Ishallbequitepasttheprimeoflife，myfacultieswillberusted，andmyfewacquirementsinagreatmeasureforgotten。Theseideasstingmekeenlysometimes；
　　but，wheneverIconsultmyconscience，itaffirmsthatIamdoingrightinstayingathome，andbitterareitsupbraidingswhenI
　　yieldtoaneagerdesireforrelease。IcouldhardlyexpectsuccessifIweretoerragainstsuchwarnings。Ishouldliketohearfromyouagainsoon。Bring——tothepoint，andmakehimgiveyouaclear，notavague，accountofwhatpupilshereallycouldpromise；peopleoftenthinktheycandogreatthingsinthatwaytilltheyhavetried；butgettingpupilsisunlikegettinganyothersortofgoods。"
　　Whatevermightbethenatureandextentofthisnegotiation，theendofitwasthatCharlotteadheredtothedecisionofherconscience，whichbadeherremainathome，aslongasherpresencecouldcheerorcomfortthosewhowereindistress，orhadtheslightestinfluenceoverhimwhowasthecauseofit。Thenextextractgivesusaglimpseintothecaresofthathome。ItisfromaletterdatedDecember15th。
　　"Ihopeyouarenotfrozenup；thecoldhereisdreadful。IdonotremembersuchaseriesofNorth-Poledays。EnglandmightreallyhavetakenaslideupintotheArcticZone；theskylookslikeice；theearthisfrozen；thewindisaskeenasatwo-edgedblade。Wehaveallhadseverecoldsandcoughsinconsequenceoftheweather。PoorAnnehassufferedgreatlyfromasthma，butisnow，wearegladtosay，ratherbetter。Shehadtwonightslastweekwhenhercoughanddifficultyofbreathingwerepainfulindeedtohearandwitness，andmusthavebeenmostdistressingtosuffer；sheboreit，asshebearsallaffliction，withoutonecomplaint，onlysighingnowandthenwhennearlywornout。Shehasanextraordinaryheroismofendurance。Iadmire，butI
　　certainlycouldnotimitateher。"……"YousayIamto’tellyouplenty。’Whatwouldyouhavemesay？NothinghappensatHaworth；nothing，atleast，ofapleasantkind。Onelittleincidentoccurredaboutaweekago，tostingustolife；butifitgivesnomorepleasureforyoutohear，thanitdidforustowitness，youwillscarcelythankmeforadvertingtoit。ItwasmerelythearrivalofaSheriff’sofficeronavisittoB。，invitinghimeithertopayhisdebtsortakeatriptoYork。Ofcoursehisdebtshadtobepaid。Itisnotagreeabletolosemoney，timeaftertime，inthisway；butwhereistheuseofdwellingonsuchsubjects？Itwillmakehimnobetter。"
　　"December28th。
　　"Ifeelasifitwasalmostafarcetositdownandwritetoyounow，withnothingtosayworthlisteningto；and，indeed，ifitwerenotfortworeasons，Ishouldputoffthebusinessatleastafortnighthence。Thefirstreasonis，Iwantanotherletterfromyou，foryourlettersareinteresting，theyhavesomethinginthem；someresultsofexperienceandobservation；onereceivesthemwithpleasure，andreadsthemwithrelish；andtheselettersIcannotexpecttoget，unlessIreplytothem。Iwishthecorrespondencecouldbemanagedsoastobeallononeside。Thesecondreasonisderivedfromaremarkinyourlast，thatyoufeltlonely，somethingasIwasatBrussels，andthatconsequentlyyouhadapeculiardesiretohearfromoldacquaintance。Icanunderstandandsympathisewiththis。I
　　remembertheshortestnotewasatreattome，whenIwasattheabove-namedplace；thereforeIwrite。Ihavealsoathirdreason:
　　itisahauntingterrorlestyoushouldimagineIforgetyou——thatmyregardcoolswithabsence。Itisnotinmynaturetoforgetyournature；though，Idaresay，Ishouldspitfireandexplodesometimesifwelivedtogethercontinually；andyou，too，wouldgetangry，andthenweshouldgetreconciledandjogonasbefore。Doyouevergetdissatisfiedwithyourowntemperwhenyouarelongfixedtooneplace，inonescene，subjecttoonemonotonousspeciesofannoyance？Ido:Iamnowinthatunenviableframeofmind；myhumour，Ithink，istoosoonover-
　　thrown，toosore，toodemonstrativeandvehement。IalmostlongforsomeoftheuniformserenityyoudescribeinMrs——’sdisposition；or，atleast，Iwouldfainhaveherpowerofself-
　　controlandconcealment；butIwouldnottakeherartificialhabitsandideasalongwithhercomposure。AfterallIshouldpreferbeingasIam……Youdorightnottobeannoyedatanymaximsofconventionalityyoumeetwith。Regardallnewwaysinthelightoffreshexperienceforyou:ifyouseeanyhoneygatherit。"……"Idon’t，afterall，considerthatweoughttodespiseeverythingweseeintheworld，merelybecauseitisnotwhatweareaccustomedto。Isuspect，onthecontrary，thattherearenotunfrequentlysubstantialreasonsunderneathforcustomsthatappeartousabsurd；andifIwereeveragaintofindmyselfamongststrangers，IshouldbesolicitoustoexaminebeforeI
　　condemned。Indiscriminatingironyandfaultfindingarejustsumphishness，andthatisall。Anneisnowmuchbetter，butpapahasbeenfornearafortnightfarfromwellwiththeinfluenza；
　　hehasattimesamostdistressingcough，andhisspiritsaremuchdepressed。"
　　Soendedtheyear1846。
　　CHAPTERII
　　Thenextyearopenedwithaspellofcolddrearyweather，whichtoldseverelyonaconstitutionalreadytriedbyanxietyandcare。MissBrontedescribesherselfashavingutterlylostherappetite，andaslooking"grey，old，wornandsunk，"fromhersufferingsduringtheinclementseason。Thecoldbroughtonseveretoothache；toothachewasthecauseofasuccessionofrestlessmiserablenights；andlongwakefulnesstoldacutelyuponhernerves，makingthemfeelwithredoubledsensitivenessalltheharassofheroppressivelife。Yetshewouldnotallowherselftolayherbadhealthtothechargeofanuneasymind；"forafterall，"saidsheatthistime，"Ihavemany，manythingstobethankfulfor。"Buttherealstateofthingsmaybegatheredfromthefollowingextractsfromherletters。
　　"March1st。
　　"Evenattheriskofappearingveryexacting，Ican’thelpsayingthatIshouldlikealetteraslongasyourlast，everytimeyouwrite。Shortnotesgiveonethefeelingofaverysmallpieceofaverygoodthingtoeat，——theysettheappetiteonedge，anddon’tsatisfyit，——aletterleavesyoumorecontented；andyet，afterall，Iamverygladtogetnotes；sodon’tthink，whenyouarepinchedfortimeandmaterials，thatitisuselesstowriteafewlines；beassured，afewlinesareveryacceptableasfarastheygo；andthoughIlikelongletters，Iwouldbynomeanshaveyoutomakeataskofwritingthem……IreallyshouldlikeyoutocometoHaworth，beforeIagaingotoB。AnditisnaturalandrightthatIshouldhavethiswish。Tokeepfriendshipinproperorder，thebalanceofgoodofficesmustbepreserved，otherwiseadisquietingandanxiousfeelingcreepsin，anddestroysmutualcomfort。Insummerandinfineweather，yourvisitheremightbemuchbettermanagedthaninwinter。Wecouldgooutmore，bemoreindependentofthehouseandofourroom。
　　Branwellhasbeenconductinghimselfverybadlylately。Iexpect，fromtheextravaganceofhisbehaviour，andfrommysterioushintshedropsforheneverwillspeakoutplainly，thatweshallbehearingnewsoffreshdebtscontractedbyhimsoon。Myhealthisbetter:Ilaytheblameofitsfeeblenessonthecoldweather，morethanonanuneasymind。"
　　"March24th，1847。
　　"ItisatHaworth，ifallbewell，thatwemustnextseeeachotheragain。IoweyouagrudgeforgivingMissM——someveryexaggeratedaccountaboutmynotbeingwell，andsettingherontourgemyleavinghomeasquiteaduty。I’lltakecarenottotellyounexttime，whenIthinkIamlookingspeciallyoldandugly；asifpeoplecouldnothavethatprivilege，withoutbeingsupposedtobeatthelastgasp！Ishallbethirty-onenextbirthday。Myyouthisgonelikeadream；andverylittleusehaveIevermadeofit。WhathaveIdonetheselastthirtyyears？
　　Preciouslittle。"
　　Thequiet，sadyearstoleon。Thesisterswerecontemplatingnearathand，andforalongtime，theterribleeffectsoftalentsmisusedandfacultiesabusedinthepersonofthatbrother，oncetheirfonddarlinganddearestpride。Theyhadtocheerthepooroldfather，intowhoseheartalltrialssankthedeeper，becauseofthesilentstoicismofhisendurance。Theyhadtowatchoverhishealth，ofwhich，whateverwasitsstate，heseldomcomplained。Theyhadtosave，asmuchastheycould，thepreciousremnantsofhissight。Theyhadtoorderthefrugalhouseholdwithincreasedcare，soastosupplywantsandexpenditureutterlyforeigntotheirself-denyingnatures。Thoughtheyshrankfromovermuchcontactwiththeirfellow-beings，forallwhomtheymettheyhadkindwords，iffew；andwhenkindactionswereneeded，theywerenotspared，ifthesistersattheparsonagecouldrenderthem。Theyvisitedtheparish-schoolsduly；andoftenwereCharlotte’srareandbriefholidaysofavisitfromhomeshortenedbyhersenseofthenecessityofbeinginherplaceattheSunday-school。
　　Intheintervalsofsuchalifeasthis，"JaneEyre"wasmakingprogress。"TheProfessor"waspassingslowlyandheavilyfrompublishertopublisher。"WutheringHeights"and"AgnesGrey"hadbeenacceptedbyanotherpublisher，"ontermssomewhatimpoverishingtothetwoauthors；"abargaintobealludedtomorefullyhereafter。Itwaslyinginhishands，awaitinghispleasureforitspassagethroughthepress，duringallthemonthsofearlysummer。
　　Thepieceofexternalbrightnesstowhichthesisterslookedduringthesesamesummermonths，wasthehopethatthefriendtowhomsomanyofCharlotte’slettersareaddressed，andwhowasherchosencompanion，whenevercircumstancespermittedthemtobetogether，aswellasafavouritewithEmilyandAnne，wouldbeabletopaythemavisitatHaworth。FineweatherhadcomeinMay，Charlottewrites，andtheyhopedtomaketheirvisitordecentlycomfortable。Theirbrotherwastolerablywell，havinggottotheendofaconsiderablesumofmoneywhichhebecamepossessedofinthespring，andthereforeunderthewholesomerestrictionofpoverty。ButCharlottewarnsherfriendthatshemustexpecttofindachangeinhisappearance，andthatheisbrokeninmind；andendshernoteofentreatinginvitationbysaying，"Iprayforfineweather，thatwemaygetoutwhileyoustay。"
　　Atlengththedaywasfixed。
　　"Fridaywillsuitusverywell。IDOtrustnothingwillnowarisetopreventyourcoming。Ishallbeanxiousabouttheweatheronthatday；ifitrains，Ishallcry。Don’texpectmetomeetyou；
　　wherewouldbethegoodofit？Ineitherliketomeet，nortobemet。Unless，indeed，youhadaboxorabasketformetocarry；
　　thentherewouldbesomesenseinit。Comeinblack，blue，pink，white，orscarlet，asyoulike。Comeshabbyorsmart，neitherthecolournortheconditionsignifies；providedonlythedresscontainE——，allwillberight。"
　　Buttherecamethefirstofaseriesofdisappointmentstobeborne。Onefeelshowsharpitmusthavebeentohavewrungoutthefollowingwords。
　　"May20th。
　　"Yourletterofyesterdaydidindeedgivemeacruelchillofdisappointment。Icannotblameyou，forIknowitwasnotyourfault。Idonotaltogetherexempt——fromreproach……Thisisbitter，butIfeelbitter。AstogoingtoB——，IwillnotgoneartheplacetillyouhavebeentoHaworth。Myrespectstoallandsundry，accompaniedwithalargeamountofwormwoodandgall，fromtheeffusionofwhichyouandyourmotherarealoneexcepted——C。B。
　　"YouarequiteatlibertytotellwhatIthink，ifyoujudgeproper。ThoughitistrueImaybesomewhatunjust，forIamdeeplyannoyed。IthoughtIhadarrangedyourvisittolerablycomfortableforyouthistime。Imayfinditmoredifficultonanotheroccasion。"
　　Imustgiveonesentencefromaletterwrittenaboutthistime，asitshowsdistinctlytheclearstrongsenseofthewriter。
　　"Iwasamusedbywhatshesaysrespectingherwishthat，whenshemarries，herhusbandwill，atleast，haveawillofhisown，evenshouldhebeatyrant。Tellher，whensheformsthataspirationagain，shemustmakeitconditionalifherhusbandhasastrongwill，hemustalsohavestrongsense，akindheart，andathoroughlycorrectnotionofjustice；becauseamanwithaWEAK
　　BRAINandaSTRONGWILL，ismerelyanintractablebrute；youcanhavenoholdofhim；youcanneverleadhimright。ATYRANTunderanycircumstancesisacurse。"
　　Meanwhile，"TheProfessor"hadmetwithmanyrefusalsfromdifferentpublishers；some，Ihavereasontobelieve，notover-courteouslywordedinwritingtoanunknownauthor，andnonealleginganydistinctreasonsforitsrejection。Courtesyisalwaysdue；butitis，perhaps，hardlytobeexpectedthat，inthepressofbusinessinagreatpublishinghouse，theyshouldfindtimetoexplainwhytheydeclineparticularworks。Yet，thoughonecourseofactionisnottobewonderedat，theoppositemayfalluponagrievedanddisappointedmindwithallthegraciousnessofdew；andIcanwellsympathisewiththepublishedaccountwhich"CurrerBell"gives，ofthefeelingsexperiencedonreadingMessrs。SmithandElder’slettercontainingtherejectionof"TheProfessor"。
　　"Asaforlornhope，wetriedonepublishinghousemore。Erelong，inamuchshorterspacethanthatonwhichexperiencehadtaughthimtocalculate，therecamealetter，whichheopenedinthedrearyanticipationoffindingtwohardhopelesslines，intimatingthat"Messrs。SmithandElderwerenotdisposedtopublishtheMS。，"and，instead，hetookoutoftheenvelopealetteroftwopages。Hereadittrembling。Itdeclined，indeed，topublishthattale，forbusinessreasons，butitdiscusseditsmeritsanddemerits，socourteously，soconsiderately，inaspiritsorational，withadiscriminationsoenlightened，thatthisveryrefusalcheeredtheauthorbetterthanavulgarly-expressedacceptancewouldhavedone。Itwasadded，thataworkinthreevolumeswouldmeetwithcarefulattention。"
　　Mr。Smithhastoldmealittlecircumstanceconnectedwiththereceptionofthismanuscript，whichseemstomeindicativeofnoordinarycharacter。Itcameaccompaniedbythenotegivenbelow
　　inabrownpaperparcel，to65Cornhill。BesidestheaddresstoMessrs。SmithandCo。，therewereonitthoseofotherpublisherstowhomthetalehadbeensent，notobliterated，butsimplyscoredthrough，sothatMessrs。Smithatonceperceivedthenamesofsomeofthehousesinthetradetowhichtheunluckyparcelhadgone，withoutsuccess。
　　ToMESSRS。SMITHANDELDER。
　　"July15th，1847。
　　"Gentlemen——Ibegtosubmittoyourconsiderationtheaccompanyingmanuscript。Ishouldbegladtolearnwhetheritbesuchasyouapprove，andwouldundertaketopublishatasearlyaperiodaspossible。Address，Mr。CurrerBell，undercovertoMissBronte，Haworth，Bradford，Yorkshire。"
　　Sometimeelapsedbeforeananswerwasreturned。
　　Alittlecircumstancemaybementionedhere，thoughitbelongstoasomewhatearlierperiod，asshowingMissBronte’sinexperienceofthewaysoftheworld，andwillingdeferencetotheopinionofothers。Shehadwrittentoapublisheraboutoneofhermanuscripts，whichshehadsenthim，and，notreceivinganyreply，sheconsultedherbrotherastowhatcouldbethereasonfortheprolongedsilence。Heatoncesetitdowntohernothavingenclosedapostage-stampinherletter。Sheaccordinglywroteagain，torepairherformeromission，andapologiseforit。
　　ToMESSRS。SMITHANDELDER。
　　"August2nd，1847。
　　"Gentlemen，——Aboutthreeweekssince，IsentforyourconsiderationaMS。entitled"TheProfessor"，atalebyCurrerBell。Ishouldbegladtoknowwhetheritreachedyourhandssafely，andlikewisetolearn，atyourearliestconvenience，whetheritbesuchasyoucanundertaketopublish——Iam，gentlemen，yoursrespectfully，"CURRERBELL。
　　"Iencloseadirectedcoverforyourreply。"
　　Thistimehernotemetwithapromptanswer；for，fourdayslater，shewritesinreplytotheletterwhichsheafterwardscharacterisedinthePrefacetothesecondeditionof"WutheringHeights"，ascontainingarefusalsodelicate，reasonable，andcourteous，astobemorecheeringthansomeacceptances:
　　"Yourobjectiontothewantofvariedinterestinthetaleis，I
　　amaware，notwithoutgrounds；yetitappearstomethatitmightbepublishedwithoutseriousrisk，ifitsappearancewerespeedilyfollowedupbyanotherworkfromthesamepen，ofamorestrikingandexcitingcharacter。Thefirstworkmightserveasanintroduction，andaccustomthepublictotheauthor’sthesuccessofthesecondmighttherebyberenderedmoreprobable。Ihaveasecondnarrativeinthreevolumes，nowinprogress，andnearlycompleted，towhichIhaveendeavouredtoimpartamorevividinterestthanbelongsto"TheProfessor"。InaboutamonthIhopetofinishit，sothatifapublisherwerefoundfor"TheProfessor"，thesecondnarrativemightfollowassoonaswasdeemedadvisable；andthustheinterestofthepublicifanyinterestwasarousedmightnotbesufferedtocool。Willyoubekindenoughtofavourmewithyourjudgmentonthisplan？"
　　Whilethemindsofthethreesisterswereinthisstateofsuspense，theirlong-expectedfriendcametopayherpromisedvisit。ShewaswiththematthebeginningoftheglowingAugustofthatyear。Theywereoutonthemoorsforthegreaterpartofthedaybaskinginthegoldensunshine，whichwasbringingonanunusualplenteousnessofharvest，forwhich，somewhatlater，Charlotteexpressedherearnestdesirethatthereshouldbeathanksgivingserviceinallthechurches。AugustwastheseasonofgloryfortheneighbourhoodofHaworth。Eventhesmoke，lyinginthevalleybetweenthatvillageandKeighley，tookbeautyfromtheradiantcoloursonthemoorsabove，therichpurpleoftheheatherbloomcallingoutanharmoniouscontrastinthetawnygoldenlightthat，inthefullheatofsummerevenings，comesstealingeverywherethroughthedunatmosphereofthehollows。
　　Andup，onthemoors，turningawayfromallhabitationsofmen，theroyalgroundonwhichtheystoodwouldexpandintolongswellsofamethyst-tintedhills，meltingawayintoaerialtints；
　　andthefreshandfragrantscentoftheheather，andthe"murmurofinnumerablebees，"wouldlendapoignancytotherelishwithwhichtheywelcomedtheirfriendtotheirowntruehomeonthewildandopenhills。
　　There，too，theycouldescapefromtheShadowinthehousebelow。
　　Throughoutthistime——duringalltheseconfidences——notawordwasutteredtotheirfriendofthethreetalesinLondon；twoacceptedandinthepress——onetremblinginthebalanceofapublisher’sjudgment；nordidshehearofthatotherstory"nearlycompleted，"lyinginmanuscriptinthegreyoldparsonagedownbelow。Shemighthavehersuspicionsthattheyallwrotewithanintentionofpublicationsometime；butsheknewtheboundswhichtheysettothemselvesintheircommunications；norcouldshe，norcananyoneelse，wonderattheirreticence，whenrememberinghowschemeafterschemehadfailed，justasitseemedcloseuponaccomplishment。
　　Mr。Bronte，too，hadhissuspicionsofsomethinggoingon；but，neverbeingspokento，hedidnotspeakonthesubject，andconsequentlyhisideaswerevagueanduncertain，onlyjustpropheticenoughtokeephimfrombeingactuallystunnedwhen，lateron，heheardofthesuccessof"JaneEyre"；totheprogressofwhichwemustnowreturn。
　　ToMESSRS。SMITHANDELDER。
　　"August24th。
　　"InowsendyouperrailaMS。entitled’JaneEyre，’anovelinthreevolumes，byCurrerBell。IfindIcannotprepaythecarriageoftheparcel，asmoneyforthatpurposeisnotreceivedatthesmallstation-housewhereitisleft。If，whenyouacknowledgethereceiptoftheMS。，youwouldhavethegoodnesstomentiontheamountchargedondelivery，Iwillimmediatelytransmititinpostagestamps。ItisbetterinfuturetoaddressMr。CurrerBell，undercovertoMissBronte，Haworth，Bradford，Yorkshire，asthereisariskoflettersotherwisedirectednotreachingmeatpresent。Tosavetrouble，Iencloseanenvelope。"
　　"JaneEyre"wasaccepted，andprintedandpublishedbyOctober16th。
　　Whileitwasinthepress，MissBrontewenttopayashortvisittoherfriendatB。Theproofswereforwardedtoherthere，andsheoccasionallysatatthesametablewithherfriend，correctingthem；buttheydidnotexchangeawordonthesubject。
　　ImmediatelyonherreturntotheParsonage，shewrote:
　　"September。
　　"Ihadaverywet，windywalkhomefromKeighley；butmyfatiguequitedisappearedwhenIreachedhome，andfoundallwell。ThankGodforit。
　　"Myboxescamesafethismorning。Ihavedistributedthepresents。PapasaysIamtorememberhimmostkindlytoyou。Thescreenwillbeveryuseful，andhethanksyouforit。Tabbywascharmedwithhercap。Shesaid，’sheneverthoughto’naughto’
　　t’sortasMisssendingheraught，and，sheissure，shecanneverthankherenoughforit。’Iwasinfuriatedonfindingajarinmytrunk。Atfirst，Ihopeditwasempty，butwhenIfounditheavyandreplete，IcouldhavehurleditallthewaybacktoB。However，theinscriptionA。B。softenedmemuch。Itwasatoncekindandvillainousinyoutosendit。Yououghtfirsttobetenderlykissed，andthenafterwardsastenderlywhipped。Emilyisjustnowonthefloorofthebed-roomwhereIamwriting，lookingatherapples。ShesmiledwhenIgavethecollartoherasyourpresent，withanexpressionatoncewell-pleasedandslightlysurprised。Allsendtheirlove——Yours，inamixtureofangerandlove。"
　　Whenthemanuscriptof"JaneEyre"hadbeenreceivedbythefuturepublishersofthatremarkablenovel，itfelltotheshareofagentlemanconnectedwiththefirmtoreaditfirst。Hewassopowerfullystruckbythecharacterofthetale，thathereportedhisimpressioninverystrongtermstoMr。Smith，whoappearstohavebeenmuchamusedbytheadmirationexcited。"Youseemtohavebeensoenchanted，thatIdonotknowhowtobelieveyou，"helaughinglysaid。Butwhenasecondreader，inthepersonofaclear-headedScotchman，notgiventoenthusiasm，hadtakentheMS。homeintheevening，andbecamesodeeplyinterestedinit，astosituphalfthenighttofinishit，Mr。Smith’scuriositywassufficientlyexcitedtoprompthimtoreaditforhimself；andgreataswerethepraiseswhichhadbeenbestoweduponit，hefoundthattheyhadnotexceededthetruth。
　　Onitspublication，copieswerepresentedtoafewprivateliteraryfriends。Theirdiscernmenthadbeenrightlyreckonedupon。Theywereofconsiderablestandingintheworldofletters；
　　andoneandallreturnedexpressionsofhighpraisealongwiththeirthanksforthebook。AmongthemwasthegreatwriteroffictionforwhomMissBrontefeltsostronganadmiration；heimmediatelyappreciated，and，inacharacteristicnotetothepublishers，acknowledgeditsextraordinarymerits。
　　TheReviewsweremoretardy，ormorecautious。TheAthenaeumandtheSpectatorgaveshortnotices，containingqualifiedadmissionsofthepoweroftheauthor。TheLiteraryGazettewasuncertainastowhetheritwassafetopraiseanunknownauthor。TheDailyNewsdeclinedacceptingthecopywhichhadbeensent，onthescoreofarule"nevertoreviewnovels；"butalittlelateron，thereappearedanoticeoftheBacheloroftheAlbanyinthatpaper；andMessrs。SmithandElderagainforwardedacopyof"JaneEyre"totheEditor，witharequestforanotice。Thistimetheworkwasaccepted；butIamnotawarewhatwasthecharacterofthearticleuponit。
　　TheExaminercameforwardtotherescue，asfarastheopinionsofprofessionalcriticswereconcerned。Theliteraryarticlesinthatpaperwerealwaysremarkablefortheirgenialandgenerousappreciationofmeritnorwasthenoticeof"JaneEyre"anexception；itwasfullofhearty，yetdelicateanddiscriminatingpraise。Otherwise，thepressingeneraldidlittletopromotethesaleofthenovel；thedemandforitamonglibrarianshadbegunbeforetheappearanceofthereviewintheExaminer；thepoweroffascinationofthetaleitselfmadeitsmeritsknowntothepublic，withoutthekindlyfinger-postsofprofessionalcriticism；and，earlyinDecember，therushbeganforcopies。
　　IwillinserttwoorthreeofMissBronte’sletterstoherpublishers，inordertoshowhowtimidlytheideaofsuccesswasreceivedbyonesounaccustomedtoadoptasanguineviewofanysubjectinwhichshewasindividuallyconcerned。Theoccasionsonwhichthesenoteswerewritten，willexplainthemselves。
　　"Oct。19th，1847。
　　"Gentlemen，——Thesixcopiesof"JaneEyre"reachedmethismorning。Youhavegiventheworkeveryadvantagewhichgoodpaper，cleartype，andaseemlyoutsidecansupply；——ifitfails，thefaultwillliewiththeauthor，——youareexempt。
　　"Inowawaitthejudgmentofthepressandthepublic——Iam，Gentlemen，yoursrespectfully，C。BELL。"
　　MESSRS。SMITH，ELDER，ANDCO。
　　"Oct。26th，1847。
　　"Gentlemen，——Ihavereceivedthenewspapers。Theyspeakquiteasfavourablyof"JaneEyre"asIexpectedthemtodo。ThenoticeintheLiteraryGazetteseemscertainlytohavebeeninditedinratheraflatmood，andtheAthenaeumhasastyleofitsown，whichIrespect，butcannotexactlyrelish；stillwhenoneconsidersthatjournalsofthatstandinghaveadignitytomaintainwhichwouldbederangedbyatoocordialrecognitionoftheclaimsofanobscureauthor，Isupposethereiseveryreasontobesatisfied。
　　"Meantimeabrisksalewouldbeeffectualsupportunderthehauteurofloftycritics——Iam，Gentlemen，yoursrespectfully，"C。BELL。"
　　MESSRS。SMITH，ELDER，ANDCO。
　　"Nov。13th，1847。
　　"Gentlemen，——Ihavetoacknowledgethereceiptofyoursofthe11thinst。，andtothankyoufortheinformationitcommunicates。
　　ThenoticefromthePeople’sJournalalsodulyreachedme，andthismorningIreceivedtheSpectator。ThecritiqueintheSpectatorgivesthatviewofthebookwhichwillnaturallybetakenbyacertainclassofminds；Ishallexpectittobefollowedbyothernoticesofasimilarnature。Thewaytodetractionhasbeenpointedout，andwillprobablybepursued。
　　MostfuturenoticeswillinalllikelihoodhaveareflectionoftheSpectatorinthem。Ifearthisturnofopinionwillnotimprovethedemandforthebook——buttimewillshow。If"JaneEyre"hasanysolidworthinit，itoughttoweatheragustofunfavourablewind——Iam，Gentlemen，yoursrespectfully，"C。BELL。"
　　MESSRS。SMITH，ELDER，ANDCO。
　　"Nov。30th，1847。
　　"Gentlemen，——IhavereceivedtheEconomist，butnottheExaminer；
　　fromsomecausethatpaperhasmissed，astheSpectatordidonaformeroccasion；Iamglad，however，tolearnthroughyourletter，thatitsnoticeof"JaneEyre"wasfavourable，andalsothattheprospectsoftheworkappeartoimprove。
　　"Iamobligedtoyoufortheinformationrespecting"WutheringHeights"——Iam，Gentlemen，yoursrespectfully，"C。BELL。"
　　ToMESSRS。SMITH，ELDER，ANDCO。
　　"Dec。1st，1847。
　　"Gentlemen，——TheExaminerreachedmeto-day；ithadbeenmissentonaccountofthedirection，whichwastoCurrerBell，careofMissBronte。AllowmetointimatethatitwouldbebetterinfuturenottoputthenameofCurrerBellontheoutsideofcommunications；ifdirectedsimplytoMissBrontetheywillbemorelikelytoreachtheirdestinationsafely。CurrerBellisnotknowninthedistrict，andIhavenowishthatheshouldbecomeknown。ThenoticeintheExaminergratifiedmeverymuch；itappearstobefromthepenofanablemanwhohasunderstoodwhatheundertakestocriticise；ofcourse，approbationfromsuchaquarterisencouragingtoanauthor，andItrustitwillprovebeneficialtothework——Iam，Gentlemen，yoursrespectfully，C。BELL。
　　"Ireceivedlikewisesevenothernoticesfromprovincialpapersenclosedinanenvelope。Ithankyouverysincerelyforsopunctuallysendingmeallthevariouscriticismson"JaneEyre"。"
　　TOMESSRS。SMITH，ELDER，ANDCO。
　　"Dec。10th，1847。
　　"Gentlemen，——Ibegtoacknowledgethereceiptofyourletterinclosingabankpostbill，forwhichIthankyou。Havingalreadyexpressedmysenseofyourkindanduprightconduct，IcannowonlysaythatItrustyouwillalwayshavereasontobeaswellcontentwithmeasIamwithyou。IftheresultofanyfutureexertionsImaybeabletomakeshouldproveagreeableandadvantageoustoyou，Ishallbewellsatisfied；anditwouldbeaserioussourceofregrettomeifIthoughtyoueverhadreasontorepentbeingmypublishers。
　　"Youneednotapologise，Gentlemen，forhavingwrittentomesoseldom；ofcourseIamalwaysgladtohearfromyou，butIamtrulygladtohearfromMr。Williamslikewise；hewasmyfirstfavourablecritic；hefirstgavemeencouragementtopersevereasanauthor，consequentlyInaturallyrespecthimandfeelgratefultohim。
　　"Excusetheinformalityofmyletter，andbelieveme，Gentlemen，yoursrespectfully，CURRERBELL。"
　　Thereislittlerecordremainingofthemannerinwhichthefirstnewsofitswonderfulsuccessreachedandaffectedtheoneheartofthethreesisters。IonceaskedCharlotte——weweretalkingaboutthedescriptionofLowoodschool，andshewassayingthatshewasnotsurewhethersheshouldhavewrittenit，ifshehadbeenawarehowinstantaneouslyitwouldhavebeenidentifiedwithCowanBridge——whetherthepopularitytowhichthenovelattainedhadtakenherbysurprise。Shehesitatedalittle，andthensaid:
　　"IbelievedthatwhathadimpressedmesoforciblywhenIwroteit，mustmakeastrongimpressiononanyonewhoreadit。Iwasnotsurprisedatthosewhoread"JaneEyre"beingdeeplyinterestedinit；butIhardlyexpectedthatabookbyanunknownauthorcouldfindreaders。"
　　Thesistershadkepttheknowledgeoftheirliteraryventuresfromtheirfather，fearingtoincreasetheirownanxietiesanddisappointmentbywitnessinghis；forhetookanacuteinterestinallthatbefellhischildren，andhisowntendencyhadbeentowardsliteratureinthedayswhenhewasyoungandhopeful。Itwastruehedidnotmuchmanifesthisfeelingsinwords；hewouldhavethoughtthathewaspreparedfordisappointmentasthelotofman，andthathecouldhavemetitwithstoicism；butwordsarepoorandtardyinterpretersoffeelingstothosewholoveoneanother，andhisdaughtersknewhowhewouldhaveborneill-successworseforthemthanforhimself。Sotheydidnottellhimwhattheywereundertaking。Hesaysnowthathesuspecteditallalong，buthissuspicionscouldtakenoexactform，asallhewascertainofwas，thathischildrenwereperpetuallywriting——andnotwritingletters。Wehaveseenhowthecommunicationsfromtheirpublisherswerereceived"undercovertoMissBronte。"Once，Charlottetoldme，theyoverheardthepostmanmeetingMr。Bronte，asthelatterwasleavingthehouse，andinquiringfromtheparsonwhereoneCurrerBellcouldbeliving，towhichMr。Bronterepliedthattherewasnosuchpersonintheparish。ThismusthavebeenthemisadventuretowhichMissBrontealludesinthebeginningofhercorrespondencewithMr。
　　Aylott。
　　Now，however，whenthedemandfortheworkhadassuredsuccessto"JaneEyre，"hersistersurgedCharlottetotelltheirfatherofitspublication。Sheaccordinglywentintohisstudyoneafternoonafterhisearlydinner，carryingwithheracopyofthebook，andoneortworeviews，takingcaretoincludeanoticeadversetoit。
　　Sheinformedmethatsomethinglikethefollowingconversationtookplacebetweenherandhim。IwrotedownherwordsthedayafterIheardthem；andIamprettysuretheyarequiteaccurate。
　　"Papa，I’vebeenwritingabook。"
　　"Haveyou，mydear？"
　　"Yes，andIwantyoutoreadit。"
　　"Iamafraiditwilltrymyeyestoomuch。"
　　"Butitisnotinmanuscript:itisprinted。"
　　"Mydear！you’veneverthoughtoftheexpenseitwillbe！Itwillbealmostsuretobealoss，forhowcanyougetabooksold？Nooneknowsyouoryourname。"
　　"But，papa，Idon’tthinkitwillbealoss；nomorewillyou，ifyouwilljustletmereadyouareviewortwo，andtellyoumoreaboutit。"
　　Soshesatedownandreadsomeofthereviewstoherfather；andthen，givinghimthecopyof"JaneEyre"thatsheintendedforhim，shelefthimtoreadit。Whenhecameintotea，hesaid，"Girls，doyouknowCharlottehasbeenwritingabook，anditismuchbetterthanlikely？"
　　ButwhiletheexistenceofCurrerBell，theauthor，waslikeapieceofadreamtothequietinhabitantsofHaworthParsonage，whowentonwiththeiruniformhouseholdlife，——theircaresfortheirbrotherbeingitsonlyvariety，——thewholereading-worldofEnglandwasinafermenttodiscovertheunknownauthor。Eventhepublishersof"JaneEyre"wereignorantwhetherCurrerBellwasarealoranassumedname，——whetheritbelongedtoamanorawoman。Ineverytownpeoplesoughtoutthelistoftheirfriendsandacquaintances，andturnedawayindisappointment。Noonetheyknewhadgeniusenoughtobetheauthor。Everylittleincidentmentionedinthebookwasturnedthiswayandthattoanswer，ifpossible，themuch-vexedquestionofsex。Allinvain。Peoplewerecontenttorelaxtheirexertionstosatisfytheircuriosity，andsimplytositdownandgreatlyadmire。
　　Iamnotgoingtowriteananalysisofabookwithwhicheveryonewhoreadsthisbiographyissuretobeacquainted；muchlessacriticismuponawork，whichthegreatfloodofpublicopinionhasliftedupfromtheobscurityinwhichitfirstappeared，andlaidhighandsafeontheeverlastinghillsoffame。
　　Beforemeliesapacketofextractsfromnewspapersandperiodicals，whichMr。Brontehassentme。Itistouchingtolookthemover，andseehowthereishardlyanynotice，howevershortandclumsily-worded，inanyobscureprovincialpaper，butwhathasbeencutoutandcarefullyticketedwithitsdatebythepoor，bereavedfather，——soproudwhenhefirstreadthem——sodesolatenow。Foroneandallarefullofpraiseofthisgreat，unknowngenius，whichsuddenlyappearedamongstus。Conjectureastotheauthorshipranaboutlikewild-fire。PeopleinLondon，smoothandpolishedastheAtheniansofold，andlikethem"spendingtheirtimeinnothingelse，buteithertotellortohearsomenewthing，"wereastonishedanddelightedtofindthatafreshsensation，anewpleasure，wasinreserveforthemintheuprisingofanauthor，capableofdepictingwithaccurateandTitanicpowerthestrong，self-reliant，racy，andindividualcharacterswhichwerenot，afterall，extinctspecies，butlingeredstillinexistenceintheNorth。Theythoughtthattherewassomeexaggerationmixedwiththepeculiarforceofdelineation。Thosenearertothespot，wherethesceneofthestorywasapparentlylaid，weresure，fromtheverytruthandaccuracyofthewriting，thatthewriterwasnoSoutheron；forthough"dark，andcold，andruggedistheNorth，"theoldstrengthoftheScandinavianracesyetabidesthere，andglowedoutineverycharacterdepictedin"JaneEyre。"Fartherthanthis，curiosity，bothhonourableanddishonourable，wasatfault。
　　Whenthesecondeditionappeared，intheJanuaryofthefollowingyear，withthededicationtoMr。Thackeray，peoplelookedateachotherandwonderedafresh。ButCurrerBellknewnomoreofWilliamMakepeaceThackerayasanindividualman——ofhislife，age，fortunes，orcircumstances——thanshedidofthoseofMr。
　　MichaelAngeloTitmarsh。Theonehadplacedhisnameasauthoruponthetitle-pageofVanityFair，theotherhadnot。Shewasthankfulfortheopportunityofexpressingherhighadmirationofawriter，whom，asshesays，sheregarded"asthesocialregeneratorofhisday——astheverymasterofthatworkingcorpswhowouldrestoretorectitudethewarpedstateofthings……
　　Hiswitisbright，hishumourattractive，butbothbearthesamerelationtohisseriousgenius，thatthemerelambentsheet-lightning，playingundertheedgeofthesummercloud，doestotheelectricdeath-sparkhidinitswomb。"
　　AnneBrontehadbeenmorethanusuallydelicateallthesummer，andhersensitivespirithadbeendeeplyaffectedbythegreatanxietyofherhome。Butnowthat"JaneEyre"gavesuchindicationsofsuccess，Charlottebegantoplanschemesoffuturepleasure，——perhapsrelaxationfromcare，wouldbethemorecorrectexpression，——fortheirdarlingyoungersister，the"littleone"ofthehousehold。But，althoughAnnewascheeredforatimebyCharlotte’ssuccess，thefactwas，thatneitherherspiritsnorherbodilystrengthweresuchastoinclinehertomuchactiveexertion，andsheledfartoosedentaryalife，continuallystoopingeitheroverherbook，orwork，oratherdesk。"Itiswithdifficulty，"writeshersister，"thatwecanprevailuponhertotakeawalk，orinducehertoconverse。I
　　lookforwardtonextsummerwiththeconfidentintentionthatsheshall，ifpossible，makeatleastabriefsojournatthesea-side。"Inthissameletter，isasentence，tellinghowdearlyhome，evenwithitspresentterribledrawback，layattherootsofherheart；butitistoomuchblendedwithreferencetotheaffairsofotherstobearquotation。
　　Anyauthorofasuccessfulnovelisliabletoaninroadoflettersfromunknownreaders，containingcommendation——sometimesofsofulsomeandindiscriminatingacharacterastoremindtherecipientofDr。Johnson’sfamousspeechtoonewhoofferedpresumptuousandinjudiciouspraise——sometimessayingmerelyafewwords，whichhavepowertostirtheheart"aswiththesoundofatrumpet，"andinthehighhumilitytheyexcite，tocallforthstrongresolutionstomakeallfutureeffortsworthyofsuchpraise；andoccasionallycontainingthattrueappreciationofbothmeritsanddemerits，togetherwiththesourcesofeach，whichformstheverycriticismandhelpforwhichaninexperiencedwriterthirsts。OfeachofthesekindsofcommunicationCurrerBellreceivedherfullshare；andherwarmheart，andtruesenseandhighstandardofwhatsheaimedat，affixedtoeachitstruevalue。Amongotherlettersofhers，sometoMr。G。H。Leweshavebeenkindlyplacedbyhimatmyservice；
　　andasIknowMissBrontehighlyprizedhislettersofencouragementandadvice，Ishallgiveextractsfromherreplies，astheirdatesoccur，becausetheywillindicatethekindofcriticismshevalued，andalsobecausethroughout，inanger，asinagreementandharmony，theyshowhercharacterunblindedbyanyself-flattery，fullofclear-sightedmodestyastowhatshereallydidwell，andwhatshefailedin，gratefulforfriendlyinterest，andonlysoreandirritablewhenthequestionofsexinauthorshipwas，asshethought，roughlyorunfairlytreated。Astotherest，thelettersspeakforthemselves，tothosewhoknowhowtolisten，farbetterthanIcaninterprettheirmeaningintomypoorerandweakerwords。Mr。Leweshaspolitelysentmethefollowingexplanationofthatletterofhis，towhichthesucceedingoneofMissBronteisareply。
　　"When’JaneEyre’firstappeared，thepublisherscourteouslysentmeacopy。TheenthusiasmwithwhichIreadit，mademegodowntoMr。Parker，andproposetowriteareviewofitforFrazer’sMagazine。Hewouldnotconsenttoanunknownnovel——forthepapershadnotyetdeclaredthemselves——receivingsuchimportance，butthoughtitmightmakeoneon’RecentNovels:
　　EnglishandFrench’——whichappearedinFrazer，December，1847。
　　MeanwhileIhadwrittentoMissBrontetotellherthedelightwithwhichherbookfilledme；andseemtohavesermonisedher，tojudgefromherreply。"
　　ToG。H。LEWES，ESQ。
　　"Nov。6th，1847。
　　"DearSir，——Yourletterreachedmeyesterday；Ibegtoassureyou，thatIappreciatefullytheintentionwithwhichitwaswritten，andIthankyousincerelybothforitscheeringcommendationandvaluableadvice。
　　"Youwarnmetobewareofmelodrama，andyouexhortmetoadheretothereal。WhenIfirstbegantowrite，soimpressedwasIwiththetruthoftheprinciplesyouadvocate，thatIdeterminedtotakeNatureandTruthasmysoleguides，andtofollowintheirveryfootprints；Irestrainedimagination，eschewedromance，repressedexcitement；over-brightcolouring，too，Iavoided，andsoughttoproducesomethingwhichshouldbesoft，grave，andtrue。
　　"Myworkataleinonevolumebeingcompleted，Iofferedittoapublisher。Hesaiditwasoriginal，faithfultonature，buthedidnotfeelwarrantedinacceptingit；suchaworkwouldnotsell。Itriedsixpublishersinsuccession；theyalltoldmeitwasdeficientin’startlingincident’and’thrillingexcitement，’
　　thatitwouldneversuitthecirculatinglibraries，and，asitwasonthoselibrariesthesuccessofworksoffictionmainlydepended，theycouldnotundertaketopublishwhatwouldbeoverlookedthere。
　　"’JaneEyre’wasratherobjectedtoatfirst，onthesamegrounds，butfinallyfoundacceptance。
　　"Imentionthistoyou，notwithaviewofpleadingexemptionfromcensure，butinordertodirectyourattentiontotherootofcertainliteraryevils。If，inyourforthcomingarticleinFrazer，youwouldbestowafewwordsofenlightenmentonthepublicwhosupportthecirculatinglibraries，youmight，withyourpowers，dosomegood。
　　"Youadviseme，too，nottostrayfarfromthegroundofexperience，asIbecomeweakwhenIentertheregionoffiction；
　　andyousay，’realexperienceisperenniallyinteresting，andtoallmen。’
　　"Ifeelthatthisalsoistrue；but，dearSir，isnottherealexperienceofeachindividualverylimited？And，ifawriterdwellsuponthatsolelyorprincipally，ishenotindangerofrepeatinghimself，andalsoofbecominganegotist？Then，too，imaginationisastrong，restlessfaculty，whichclaimstobeheardandexercised:arewetobequitedeaftohercry，andinsensatetoherstruggles？Whensheshowsusbrightpictures，arewenevertolookatthem，andtrytoreproducethem？Andwhensheiseloquent，andspeaksrapidlyandurgentlyinourear，arewenottowritetoherdictation？
　　"IshallanxiouslysearchthenextnumberofFraserforyouropinionsonthesepoints——Believeme，dearSir，yoursgratefully，"C。BELL。"
　　Butwhilegratifiedbyappreciationasanauthor，shewascautiousastothepersonfromwhomshereceivedit；formuchofthevalueofthepraisedependedonthesincerityandcapabilityofthepersonrenderingit。Accordingly，sheappliedtoMr。
　　Williamsagentlemanconnectedwithherpublishers’firmforinformationastowhoandwhatMr。Leweswas。Herreply，aftershehadlearntsomethingofthecharacterofherfuturecritic，andwhileawaitinghiscriticism，mustnotbeomitted。Besidesthereferencetohim，itcontainssomeamusingallusionstotheperplexitywhichbegantobeexcitedrespectingthe"identityofthebrothersBell，"andsomenoticeoftheconductofanotherpublishertowardshersister，whichIrefrainfromcharacterising，becauseIunderstandthattruthisconsideredalibelinspeakingofsuchpeople。
　　ToW。S。WILLIAMS，ESQ。
　　"Nov。10th，1847。
　　"DearSir，——IhavereceivedtheBritanniaandtheSun，butnottheSpectatorwhichIratherregret，ascensure，thoughnotpleasant，isoftenwholesome。
　　"ThankyouforyourinformationregardingMr。Lewes。Iamgladtohearthatheisacleverandsincereman:suchbeingthecase，I
　　canawaithiscriticalsentencewithfortitude；evenifitgoesagainstme，Ishallnotmurmur；abilityandhonestyhavearighttocondemn，wheretheythinkcondemnationisdeserved。Fromwhatyousay，however，Itrustrathertoobtainatleastamodifiedapproval。
　　"YouraccountofthevarioussurmisesrespectingtheidentityofthebrothersBell，amusedmemuch:weretheenigmasolved，itwouldprobablybefoundnotworththetroubleofsolution；butI
　　willletitalone；itsuitsourselvestoremainquiet，andcertainlyinjuresnooneelse。
　　"Thereviewerwhonoticedthelittlebookofpoems，intheDublinMagazine，conjecturedthatthesoi-disantthreepersonageswereinrealitybutone，who，endowedwithanundulyprominentorganofself-esteem，andconsequentlyimpressedwithasomewhatweightynotionofhisownmerits，thoughtthemtoovasttobeconcentratedinasingleindividual，andaccordinglydividedhimselfintothree，outofconsideration，Isuppose，forthenervesofthemuch-to-be-astoundedpublic！Thiswasaningeniousthoughtinthereviewer，——veryoriginalandstriking，butnotaccurate。Wearethree。