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