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