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