Charlotte Brontë and Her Circle
Chapter 15
We have seen how Charlotte Bronte and her sisters wrote from their earliest years those little books which embodied their vague aspirations after literary fame. Now and again the effort is admirable, notably in _The Adventures of Ernest Alembert_, but on the whole it amounts to as little as did the juvenile productions of Shelley. That poet, it will be remembered, wrote _Zastrozzi_ at nineteen, and much else that was bad, some of which he printed. Charlotte Bronte was mercifully restrained by a well-nigh empty purse from this ill-considered rashness. It was not till the death of their aunt had added to their slender resources that the Bronte girls conceived the idea of actually publishing a book at their own expense. They communicated with the now extinct firm of Aylott & Jones of Paternoster Row, and Charlotte appears to have written many letters to the firm, {325} only two or three of which are printed by Mrs. Gaskell. The correspondence is comparatively insignificant, but as the practical beginning of Charlotte's literary career, the hitherto unpublished letters which have been preserved are perhaps worth reproducing here.
TO AYLOTT & JONES
'_January_ 28_th_, 1846.
'GENTLEMEN,--May I request to be informed whether you would undertake the publication of a collection of short poems in one volume, 8vo.
'If you object to publishing the work at your own risk, would you undertake it on the author's account?--I am, gentlemen, your obedient humble servant,
'C. BRONTE.
'Address--Rev. P. Bronte, Haworth, Bradford, Yorkshire.'
TO AYLOTT & JONES
'_March_ 3_rd_, 1846.
'GENTLEMEN,--I send a draft for 31 pounds, 10s., being the amount of your estimate.
'I suppose there is nothing now to prevent your immediately commencing the printing of the work.
'When you acknowledge the receipt of the draft, will you state how soon it will be completed?--I am, gentlemen, yours truly,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO AYLOTT & JONES
'_March_ 11_th_, 1846.
'GENTLEMEN,--I have received the proof-sheet, and return it corrected. If there is any doubt at all about the printer's competency to correct errors, I would prefer submitting each sheet to the inspection of the authors, because such a mistake, for instance, as _tumbling_ stars, instead of _trembling_, would suffice to throw an air of absurdity over a whole poem; but if you know from experience that he is to be relied on, I would trust to your assurance on the subject, and leave the task of correction to him, as I know that a considerable saving both of time and trouble would be thus effected.
'The printing and paper appear to me satisfactory. Of course I wish to have the work out as soon as possible, but I am still more anxious that it should be got up in a manner creditable to the publishers and agreeable to the authors.--I am, gentlemen, yours truly,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO AYLOTT & JONES
'_March_ 13_th_, 1846.
'GENTLEMEN,--I return you the second proof. The authors have finally decided that they would prefer having all the proofs sent to them in turn, but you need not inclose the Ms., as they can correct the errors from memory.--I am, gentlemen, yours truly,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO AYLOTT & JONES
'_March_ 23_rd_, 1846.
'GENTLEMEN,--As the proofs have hitherto come safe to hand under the direction of C. Bronte, _Esq_., I have not thought it necessary to request you to change it, but a little mistake having occurred yesterday, I think it will be better to send them to me in future under my real address, which is Miss Bronte, Rev. P. Bronte, etc.--I am, gentlemen, yours truly,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO AYLOTT & JONES
'_April_ 6_th_, 1846.
'GENTLEMEN,--C., E., and A. Bell are now preparing for the press a work of fiction, consisting of three distinct and unconnected tales, which may be published either together, as a work of three volumes, of the ordinary novel size, or separately as single volumes, as shall be deemed most advisable.
'It is not their intention to publish these tales on their own account. They direct me to ask you whether you would be disposed to undertake the work, after having, of course, by due inspection of the Ms., ascertained that its contents are such as to warrant an expectation of success.
'An early answer will oblige, as, in case of your negativing the proposal, inquiry must be made of other publishers.--I am, gentlemen, yours truly,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO AYLOTT & JONES
'_April_ 15_th_, 1846.
'GENTLEMEN,--I have to thank you for your obliging answer to my last. The information you give is of value to us, and when the MS. is completed your suggestions shall be acted on.
'There will be no preface to the poems. The blank leaf may be filled up by a table of contents, which I suppose the printer will prepare. It appears the volume will be a thinner one than was calculated on.--I am, gentlemen, yours truly,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO AYLOTT & JONES
'_May_ 11_th_, 1846.
'GENTLEMEN,--The books may be done up in the style of Moxon's duodecimo edition of Wordsworth.
'The price may be fixed at 5s., or if you think that too much for the size of the volume, say 4s.
'I think the periodicals I mentioned in my last will be sufficient for advertising in at present, and I should not wish you to lay out a larger sum than 2 pounds, especially as the estimate is increased by nearly 5 pounds, in consequence, it appears, of a mistake. I should think the success of a work depends more on the notice it receives from periodicals, than on the quantity of advertisements.
'If you do not object, the additional amount of the estimate can be remitted when you send in your account at the end of the first six months.
'I should be obliged to you if you could let me know how soon copies can be sent to the editors of the magazines and newspapers specified.--I am, gentlemen, yours truly,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO AYLOTT & JONES
'_May_ 25_th_, 1846.
'GENTLEMEN,--I received yours of the 22nd this morning. I now transmit 5 pounds, being the additional sum necessary to defray the entire expense of paper and printing. It will leave a small surplus of 11s. 9d., which you can place to my account.
'I am glad you have sent copies to the newspapers you mention, and in case of a notice favourable or otherwise appearing in them, or in any of the other periodicals to which copies have been sent, I should be obliged to you if you would send me down the numbers; otherwise, I have not the opportunity of seeing these publications regularly. I might miss it, and should the poems be remarked upon favourably, it is my intention to appropriate a further sum to advertisements. If, on the other hand, they should pass unnoticed or be condemned, I consider it would be quite useless to advertise, as there is nothing, either in the title of the work or the names of the authors, to attract attention from a single individual.--I am, gentlemen, yours truly,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO AYLOTT & JONES
'_July_ 10_th_, 1846.
'GENTLEMEN,--I am directed by the Messrs. Bell to acknowledge the receipt of the _Critic_ and the _Athenaeum_ containing notices of the poems.
'They now think that a further sum of 10 pounds may be devoted to advertisements, leaving it to you to select such channels as you deem most advisable.
'They would wish the following extract from the _Critic_ to be appended to each advertisement:--
'"They in whose hearts are chords strung by Nature to sympathise with the beautiful and the true, will recognise in these compositions the presence of more genius than it was supposed this utilitarian age had devoted to the loftier exercises of the intellect."
'They likewise request you to send copies of the poems to _Fraser's Magazine_, _Chambers' Edinburgh Journal_, the Globe, and _Examiner_.--I am, gentlemen, yours truly,
'C. BRONTE.'
To an appreciative editor Currer Bell wrote as follows:--
TO THE EDITOR OF THE 'DUBLIN UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE.'
'_October_ 6_th_, 1846.
'SIRS,--I thank you in my own name and that of my brothers, Ellis and Acton, for the indulgent notice that appeared in your last number of our first humble efforts in literature; but I thank you far more for the essay on modern poetry which preceded that notice--an essay in which seems to me to be condensed the very spirit of truth and beauty. If all or half your other readers shall have derived from its perusal the delight it afforded to myself and my brothers, your labours have produced a rich result.
'After such criticism an author may indeed be smitten at first by a sense of his own insignificance--as we were--but on a second and a third perusal he finds a power and beauty therein which stirs him to a desire to do more and better things. It fulfils the right end of criticism: without absolutely crushing, it corrects and rouses. I again thank you heartily, and beg to subscribe myself,--Your constant and grateful reader,
'CURRER BELL.'
The reception which it met with from the public may be gathered from the following letter which accompanied De Quincey's copy. {330}
TO THOMAS DE QUINCEY.
'_June_ 16_th_, 1847.
'SIRS,--My relatives, Ellis and Acton Bell, and myself, heedless of the repeated warnings of various respectable publishers, have committed the rash act of printing a volume of poems.
'The consequences predicted have, of course, overtaken us: our book is found to be a drug; no man needs it or heeds it. In the space of a year our publisher has disposed but of two copies, and by what painful efforts he succeeded in getting rid of these two, himself only knows.
'Before transferring the edition to the trunkmakers, we have decided on distributing as presents a few copies of what we cannot sell; and we beg to offer you one in acknowledgment of the pleasure and profit we have often and long derived from your works.--I am, sir, yours very respectfully,
'CURRER BELL.'
Charlotte Bronte could not have carried out the project of distribution to any appreciable extent, as a considerable 'remainder' appear to have been bound up with a new title-page by Smith & Elder. With this Smith & Elder title-page, the book is not uncommon, whereas, with the Aylott & Jones title-page it is exceedingly rare. Perhaps there were a dozen review copies and a dozen presentation copies, in addition to the two that were sold, but only three or four seem to have survived for the pleasure of the latter-day bibliophile.
Here is the title-page in question:
POEMS
BY
CURRER, ELLIS AND ACTON BELL
LONDON AYLOTT & JONES, 8 PATERNOSTER ROW 1846
We see by the letter to Aylott & Jones the first announcement of _Wuthering Heights_, _Agnes Grey_, and _The Professor_. It would not seem that there was much, or indeed any, difficulty in disposing of _Wuthering Heights_ and _Agnes Grey_. They bear the imprint of Newby of Mortimer Street, and they appeared in three uniform volumes, the two first being taken up by _Wuthering Heights_, and the third by _Agnes Grey_, {332a} which is quaintly marked as if it were a three-volumed novel in itself, having 'Volume III' on title-page and binding. I have said that there were no travels before the manuscripts of Emily and Anne. That is not quite certain. Mrs. Gaskell implies that there were; but, at any rate, there is no definite information on the subject. Newby, it is clear, did not publish them until all the world was discussing _Jane Eyre_. _The Professor_, by Currer Bell, had, however, travel enough! It was offered to six publishers in succession before it came into the hands of Mr. W. S. Williams, the 'reader' for Smith & Elder. The circumstance of its courteous refusal by that firm, and the suggestion that a three-volumed novel would be gladly considered, are within the knowledge of all Charlotte Bronte's admirers. {332b}
One cannot but admire the fearless and uncompromising honesty with which Charlotte Bronte sent the MSS. round with all its previous journeys frankly indicated.
It is not easy at this time of day to understand why Mr. Williams refused _The Professor_. The story is incomparably superior to the average novel, and, indeed, contains touches which are equal to anything that Currer Bell ever wrote. It seems to me possible that Charlotte Bronte rewrote the story after its rejection, but the manuscript does not bear out that impression. {332c}
Charlotte Bronte's method of writing was to take a piece of cardboard--the broken cover of a book, in fact--and a few sheets of note-paper, and write her first form of a story upon these sheets in a tiny handwriting in pencil. She would afterwards copy the whole out upon quarto paper very neatly in ink. None of the original pencilled MSS. of her greater novels have been preserved. The extant manuscripts of _Jane Eyre_ and _The Professor_ are in ink.
_Jane Eyre_ was written, then, under Mr. Williams's kind encouragement, and immediately accepted. It was published in the first week of October 1847.
The following letters were received by Mr. Williams while the book was beginning its course.
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_October_ 4_th_, 1847.
'DEAR SIR,--I thank you sincerely for your last letter. It is valuable to me because it furnishes me with a sound opinion on points respecting which I desired to be advised; be assured I shall do what I can to profit by your wise and good counsel.
'Permit me, however, sir, to caution you against forming too favourable an idea of my powers, or too sanguine an expectation of what they can achieve. I am myself sensible both of deficiencies of capacity and disadvantages of circumstance which will, I fear, render it somewhat difficult for me to attain popularity as an author. The eminent writers you mention--Mr. Thackeray, Mr. Dickens, Mrs. Marsh, {333} etc., doubtless enjoyed facilities for observation such as I have not; certainly they possess a knowledge of the world, whether intuitive or acquired, such as I can lay no claim to, and this gives their writings an importance and a variety greatly beyond what I can offer the public.
'Still, if health be spared and time vouchsafed me, I mean to do my best; and should a moderate success crown my efforts, its value will be greatly enhanced by the proof it will seem to give that your kind counsel and encouragement have not been bestowed on one quite unworthy.--Yours respectfully,
'C. BELL.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_October_ 9_th_, 1847.
'DEAR SIR,--I do not know whether the _Dublin University Magazine_ is included in the list of periodicals to which Messrs. Smith & Elder are accustomed to send copies of new publications, but as a former work, the joint production of myself and my two relatives, Ellis and Acton Bell, received a somewhat favourable notice in that magazine, it appears to me that if the editor's attention were drawn to _Jane Eyre_ he might possibly bestow on it also a few words of remark.
'The_ Critic_ and the _Athenaeum_ also gave comments on the work I allude to. The review in the first-mentioned paper was unexpectedly and generously eulogistic, that in the _Athenaeum_ more qualified, but still not discouraging. I mention these circumstances and leave it to you to judge whether any advantage is derivable from them.
'You dispensed me from the duty of answering your last letter, but my sense of the justness of the views it expresses will not permit me to neglect this opportunity both of acknowledging it and thanking you for it.--Yours sincerely,
'C. BELL.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'HAWORTH, _December_ 13_th_, 1847.
'DEAR SIR,--Your advice merits and shall have my most serious attention. I feel the force of your reasoning. It is my wish to do my best in the career on which I have entered. So I shall study and strive; and by dint of time, thought, and effort, I hope yet to deserve in part the encouragement you and others have so generously accorded me. But time will be necessary--that I feel more than ever. In case of _Jane Eyre_ reaching a second edition, I should wish some few corrections to be made, and will prepare an errata. How would the accompanying preface do? I thought it better to be brief.
'The _Observer_ has just reached me. I always compel myself to read the analysis in every newspaper-notice. It is a just punishment, a due though severe humiliation for faults of plan and construction. I wonder if the analysis of other fictions read as absurdly as that of _Jane Eyre_ always does.--I am, dear sir, yours respectfully,
'C. BELL.'
The following letter is interesting because it discusses the rejected novel, and refers to the project of recasting it, which ended in the writing of _Villette_. {335}
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_December_ 14_th_, 1847.
'DEAR SIR,--I have just received your kind and welcome letter of the 11th. I shall proceed at once to discuss the principal subject of it.
'Of course a second work has occupied my thoughts much. I think it would be premature in me to undertake a serial now--I am not yet qualified for the task: I have neither gained a sufficiently firm footing with the public, nor do I possess sufficient confidence in myself, nor can I boast those unflagging animal spirits, that even command of the faculty of composition, which as you say, and, I am persuaded, most justly, is an indispensable requisite to success in serial literature. I decidedly feel that ere I change my ground I had better make another venture in the three volume novel form.
'Respecting the plan of such a work, I have pondered it, but as yet with very unsatisfactory results. Three commencements have I essayed, but all three displease me. A few days since I looked over _The Professor_. I found the beginning very feeble, the whole narrative deficient in incident and in general attractiveness. Yet the middle and latter portion of the work, all that relates to Brussels, the Belgian school, etc., is as good as I can write: it contains more pith, more substance, more reality, in my judgment, than much of _Jane Eyre_. It gives, I think, a new view of a grade, an occupation, and a class of characters--all very commonplace, very insignificant in themselves, but not more so than the materials composing that portion of _Jane Eyre_ which seems to please most generally.
'My wish is to recast _The Professor_, add as well as I can what is deficient, retrench some parts, develop others, and make of it a three volume work--no easy task, I know, yet I trust not an impracticable one.
'I have not forgotten that _The Professor_ was set aside in my agreement with Messrs. Smith & Elder; therefore before I take any step to execute the plan I have sketched, I should wish to have your judgment on its wisdom. You read or looked over the Ms.--what impression have you now respecting its worth? and what confidence have you that I can make it better than it is?
'Feeling certain that from business reasons as well as from natural integrity you will be quite candid with me, I esteem it a privilege to be able thus to consult you.--Believe me, dear sir, yours respectfully,
'C. BELL.
'_Wuthering Heights_ is, I suppose, at length published, at least Mr. Newby has sent the authors their six copies. I wonder how it will be received. I should say it merits the epithets of "vigorous" and "original" much more decidedly than _Jane Eyre_ did. _Agnes Grey_ should please such critics as Mr. Lewes, for it is "true" and "unexaggerated" enough. The books are not well got up--they abound in errors of the press. On a former occasion I expressed myself with perhaps too little reserve regarding Mr. Newby, yet I cannot but feel, and feel painfully, that Ellis and Acton have not had the justice at his hands that I have had at those of Messrs. Smith & Elder.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_December_ 31_st_, 1847.
'DEAR SIRS,--I think, for the reasons you mention, it is better to substitute _author_ for _editor_. I should not be ashamed to be considered the author of _Wuthering Heights_ and _Agnes Grey_, but, possessing no real claim to that honour, I would rather not have it attributed to me, thereby depriving the true authors of their just meed.
'You do very rightly and very kindly to tell me the objections made against _Jane Eyre_--they are more essential than the praises. I feel a sort of heart-ache when I hear the book called "godless" and "pernicious" by good and earnest-minded men; but I know that heart-ache will be salutary--at least I trust so.
'What is meant by the charges of _trickery_ and _artifice_ I have yet to comprehend. It was no art in me to write a tale--it was no trick in Messrs. Smith & Elder to publish it. Where do the trickery and artifice lie?
'I have received the _Scotsman_, and was greatly amused to see Jane Eyre likened to Rebecca Sharp--the resemblance would hardly have occurred to me.
'I wish to send this note by to-day's post, and must therefore conclude in haste.--I am, dear sir, yours respectfully,
'C. BELL.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'HAWORTH, _January_ 4_th_, 1848.
'DEAR SIR,--Your letter made me ashamed of myself that I should ever have uttered a murmur, or expressed by any sign that I was sensible of pain from the unfavourable opinions of some misjudging but well-meaning people. But, indeed, let me assure you, I am not ungrateful for the kindness which has been given me in such abundant measure. I can discriminate the proportions in which blame and praise have been awarded to my efforts: I see well that I have had less of the former and more of the latter than I merit. I am not therefore crushed, though I may be momentarily saddened by the frown, even of the good.
'It would take a great deal to crush me, because I know, in the first place, that my own intentions were correct, that I feel in my heart a deep reverence for religion, that impiety is very abhorrent to me; and in the second, I place firm reliance on the judgment of some who have encouraged me. You and Mr. Lewes are quite as good authorities, in my estimation, as Mr. Dilke or the editor of the _Spectator_, and I would not under any circumstances, or for any opprobrium, regard with shame what my friends had approved--none but a coward would let the detraction of an enemy outweigh the encouragement of a friend. You must not, therefore, fulfil your threat of being less communicative in future; you must kindly tell me all.
'Miss Kavanagh's view of the maniac coincides with Leigh Hunt's. I agree with them that the character is shocking, but I know that it is but too natural. There is a phase of insanity which may be called moral madness, in which all that is good or even human seems to disappear from the mind, and a fiend-nature replaces it. The sole aim and desire of the being thus possessed is to exasperate, to molest, to destroy, and preternatural ingenuity and energy are often exercised to that dreadful end. The aspect, in such cases, assimilates with the disposition--all seem demonized. It is true that profound pity ought to be the only sentiment elicited by the view of such degradation, and equally true is it that I have not sufficiently dwelt on that feeling: I have erred in making _horror_ too predominant. Mrs. Rochester, indeed, lived a sinful life before she was insane, but sin is itself a species of insanity--the truly good behold and compassionate it as such.
'_Jane Eyre_ has got down into Yorkshire, a copy has even penetrated into this neighbourhood. I saw an elderly clergyman reading it the other day, and had the satisfaction of hearing him exclaim, "Why, they have got --- School, and Mr. --- here, I declare! and Miss ---" (naming the originals of Lowood, Mr. Brocklehurst and Miss Temple). He had known them all. I wondered whether he would recognise the portraits, and was gratified to find that he did, and that, moreover, he pronounced them faithful and just. He said, too, that Mr. --- (Brocklehurst) "deserved the chastisement he had got."
'He did not recognise Currer Bell. What author would be without the advantage of being able to walk invisible? One is thereby enabled to keep such a quiet mind. I make this small observation in confidence.
'What makes you say that the notice in the _Westminster Review_ is not by Mr. Lewes? It expresses precisely his opinions, and he said he would perhaps insert a few lines in that periodical.
'I have sometimes thought that I ought to have written to Mr. Lewes to thank him for his review in _Fraser_; and, indeed, I did write a note, but then it occurred to me that he did not require the author's thanks, and I feared it would be superfluous to send it, therefore I refrained; however, though I have not _expressed_ gratitude I have _felt_ it.
'I wish you, too, _many many_ happy new years, and prosperity and success to you and yours.--Believe me, etc.,
'CURRER BELL.
'I have received the _Courier_ and the _Oxford Chronicle_.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_January_ 22_nd_, 1848.
'DEAR SIR,--I have received the _Morning Herald_, and was much pleased with the notice, chiefly on account of the reference made to that portion of the preface which concerns Messrs. Smith & Elder. If my tribute of thanks can benefit my publishers, it is desirable that it should have as much publicity as possible.
'I do not know if the part which relates to Mr. Thackeray is likely to be as well received; but whether generally approved of and understood or not, I shall not regret having written it, for I am convinced of its truth.
'I see I was mistaken in my idea that the _Athenaeum_ and others wished to ascribe the authorship of _Wuthering Heights_ to Currer Bell; the contrary is the case, _Jane Eyre_ is given to Ellis Bell; and Mr. Newby, it appears, thinks it expedient so to frame his advertisements as to favour the misapprehension. If Mr. Newby had much sagacity he would see that Ellis Bell is strong enough to stand without being propped by Currer Bell, and would have disdained what Ellis himself of all things disdains--recourse to trickery. However, Ellis, Acton, and Currer care nothing for the matter personally; the public and the critics are welcome to confuse our identities as much as they choose; my only fear is lest Messrs. Smith & Elder should in some way be annoyed by it.
'I was much interested in your account of Miss Kavanagh. The character you sketch belongs to a class I peculiarly esteem: one in which endurance combines with exertion, talent with goodness; where genius is found unmarred by extravagance, self-reliance unalloyed by self-complacency. It is a character which is, I believe, rarely found except where there has been toil to undergo and adversity to struggle against: it will only grow to perfection in a poor soil and in the shade; if the soil be too indigent, the shade too dank and thick, of course it dies where it sprung. But I trust this will not be the case with Miss Kavanagh. I trust she will struggle ere long into the sunshine. In you she has a kind friend to direct her, and I hope her mother will live to see the daughter, who yields to her such childlike duty, both happy and successful.
'You asked me if I should like any copies of the second edition of _Jane Eyre_, and I said--no. It is true I do not want any for myself or my acquaintances, but if the request be not unusual, I should much like one to be given to Miss Kavanagh. If you would have the goodness, you might write on the fly-leaf that the book is presented with the author's best wishes for her welfare here and hereafter. My reason for wishing that she should have a copy is because she said the book had been to her a _suggestive_ one, and I know that suggestive books are valuable to authors.
'I am truly sorry to hear that Mr. Smith has had an attack of the prevalent complaint, but I trust his recovery is by this time complete. I cannot boast entire exemption from its ravages, as I now write under its depressing influence. Hoping that you have been more fortunate,--I am, dear sir, yours faithfully,
'C. BELL.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_March_ 3_rd_, 1848.
'MY DEAR SIR,--I have received the _Christian Remembrancer_, and read the review. It is written with some ability; but to do justice was evidently not the critic's main object, therefore he excuses himself from performing that duty.
'I daresay the reviewer imagines that Currer Bell ought to be extremely afflicted, very much cut up, by some smart things he says--this however is not the case. C. Bell is on the whole rather encouraged than dispirited by the review: the hard-wrung praise extorted reluctantly from a foe is the most precious praise of all--you are sure that this, at least, has no admixture of flattery. I fear he has too high an opinion of my abilities and of what I can do; but that is his own fault. In other respects, he aims his shafts in the dark, and the success, or, rather, ill-success of his hits makes me laugh rather than cry. His shafts of sarcasm are nicely polished, keenly pointed; he should not have wasted them in shooting at a mark he cannot see.
'I hope such reviews will not make much difference with me, and that if the spirit moves me in future to say anything about priests, etc., I shall say it with the same freedom as heretofore. I hope also that their anger will not make _me_ angry. As a body, I had no ill-will against them to begin with, and I feel it would be an error to let opposition engender such ill-will. A few individuals may possibly be called upon to sit for their portraits some time; if their brethren in general dislike the resemblance and abuse the artist--_tant pis_!--Believe me, my dear sir, yours sincerely,
'C. BELL.'
It seems that Mr. Williams had hinted that Charlotte might like to emulate Thackeray by illustrating her own books.
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_March_ 11_th_, 1848.
'DEAR SIR,--I have just received the copy of the second edition, and will look over it, and send the corrections as soon as possible; I will also, since you think it advisable, avail myself of the opportunity of a third edition to correct the mistake respecting the authorship of _Wuthering Heights_ and _Agnes Grey_.
'As to your second suggestion, it is, one can see at a glance, a very judicious and happy one; but I cannot adopt it, because I have not the skill you attribute to me. It is not enough to have the artist's eye, one must also have the artist's hand to turn the first gift to practical account. I have, in my day, wasted a certain quantity of Bristol board and drawing-paper, crayons and cakes of colour, but when I examine the contents of my portfolio now, it seems as if during the years it has been lying closed some fairy had changed what I once thought sterling coin into dry leaves, and I feel much inclined to consign the whole collection of drawings to the fire; I see they have no value. If, then, _Jane Eyre_ is ever to be illustrated, it must be by some other hand than that of its author. But I hope no one will be at the trouble to make portraits of my characters. Bulwer and Byron heroes and heroines are very well, they are all of them handsome; but my personages are mostly unattractive in look, and therefore ill-adapted to figure in ideal portraits. At the best, I have always thought such representations futile. You will not easily find a second Thackeray. How he can render, with a few black lines and dots, shades of expression so fine, so real; traits of character so minute, so subtle, so difficult to seize and fix, I cannot tell--I can only wonder and admire. Thackeray may not be a painter, but he is a wizard of a draughtsman; touched with his pencil, paper lives. And then his drawing is so refreshing; after the wooden limbs one is accustomed to see pourtrayed by commonplace illustrators, his shapes of bone and muscle clothed with flesh, correct in proportion and anatomy, are a real relief. All is true in Thackeray. If Truth were again a goddess, Thackeray should be her high priest.
'I read my preface over with some pain--I did not like it. I wrote it when I was a little enthusiastic, like you, about the French Revolution. I wish I had written it in a cool moment; I should have said the same things, but in a different manner. One may be as enthusiastic as one likes about an author who has been dead a century or two, but I see it is a fault to bore the public with enthusiasm about a living author. I promise myself to take better care in future. _Still_ I will _think_ as I please.
'Are the London republicans, and _you_ amongst the number, cooled down yet? I suppose not, because your French brethren are acting very nobly. The abolition of slavery and of the punishment of death for political offences are two glorious deeds, but how will they get over the question of the organisation of labour! Such theories will be the sand-bank on which their vessel will run aground if they don't mind. Lamartine, there is not doubt, would make an excellent legislator for a nation of Lamartines--but where is that nation? I hope these observations are sceptical and cool enough.--Believe me, my dear sir, yours sincerely,
'C. BELL.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_November_ 16_th_, 1848.
'MY DEAR SIRS,--I have already acknowledged in a note to Mr. Smith the receipt of the parcel of books, and in my thanks for this well-timed attention I am sure I ought to include you; your taste, I thought, was recognisable in the choice of some of the volumes, and a better selection it would have been difficult to make.
'To-day I have received the _Spectator_ and the _Revue des deux Mondes_. The _Spectator_ consistently maintains the tone it first assumed regarding the Bells. I have little to object to its opinion as far as Currer Bell's portion of the volume is concerned. It is true the critic sees only the faults, but for these his perception is tolerably accurate. Blind is he as any bat, insensate as any stone, to the merits of Ellis. He cannot feel or will not acknowledge that the very finish and _labor limae_ which Currer wants, Ellis has; he is not aware that the "true essence of poetry" pervades his compositions. Because Ellis's poems are short and abstract, the critics think them comparatively insignificant and dull. They are mistaken.
'The notice in the _Revue des deux Mondes_ is one of the most able, the most acceptable to the author, of any that has yet appeared. Eugene Forcade understood and enjoyed _Jane Eyre_. I cannot say that of all who have professed to criticise it. The censures are as well-founded as the commendations. The specimens of the translation given are on the whole good; now and then the meaning of the original has been misapprehended, but generally it is well rendered.
'Every cup given us to taste in this life is mixed. Once it would have seemed to me that an evidence of success like that contained in the _Revue_ would have excited an almost exultant feeling in my mind. It comes, however, at a time when counteracting circumstances keep the balance of the emotions even--when my sister's continued illness darkens the present and dims the future. That will seem to me a happy day when I can announce to you that Emily is better. Her symptoms continue to be those of slow inflammation of the lungs, tight cough, difficulty of breathing, pain in the chest, and fever. We watch anxiously for a change for the better--may it soon come.--I am, my dear sir, yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.
'As I was about to seal this I received your kind letter. Truly glad am I to hear that Fanny is taking the path which pleases her parents. I trust she may persevere in it. She may be sure that a contrary one will never lead to happiness; and I should think that the reward of seeing you and her mother pleased must be so sweet that she will be careful not to run the risk of forfeiting it.
'It is somewhat singular that I had already observed to my sisters, I did not doubt it was Mr. Lewes who had shown you the _Revue_.'
The many other letters referring to Emily's last illness have already been printed. When the following letters were written, Emily and Anne were both in their graves.
TO JAMES TAYLOR, CORNHILL
'_March_ 1_st_, 1849.
'MY DEAR SIR,--The parcel arrived on Saturday evening. Permit me to express my sense of the judgment and kindness which have dictated the selection of its contents. They appear to be all good books, and good books are, we know, the best substitute for good society; if circumstances debar me from the latter privilege, the kind attentions of my friends supply me with ample measure of the former.
'Thank you for your remarks on _Shirley_. Some of your strictures tally with some by Mr. Williams. You both complain of the want of distinctness and impressiveness in my heroes. Probably you are right. In delineating male character I labour under disadvantages: intuition and theory will not always adequately supply the place of observation and experience. When I write about women I am sure of my ground--in the other case, I am not so sure.
'Here, then, each of you has laid the critical finger on a point that by its shrinking confesses its vulnerability; whether the disapprobation you intimate respecting the Briarchapel scenes, the curates, etc., be equally merited, time will show. I am well aware what will be the author's present meed for these passages: I anticipate general blame and no praise. And were my motive-principle in writing a thirst for popularity, or were the chief check on my pen a dread of censure, I should withdraw these scenes--or rather, I should never have written them. I will not say whether the considerations that really govern me are sound, or whether my convictions are just; but such as they are, to their influence I must yield submission. They forbid me to sacrifice truth to the fear of blame. I accept their prohibition.
'With the sincere expression of my esteem for the candour by which your critique is distinguished,--I am, my dear sir, yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_August_ 16_th_, 1849.
'MY DEAR SIR,--Since I last wrote to you I have been getting on with my book as well as I can, and I think I may now venture to say that in a few weeks I hope to have the pleasure of placing the MS. in the hands of Mr. Smith.
'The _North British Review_ duly reached me. I read attentively all it says about _E. Wyndham_, _Jane Eyre_, and _F. Hervey_. Much of the article is clever, and yet there are remarks which--for me--rob it of importance.
'To value praise or stand in awe of blame we must respect the source whence the praise and blame proceed, and I do not respect an inconsistent critic. He says, "if _Jane Eyre_ be the production of a woman, she must be a woman unsexed."
'In that case the book is an unredeemed error and should be unreservedly condemned. _Jane Eyre_ is a woman's autobiography, by a woman it is professedly written. If it is written as no woman would write, condemn it with spirit and decision--say it is bad, but do not eulogise and then detract. I am reminded of the _Economist_. The literary critic of that paper praised the book if written by a man, and pronounced it "odious" if the work of a woman.
'To such critics I would say, "To you I am neither man nor woman--I come before you as an author only. It is the sole standard by which you have a right to judge me--the sole ground on which I accept your judgment."
'There is a weak comment, having no pretence either to justice or discrimination, on the works of Ellis and Acton Bell. The critic did not know that those writers had passed from time and life. I have read no review since either of my sisters died which I could have wished _them_ to read--none even which did not render the thought of their departure more tolerable to me. To hear myself praised beyond them was cruel, to hear qualities ascribed to them so strangely the reverse of their real characteristics was scarce supportable. It is sad even now; but they are so remote from earth, so safe from its turmoils, I can bear it better.
'But on one point do I now feel vulnerable: I should grieve to see my father's peace of mind perturbed on my account; for which reason I keep my author's existence as much as possible out of his way. I have always given him a carefully diluted and modified account of the success of _Jane Eyre_--just what would please without startling him. The book is not mentioned between us once a month. The _Quarterly_ I kept to myself--it would have worried papa. To that same _Quarterly_ I must speak in the introduction to my present work--just one little word. You once, I remember, said that review was written by a lady--Miss Rigby. Are you sure of this?
'Give no hint of my intention of discoursing a little with the _Quarterly_. It would look too important to speak of it beforehand. All plans are best conceived and executed without noise.--Believe me, yours sincerely,
'C. B.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_August_ 21_st_, 1849.
'MY DEAR SIR,--I can only write very briefly at present--first to thank you for your interesting letter and the graphic description it contained of the neighbourhood where you have been staying, and then to decide about the title of the book.
'If I remember rightly, my Cornhill critics objected to _Hollow's Mill_, nor do I now find it appropriate. It might rather be called _Fieldhead_, though I think _Shirley_ would perhaps be the best title. Shirley, I fancy, has turned out the most prominent and peculiar character in the work.
'Cornhill may decide between _Fieldhead_ and _Shirley_.--Believe me, yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
The famous _Quarterly Review_ article by Miss Rigby, afterwards Lady Eastlake, {348} appeared in December 1848, under the title of '_Vanity Fair_, _Jane Eyre_, and Governesses.' It was a review of two novels and a treatise on schools, and but for one or two offensive passages might have been pronounced fairly complimentary. To have coupled _Jane Eyre_ with Thackeray's great book, at a time when Thackeray had already reached to heroic proportions in the literary world, was in itself a compliment. It is small wonder that the speculation was hazarded that J. G. Lockhart, the editor of the _Quarterly_, had himself supplied the venom. He could display it on occasion. It is quite clear now, however, that that was not the case. Miss Rigby was the reviewer who thought it within a critic's province to suggest that the writer might be a woman 'who had forfeited the society of her sex.' Lockhart must have read the review hastily, as editors will on occasion. He writes to his contributor on November 13, 1848, before the article had appeared:--
'About three years ago I received a small volume of 'Poems by Currer, Acton, and Ellis Bell,' and a queer little note by Currer, who said the book had been published a year, and just two copies sold, so they were to burn the rest, but distributed a few copies, mine being one. I find what seems rather a fair review of that tiny tome in the _Spectator_ of this week; pray look at it.
'I think the poems of Currer much better than those of Acton and Ellis, and believe his novel is vastly better than those which they have more recently put forth.
'I know nothing of the writers, but the common rumour is that they are brothers of the weaving order in some Lancashire town. At first it was generally said Currer was a lady, and Mayfair circumstantialised by making her the _chere amie_ of Mr. Thackeray. But your skill in "dress" settles the question of sex. I think, however, some woman must have assisted in the school scenes of _Jane Eyre_, which have a striking air of truthfulness to me--an ignoramus, I allow, on such points.
'I should say you might as well glance at the novels by Acton and Ellis Bell--_Wuthering Heights_ is one of them. If you have any friend about Manchester, it would, I suppose, be easy to learn accurately as to the position of these men.' {349}
This was written in November, and it was not till December that the article appeared. Apart from the offensive imputations upon the morals of the author of _Jane Eyre_, which reduces itself to smart impertinence when it is understood that Miss Rigby fully believed that the author was a man, the review is not without its compensations for a new writer. The 'equal popularity' of _Jane Eyre_ and _Vanity Fair_ is referred to. 'A very remarkable book,' the reviewer continues; 'we have no remembrance of another containing such undoubted power with such horrid taste.' There is droll irony, when Charlotte Bronte's strong conservative sentiments and church environment are considered, in the following:--
'We do not hesitate to say that the tone of mind and thought which has overthrown authority, and violated every code, human and divine, abroad, and fostered chartism and rebellion at home, is the same which has also written _Jane Eyre_.'
In another passage Miss Rigby, musing upon the masculinity of the author, finally clinches her arguments by proofs of a kind.
'No woman _trusses game_, and garnishes dessert dishes with the same hands, or talks of so doing in the same breath. Above all, no woman attires another in such fancy dresses as Jane's ladies assume. Miss Ingram coming down irresistible in a _morning_ robe of sky-blue crape, a gauze azure scarf twisted in her hair!! No lady, we understand, when suddenly roused in the night, would think of hurrying on "a frock." They have garments more convenient for such occasions, and more becoming too.'
_Wuthering Heights_ is described as 'too odiously and abominably pagan to be palatable to the most vitiated class of English readers.' This no doubt was Miss Rigby's interpolation in the proofs in reply to her editor's suggestion that she should 'glance at the novels by Acton and Ellis Bell.' It is a little difficult to understand the _Quarterly_ editor's method, or, indeed, the letter to Miss Rigby which I have quoted, as he had formed a very different estimate of the book many months before. 'I have finished the adventures of Miss Jane Eyre,' he writes to Mrs. Hope (Dec. 29th, 1847), 'and think her far the cleverest that has written since Austen and Edgeworth were in their prime, worth fifty Trollopes and Martineaus rolled into one counterpane, with fifty Dickenses and Bulwers to keep them company--but rather a brazen Miss.' {350}
When the _Quarterly Review_ appeared, Charlotte Bronte, as we have seen, was in dire domestic distress, and it was not till many months later, when a new edition of _Jane Eyre_ was projected, that she discussed with her publishers the desirability of an effective reply, which was not however to disclose her sex and environment. A first preface called 'A Word to the _Quarterly_' was cancelled, and after some debate, the preface which we now have took its place. The 'book' is of course _Shirley_.
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_August_ 29_th_, 1849.
'DEAR SIR,--The book is now finished (thank God) and ready for Mr. Taylor, but I have not yet heard from him. I thought I should be able to tell whether it was equal to _Jane Eyre_ or not, but I find I cannot--it may be better, it may be worse. I shall be curious to hear your opinion, my own is of no value. I send the Preface or "Word to the _Quarterly_" for your perusal.
'Whatever now becomes of the work, the occupation of writing it has been a boon to me. It took me out of dark and desolate reality into an unreal but happier region. The worst of it is, my eyes are grown somewhat weak and my head somewhat weary and prone to ache with close work. You can write nothing of value unless you give yourself wholly to the theme, and when you so give yourself, you lose appetite and sleep--it cannot be helped.
'At what time does Mr. Smith intend to bring the book out? It is his now. I hand it and all the trouble and care and anxiety over to him--a good riddance, only I wish he fairly had it.--Yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_August_ 31_st_, 1849.
'MY DEAR SIR,--I cannot change my preface. I can shed no tears before the public, nor utter any groan in the public ear. The deep, real tragedy of our domestic experience is yet terribly fresh in my mind and memory. It is not a time to be talked about to the indifferent; it is not a topic for allusion to in print.
'No righteous indignation can I lavish on the _Quarterly_. I can condescend but to touch it with the lightest satire. Believe me, my dear sir, "C. Bronte" must not here appear; what she feels or has felt is not the question--it is "Currer Bell" who was insulted--he must reply. Let Mr. Smith fearlessly print the preface I have sent--let him depend upon me this once; even if I prove a broken reed, his fall cannot be dangerous: a preface is a short distance, it is not three volumes.
'I have always felt certain that it is a deplorable error in an author to assume the tragic tone in addressing the public about his own wrongs or griefs. What does the public care about him as an individual? His wrongs are its sport; his griefs would be a bore. What we deeply feel is our own--we must keep it to ourselves. Ellis and Acton Bell were, for me, Emily and Anne; my sisters--to me intimately near, tenderly dear--to the public they were nothing--worse than nothing--beings speculated upon, misunderstood, misrepresented. If I live, the hour may come when the spirit will move me to speak of them, but it is not come yet.--I am, my dear sir, yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_September_ 17, 1849.
'MY DEAR SIR,--Your letter gave me great pleasure. An author who has showed his book to none, held no consultation about plan, subject, characters, or incidents, asked and had no opinion from one living being, but fabricated it darkly in the silent workshop of his own brain--such an author awaits with a singular feeling the report of the first impression produced by his creation in a quarter where he places confidence, and truly glad he is when that report proves favourable.
'Do you think this book will tend to strengthen the idea that Currer Bell is a woman, or will it favour a contrary opinion?
'I return the proof-sheets. Will they print all the French phrases in italics? I hope not, it makes them look somehow obtrusively conspicuous.
'I have no time to add more lest I should be too late for the post.--Yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_September_ 10_th_, 1849.
'DEAR SIR,--Your advice is very good, and yet I cannot follow it: I _cannot_ alter now. It sounds absurd, but so it is.
'The circumstances of Shirley's being nervous on such a matter may appear incongruous because I fear it is not well managed; otherwise it is perfectly natural. In such minds, such odd points, such queer unexpected inconsistent weaknesses _are_ found--perhaps there never was an ardent poetic temperament, however healthy, quite without them; but they never communicate them unless forced, they have a suspicion that the terror is absurd, and keep it hidden. Still the thing is badly managed, and I bend my head and expect in resignation what, _here_, I know I deserve--the lash of criticism. I shall wince when it falls, but not scream.
'You are right about Goth, you are very right--he is clear, deep, but very cold. I acknowledge him great, but cannot feel him genial.
'You mention the literary coteries. To speak the truth, I recoil from them, though I long to see some of the truly great literary characters. However, this is not to be yet--I cannot sacrifice my incognito. And let me be content with seclusion--it has its advantages. In general, indeed, I am tranquil, it is only now and then that a struggle disturbs me--that I wish for a wider world than Haworth. When it is past, Reason tells me how unfit I am for anything very different. Yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_September_ 15_th_, 1849.
'MY DEAR SIR,--You observed that the French of _Shirley_ might be cavilled at. There is a long paragraph written in the French language in that chapter entitled "_Le coeval damped_." I forget the number. I fear it will have a pretentious air. If you deem it advisable, and will return the chapter, I will efface, and substitute something else in English.--Yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO JAMES TAYLOR, CORNHILL
'_September_ 20_th_, 1849.
'MY DEAR SIR,--It is time I answered the note which I received from you last Thursday; I should have replied to it before had I not been kept more than usually engaged by the presence of a clergyman in the house, and the indisposition of one of our servants.
'As you may conjecture, it cheered and pleased me much to learn that the opinion of my friends in Cornhill was favourable to _Shirley_--that, on the whole, it was considered no falling off from _Jane Eyre_. I am trying, however, not to encourage too sanguine an expectation of a favourable reception by the public: the seeds of prejudice have been sown, and I suppose the produce will have to be reaped--but we shall see.
'I read with pleasure _Friends in Council_, and with very great pleasure _The Thoughts and Opinions of a Statesman_. It is the record of what may with truth be termed a beautiful mind--serene, harmonious, elevated, and pure; it bespeaks, too, a heart full of kindness and sympathy. I like it much.
'Papa has been pretty well during the past week, he begs to join me in kind remembrances to yourself.--Believe me, my dear sir, yours very sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_September_ 29_th_, 1849.
'DEAR SIR,--I have made the alteration; but I have made it to please Cornhill, not the public nor the critics.
'I am sorry to say Newby does know my real name. I wish he did not, but that cannot be helped. Meantime, though I earnestly wish to preserve my incognito, I live under no slavish fear of discovery. I am ashamed of nothing I have written--not a line.
'The envelope containing the first proof and your letter had been received open at the General Post Office and resealed there. Perhaps it was accident, but I think it better to inform you of the circumstance.--Yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_October_ 1_st_, 1849.
'MY DEAR SIR,--I am chagrined about the envelope being opened: I see it is the work of prying curiosity, and now it would be useless to make a stir--what mischief is to be apprehended is already done. It was not done at Haworth. I know the people of the post-office there, and am sure they would not venture on such a step; besides, the Haworth people have long since set me down as bookish and quiet, and trouble themselves no farther about me. But the gossiping inquisitiveness of small towns is rife at Keighley; there they are sadly puzzled to guess why I never visit, encourage no overtures to acquaintance, and always stay at home. Those packets passing backwards and forwards by the post have doubtless aggravated their curiosity. Well, I am sorry, but I shall try to wait patiently and not vex myself too much, come what will.
'I am glad you like the English substitute for the French _devour_.
'The parcel of books came on Saturday. I write to Mr. Taylor by this post to acknowledge its receipt. His opinion of _Shirley_ seems in a great measure to coincide with yours, only he expresses it rather differently to you, owing to the difference in your casts of mind. Are you not different on some points?--Yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_November_ 1_st_, 1849
'MY DEAR SIR,--I reached home yesterday, and found your letter and one from Mr. Lewes, and one from the Peace Congress Committee, awaiting my arrival. The last document it is now too late to answer, for it was an invitation to Currer Bell to appear on the platform at their meeting at Exeter Hall last Tuesday! A wonderful figure Mr. Currer Bell would have cut under such circumstances! Should the "Peace Congress" chance to read _Shirley_ they will wash their hands of its author.
'I am glad to hear that Mr. Thackeray is better, but I did not know he had been seriously ill, I thought it was only a literary indisposition. You must tell me what he thinks of _Shirley_ if he gives you any opinion on the subject.
'I am also glad to hear that Mr. Smith is pleased with the commercial prospects of the work. I try not to be anxious about its literary fate; and if I cannot be quite stoical, I think I am still tolerably resigned.
'Mr. Lewes does not like the opening chapter, wherein he resembles you.
'I have permitted myself the treat of spending the last week with my friend Ellen. Her residence is in a far more populous and stirring neighbourhood than this. Whenever I go there I am unavoidably forced into society--clerical society chiefly.
'During my late visit I have too often had reason, sometimes in a pleasant, sometimes in a painful form, to fear that I no longer walk invisible. _Jane Eyre_, it appears, has been read all over the district--a fact of which I never dreamt--a circumstance of which the possibility never occurred to me. I met sometimes with new deference, with augmented kindness: old schoolfellows and old teachers, too, greeted me with generous warmth. And again, ecclesiastical brows lowered thunder at me. When I confronted one or two large-made priests, I longed for the battle to come on. I wish they would speak out plainly. You must not understand that my schoolfellows and teachers were of the Clergy Daughters School--in fact, I was never there but for one little year as a very little girl. I am certain I have long been forgotten; though for myself, I remember all and everything clearly: early impressions are ineffaceable.
'I have just received the _Daily News_. Let me speak the truth--when I read it my heart sickened over it. It is not a good review, it is unutterably false. If _Shirley_ strikes all readers as it has struck that one, but--I shall not say what follows.
'On the whole I am glad a decidedly bad notice has come first--a notice whose inexpressible ignorance first stuns and then stirs me. Are there no such men as the Helstones and Yorkes?
'Yes, there are.
'Is the first chapter disgusting or vulgar?
'_It is not_, _it is real_.
'As for the praise of such a critic, I find it silly and nauseous, and I scorn it.
'Were my sisters now alive they and I would laugh over this notice; but they sleep, they will wake no more for me, and I am a fool to be so moved by what is not worth a sigh.--Believe me, yours sincerely,
'C. B.
'You must spare me if I seem hasty, I fear I really am not so firm as I used to be, nor so patient. Whenever any shock comes, I feel that almost all supports have been withdrawn.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_November_ 5_th_, 1849.
'MY DEAR SIR,--I did not receive the parcel of copies till Saturday evening. Everything sent by Bradford is long in reaching me. It is, I think, better to direct: Keighley. I was very much pleased with the appearance and getting up of the book; it looks well.
'I have got the _Examiner_ and your letter. You are very good not to be angry with me, for I wrote in indignation and grief. The critic of the _Daily News_ struck me as to the last degree incompetent, ignorant, and flippant. A thrill of mutiny went all through me when I read his small effusion. To be judged by such a one revolted me. I ought, however, to have controlled myself, and I did not. I am willing to be judged by the _Examiner_--I like the _Examiner_. Fonblanque has power, he has discernment--I bend to his censorship, I am grateful for his praise; his blame deserves consideration; when he approves, I permit myself a moderate emotion of pride. Am I wrong in supposing that critique to be written by Mr. Fonblanque? But whether it is by him or Forster, I am thankful.
'In reading the critiques of the other papers--when I get them--I will try to follow your advice and preserve my equanimity. But I cannot be sure of doing this, for I had good resolutions and intentions before, and, you see, I failed.
'You ask me if I am related to Nelson. No, I never heard that I was. The rumour must have originated in our name resembling his title. I wonder who that former schoolfellow of mine was that told Mr. Lewes, or how she had been enabled to identify Currer Bell with C. Bronte. She could not have been a Cowan Bridge girl, none of them can possibly remember me. They might remember my eldest sister, Maria; her prematurely-developed and remarkable intellect, as well as the mildness, wisdom, and fortitude of her character might have left an indelible impression on some observant mind amongst her companions. My second sister, Elizabeth, too, may perhaps be remembered, but I cannot conceive that I left a trace behind me. My career was a very quiet one. I was plodding and industrious, perhaps I was very grave, for I suffered to see my sisters perishing, but I think I was remarkable for nothing.--Believe me, my dear sir, yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_November_ 15_th_, 1849.
'MY DEAR SIR,--I have received since I wrote last the Globe, Standard of Freedom, Britannia, Economist, and Weekly Chronicle.
'How is _Shirley_ getting on, and what is now the general feeling respecting the work?
'As far as I can judge from the tone of the newspapers, it seems that those who were most charmed with _Jane Eyre_ are the least pleased with _Shirley_; they are disappointed at not finding the same excitement, interest, stimulus; while those who spoke disparagingly of _Jane Eyre_ like _Shirley_ a little better than her predecessor. I suppose its dryer matter suits their dryer minds. But I feel that the fiat for which I wait does not depend on newspapers, except, indeed, such newspapers as the _Examiner_. The monthlies and quarterlies will pronounce it, I suppose. Mere novel-readers, it is evident, think _Shirley_ something of a failure. Still, the majority of the notices have on the whole been favourable. That in the _Standard of Freedom_ was very kindly expressed; and coming from a dissenter, William Howitt, I wonder thereat.
'Are you satisfied at Cornhill, or the contrary? I have read part of _The Caxtons_, and, when I have finished, will tell you what I think of it; meantime, I should very much like to hear your opinion. Perhaps I shall keep mine till I see you, whenever that may be.
'I am trying by degrees to inure myself to the thought of some day stepping over to Keighley, taking the train to Leeds, thence to London, and once more venturing to set foot in the strange, busy whirl of the Strand and Cornhill. I want to talk to you a little and to hear by word of mouth how matters are progressing. Whenever I come, I must come quietly and but for a short time--I should be unhappy to leave papa longer than a fortnight.--Believe me, yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO W. S. WILLIAMS
'_November_ 22_nd_, 1849.
'MY DEAR SIR,--If it is discouraging to an author to see his work mouthed over by the entirely ignorant and incompetent, it is equally reviving to hear what you have written discussed and analysed by a critic who is master of his subject--by one whose heart feels, whose powers grasp the matter he undertakes to handle. Such refreshment Eugene Forcade has given me. Were I to see that man, my impulse would be to say, "Monsieur, you know me, I shall deem it an honour to know you."
'I do not find that Forcade detects any coarseness in the work--it is for the smaller critics to find that out. The master in the art--the subtle-thoughted, keen-eyed, quick-feeling Frenchman, knows the true nature of the ingredients which went to the composition of the creation he analyses--he knows the true nature of things, and he gives them their right name.
'Yours of yesterday has just reached me. Let me, in the first place, express my sincere sympathy with your anxiety on Mrs. Williams's account. I know how sad it is when pain and suffering attack those we love, when that mournful guest sickness comes and takes a place in the household circle. That the shadow may soon leave your home is my earnest hope.
'Thank you for Sir J. Herschel's note. I am happy to hear Mr. Taylor is convalescent. It may, perhaps, be some weeks yet before his hand is well, but that his general health is in the way of re-establishment is a matter of thankfulness.
'One of the letters you sent to-day addressed "Currer Bell" has almost startled me. The writer first describes his family, and then proceeds to give a particular account of himself in colours the most candid, if not, to my ideas, the most attractive. He runs on in a strain of wild enthusiasm about _Shirley_, and concludes by announcing a fixed, deliberate resolution to institute a search after Currer Bell, and sooner or later to find him out. There is power in the letter--talent; it is at times eloquently expressed. The writer somewhat boastfully intimates that he is acknowledged the possessor of high intellectual attainments, but, if I mistake not, he betrays a temper to be shunned, habits to be mistrusted. While laying claim to the character of being affectionate, warm-hearted, and adhesive, there is but a single member of his own family of whom he speaks with kindness. He confesses himself indolent and wilful, but asserts that he is studious and, to some influences, docile. This letter would have struck me no more than the others rather like it have done, but for its rash power, and the disagreeable resolve it announces to seek and find Currer Bell. It almost makes me feel like a wizard who has raised a spirit he may find it difficult to lay. But I shall not think about it. This sort of fervour often foams itself away in words.
'Trusting that the serenity of your home is by this time restored with your wife's health,--I am, yours sincerely,
'C. BRONTE.'
TO MISS ELLEN NUSSEY
'_February_ 16_th_, 1850.
'DEAR NELL,--Yesterday, just after dinner, I heard a loud bustling voice in the kitchen demanding to see Mr. Bronte. Somebody was shown into the parlour. Shortly after, wine was rung for. "Who is it, Martha?" I asked. "Some mak of a tradesman," said she. "He's not a gentleman, I'm sure." The personage stayed about an hour, talking in a loud vulgar key all the time. At tea-time I asked papa who it was. "Why," said he, "no other than the vicar of B---!" {361} Papa had invited him to take some refreshment, but the creature had ordered his dinner at the Black Bull, and was quite urgent with papa to go down there and join him, offering by way of inducement a bottle, or, if papa liked, "two or three bottles of the best wine Haworth could afford!" He said he was come from Bradford just to look at the place, and reckoned to be in raptures with the wild scenery! He warmly pressed papa to come and see him, and to bring his daughter with him!!! Does he know anything about the books, do you think; he made no allusion to them. I did not see him, not so much as the tail of his coat. Martha said he looked no more like a parson than she