July 26, 2025 • 29 mins
Delve into the fascinating life of Charlotte Brontë, the eldest among the renowned Brontë sisters, recognized as pillars of English literature. Her most celebrated work, Jane Eyre, stands as an everlasting classic. Just two years post her demise, her close friend Elizabeth Gaskell penned down her biography. This compelling biography invites you to discover more about the extraordinary Charlotte Brontë. Please note that Volume 2 of this work is also available as a separate recording.
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Volume one, section twenty, of the Life of Charlotte Bronte.
This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in
the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please
visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by Bruce Pierri. The Life
of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, Volume one, Section twenty,
(00:23):
chapter fourteen. In the course of this sad autumn of
eighteen forty five, a new interest came up, faint, indeed,
and often lost sight of in the vivid pain and
constant pressure of anxiety respecting their brother. In the biographical
Notice of her Sisters, which Charlotte prefixed to the edition
(00:44):
of Weathering Heights and Agnes Gray, published in eighteen fifty
a piece of writing unique as far as I know,
in its pathos and its power, she says, one day
in the autumn of eighteen forty five, I accidentally lighted
on a manuscript of volume of verse in my sister
Emily's handwriting. Of course, I was not surprised, knowing that
(01:05):
she could and did write verse. I looked it over,
and something more than surprise seized me, a deep conviction
that these were not common effusions, nor at all like
the poetry women generally write. I thought them condensed and terse,
vigorous and genuine to my ear. They had also a
peculiar music, wild, melancholy, and elevating. My sister Emily was
(01:29):
not a person of demonstrative character, nor one on the
recesses of whose mind and feelings even those nearest and
dearest to her could, with impunity, intrude unlicensed. It took
hours to reconcile her to the discovery I had made,
and dazed to persuade her that such poems merited publication. Meantime,
(01:50):
my younger sister quietly produced some of her own compositions,
intimating that since Emily's had given me pleasure, I might
like to look at hers. I could not but be
a partial judge. Yet I thought that these verses, too,
had a sweet, sincere pathos of their own. We had
very early cherished the dream of one day being authors.
(02:11):
We agreed to arrange a small selection of our poems, and,
if possible, get them printed. A Verse to personal publicity,
we veiled our own names under those of curR Ellis
and Acton Bell, the ambiguous choice being dictated by a
sort of conscientious scruple at assuming Christian names positively masculine.
(02:32):
While we did not like to declare ourselves women, because
without at the time suspecting that our mode of writing
and thinking was not what is called feminine, we had
a vague impression that authoresses are liable to be looked
on with prejudice. We noticed how critics sometimes use for
their chastisement the weapon of personality, and for their reward
(02:54):
a flattery which is not true praise. The bringing out
of our little book was hard work, as was to
be expected. Neither we nor our poems were at all wanted.
But for this we had been prepared at the outset.
Though inexperienced ourselves, we had read the experience of others.
The great puzzle lay in the difficulty of getting answers
(03:15):
of any kind from the publishers to whom we applied.
Being greatly harassed by this obstacle, I ventured to apply
to the Messrs Chambers of Edinburgh for a word of advice.
They may have forgotten the circumstance, but I have not,
for from them I received a brief and business like,
but civil and sensible reply, on which we acted and
(03:36):
at last made way. I inquired from mister Robert Chambers,
and found as Miss Bronte conjectured, that he had entirely
forgotten the application which had been made to him and
his brother for advice, nor had they any copy or
memorandum of the correspondence. There is an intelligent man living
in Haworth who has given me some interesting particulars relating
(03:58):
to the sisters about this period. He says, I have
known Miss Bronte as Miss Bronte a long time, indeed,
ever since they came to Haworth in eighteen nineteen. But
I had not much acquaintance with the family till about
eighteen forty three, when I began to do a little
in the stationary line. Nothing of that kind could be
(04:18):
had nearer than Keighley. Before I began, they used to
buy a great deal of writing paper, and I used
to wonder whatever they did with so much I sometimes
thought they contributed to the magazines when I was out
of stock. I was always afraid of their coming. They
seemed so distressed about it. If I had none, I
have walked to Halifax, a distance of ten miles many
(04:38):
a time for half a ream of paper. For fear
of being without it. When they came, I could not
buy more at a time. For a want of capital,
I was always short of that. I did so like
them to come when I had anything for them. They
were so much different to anybody else, so gentle and kind,
and so very quiet. They never talked much. Charlotte would
(05:00):
sometimes sit and inquire about our circumstances, so kindly and feelingly.
Though I am a poor working man, which I have
never felt to be any degradation, I could talk with
her with the greatest freedom. I always felt quite at
home with her. Though I never had any school education,
I never felt the want of it in her company.
(05:22):
The publishers to whom she finally made a successful application
for the production of Curer Ellis and Acton Bell's poems
were Messrs Aylot and Jones Potter Noster Rowe. Mister Aylot
has kindly placed the letters which she wrote to them
on the subject at my disposal. The first is dated
January twenty eighth, eighteen forty six, and in it she
(05:44):
inquires if they will publish one volume OCTAVO of poems,
if not at their own risk, on the author's account.
It is signed C. Bronte. They must have replied pretty speedily,
for on January thirty first, she writes again, gentlemen, since
you agree to undertake the publication of the work respecting
(06:05):
which I applied to you, I should wish now to
know as soon as possible the cost of paper and printing.
I will then send the necessary remittance together with the manuscript.
I should like it to be printed in one octavo volume,
of the same quality of paper and size of type
as Moxon's last edition of Wordsworth. The poems will occupy
(06:26):
I should think from two hundred to two hundred and
fifty pages. They are not the production of a clergyman,
nor are they exclusively of a religious character. But I
presume these circumstances will be immaterial. It will perhaps be
necessary that you should see the manuscript in order to
calculate accurately the expense of publication. In that case, I
(06:47):
will send it immediately. I should like, however, previously, to
have some idea of the probable cost, and if from
what I have said you can make a rough calculation
on the subject, I should be greatly obliged to you.
In her next letter February sixth, she says, you will
perceive that the poems are the work of three persons relatives.
(07:09):
Their separate pieces are distinguished by their respective signatures. She
writes again on February fifteenth, and on the sixteenth she says,
the manuscript will certainly form a thinner volume than I
had anticipated. I cannot name another model which I should
like it precisely to resemble. Yet I think a duodecimo
form and a somewhat reduced though still clear type would
(07:32):
be preferable. I only stipulate for clear type, not too small,
and good paper. On February twenty first, she selects the
long primer type for the poems and will remit thirty
one pounds ten shillings in a few days. Minute. As
the details conveyed in these notes are, they are not
(07:53):
trivial because they afford such strong indications of character. If
the volume was to be published at their own risk,
it was necessary that the sister conducting the negotiation should
make herself acquainted with the different kinds of type and
the different sizes of books. Accordingly, she bought a small
volume from which to learn all she could on the
(08:13):
subject of preparation for the press. No half knowledge no
trusting to other people for decisions which she could make
for herself, and yet a generous and full confidence not
misplaced in the thorough probity of Messrs Aylot and Jones.
The caution in ascertaining the risk before embarking in the enterprise,
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and the prompt payment of the money required even before
it could be said to have assumed the shape of
a debt, were both parts of a self reliant and
independent character. Self contained. Also was she During the whole
time that the volume of poems was in the course
of preparation and publication. No word was written telling any
(08:56):
one out of the household circle what was in progress.
I have had some of the letters placed in my hands,
which she addressed to her old schoolmistress, Miss w. They
begin a little before this time, acting on the conviction
which I have all along entertained that where Charlotte brought
his own words could be used, no others ought to
(09:18):
take their place. I shall make extracts from this series
according to their dates. January thirtieth, eighteen forty six, My
dear Miss W, I have not yet paid my visit
to Blank. It is indeed more than a year since
I was there, But I frequently hear from E, and
she did not fail to tell me that you were
(09:39):
gone into Worcestershire. She was unable, however, to give me
your exact address. Had I known it, I should have
written to you long since. I thought you would wonder
how we were getting on when you heard of the
railway panic. And you may be sure that I am
very glad to be able to answer your kind inquiries
by the assurance that our small capital is as yet undiminished.
(10:02):
The York and Midland is, as you say, a very
good line. Yet I confess to you I should wish
for my own part to be wise in time. I
cannot think that even the very best lines will continue
for many years at their present premiums. And I have
been most anxious for us to sell our shares, ere
to be too late, and to secure the proceeds in
(10:22):
some safer, if for the present less profitable investment. I cannot, however,
persuade my sisters to regard the affair precisely from my
point of view, and I feel as if I would
rather run the risk of loss than hurt Emily's feelings
by acting indirect opposition to her opinion. She managed in
a most handsome and able manner for me when I
(10:44):
was in Brussels and prevented by distance from looking after
my own interests. Therefore, I will let her manage still
and take the consequences. Disinterested and energetic she certainly is,
and if she be not quite so tractable or open
to conviction as I could wish, I must remember perfection
(11:05):
is not the lot of humanity. And as long as
we can regard those we love and to whom we
are closely allied, with profound and never shaken esteem, it
is a small thing that they should vex us occasionally
by what appeared to us unreasonable in head strong notions. You,
my dear miss, w know full as well as I do,
(11:25):
the value of sister's affection to each other. There is
nothing like it in this world, I believe, when they
are nearly equal in age and similar in education, tastes
and sentiments. You ask about Branwell, he never thinks of
seeking employment, and I begin to fear that he has
rendered himself incapable of filling any respectable station in life. Besides,
(11:47):
if money were at his disposal, he would use it
only to his own injury. The faculty of self government.
Is I fear almost destroyed in him? You ask me
if I do not think that men are strange beings.
I do, Indeed, I have often thought so, and I
think too that the mode of bringing them up is strange.
(12:08):
They are not sufficiently guarded from temptation. Girls are protected
as if they were something very frail or silly. Indeed,
while boys are turned loose on the world as if they,
of all beings in existence, were the wisest and least
liable to be led astray. I am glad you're like Broomsgrove,
though I dare say there are few places that you
(12:28):
would not like with missus m for a companion. I
always feel a peculiar satisfaction when I hear of your
enjoying yourself, because it proves that there really is such
a thing as retributive justice. Even in this world. You
worked hard, you denied yourself all pleasure, almost all relaxation
in your youth and in the prime of life. Now
(12:49):
you are free, and that while you have still I
hope many years of vigor and health in which you
can enjoy freedom. Besides, I have another and very egotistical
motive for being pleas It seems that even a lone
woman can be happy as well as cherished wives and
proud mothers. I am glad of that. I speculate much
(13:10):
on the existence of unmarried and never to be married
women nowadays, and I have already got to the point
of considering that there is no more respectable character on
this earth than an unmarried woman who makes her own
way through life, quietly, perseveringly, without support of husband or brother,
and who, having attained the age of forty five or upwards,
(13:32):
retains in her possession a well regulated mind, a disposition
to enjoy simple pleasures, and fortitude to support inevitably pains,
sympathy with the sufferings of others, and willingness to relieve
want as far as her means extend. During the time
that the negotiation with Messrs A Lot and Company was
(13:53):
going on, Charlotte went to visit her old school friend,
with whom she was in such habits of confidential intimate see.
But neither then nor afterwards did she ever speak to
her of the publication of the poems. Nevertheless, this young
lady suspected that the sisters wrote for magazines, and in
this idea she was confirmed when on one of her
(14:14):
visits to Haworth, she saw Anne with the number of
Chambers journal and a gentle smile of pleasure stealing over
her placid face as she read. What is the matter?
Asked the friend? Why do you smile? Only because I
see they have inserted one of my poems? Was the
quiet reply, and not a word more was said on
(14:35):
the subject to this friend. Charlotte addressed the following letters.
March third, eighteen forty six. I reached home a little
after two o'clock, all safe and write yesterday I found
Papa very well, his sight much the same. Emily and
Anne were going to Keighley to meet me. Unfortunately I
(14:56):
had returned by the old road while they were gone
by the new, and we missed each other. They did
not get home till half past four, and we were
caught in the heavy shower of rain which fell in
the afternoon. I am sorry to say Anne has taken
a little cold in consequence, but I hope she will
soon be well. Papa was much cheered by my report
of mister C's opinion and of old missus E's experience,
(15:19):
but I could perceive he caught gladly at the idea
of deferring the operation a few months longer. I went
into the room where Branwell was to speak to him
about an hour after I got home. It was very
forced work to address him. I might have spared myself
the trouble, as he took no notice and made no reply.
He was stupefied. My fears were not in vain. I
(15:44):
hear that he got a sovereign while I have been
away under pretense of paying a pressing debt. He went
immediately and changed it at a public house, and has
employed it as was to be expected. Blank concluded her
account by saying he was a hopeless being. It is
too true. In his present state, it is scarcely possible
(16:05):
to stay in the room where he is. What the
future has in store I do not know. March thirty first,
eighteen forty six, our poor old servant Tabby had a
sort of fit a fortnight since, but is nearly recovered. Now. Martha,
(16:25):
the girl they had to assist poor old Tabby, and
who remains still the faithful servant at the parsonage, is
ill with a swelling in her knee, and obliged to
go home. I fear it will be long before she
is in working condition again. I received the number of
the record you sent. I read Dobiinay's letter. It is clever,
(16:45):
and in what he says about Catholicism very good. The
evangelical alliance part is not very practicable, yet certainly it
is more in accordance with the spirit of the Gospel
to preach unity among Christians than to inculcate mutual intolerance
and hatred. I am very glad that I went to
Blank when I did, for the changed weather has somewhat
changed my health and strength. Since how do you get on?
(17:08):
I long for mild south and west winds. I am
thankful Papa continues pretty well, though often made very miserable
by Branwell's wretched conduct. There there is no change but
for the worse. Meanwhile, the printing of the volume of
poems was quietly proceeding. After some consultation and deliberation, the
(17:28):
sisters had determined to correct the proofs themselves. Up to
March twenty eighth, the publishers had addressed their correspondent as C.
Bronte Esquire. But at this time some little mistake occurred
and she desired Messrs Alot and Company in future to
direct to her real address, Miss Bronte et cetera. She had, however,
(17:50):
evidently left it to be implied that she was not
acting on her own behalf, but as agent for the
real authors, since, in a note dated April sixth, if
she makes a proposal on behalf of C. E and A. Bell,
which is to the following effect, that they are preparing
for the press a work of fiction consisting of three
(18:10):
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 may be deemed most advisable.
She states in addition that it is not their intention
to publish these tales on their own account, but that
the author's direct her to ask Messrs A. Lot and
(18:32):
Company whether they should be disposed to undertake the work,
after having, of course, by due inspection of the manuscript
ascertained that its contents are such as to warrant an
expectation of success. To this letter of inquiry, the publishers
replied speedily, and the tenor of their answer may be
gathered from Charlotte's dated April eleventh. I beg to thank
(18:54):
you in the name of C. E and a bell
for your obliging offer of advice, I will avail myself
of it to request information on two or three points.
It is evident that unknown authors have great difficulties to
contend with before they can succeed in bringing their works
before the public. Can you give me any hint as
(19:16):
to the way in which these difficulties are best met?
For instance, in the present case, where a work of
fiction is in question, in what form would a publisher
be most likely to accept the manuscript, whether offered as
a work of three volumes, or as tales which might
be published in numbers, or as contributions to a periodical.
(19:37):
What publishers would be most likely to receive favorably a
proposal of this nature. Would it suffice to write to
a publisher on the subject, or would it be necessary
to have recourse to a personal interview? Your opinion and
advice on these three points, or on any other which
your experience may suggest as important, would be esteemed by
(19:58):
us as a favor. It is evident from the whole
tenor of this correspondence that the truthfulness and probity of
the firm of publishers with whom she had to deal
in this her first literary venture, were strongly impressed upon
her mind, and was followed by the inevitable consequence of
reliance on their suggestions, and the progress of the poems
(20:20):
was not unreasonably lengthy or long drawn out. On April twentieth,
she writes to Desire that three copies may be sent
to her, and that Messrs Aylot will advise her as
to the reviewers to whom copies ought to be sent.
I give the next letter as illustrating the ideas of
these girls as to what periodical reviews or notices led
(20:40):
public opinion the poems to be neatly done up in cloth.
Have the goodness to send copies and advertisements as early
as possible to each of the undermentioned periodicals Colburn's New
Monthly Magazine, Bentley's Magazine, Hood's Magazine, Gerald's Shulling Magazine, Blackwood's Magaie,
(21:00):
the Edinburgh Review, Tates, Edinburgh Magazine, the Dublin University Magazine.
Also to the Daily News and to the Britannia Papers.
If there are any other periodicals to which you have
been in the habit of sending copies of works, let
them be supplied also with copies I think those I
have mentioned will suffice for advertising. In compliance with this
(21:23):
latter request, Messis a Lot suggested that copies and advertisements
of the work should be sent to the Athenaeum Literary Gazette,
Critic and Times, but in her reply Miss Bronte says
that she thinks the periodicals she first mentioned will be
sufficient for advertising in at present, as the authors do
not wish to lay out a larger sum than two
(21:43):
pounds in advertising, esteeming the success of a work dependent
more on the notice it receives from periodicals than on
the quantity of advertisements. In case of any notice of
the poems appearing, whether favorably or otherwise, Messrs a Lot
and Company are requested to send her the name and
number of those periodicals in which such notices appear. As Otherwise,
(22:05):
since she has not the opportunity of seeing periodicals regularly,
she may misreading the critique. Should the poems be remarked
upon favorably, it is my intention to appropriate a further
sum for 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
(22:27):
the title of the work or the names of the
authors to attract attention from a single individual. I suppose
the Little Volume of Poems was published sometime about the
end of May eighteen forty six. It stole into life.
Some weeks passed over without the mighty murmuring public discovering
that three more voices were uttering their speech. And meanwhile
(22:52):
the course of existence moved drearily along from day to day,
with the anxious sisters, who must have forgotten their sense
of authorship in the vital care gnawing at their hearts.
On June seventeen, Charlotte writes, Branwell declares that he neither
can nor will do anything for himself. Good situations have
been offered him, for which by a fortnight's work he
(23:15):
might have qualified himself, but he will do nothing except
drink and make us all wretched. In the Atheneum of
July fourth, under the head of Poetry for the Million
came a short review of the poems of c E
and a Bell. The reviewer assigns to Ellis the highest
rank of the three brothers, as he supposes them to be.
(23:37):
He calls Ellis a fine, quaint spirit, and speaks of
an evident power of wing that may reach heights not
here attempted again with some degree of penetration. The reviewer
says that the poems of Ellis convey an impression of
originality beyond what his contributions to these volumes embody. Kurrr
(23:57):
is placed midway between Ellis and Acton, But there is
little in the review to strain out at this distance
of time as worth preserving. Still, we can fancy with
what interest it was read at Halworth Parsonage, and how
the sisters would endeavor to find out reasons for opinions
or hints for the future guidance of their talents. I
(24:18):
call particular attention to the following letter of Charlotte's dated
July tenth, eighteen forty six, to whom it was written
matters not but the wholesome sense of duty in it,
the sense of the supremacy of that duty which God,
in placing us in families, has laid out for us,
seems to deserve a special regard in these days. I
(24:40):
see you are in a dilemma, and one of a
peculiar and difficult nature. Two paths lie before you. You
conscientiously wish to choose the right one. Even though it
be the most steep, straight and rugged. But you do
not know which is the right one. You cannot decide
whether duty and religion come demand you to go out
(25:00):
into the cold and friendless world and there to earn
your living by governess drudgery, or whether they enjoining your
continued stay with your aged mother, neglecting for the present
every prospect of independency for yourself, and putting up with
daily inconvenience, sometimes even with privations. I can well imagine
that it is next to impossible for you to decide
(25:23):
for yourself in this matter. So I will decide it
for you. At least I will tell you what is
my earnest conviction on the subject. I will show you
candidly how the question strikes me. The right path is
that which necessitates the greatest sacrifice of self interest, which
implies the greatest good to others. And this path, steadily followed,
(25:48):
will lead, I believe, in time, to prosperity and to happiness.
Though it may seem at the outset to tend in
quite a contrary direction. Your mother is both old and infirm.
Old and infirm people have but few sources of happiness,
Fewer almost than the comparatively young and healthy can conceive.
(26:09):
To deprive them of one of these is cruel. If
your mother is more composed when you are with her,
stay with her. If she would be unhappy in case
you left her, stay with her. It will not, apparently,
as far as short sighted humanity can see, be for
your advantage to remain at blank. Nor will you be
(26:31):
praised and admired for remaining at home to comfort your mother.
Yet probably your own conscience will approve, and if it does,
stay with her, I recommend you to do what I
am trying to do myself. The remainder of this letter
is only interesting to the reader as it conveys the
peremptory disclaimer of the report that the writer was engaged
(26:54):
to be married to her father's curate, the very same
gentleman to whom etears afterwards she was united, and who,
probably even now, although she was unconscious of the fact,
had begun his service to her in the same tender
and faithful spirit as that in which Jacob served for Rachel.
Others may have noticed this, though she did not, a
(27:16):
few more notes remain of her correspondence on behalf of
the Messr's Bell with mister Ailat. On July fifteenth, she says,
I suppose, as you have not written, no other notices
have yet appeared, nor has the demand for the work increased.
Will you favor me with the line stating whether any
or how many copies have yet been sold? But few
(27:38):
I fear for. Three days later she wrote the following,
The Messr's Bell desire me to thank you for your
suggestion respecting the advertisements. They agree with you that since
the season is unfavorable, advertising had better be deferred. They
are obliged to you for the information respecting the number
of copies sold. On July twenty third, she writes to
(27:59):
the Messr's the Messr's Bell would be obliged to you
to post the enclosed note in London. It is an
answer to the letter you forwarded, which contained an application
for their autographs from a person who professed to have
read and admired their poems. I think I before intimated
that the Messrs Bell are desirous for the present of
(28:19):
remaining unknown, for which reason they prefer having the note
posted in London to sending it direct in order to
avoid giving any clue to residence or identity by postmark
et cetera. Once more in September, she writes, as the
work has received no further notice from any periodical, I
presume the demand for it has not greatly increased in
(28:42):
the biographical notice of her sisters. She thus speaks of
the failure of the modest hopes vested in this publication.
The book was printed, it is scarcely known, and all
of it that merits to be known are the poems
of Ellice Bell. The fixed conviction I held, and hold
of the worth of these poems has not indeed received
the confirmation of much favorable criticism, But I must retain it,
(29:07):
notwithstanding end of Section twenty, end of Volume one of
the Life of Charlotte Broughty by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
Volume one, section twenty, of the Life of Charlotte Bronte.
This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in
the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please
visit LibriVox dot org. Recording by Bruce Pierri. The Life
of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, Volume one, Section twenty,
(00:23):
chapter fourteen. In the course of this sad autumn of
eighteen forty five, a new interest came up, faint, indeed,
and often lost sight of in the vivid pain and
constant pressure of anxiety respecting their brother. In the biographical
Notice of her Sisters, which Charlotte prefixed to the edition
(00:44):
of Weathering Heights and Agnes Gray, published in eighteen fifty
a piece of writing unique as far as I know,
in its pathos and its power, she says, one day
in the autumn of eighteen forty five, I accidentally lighted
on a manuscript of volume of verse in my sister
Emily's handwriting. Of course, I was not surprised, knowing that
(01:05):
she could and did write verse. I looked it over,
and something more than surprise seized me, a deep conviction
that these were not common effusions, nor at all like
the poetry women generally write. I thought them condensed and terse,
vigorous and genuine to my ear. They had also a
peculiar music, wild, melancholy, and elevating. My sister Emily was
(01:29):
not a person of demonstrative character, nor one on the
recesses of whose mind and feelings even those nearest and
dearest to her could, with impunity, intrude unlicensed. It took
hours to reconcile her to the discovery I had made,
and dazed to persuade her that such poems merited publication. Meantime,
(01:50):
my younger sister quietly produced some of her own compositions,
intimating that since Emily's had given me pleasure, I might
like to look at hers. I could not but be
a partial judge. Yet I thought that these verses, too,
had a sweet, sincere pathos of their own. We had
very early cherished the dream of one day being authors.
(02:11):
We agreed to arrange a small selection of our poems, and,
if possible, get them printed. A Verse to personal publicity,
we veiled our own names under those of curR Ellis
and Acton Bell, the ambiguous choice being dictated by a
sort of conscientious scruple at assuming Christian names positively masculine.
(02:32):
While we did not like to declare ourselves women, because
without at the time suspecting that our mode of writing
and thinking was not what is called feminine, we had
a vague impression that authoresses are liable to be looked
on with prejudice. We noticed how critics sometimes use for
their chastisement the weapon of personality, and for their reward
(02:54):
a flattery which is not true praise. The bringing out
of our little book was hard work, as was to
be expected. Neither we nor our poems were at all wanted.
But for this we had been prepared at the outset.
Though inexperienced ourselves, we had read the experience of others.
The great puzzle lay in the difficulty of getting answers
(03:15):
of any kind from the publishers to whom we applied.
Being greatly harassed by this obstacle, I ventured to apply
to the Messrs Chambers of Edinburgh for a word of advice.
They may have forgotten the circumstance, but I have not,
for from them I received a brief and business like,
but civil and sensible reply, on which we acted and
(03:36):
at last made way. I inquired from mister Robert Chambers,
and found as Miss Bronte conjectured, that he had entirely
forgotten the application which had been made to him and
his brother for advice, nor had they any copy or
memorandum of the correspondence. There is an intelligent man living
in Haworth who has given me some interesting particulars relating
(03:58):
to the sisters about this period. He says, I have
known Miss Bronte as Miss Bronte a long time, indeed,
ever since they came to Haworth in eighteen nineteen. But
I had not much acquaintance with the family till about
eighteen forty three, when I began to do a little
in the stationary line. Nothing of that kind could be
(04:18):
had nearer than Keighley. Before I began, they used to
buy a great deal of writing paper, and I used
to wonder whatever they did with so much I sometimes
thought they contributed to the magazines when I was out
of stock. I was always afraid of their coming. They
seemed so distressed about it. If I had none, I
have walked to Halifax, a distance of ten miles many
(04:38):
a time for half a ream of paper. For fear
of being without it. When they came, I could not
buy more at a time. For a want of capital,
I was always short of that. I did so like
them to come when I had anything for them. They
were so much different to anybody else, so gentle and kind,
and so very quiet. They never talked much. Charlotte would
(05:00):
sometimes sit and inquire about our circumstances, so kindly and feelingly.
Though I am a poor working man, which I have
never felt to be any degradation, I could talk with
her with the greatest freedom. I always felt quite at
home with her. Though I never had any school education,
I never felt the want of it in her company.
(05:22):
The publishers to whom she finally made a successful application
for the production of Curer Ellis and Acton Bell's poems
were Messrs Aylot and Jones Potter Noster Rowe. Mister Aylot
has kindly placed the letters which she wrote to them
on the subject at my disposal. The first is dated
January twenty eighth, eighteen forty six, and in it she
(05:44):
inquires if they will publish one volume OCTAVO of poems,
if not at their own risk, on the author's account.
It is signed C. Bronte. They must have replied pretty speedily,
for on January thirty first, she writes again, gentlemen, since
you agree to undertake the publication of the work respecting
(06:05):
which I applied to you, I should wish now to
know as soon as possible the cost of paper and printing.
I will then send the necessary remittance together with the manuscript.
I should like it to be printed in one octavo volume,
of the same quality of paper and size of type
as Moxon's last edition of Wordsworth. The poems will occupy
(06:26):
I should think from two hundred to two hundred and
fifty pages. They are not the production of a clergyman,
nor are they exclusively of a religious character. But I
presume these circumstances will be immaterial. It will perhaps be
necessary that you should see the manuscript in order to
calculate accurately the expense of publication. In that case, I
(06:47):
will send it immediately. I should like, however, previously, to
have some idea of the probable cost, and if from
what I have said you can make a rough calculation
on the subject, I should be greatly obliged to you.
In her next letter February sixth, she says, you will
perceive that the poems are the work of three persons relatives.
(07:09):
Their separate pieces are distinguished by their respective signatures. She
writes again on February fifteenth, and on the sixteenth she says,
the manuscript will certainly form a thinner volume than I
had anticipated. I cannot name another model which I should
like it precisely to resemble. Yet I think a duodecimo
form and a somewhat reduced though still clear type would
(07:32):
be preferable. I only stipulate for clear type, not too small,
and good paper. On February twenty first, she selects the
long primer type for the poems and will remit thirty
one pounds ten shillings in a few days. Minute. As
the details conveyed in these notes are, they are not
(07:53):
trivial because they afford such strong indications of character. If
the volume was to be published at their own risk,
it was necessary that the sister conducting the negotiation should
make herself acquainted with the different kinds of type and
the different sizes of books. Accordingly, she bought a small
volume from which to learn all she could on the
(08:13):
subject of preparation for the press. No half knowledge no
trusting to other people for decisions which she could make
for herself, and yet a generous and full confidence not
misplaced in the thorough probity of Messrs Aylot and Jones.
The caution in ascertaining the risk before embarking in the enterprise,
(08:35):
and the prompt payment of the money required even before
it could be said to have assumed the shape of
a debt, were both parts of a self reliant and
independent character. Self contained. Also was she During the whole
time that the volume of poems was in the course
of preparation and publication. No word was written telling any
(08:56):
one out of the household circle what was in progress.
I have had some of the letters placed in my hands,
which she addressed to her old schoolmistress, Miss w. They
begin a little before this time, acting on the conviction
which I have all along entertained that where Charlotte brought
his own words could be used, no others ought to
(09:18):
take their place. I shall make extracts from this series
according to their dates. January thirtieth, eighteen forty six, My
dear Miss W, I have not yet paid my visit
to Blank. It is indeed more than a year since
I was there, But I frequently hear from E, and
she did not fail to tell me that you were
(09:39):
gone into Worcestershire. She was unable, however, to give me
your exact address. Had I known it, I should have
written to you long since. I thought you would wonder
how we were getting on when you heard of the
railway panic. And you may be sure that I am
very glad to be able to answer your kind inquiries
by the assurance that our small capital is as yet undiminished.
(10:02):
The York and Midland is, as you say, a very
good line. Yet I confess to you I should wish
for my own part to be wise in time. I
cannot think that even the very best lines will continue
for many years at their present premiums. And I have
been most anxious for us to sell our shares, ere
to be too late, and to secure the proceeds in
(10:22):
some safer, if for the present less profitable investment. I cannot, however,
persuade my sisters to regard the affair precisely from my
point of view, and I feel as if I would
rather run the risk of loss than hurt Emily's feelings
by acting indirect opposition to her opinion. She managed in
a most handsome and able manner for me when I
(10:44):
was in Brussels and prevented by distance from looking after
my own interests. Therefore, I will let her manage still
and take the consequences. Disinterested and energetic she certainly is,
and if she be not quite so tractable or open
to conviction as I could wish, I must remember perfection
(11:05):
is not the lot of humanity. And as long as
we can regard those we love and to whom we
are closely allied, with profound and never shaken esteem, it
is a small thing that they should vex us occasionally
by what appeared to us unreasonable in head strong notions. You,
my dear miss, w know full as well as I do,
(11:25):
the value of sister's affection to each other. There is
nothing like it in this world, I believe, when they
are nearly equal in age and similar in education, tastes
and sentiments. You ask about Branwell, he never thinks of
seeking employment, and I begin to fear that he has
rendered himself incapable of filling any respectable station in life. Besides,
(11:47):
if money were at his disposal, he would use it
only to his own injury. The faculty of self government.
Is I fear almost destroyed in him? You ask me
if I do not think that men are strange beings.
I do, Indeed, I have often thought so, and I
think too that the mode of bringing them up is strange.
(12:08):
They are not sufficiently guarded from temptation. Girls are protected
as if they were something very frail or silly. Indeed,
while boys are turned loose on the world as if they,
of all beings in existence, were the wisest and least
liable to be led astray. I am glad you're like Broomsgrove,
though I dare say there are few places that you
(12:28):
would not like with missus m for a companion. I
always feel a peculiar satisfaction when I hear of your
enjoying yourself, because it proves that there really is such
a thing as retributive justice. Even in this world. You
worked hard, you denied yourself all pleasure, almost all relaxation
in your youth and in the prime of life. Now
(12:49):
you are free, and that while you have still I
hope many years of vigor and health in which you
can enjoy freedom. Besides, I have another and very egotistical
motive for being pleas It seems that even a lone
woman can be happy as well as cherished wives and
proud mothers. I am glad of that. I speculate much
(13:10):
on the existence of unmarried and never to be married
women nowadays, and I have already got to the point
of considering that there is no more respectable character on
this earth than an unmarried woman who makes her own
way through life, quietly, perseveringly, without support of husband or brother,
and who, having attained the age of forty five or upwards,
(13:32):
retains in her possession a well regulated mind, a disposition
to enjoy simple pleasures, and fortitude to support inevitably pains,
sympathy with the sufferings of others, and willingness to relieve
want as far as her means extend. During the time
that the negotiation with Messrs A Lot and Company was
(13:53):
going on, Charlotte went to visit her old school friend,
with whom she was in such habits of confidential intimate see.
But neither then nor afterwards did she ever speak to
her of the publication of the poems. Nevertheless, this young
lady suspected that the sisters wrote for magazines, and in
this idea she was confirmed when on one of her
(14:14):
visits to Haworth, she saw Anne with the number of
Chambers journal and a gentle smile of pleasure stealing over
her placid face as she read. What is the matter?
Asked the friend? Why do you smile? Only because I
see they have inserted one of my poems? Was the
quiet reply, and not a word more was said on
(14:35):
the subject to this friend. Charlotte addressed the following letters.
March third, eighteen forty six. I reached home a little
after two o'clock, all safe and write yesterday I found
Papa very well, his sight much the same. Emily and
Anne were going to Keighley to meet me. Unfortunately I
(14:56):
had returned by the old road while they were gone
by the new, and we missed each other. They did
not get home till half past four, and we were
caught in the heavy shower of rain which fell in
the afternoon. I am sorry to say Anne has taken
a little cold in consequence, but I hope she will
soon be well. Papa was much cheered by my report
of mister C's opinion and of old missus E's experience,
(15:19):
but I could perceive he caught gladly at the idea
of deferring the operation a few months longer. I went
into the room where Branwell was to speak to him
about an hour after I got home. It was very
forced work to address him. I might have spared myself
the trouble, as he took no notice and made no reply.
He was stupefied. My fears were not in vain. I
(15:44):
hear that he got a sovereign while I have been
away under pretense of paying a pressing debt. He went
immediately and changed it at a public house, and has
employed it as was to be expected. Blank concluded her
account by saying he was a hopeless being. It is
too true. In his present state, it is scarcely possible
(16:05):
to stay in the room where he is. What the
future has in store I do not know. March thirty first,
eighteen forty six, our poor old servant Tabby had a
sort of fit a fortnight since, but is nearly recovered. Now. Martha,
(16:25):
the girl they had to assist poor old Tabby, and
who remains still the faithful servant at the parsonage, is
ill with a swelling in her knee, and obliged to
go home. I fear it will be long before she
is in working condition again. I received the number of
the record you sent. I read Dobiinay's letter. It is clever,
(16:45):
and in what he says about Catholicism very good. The
evangelical alliance part is not very practicable, yet certainly it
is more in accordance with the spirit of the Gospel
to preach unity among Christians than to inculcate mutual intolerance
and hatred. I am very glad that I went to
Blank when I did, for the changed weather has somewhat
changed my health and strength. Since how do you get on?
(17:08):
I long for mild south and west winds. I am
thankful Papa continues pretty well, though often made very miserable
by Branwell's wretched conduct. There there is no change but
for the worse. Meanwhile, the printing of the volume of
poems was quietly proceeding. After some consultation and deliberation, the
(17:28):
sisters had determined to correct the proofs themselves. Up to
March twenty eighth, the publishers had addressed their correspondent as C.
Bronte Esquire. But at this time some little mistake occurred
and she desired Messrs Alot and Company in future to
direct to her real address, Miss Bronte et cetera. She had, however,
(17:50):
evidently left it to be implied that she was not
acting on her own behalf, but as agent for the
real authors, since, in a note dated April sixth, if
she makes a proposal on behalf of C. E and A. Bell,
which is to the following effect, that they are preparing
for the press a work of fiction consisting of three
(18:10):
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 may be deemed most advisable.
She states in addition that it is not their intention
to publish these tales on their own account, but that
the author's direct her to ask Messrs A. Lot and
(18:32):
Company whether they should be disposed to undertake the work,
after having, of course, by due inspection of the manuscript
ascertained that its contents are such as to warrant an
expectation of success. To this letter of inquiry, the publishers
replied speedily, and the tenor of their answer may be
gathered from Charlotte's dated April eleventh. I beg to thank
(18:54):
you in the name of C. E and a bell
for your obliging offer of advice, I will avail myself
of it to request information on two or three points.
It is evident that unknown authors have great difficulties to
contend with before they can succeed in bringing their works
before the public. Can you give me any hint as
(19:16):
to the way in which these difficulties are best met?
For instance, in the present case, where a work of
fiction is in question, in what form would a publisher
be most likely to accept the manuscript, whether offered as
a work of three volumes, or as tales which might
be published in numbers, or as contributions to a periodical.
(19:37):
What publishers would be most likely to receive favorably a
proposal of this nature. Would it suffice to write to
a publisher on the subject, or would it be necessary
to have recourse to a personal interview? Your opinion and
advice on these three points, or on any other which
your experience may suggest as important, would be esteemed by
(19:58):
us as a favor. It is evident from the whole
tenor of this correspondence that the truthfulness and probity of
the firm of publishers with whom she had to deal
in this her first literary venture, were strongly impressed upon
her mind, and was followed by the inevitable consequence of
reliance on their suggestions, and the progress of the poems
(20:20):
was not unreasonably lengthy or long drawn out. On April twentieth,
she writes to Desire that three copies may be sent
to her, and that Messrs Aylot will advise her as
to the reviewers to whom copies ought to be sent.
I give the next letter as illustrating the ideas of
these girls as to what periodical reviews or notices led
(20:40):
public opinion the poems to be neatly done up in cloth.
Have the goodness to send copies and advertisements as early
as possible to each of the undermentioned periodicals Colburn's New
Monthly Magazine, Bentley's Magazine, Hood's Magazine, Gerald's Shulling Magazine, Blackwood's Magaie,
(21:00):
the Edinburgh Review, Tates, Edinburgh Magazine, the Dublin University Magazine.
Also to the Daily News and to the Britannia Papers.
If there are any other periodicals to which you have
been in the habit of sending copies of works, let
them be supplied also with copies I think those I
have mentioned will suffice for advertising. In compliance with this
(21:23):
latter request, Messis a Lot suggested that copies and advertisements
of the work should be sent to the Athenaeum Literary Gazette,
Critic and Times, but in her reply Miss Bronte says
that she thinks the periodicals she first mentioned will be
sufficient for advertising in at present, as the authors do
not wish to lay out a larger sum than two
(21:43):
pounds in advertising, esteeming the success of a work dependent
more on the notice it receives from periodicals than on
the quantity of advertisements. In case of any notice of
the poems appearing, whether favorably or otherwise, Messrs a Lot
and Company are requested to send her the name and
number of those periodicals in which such notices appear. As Otherwise,
(22:05):
since she has not the opportunity of seeing periodicals regularly,
she may misreading the critique. Should the poems be remarked
upon favorably, it is my intention to appropriate a further
sum for 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
(22:27):
the title of the work or the names of the
authors to attract attention from a single individual. I suppose
the Little Volume of Poems was published sometime about the
end of May eighteen forty six. It stole into life.
Some weeks passed over without the mighty murmuring public discovering
that three more voices were uttering their speech. And meanwhile
(22:52):
the course of existence moved drearily along from day to day,
with the anxious sisters, who must have forgotten their sense
of authorship in the vital care gnawing at their hearts.
On June seventeen, Charlotte writes, Branwell declares that he neither
can nor will do anything for himself. Good situations have
been offered him, for which by a fortnight's work he
(23:15):
might have qualified himself, but he will do nothing except
drink and make us all wretched. In the Atheneum of
July fourth, under the head of Poetry for the Million
came a short review of the poems of c E
and a Bell. The reviewer assigns to Ellis the highest
rank of the three brothers, as he supposes them to be.
(23:37):
He calls Ellis a fine, quaint spirit, and speaks of
an evident power of wing that may reach heights not
here attempted again with some degree of penetration. The reviewer
says that the poems of Ellis convey an impression of
originality beyond what his contributions to these volumes embody. Kurrr
(23:57):
is placed midway between Ellis and Acton, But there is
little in the review to strain out at this distance
of time as worth preserving. Still, we can fancy with
what interest it was read at Halworth Parsonage, and how
the sisters would endeavor to find out reasons for opinions
or hints for the future guidance of their talents. I
(24:18):
call particular attention to the following letter of Charlotte's dated
July tenth, eighteen forty six, to whom it was written
matters not but the wholesome sense of duty in it,
the sense of the supremacy of that duty which God,
in placing us in families, has laid out for us,
seems to deserve a special regard in these days. I
(24:40):
see you are in a dilemma, and one of a
peculiar and difficult nature. Two paths lie before you. You
conscientiously wish to choose the right one. Even though it
be the most steep, straight and rugged. But you do
not know which is the right one. You cannot decide
whether duty and religion come demand you to go out
(25:00):
into the cold and friendless world and there to earn
your living by governess drudgery, or whether they enjoining your
continued stay with your aged mother, neglecting for the present
every prospect of independency for yourself, and putting up with
daily inconvenience, sometimes even with privations. I can well imagine
that it is next to impossible for you to decide
(25:23):
for yourself in this matter. So I will decide it
for you. At least I will tell you what is
my earnest conviction on the subject. I will show you
candidly how the question strikes me. The right path is
that which necessitates the greatest sacrifice of self interest, which
implies the greatest good to others. And this path, steadily followed,
(25:48):
will lead, I believe, in time, to prosperity and to happiness.
Though it may seem at the outset to tend in
quite a contrary direction. Your mother is both old and infirm.
Old and infirm people have but few sources of happiness,
Fewer almost than the comparatively young and healthy can conceive.
(26:09):
To deprive them of one of these is cruel. If
your mother is more composed when you are with her,
stay with her. If she would be unhappy in case
you left her, stay with her. It will not, apparently,
as far as short sighted humanity can see, be for
your advantage to remain at blank. Nor will you be
(26:31):
praised and admired for remaining at home to comfort your mother.
Yet probably your own conscience will approve, and if it does,
stay with her, I recommend you to do what I
am trying to do myself. The remainder of this letter
is only interesting to the reader as it conveys the
peremptory disclaimer of the report that the writer was engaged
(26:54):
to be married to her father's curate, the very same
gentleman to whom etears afterwards she was united, and who,
probably even now, although she was unconscious of the fact,
had begun his service to her in the same tender
and faithful spirit as that in which Jacob served for Rachel.
Others may have noticed this, though she did not, a
(27:16):
few more notes remain of her correspondence on behalf of
the Messr's Bell with mister Ailat. On July fifteenth, she says,
I suppose, as you have not written, no other notices
have yet appeared, nor has the demand for the work increased.
Will you favor me with the line stating whether any
or how many copies have yet been sold? But few
(27:38):
I fear for. Three days later she wrote the following,
The Messr's Bell desire me to thank you for your
suggestion respecting the advertisements. They agree with you that since
the season is unfavorable, advertising had better be deferred. They
are obliged to you for the information respecting the number
of copies sold. On July twenty third, she writes to
(27:59):
the Messr's the Messr's Bell would be obliged to you
to post the enclosed note in London. It is an
answer to the letter you forwarded, which contained an application
for their autographs from a person who professed to have
read and admired their poems. I think I before intimated
that the Messrs Bell are desirous for the present of
(28:19):
remaining unknown, for which reason they prefer having the note
posted in London to sending it direct in order to
avoid giving any clue to residence or identity by postmark
et cetera. Once more in September, she writes, as the
work has received no further notice from any periodical, I
presume the demand for it has not greatly increased in
(28:42):
the biographical notice of her sisters. She thus speaks of
the failure of the modest hopes vested in this publication.
The book was printed, it is scarcely known, and all
of it that merits to be known are the poems
of Ellice Bell. The fixed conviction I held, and hold
of the worth of these poems has not indeed received
the confirmation of much favorable criticism, But I must retain it,
(29:07):
notwithstanding end of Section twenty, end of Volume one of
the Life of Charlotte Broughty by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
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