In the course of this sad autumn of 1845, 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 of "Wuthering Heights"
and "Agnes Grey," published in 1850--a piece of writing unique, as far as
I know, in its pathos and its power--she says:--
"One day in the autumn of 1845, I accidentally lighted on a MS. volume
of verse, in my sister Emily's handwriting. Of course, I was not
surprised, knowing that 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 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 days to persuade her that such poems merited publication . .
. Meantime, 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. We
agreed to arrange a small selection of our poems, and, if possible,
get them printed. Averse to personal publicity, we veiled our own
names under those of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell; the ambiguous
choice being dictated by a sort of conscientious scruple at assuming
Christian names, positively masculine, 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, 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 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 at
last made way."
I inquired from Mr. 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 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 1819. But I had not much acquaintance with
the family till about 1843, when I began to do a little in the stationery
line. Nothing of that kind could be 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 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 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 sometimes would 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."
The publishers to whom she finally made a successful application for the
production of "Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell's poems," were Messrs.
Aylott and Jones, Paternoster Row. Mr. Aylott has kindly placed the
letters which she wrote to them on the subject at my disposal. The first
is dated January 28th, 1846, and in it she 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 31st she writes again:--
"GENTLEMEN,
"Since you agree to undertake the publication of the work respecting
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, I should
think, from 200 to 250 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 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 6th, she says:--
"You will perceive that the poems are the work of three persons,
relatives--their separate pieces are distinguished by their respective
signatures."
She writes again on February 15th; and on the 16th she says:--
"The MS. 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 be preferable. I only stipulate for _clear_ type,
not too small, and good paper."
On February 21st she selects the "long primer type" for the poems, and
will remit 31_l_. 10_s_. in a few days.
Minute as the details conveyed in these notes are, they are not 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 various sizes of books. Accordingly she
bought a small volume, from which to learn all she could on the 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.
Aylott and Jones. The caution in ascertaining the risk before embarking
in the enterprise, 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
anyone, 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 Bronte's own words could be used, no others ought to take their
place, I shall make extracts from this series, according to their dates.
"Jan. 30th, 1846.
"MY DEAR MISS W---,
"I have not yet paid my visit to ---; 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 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. 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 it be too late, and to secure the
proceeds in 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 in direct opposition to her
opinion. She managed in a most handsome and able manner for me, when I
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 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 appear to us unreasonable and headstrong notions.
"You, my dear Miss W---, know, full as well as I do, the value of
sisters' 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,
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: 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 like Broomsgrove, though, I dare say, there are
few places you would _not_ like, with Mrs. 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 you are free, and that while you have still, I
hope, many years of vigour and health in which you can enjoy freedom.
Besides, I have another and very egotistical motive for being pleased;
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 on the
existence of unmarried and never-to-be-married women now-a-days; 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, 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. Aylott and Co. was
going on, Charlotte went to visit her old school-friend, with whom she
was in such habits of confidential intimacy; 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 visits
to Haworth, she saw Anne with a number of "Chambers's 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 the subject.
To this friend Charlotte addressed the following letters:--
"March 3rd, 1846.
"I reached home a little after two o'clock, all safe and right
yesterday; I found papa very well; his sight much the same. Emily and
Anne were going to Keighley to meet me; unfortunately, I 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 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 Mr. C.'s opinion,
and of old Mrs. E.'s experience; 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 stupified. My fears were not in vain. I hear that he got a
sovereign while I have been away, under pretence of paying a pressing
debt; he went immediately and changed it at a public-house, and has
employed it as was to be expected. --- concluded her account by
saying he was a 'hopeless being;' it is too true. In his present
state it is scarcely possible to stay in the room where he is. What
the future has in store I do not know."
"March 31st, 1846.
"Our poor old servant Tabby had a sort of fit, a fortnight since, but
is nearly recovered now. Martha" (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
D'Aubigne's letter. It is clever, 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 I went to--when I did, for the
changed weather has somewhat changed my health and strength since. How
do you get on? 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 sisters had determined to
correct the proofs themselves, Up to March 28th the publishers had
addressed their correspondent as C. Bronte, Esq.; but at this time some
"little mistake occurred," and she desired Messrs. Aylott and Co. in
future to direct to her real address, "_Miss_ Bronte," &c. She had,
however, 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 6th, 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 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 authors direct her
to ask Messrs. Aylott and Co. whether they 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. To this letter of inquiry the publishers replied speedily, and
the tenor of their answer may be gathered from Charlotte's, dated April
11th.
"I beg to thank 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 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 MS.?
Whether offered as a work of three vols., or as tales which might be
published in numbers, or as contributions to a periodical?
"What publishers would be most likely to receive favourably 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 us as a
favour."
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 was not unreasonably lengthy
or long drawn out. On April 20th she writes to desire that three copies
may be sent to her, and that Messrs. Aylott 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 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.'
"'Jerrold's Shilling Magazine.'
"'Blackwood's Magazine.'
"'The Edinburgh Review.'
"'Tait's 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 latter request, Messrs. Aylott suggest 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 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 favourable or otherwise, Messrs.
Aylott and Co. are requested to send her the name and number of those
periodicals in which such notices appear; as otherwise, since she has not
the opportunity of seeing periodicals regularly, she may miss reading the
critique. "Should the poems be remarked upon favourably, 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 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 some time about the
end of May, 1846. It stole into life; some weeks passed over, without
the mighty murmuring public discovering that three more voices were
uttering their speech. And, meanwhile, 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 17th, 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 might have qualified himself, but he will do nothing except drink and
make us all wretched."
In the "Athenaeum" of July 4th, 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; 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." Currer 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 Haworth Parsonage, and how the sisters would endeavour to
find out reasons for opinions, or hints for the future guidance of their
talents.
I call particular attention to the following letter of Charlotte's, dated
July 10th, 1846. 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 especial
regard in these days.
"I 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, strait, and rugged;
but you do not know which is the right one; you cannot decide whether
duty and religion command you to go out into the cold and friendless
world, and there to earn your living by governess drudgery, or whether
they enjoin 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 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,
will lead, I believe, in time, to prosperity and to happiness, though
it may seem, at the outset, to tend quite in 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; 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 ---, nor will you be 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 a peremptory disclaimer of the report that the writer was engaged
to be married to her father's curate--the very same gentleman to whom,
eight years 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 few more notes remain of her correspondence "on behalf of the Messrs.
Bell" with Mr. Aylott. On July 15th 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 favour me with a line stating whether
_any_, or how many copies have yet been sold?"
But few, I fear; for, three days later, she wrote the following:--
"The Messrs. Bell desire me to thank you for your suggestion respecting
the advertisements. They agree with you that, since the season is
unfavourable, advertising had better be deferred. They are obliged to
you for the information respecting the number of copies sold."
On July 23rd she writes to the Messrs. Aylott:--
"The Messrs. 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 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 post-mark,
&c."
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 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 Ellis Bell.
"The fixed conviction I held, and hold, of the worth of these poems, has
not, indeed, received the confirmation of much favourable criticism; but
I must retain it notwithstanding."
FOOTNOTES:
{1} A reviewer pointed out the discrepancy between the age (twenty-seven
years) assigned, on the mural tablet, to Anne Bronte at the time of her
death in 1849, and the alleged fact that she was born at Thornton, from
which place Mr. Bronte removed on February 25th, 1820. I was aware of
the discrepancy, but I did not think it of sufficient consequence to be
rectified by an examination of the register of births. Mr. Bronte's own
words, on which I grounded my statement as to the time of Anne Bronte's
birth, are as follows:--
"In Thornton, Charlotte, Patrick Branwell, Emily Jane, and Anne were
born." And such of the inhabitants of Haworth as have spoken on the
subject say that all the children of Mr. and Mrs. Bronte were born before
they removed to Haworth. There is probably some mistake in the
inscription on the tablet.
{2} In the month of April 1858, a neat mural tablet was erected within
the Communion railing of the Church at Haworth, to the memory of the
deceased members of the Bronte family. The tablet is of white Carrara
marble on a ground of dove-coloured marble, with a cornice surmounted by
an ornamental pediment of chaste design. Between the brackets which
support the tablet, is inscribed the sacred monogram I.H.S., in old
English letters.
In Memory of
Maria, wife of the Rev. P. Bronte, A.B., Minister of Haworth,
She died Sept. 15th, 1821, in the 39th year of her age.
Also, of Maria, their daughter, who died May 6th, 1825, in the 12th year
of her age.
Also, of Elizabeth, their daughter, who died June 15th, 1825, in the 11th
year of her age.
Also, of Patrick Branwell, their son, who died Sept. 24th, 1848, aged 31
years.
Also, of Emily Jane, their daughter, who died Dec. 19th, 1848, aged 30
years.
Also, of Anne, their daughter, who died May 28th, 1849, aged 29 years.
She was buried at the Old Church, Scarborough.
Also, of Charlotte, their daughter, wife of the Rev. A. B. Nicholls, B.A.
She died March 31st, 1855, in the 39th year of her age.
"The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law, but
thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ."--1 Cor. xv. 56, 57.
{3} With regard to my own opinion of the present school, I can only give
it as formed after what was merely a cursory and superficial inspection,
as I do not believe that I was in the house above half an hour; but it
was and is this,--that the house at Casterton seemed thoroughly healthy
and well kept, and is situated in a lovely spot; that the pupils looked
bright, happy, and well, and that the lady superintendent was a most
prepossessing looking person, who, on my making some inquiry as to the
accomplishments taught to the pupils, said that the scheme of education
was materially changed since the school had been opened. I would have
inserted this testimony in the first edition, had I believed that any
weight could be attached to an opinion formed on such slight and
superficial grounds.
{4} "Jane Eyre," vol. I., page 20.
{5} Scott describes the sport, "Shooting at the Popinjay," "as an
ancient game formerly practised with archery, but at this period (1679)
with firearms. This was the figure of a bird decked with parti-coloured
feathers, so as to resemble a popinjay or parrot. It was suspended to a
pole, and served for a mark at which the competitors discharged their
fusees and carbines in rotation, at the distance of seventy paces. He
whose ball brought down the mark held the proud title of Captain of the
Popinjay for the remainder of the day, and was usually escorted in
triumph to the most respectable change-house in the neighbourhood, where
the evening was closed with conviviality, conducted under his auspices,
and if he was able to maintain it, at his expense."--Old Mortality.
{6} In this Gutenberg eBook M. Heger's comments are given in {} at
approximately the place where they occur--DP.