1816-1855
[Sidenote: Mrs Gaskell’s _Life of C. Brontë_.]
“In 1831, she was a quiet, thoughtful girl, of nearly fifteen years
of age, very small in figure--‘stunted’ was the word she applied to
herself; but as her limbs and head were in just proportion to the
slight, fragile body, no word in ever so slight a degree suggestive
of deformity could properly be applied to her; with soft, thick,
brown hair, and peculiar eyes, of which I find it difficult to give a
description as they appeared to me in her later life. They were large
and well-shaped, their colour a reddish brown, but if the iris were
closely examined, it appeared to be composed of a great variety of
tints. The usual expression was of quiet, listening intelligence; but
now and then, on some just occasion for vivid interest or wholesome
indignation, a light would shine out, as if some spiritual lamp had
been kindled, which glowed behind those expressive orbs. I never saw
the like in any other human creature. As for the rest of her features,
they were plain, large, and ill-set; but, unless you began to catalogue
them, you were hardly aware of the fact, for the eyes and power of
the countenance overbalanced every physical defect; the crooked mouth
and the large nose were forgotten, and the whole face arrested the
attention, and presently attracted all those whom she herself would
have cared to attract. Her hands and feet were the smallest I ever
saw; when one of the former was placed in mine, it was like the soft
touch of a bird in the middle of my palm. The delicate long fingers
had a peculiar fineness of sensation, which was one reason why all
her handiwork, of whatever kind--writing, sewing, knitting,--was
so clear in its minuteness. She was remarkably neat in her whole
personal attire; but she was dainty as to the fit of her shoes and
gloves.”--1831.
[Sidenote: Harriet Martineau’s _Biographical Sketches_.]
“There was something inexpressibly affecting in the aspect of the
frail little creature who had done such wonderful things, and who was
able to bear up, with so bright an eye and so composed a countenance,
under not only such a weight of sorrow, but such a prospect of
solitude. In her deep mourning dress (neat as a Quaker’s), with her
beautiful hair, smooth and brown, her fine eyes, and her sensible face
indicating a habit of self-control, she seemed a perfect household
image--irresistibly recalling Wordsworth’s description of that domestic
treasure. And she was this.”--1850.
[Sidenote: Bayne’s _Two great Englishwomen_.]
“I can only say of this lady, _vide tantum_. I saw her first just
as I rose out of an illness from which I never thought to recover.
I remember the trembling little frame, the little hand, the great
honest eyes. An impetuous honesty seemed to me to characterise the
woman.... She gave me the impression of being a very pure, and lofty,
and high-minded person. A great and holy reverence of right and truth
seemed to be with her always. Such, in our brief interview, she
appeared to me.”--1851.