This was accordingly done; the agreement was concluded, and the Brontës prepared to leave their native county for the first time, if we except the melancholy9 and memorable10 residence at Cowan Bridge. Mr. Brontë determined11 to accompany his daughters. Mary and her brother, who were experienced in foreign travelling, were also of the party. Charlotte first saw London in the day or two they now stopped there; and, from an expression in one of her subsequent letters, they all, I believe, stayed at the Chapter Coffee House, Paternoster Row—a strange, old-fashioned tavern13, of which I shall have more to say hereafter.
Mary’s account of their journey is thus given.
“In passing through London, she seemed to think our business was and ought to be, to see all the pictures and statues we could. She knew the artists, and know where other productions of theirs were to be found. I don’t remember what we saw except St. Paul’s. Emily was like her in these habits of mind, but certainly never took her opinion, but always had one to offer . . . I don’t know what Charlotte thought of Brussels. We arrived in the dark, and went next morning to our respective schools to see them. We were, of course, much preoccupied14, and our prospects15 gloomy. Charlotte used to like the country round Brussels. ‘At the top of every hill you see something.’ She took, long solitary16 walks on the occasional holidays.”
Mr. Brontë took his daughters to the Rue17 d’Isabelle, Brussels; remained one night at Mr. Jenkins’; and straight returned to his wild Yorkshire village.
What a contrast to that must the Belgian capital have presented to those two young women thus left behind! Suffering acutely from every strange and unaccustomed contact—far away from their beloved home, and the dear moors20 beyond—their indomitable will was their great support. Charlotte’s own words, with regard to Emily, are:—
“After the age of twenty, having meantime studied alone with diligence and perseverance21, she went with me to an establishment on the continent. The same suffering and conflict ensued, heightened by the strong recoil22 of her upright heretic and English spirit from the gentle Jesuitry of the foreign and Romish system. Once more she seemed sinking, but this time she rallied through the mere23 force of resolution: with inward remorse24 and shame she looked back on her former failure, and resolved to conquer, but the victory cost her dear. She was never happy till she carried her hard-won knowledge back to the remote English village, the old parsonage-house, and desolate25 Yorkshire hills.”
They wanted learning. They came for learning. They would learn. Where they had a distinct purpose to be achieved in intercourse26 with their fellows, they forgot themselves; at all other times they were miserably27 shy. Mrs. Jenkins told me that she used to ask them to spend Sundays and holidays with her, until she found that they felt more pain than pleasure from such visits. Emily hardly ever uttered more than a monosyllable. Charlotte was sometimes excited sufficiently28 to speak eloquently29 and well—on certain subjects; but before her tongue was thus loosened, she had a habit of gradually wheeling round on her chair, so as almost to conceal30 her face from the person to whom she was speaking.
And yet there was much in Brussels to strike a responsive chord in her powerful imagination. At length she was seeing somewhat of that grand old world of which she had dreamed. As the gay crowds passed by her, so had gay crowds paced those streets for centuries, in all their varying costumes. Every spot told an historic tale, extending back into the fabulous31 ages when Jan and Jannika, the aboriginal32 giant and giantess, looked over the wall, forty feet high, of what is now the Rue Villa19 Hermosa, and peered down upon the new settlers who were to turn them out of the country in which they had lived since the deluge33. The great solemn Cathedral of St. Gudule, the religious paintings, the striking forms and ceremonies of the Romish Church—all made a deep impression on the girls, fresh from the bare walls and simple worship of Haworth Church. And then they were indignant with themselves for having been susceptible34 of this impression, and their stout35 Protestant hearts arrayed themselves against the false Duessa that had thus imposed upon them.
The very building they occupied as pupils, in Madame Héger’s pensionnat, had its own ghostly train of splendid associations, marching for ever, in shadowy procession, through and through the ancient rooms, and shaded alleys37 of the gardens. From the splendour of to-day in the Rue Royale, if you turn aside, near the statue of the General Beliard, you look down four flights of broad stone steps upon the Rue d’Isabelle. The chimneys of the houses in it are below your feet. Opposite to the lowest flight of steps, there is a large old mansion38 facing you, with a spacious39 walled garden behind—and to the right of it. In front of this garden, on the same side as the mansion, and with great boughs40 of trees sweeping41 over their lowly roofs, is a row of small, picturesque42, old-fashioned cottages, not unlike, in degree and uniformity, to the almshouses so often seen in an English country town. The Rue d’Isabelle looks as though it had been untouched by the innovations of the builder for the last three centuries; and yet any one might drop a stone into it from the back windows of the grand modern hotels in the Rue Royale, built and furnished in the newest Parisian fashion.
In the thirteenth century, the Rue d’Isabelle was called the Fossé-aux-Chiens; and the kennels44 for the ducal hounds occupied the place where Madame Héger’s pensionnat now stands. A hospital (in the ancient large meaning of the word) succeeded to the kennel43. The houseless and the poor, perhaps the leprous, were received, by the brethren of a religious order, in a building on this sheltered site; and what had been a fosse for defence, was filled up with herb-gardens and orchards45 for upwards47 of a hundred years. Then came the aristocratic guild48 of the cross-bow men—that company the members whereof were required to prove their noble descent—untainted for so many generations, before they could be admitted into the guild; and, being admitted, were required to swear a solemn oath, that no other pastime or exercise should take up any part of their leisure, the whole of which was to be devoted49 to the practice of the noble art of shooting with the cross-bow. Once a year a grand match was held, under the patronage50 of some saint, to whose church-steeple was affixed51 the bird, or semblance53 of a bird, to be hit by the victor. {5} The conqueror54 in the game was Roi des Arbalétriers for the coming year, and received a jewelled decoration accordingly, which he was entitled to wear for twelve months; after which he restored it to the guild, to be again striven for. The family of him who died during the year that he was king, were bound to present the decoration to the church of the patron saint of the guild, and to furnish a similar prize to be contended for afresh. These noble cross-bow men of the middle ages formed a sort of armed guard to the powers in existence, and almost invariably took the aristocratic, in preference to the democratic side, in the numerous civil dissensions of the Flemish towns. Hence they were protected by the authorities, and easily obtained favourable55 and sheltered sites for their exercise-ground. And thus they came to occupy the old fosse, and took possession of the great orchard46 of the hospital, lying tranquil56 and sunny in the hollow below the rampart.
But, in the sixteenth century, it became necessary to construct a street through the exercise-ground of the “Arbalétriers du Grand Serment,” and, after much delay, the company were induced by the beloved Infanta Isabella to give up the requisite57 plot of ground. In recompense for this, Isabella—who herself was a member of the guild, and had even shot down the bird, and been queen in 1615—made many presents to the arbalétriers; and, in return, the grateful city, which had long wanted a nearer road to St. Gudule, but been baffled by the noble archers58, called the street after her name. She, as a sort of indemnification to the arbalétriers, caused a “great mansion” to be built for their accommodation in the new Rue d’Isabelle. This mansion was placed in front of their exercise-ground, and was of a square shape. On a remote part of the walls, may still be read—
PHILLIPPO IIII. HISPAN. REGE. ISABELLA-CLARA-EUGENIA HISPAN. INFANS. MAGNÆ GULDÆ REGINA GULDÆ FRATRIBUS POSUIT.
In that mansion were held all the splendid feasts of the Grand Serment des Arbalétriers. The master-archer lived there constantly, in order to be ever at hand to render his services to the guild. The great saloon was also used for the court balls and festivals, when the archers were not admitted. The Infanta caused other and smaller houses to be built in her new street, to serve as residences for her “garde noble;” and for her “garde bourgeoise,” a small habitation each, some of which still remain, to remind us of English almshouses. The “great mansion,” with its quadrangular form; the spacious saloon—once used for the archducal balls, where the dark, grave Spaniards mixed with the blond nobility of Brabant and Flanders—now a schoolroom for Belgian girls; the cross-bow men’s archery-ground—all are there—the pensionnat of Madame Héger.
This lady was assisted in the work of instruction by her husband—a kindly60, wise, good, and religious man—whose acquaintance I am glad to have made, and who has furnished me with some interesting details, from his wife’s recollections and his own, of the two Miss Brontës during their residence in Brussels. He had the better opportunities of watching them, from his giving lessons in the French language and literature in the school. A short extract from a letter, written to me by a French lady resident in Brussels, and well qualified61 to judge, will help to show the estimation in which he is held.
“Je ne connais pas personnellement M. Héger, mais je sais qu’il est peu de caractères aussi nobles, aussi admirables que le sien. Il est un des membres les plus zélés de cette Société de S. Vincent de Paul dont je t’ai déjà parlé, et ne se contente pas de servir les pauvres et les malades, mais leur consacre encore les soirées. Après des journées absorbées tout36 entières par6 les devoirs que sa place lui impose, il réunit les pauvres, les ouvriers, leur donne des cours gratuits, et trouve encore le moyen de les amuser en les instruisant. Ce dévouement te dira assez que M. Héger est profondement et ouvertement religieux. Il a des manières franches et avenantes; il se fait aimer de tous ceux qui l’approchent, et surtout des enfants. Il a la parole facile, et possde à un haut degré l’éloquence du bon sens et du coeur. Il n’est point auteur. Homme de zèle et de conscience, il vient de se démettre des fonctions élevées et lucratives qu’il exerçait à l’Athénée, celles de Préfet des Etudes, parce qu’il ne peut y réaliser le bien qu’il avait espéré, introduire l’enseignement religieux dans le programme des études. J’ai vu une fois Madame Héger, qui a quelque chose de froid et de compassé dans son maintien, et qui prévient peu en sa faveur. Je la crois pourtant aimée et appréciée par ses élèves.”
There were from eighty to a hundred pupils in the pensionnat, when Charlotte and Emily Brontë entered in February 1842.
M. Héger’s account is that they knew nothing of French. I suspect they knew as much (or as little), for all conversational62 purposes, as any English girls do, who have never been abroad, and have only learnt the idioms and pronunciation from an Englishwoman. The two sisters clung together, and kept apart from the herd63 of happy, boisterous64, well-befriended Belgian girls, who, in their turn, thought the new English pupils wild and scared-looking, with strange, odd, insular65 ideas about dress; for Emily had taken a fancy to the fashion, ugly and preposterous66 even during its reign12, of gigot sleves, and persisted in wearing them long after they were “gone out.” Her petticoats, too, had not a curve or a wave in them, but hung down straight and long, clinging to her lank67 figure. The sisters spoke68 to no one but from necessity. They were too full of earnest thought, and of the exile’s sick yearning69, to be ready for careless conversation or merry game. M. Héger, who had done little but observe, during the few first weeks of their residence in the Rue d’Isabelle, perceived that with their unusual characters, and extraordinary talents, a different mode must be adopted from that in which he generally taught French to English girls. He seems to have rated Emily’s genius as something even higher than Charlotte’s; and her estimation of their relative powers was the same. Emily had a head for logic70, and a capability71 of argument, unusual in a man, and rare indeed in a woman, according to M. Héger. Impairing72 the force of this gift, was a stubborn tenacity73 of will, which rendered her obtuse74 to all reasoning where her own wishes, or her own sense of right, was concerned. “She should have been a man—a great navigator,” said M. Héger in speaking of her. “Her powerful reason would have deduced new spheres of discovery from the knowledge of the old; and her strong imperious will would never have been daunted75 by opposition76 or difficulty; never have given way but with life.” And yet, moreover, her faculty77 of imagination was such that, if she had written a history, her view of scenes and characters would have been so vivid, and so powerfully expressed, and supported by such a show of argument, that it would have dominated over the reader, whatever might have been his previous opinions, or his cooler perceptions of its truth. But she appeared egotistical and exacting79 compared to Charlotte, who was always unselfish (this is M. Héger’s testimony); and in the anxiety of the elder to make her younger sister contented80 she allowed her to exercise a kind of unconscious tyranny over her.
After consulting with his wife, M. Héger told them that he meant to dispense81 with the old method of grounding in grammar, vocabulary, &c., and to proceed on a new plan—something similar to what he had occasionally adopted with the elder among his French and Belgian pupils. He proposed to read to them some of the master-pieces of the most celebrated82 French authors (such as Casimir de la Vigne’s poem on the “Death of Joan of Arc,” parts of Bossuet, the admirable translation of the noble letter of St. Ignatius to the Roman Christians83 in the “Bibliothèque Choisie des Pères de l’Eglise,” &c.), and after having thus impressed the complete effect of the whole, to analyse the parts with them, pointing out in what such or such an author excelled, and where were the blemishes84. He believed that he had to do with pupils capable, from their ready sympathy with the intellectual, the refined, the polished, or the noble, of catching86 the echo of a style, and so reproducing their own thoughts in a somewhat similar manner.
After explaining his plan to them, he awaited their reply. Emily spoke first; and said that she saw no good to be derived87 from it; and that, by adopting it, they should lose all originality88 of thought and expression. She would have entered into an argument on the subject, but for this, M. Héger had no time. Charlotte then spoke; she also doubted the success of the plan; but she would follow out M. Héger’s advice, because she was bound to obey him while she was his pupil. Before speaking of the results, it may be desirable to give an extract from one of her letters, which shows some of her first impressions of her new life.
“Brussels, 1842 (May?).
“I was twenty-six years old a week or two since; and at this ripe time of life I am a school-girl, and, on the whole, very happy in that capacity. It felt very strange at first to submit to authority instead of exercising it—to obey orders instead of giving them; but I like that state of things. I returned to it with the same avidity that a cow, that has long been kept on dry hay, returns to fresh grass. Don’t laugh at my simile89. It is natural to me to submit, and very unnatural90 to command.
“This is a large school, in which there are about forty externes, or day pupils, and twelve pensionnaires, or boarders. Madame Héger, the head, is a lady of precisely91 the same cast of mind, degree of cultivation92, and quality of intellect as Miss ---. I think the severe points are a little softened93, because she has not been disappointed, and consequently soured. In a word, she is a married instead of a maiden95 lady. There are three teachers in the school—Mademoiselle Blanche, Mademoiselle Sophie, and Mademoiselle Marie. The two first have no particular character. One is an old maid, and the other will be one. Mademoiselle Marie is talented and original, but of repulsive96 and arbitrary manners, which have made the whole school, except myself and Emily, her bitter enemies. No less than seven masters attend, to teach the different branches of education—French, Drawing, Music, Singing, Writing, Arithmetic, and German. All in the house are Catholics except ourselves, one other girl, and the gouvernante of Madame’s children, an Englishwoman, in rank something between a lady’s maid and a nursery governess. The difference in country and religion makes a broad line of demarcation between us and all the rest. We are completely isolated97 in the midst of numbers. Yet I think I am never unhappy; my present life is so delightful98, so congenial to my own nature, compared to that of a governess. My time, constantly occupied, passes too rapidly. Hitherto both Emily and I have had good health, and therefore we have been able to work well. There is one individual of whom I have not yet spoken—M. Héger, the husband of Madame. He is professor of rhetoric99, a man of power as to mind, but very choleric100 and irritable101 in temperament102. He is very angry with me just at present, because I have written a translation which he chose to stigmatize103 as ‘peu correct.’ He did not tell me so, but wrote the word on the margin104 of my book, and asked, in brief stern phrase, how it happened that my compositions were always better than my translations? adding that the thing seemed to him inexplicable105. The fact is, some weeks ago, in a high-flown humour, he forbade me to use either dictionary or grammar in translating the most difficult English compositions into French. This makes the task rather arduous106, and compels me every now and then to introduce an English word, which nearly plucks the eyes out of his head when he sees it. Emily and he don’t draw well together at all. Emily works like a horse, and she has had great difficulties to contend with—far greater than I have had. Indeed, those who come to a French school for instruction ought previously107 to have acquired a considerable knowledge of the French language, otherwise they will lose a great deal of time, for the course of instruction is adapted to natives and not to foreigners; and in these large establishments they will not change their ordinary course for one or two strangers. The few private lessons that M. Héger has vouchsafed108 to give us, are, I suppose, to be considered a great favour; and I can perceive they have already excited much spite and jealousy109 in the school.
“You will abuse this letter for being short and dreary110, and there are a hundred things which I want to tell you, but I have not time. Brussels is a beautiful city. The Belgians hate the English. Their external morality is more rigid111 than ours. To lace the stays without a handkerchief on the neck is considered a disgusting piece of indelicacy.”
The passage in this letter where M. Héger is represented as prohibiting the use of dictionary or grammar, refers, I imagine, to the time I have mentioned, when he determined to adopt a new method of instruction in the French language, of which they were to catch the spirit and rhythm rather from the ear and the heart, as its noblest accents fell upon them, than by over-careful and anxious study of its grammatical rules. It seems to me a daring experiment on the part of their teacher; but, doubtless, he knew his ground; and that it answered is evident in the composition of some of Charlotte’s devoirs, written about this time. I am tempted112, in illustration of this season of mental culture, to recur113 to a conversation which I had with M. Héger on the manner in which he formed his pupils’ style, and to give a proof of his success, by copying a devoir of Charlotte’s with his remarks upon it.
He told me that one day this summer (when the Brontës had been for about four months receiving instruction from him) he read to them Victor Hugo’s celebrated portrait of Mirabeau, “mais, dans ma leçon je me bornais à ce qui concerne Mirabeau orateur. C’est après l’analyse de ce morceau, considéré surtout du point de vue du fond, de la disposition114 de ce qu’on pourrait appeler la charpente qu’ont été faits les deux portraits que je vous donne.” He went on to say that he had pointed94 out to them the fault in Victor Hugo’s style as being exaggeration in conception, and, at the same time, he had made them notice the extreme beauty of his “nuances” of expression. They were then dismissed to choose the subject of a similar kind of portrait. This selection M. Héger always left to them; for “it is necessary,” he observed, “before sitting down to write on a subject, to have thoughts and feelings about it. I cannot tell on what subject your heart and mind have been excited. I must leave that to you.” The marginal comments, I need hardly say, are M. Héger’s; the words in italics are Charlotte’s, for which he substitutes a better form of expression, which is placed between brackets. {6}
IMITATION.
“Le 31 Juillet, 1842.
PORTRAIT DE PIERRE L’HERMITE. CHARLOTTE BRONTË
“De temps en temps, il paraît sur la terre des hommes destinés à être les instruments [prédestinés] {Pourquoi cette suppression?} de grands changements moraux ou politiques. Quelquefois c’est un conquérant, un Alexandre ou un Attila, qui passe comme un ouragan, et purifie l’atmosphère moral, comme l’orage purifie l’atmosphère physique; quelquefois, c’est un révolutionnaire, un Cromwell, ou un Robespierre, qui fait expier par un roi {les fautes et} les vices59 de toute une dynastie; quelquefois c’est un enthousiaste religieux comme Mahomet, ou Pierre l’Hermite, qui, avec le seul levier de la pensée, soulève des nations entières, les déracine et les transplante dans des climats nouveaux, peuplant l’Asie avec les habitants de l’Europe. Pierre l’Hermite était gentilhomme de Picardie, en France, {Invtile, quand vous ecrivez er français} pourquoi donc n’a-t-il passé sa vie comma les autres gentilhommes, ses contemporains, ont passé la leur, à table, à la chasse, dans son lit, sans s’inquiéter de Saladin, ou de ses Sarrasins? N’est-ce pas, parce qu’il y a dans certaines natures, une ardour [un foyer d’activité] indomptable qui ne leur permet pas de rester inactives, qui les force à se remuer afin d’exercer les facultes puissantes, qui même en dormant116 sont prêtes, comme Sampson, à briser les noeuds qui les retiennent?
{Vous avez commencé à parler de Pierre: vous êtes entrée dans le sujet: marchez au but.}
“Pierre prit la profession des armes; si son ardeur avait été de cette espèce [s’il n’avait eu que cette ardeur vulgaire] qui provient d’une robuste santé, il aurait [c’eut] été un brave militaire, et rien de plus; mais son ardeur était celle de l’âme, sa flamme était pure et elle s’élevait vers le ciel.
“Sans doute [Il est vrai que] la jeunesse de Pierre était [fét] troublée par passions orageuses; les natures puissantes sont extrèmes en tout, elles ne connaissent la tiédeur ni dans le bien, ni dans le mal; Pierre donc chercha d’abord avidement la gloire qui se flétrit et les plaisirs qui trompent, mais il fit bientôt la découverte [bientôt il s’aperçut] que ce qu’il poursuivait n’était qe’une illusion à laquelle il ne pourrait jamais atteindre; {Vnutile, quand vous avez dit illusion} il retourna donc sur ses pas, il recommença le voyage de la vie, mais cette fois il évita le chemin spacieux qui mène à la perdition et il prit le chemin étroit qui mène à la vie; puisque [comme] le trajet était long et difficile il jeta la casque et les armes du soldat, et se vêtit de l’habit simple du moine. A la vie militaire succéda la vie monastique, car les extrêmes se touchent, et chez l’homme sincère la sincérité du repentir amène [nécessairement à la suite] avec lui la rigueur de la pénitence. [Voilà donc Pierre devenu moine!]
“Mais Pierre [il] avait en lui un principe qui l’empêchait de rester long-temps inactif, ses idées, sur quel sujet qu’il soit [que ce fût] ne pouvaient pas être bornées; il ne lui suffisait pas que lui-même fût religieux, que lui-même fût convaincu de la réalité de Christianismé (sic), il fallait que toute l’Europe, que toute l’Asie, partageât sa conviction et professât la croyance de la Croix. La Piété [fervente] élevée par la Génie, nourrie par la Solitude117, fit naître une espèce d’inspiration [exalta son âme jusqu’à l’inspiration] dans son ame, et lorsqu’il quitta sa cellule et reparut dans le monde, il portait comme Moïse l’empreinte de la Divinité sur son front, et tout [tous] reconnurent en lui la véritable apôtre de la Croix.
“Mahomet n’avait jamais remué les molles nations de l’Orient comme alors Pierre remua les peuples austères de l’Occident; il fallait que cette éloquence fût d’une force presque miraculeuse qui pouvait [presqu’elle] persuader [ait] aux rois de vendre leurs royaumes afin de procurer [pour avoir] des armes et des soldats pour aider [à offrir] à Pierre dans la guerre sainte qu’il voulait livrer aux infidèles. La puissance de Pierre [l’Hermite] n’était nullement une puissance physique, car la nature, ou pour mieux dire118, Dieu est impartial119 dans la distribution de ses dons; il accorde à l’un de ses enfants la grâce, la beauté, les perfections corporelles, à l’autre l’esprit, la grandeur120 morale121. Pierre donc était un homme petit, d’une physionomie peu agréable; mais il avait ce courage, cette constance, cet enthousiasme, cette énergie de sentiment qui écrase toute opposition, et qui fait que la volonté d’un seul homme devient la loi de toute une nation. Pour se former une juste idée de l’influence qu’exerça cet homme sur les caractères [choses] et les idées de son temps, il faut se le représenter au milieu122 de l’armée des croisées dans son double rôle de prophète et de guerrier; le pauvre hermite, vêtu du pauvre [de l’humble] habit gris est là plus puissant115 qieun roi; il est entouré d’une [de la] multitude [avide] une multitude qui ne voit que lui, tandis qui lui, il ne voit que le ciel; ses yeux levés semblent dire, ‘Je vois Dieu et les anges, et j’ai perdu de vue la terre!’
“Dans ce moment le [mais ce] pauvre habit [froc] gris est pour lui comme le manteau d’Elijah; il l’enveloppe d’inspiration; il [Pierre] lit dans l’avenir; il voit Jérusalem délivrée; [il voit] le saint sépulcre libre; il voit le Croissant argent est arraché du Temple, et l’Oriflamme et la Croix rouge123 sont établi à sa place; non-seulement Pierre voit ces merveilles, mais il les fait voir à tous ceux qui l’entourent; il ravive l’espérance et le courage dans [tous ces corps124 épuisés de fatigues125 et de privations]. La bataille ne sera livrée que demain, mais la victoire est décidée ce soir. Pierre a promis; et les Croisés se fient à sa parole, comme les Israëlites se fiaient à celle de Moïse et de Josué.”
As a companion portrait to this, Emily chose to depict126 Harold on the eve of the battle of Hastings. It appears to me that her devoir is superior to Charlotte’s in power and in imagination, and fully78 equal to it in language; and that this, in both cases, considering how little practical knowledge of French they had when they arrived at Brussels in February, and that they wrote without the aid of dictionary or grammar, is unusual and remarkable127. We shall see the progress Charlotte had made, in ease and grace of style, a year later.
In the choice of subjects left to her selection, she frequently took characters and scenes from the Old Testament128, with which all her writings show that she was especially familiar. The picturesqueness129 and colour (if I may so express it), the grandeur and breadth of its narrations130, impressed her deeply. To use M. Héger’s expression, “Elle était nourrie de la Bible.” After he had read De la Vigne’s poem on Joan of Arc, she chose the “Vision and Death of Moses on Mount Nebo” to write about; and, in looking over this devoir, I was much struck with one or two of M. Héger’s remarks. After describing, in a quiet and simple manner, the circumstances under which Moses took leave of the Israelites, her imagination becomes warmed, and she launches out into a noble strain, depicting131 the glorious futurity of the Chosen People, as, looking down upon the Promised Land, he sees their prosperity in prophetic vision. But, before reaching the middle of this glowing description, she interrupts herself to discuss for a moment the doubts that have been thrown on the miraculous132 relations of the Old Testament. M. Héger remarks, “When you are writing, place your argument first in cool, prosaic133 language; but when you have thrown the reins134 on the neck of your imagination, do not pull her up to reason.” Again, in the vision of Moses, he sees the maidens135 leading forth136 their flocks to the wells at eventide, and they are described as wearing flowery garlands. Here the writer is reminded of the necessity of preserving a certain verisimilitude: Moses might from his elevation137 see mountains and plains, groups of maidens and herds138 of cattle, but could hardly perceive the details of dress, or the ornaments139 of the head.
When they had made further progress, M. Héger took up a more advanced plan, that of synthetical140 teaching. He would read to them various accounts of the same person or event, and make them notice the points of agreement and disagreement. Where they were different, he would make them seek the origin of that difference by causing them to examine well into the character and position of each separate writer, and how they would be likely to affect his conception of truth. For instance, take Cromwell. He would read Bossuet’s description of him in the “Oraison Funèbre de la Reine d’Angleterre,” and show how in this he was considered entirely141 from the religious point of view, as an instrument in the hands of God, preordained to His work. Then he would make them read Guizot, and see how, in this view, Cromwell was endowed with the utmost power of free-will, but governed by no higher motive142 than that of expediency143; while Carlyle regarded him as a character regulated by a strong and conscientious144 desire to do the will of the Lord. Then he would desire them to remember that the Royalist and Commonwealth145 men had each their different opinions of the great Protector. And from these conflicting characters, he would require them to sift146 and collect the elements of truth, and try to unite them into a perfect whole.
This kind of exercise delighted Charlotte. It called into play her powers of analysis, which were extraordinary, and she very soon excelled in it.
Wherever the Brontës could be national they were so, with the same tenacity of attachment147 which made them suffer as they did whenever they left Haworth. They were Protestant to the backbone148 in other things beside their religion, but pre-eminently so in that. Touched as Charlotte was by the letter of St. Ignatius before alluded149 to, she claimed equal self-devotion, and from as high a motive, for some of the missionaries150 of the English Church sent out to toil151 and to perish on the poisonous African coast, and wrote as an “imitation,” “Lettre d’un Missionnaire, Sierra Léone, Afrique.”
Something of her feeling, too, appears in the following letter:—
“Brussels, 1842.
“I consider it doubtful whether I shall come home in September or not. Madame Héger has made a proposal for both me and Emily to stay another half-year, offering to dismiss her English master, and take me as English teacher; also to employ Emily some part of each day in teaching music to a certain number of the pupils. For these services we are to be allowed to continue our studies in French and German, and to have board, &c., without paying for it; no salaries, however, are offered. The proposal is kind, and in a great selfish city like Brussels, and a great selfish school, containing nearly ninety pupils (boarders and day pupils included), implies a degree of interest which demands gratitude152 in return. I am inclined to accept it. What think you? I don’t deny I sometimes wish to be in England, or that I have brief attacks of home sickness; but, on the whole, I have borne a very valiant153 heart so far; and I have been happy in Brussels, because I have always been fully occupied with the employments that I like. Emily is making rapid progress in French, German, music, and drawing. Monsieur and Madame Héger begin to recognise the valuable parts of her character, under her singularities.
“If the national character of the Belgians is to be measured by the character of most of the girls is this school, it in a character singularly cold, selfish, animal, and inferior. They are very mutinous154 and difficult for the teachers to manage; and their principles are rotten to the core. We avoid them, which it is not difficult to do, as we have the brand of Protestantism and Anglicism upon us. People talk of the danger which Protestants expose themselves to in going to reside in Catholic countries, and thereby155 running the chance of changing their faith. My advice to all Protestants who are tempted to do anything so besotted as turn Catholics, is, to walk over the sea on to the Continent; to attend mass sedulously156 for a time; to note well the mummeries thereof; also the idiotic157, mercenary aspect of all the priests; and then, if they are still disposed to consider Papistry in any other light than a most feeble, childish piece of humbug158, let them turn Papists at once—that’s all. I consider Methodism, Quakerism, and the extremes of High and Low Churchism foolish, but Roman Catholicism beats them all. At the same time, allow me to tell you, that there are some Catholics who are as good as any Christians can be to whom the Bible is a sealed book, and much better than many Protestants.”
When the Brontës first went to Brussels, it was with the intention of remaining there for six months, or until the grandes vacances began in September. The duties of the school were then suspended for six weeks or two months, and it seemed a desirable period for their return. But the proposal mentioned in the foregoing letter altered their plans. Besides, they were happy in the feeling that they were making progress in all the knowledge they had so long been yearning to acquire. They were happy, too, in possessing friends whose society had been for years congenial to them, and in occasional meetings with these, they could have the inexpressible solace159 to residents in a foreign country—and peculiarly such to the Brontës—of talking over the intelligence received from their respective homes—referring to past, or planning for future days. “Mary” and her sister, the bright, dancing, laughing Martha, were parlour-boarders in an establishment just beyond the barriers of Brussels. Again, the cousins of these friends were resident in the town; and at their house Charlotte and Emily were always welcome, though their overpowering shyness prevented their more valuable qualities from being known, and generally kept them silent. They spent their weekly holiday with this family, for many months; but at the end of the time, Emily was as impenetrable to friendly advances as at the beginning; while Charlotte was too physically160 weak (as “Mary” has expressed it) to “gather up her forces” sufficiently to express any difference or opposition of opinion, and had consequently an assenting161 and deferential162 manner, strangely at variance163 with what they knew of her remarkable talents and decided character. At this house, the T.’s and the Brontës could look forward to meeting each other pretty frequently. There was another English family where Charlotte soon became a welcome guest, and where, I suspect, she felt herself more at her ease than either at Mrs. Jenkins’, or the friends whom I have first mentioned.
An English physician, with a large family of daughters, went to reside at Brussels, for the sake of their education. He placed them at Madame Héger’s school in July, 1842, not a month before the beginning of the grandes vacances on August 15th. In order to make the most of their time, and become accustomed to the language, these English sisters went daily, through the holidays, to the pensionnat in the Rue d’Isabelle. Six or eight boarders remained, besides the Miss Brontës. They were there during the whole time, never even having the break to their monotonous164 life, which passing an occasional day with a friend would have afforded them; but devoting themselves with indefatigable165 diligence to the different studies in which they were engaged. Their position in the school appeared, to these new comers, analogous166 to what is often called that of a parlour-boarder. They prepared their French, drawing, German, and literature for their various masters; and to these occupations Emily added that of music, in which she was somewhat of a proficient167; so much so as to be qualified to give instruction in it to the three younger sisters of my informant.
The school was divided into three classes. In the first were from fifteen to twenty pupils; in the second, sixty was about the average number—all foreigners, excepting the two Brontës and one other; in the third, there were from twenty to thirty pupils. The first and second classes occupied a long room, divided by a wooden partition; in each division were four long ranges of desks; and at the end was the estrade, or platform, for the presiding instructor168. On the last row, in the quietest corner, sat Charlotte and Emily, side by side, so deeply absorbed in their studies as to be insensible to any noise or movement around them. The school-hours were from nine to twelve (the luncheon169 hour), when the boarders and half-boarders—perhaps two-and-thirty girls—went to the refectoire (a room with two long tables, having an oil-lamp suspended over each), to partake of bread and fruit; the externes, or morning pupils, who had brought their own refreshment170 with them, adjourning171 to eat it in the garden. From one to two, there was fancy-work—a pupil reading aloud some light literature in each room; from two to four, lessons again. At four, the externes left; and the remaining girls dined in the refectoire, M. and Madame Héger presiding. From five to six there was recreation, from six to seven, preparation for lessons; and, after that succeeded the lecture pieuse—Charlotte’s nightmare. On rare occasions, M. Héger himself would come in, and substitute a book of a different and more interesting kind. At eight, there was a slight meal of water and pistolets (the delicious little Brussels rolls), which was immediately followed by prayers, and then to bed.
The principal bedroom was over the long classe, or schoolroom. There were six or eight narrow beds on each side of the apartment, every one enveloped173 in its white draping curtain; a long drawer, beneath each, served for a wardrobe, and between each was a stand for ewer174, basin, and looking-glass. The beds of the two Miss Brontës were at the extreme end of the room, almost as private and retired175 as if they had been in a separate apartment.
During the hours of recreation, which were always spent in the garden, they invariably walked together, and generally kept a profound silence; Emily, though so much the taller, leaning on her sister. Charlotte would always answer when spoken to, taking the lead in replying to any remark addressed to both; Emily rarely spoke to any one. Charlotte’s quiet, gentle manner never changed. She was never seen out of temper for a moment; and occasionally, when she herself had assumed the post of English teacher, and the impertinence or inattention of her pupils was most irritating, a slight increase of colour, a momentary176 sparkling of the eye, and more decided energy of manner, were the only outward tokens she gave of being conscious of the annoyance177 to which she was subjected. But this dignified178 endurance of hers subdued179 her pupils, in the long run, far more than the voluble tirades180 of the other mistresses. My informant adds:—“The effect of this manner was singular. I can speak from personal experience. I was at that time high-spirited and impetuous, not respecting the French mistresses; yet, to my own astonishment181, at one word from her, I was perfectly182 tractable183; so much so, that at length, M. and Madame Héger invariably preferred all their wishes to me through her; the other pupils did not, perhaps, love her as I did, she was so quiet and silent; but all respected her.”
With the exception of that part which describes Charlotte’s manner as English teacher—an office which she did not assume for some months later—all this description of the school life of the two Brontës refers to the commencement of the new scholastic184 year in October 1842; and the extracts I have given convey the first impression which the life at a foreign school, and the position of the two Miss Brontës therein, made upon an intelligent English girl of sixteen. I will make a quotation185 from “Mary’s” letter referring to this time.
“The first part of her time at Brussels was not uninteresting. She spoke of new people and characters, and foreign ways of the pupils and teachers. She knew the hopes and prospects of the teachers, and mentioned one who was very anxious to marry, ‘she was getting so old.’ She used to get her father or brother (I forget which) to be the bearer of letters to different single men, who she thought might be persuaded to do her the favour, saying that her only resource was to become a sister of charity if her present employment failed and that she hated the idea. Charlotte naturally looked with curiosity to people of her own condition. This woman almost frightened her. ‘She declares there is nothing she can turn to, and laughs at the idea of delicacy,—and she is only ten years older than I am!’ I did not see the connection till she said, ‘Well, Polly, I should hate being a sister of charity; I suppose that would shock some people, but I should.’ I thought she would have as much feeling as a nurse as most people, and more than some. She said she did not know how people could bear the constant pressure of misery186, and never to change except to a new form of it. It would be impossible to keep one’s natural feelings. I promised her a better destiny than to go begging any one to marry her, or to lose her natural feelings as a sister of charity. She said, ‘My youth is leaving me; I can never do better than I have done, and I have done nothing yet.’ At such times she seemed to think that most human beings were destined187 by the pressure of worldly interests to lose one faculty and feeling after another ‘till they went dead altogether. I hope I shall be put in my grave as soon as I’m dead; I don’t want to walk about so.’ Here we always differed. I thought the degradation188 of nature she feared was a consequence of poverty, and that she should give her attention to earning money. Sometimes she admitted this, but could find no means of earning money. At others she seemed afraid of letting her thoughts dwell on the subject, saying it brought on the worst palsy of all. Indeed, in her position, nothing less than entire constant absorption in petty money matters could have scraped together a provision.
“Of course artists and authors stood high with Charlotte, and the best thing after their works would have been their company. She used very inconsistently to rail at money and money-getting, and then wish she was able to visit all the large towns in Europe, see all the sights and know all the celebrities189. This was her notion of literary fame,—a passport to the society of clever people . . . When she had become acquainted with the people and ways at Brussels her life became monotonous, and she fell into the same hopeless state as at Miss W---’s, though in a less degree. I wrote to her, urging her to go home or elsewhere; she had got what she wanted (French), and there was at least novelty in a new place, if no improvement. That if she sank into deeper gloom she would soon not have energy to go, and she was too far from home for her friends to hear of her condition and order her home as they had done from Miss W---’s. She wrote that I had done her a great service, that she should certainly follow my advice, and was much obliged to me. I have often wondered at this letter. Though she patiently tolerated advice, she could always quietly put it aside, and do as she thought fit. More than once afterwards she mentioned the ‘service’ I had done her. She sent me 10l. to New Zealand, on hearing some exaggerated accounts of my circumstances, and told me she hoped it would come in seasonably; it was a debt she owed me ‘for the service I had done her.’ I should think 10l. was a quarter of her income. The ‘service’ was mentioned as an apology, but kindness was the real motive.”
The first break in this life of regular duties and employments came heavily and sadly. Martha—pretty, winning, mischievous190, tricksome Martha—was taken ill suddenly at the Château de Koekelberg. Her sister tended her with devoted love; but it was all in vain; in a few days she died. Charlotte’s own short account of this event is as follows:—
“Martha T.’s illness was unknown to me till the day before she died. I hastened to Koekelberg the next morning—unconscious that she was in great danger—and was told that it was finished. She had died in the night. Mary was taken away to Bruxelles. I have seen Mary frequently since. She is in no ways crushed by the event; but while Martha was ill, she was to her more than a mother—more than a sister: watching, nursing, cherishing her so tenderly, so unweariedly. She appears calm and serious now; no bursts of violent emotion; no exaggeration of distress191. I have seen Martha’s grave—the place where her ashes lie in a foreign country.”
Who that has read “Shirley” does not remember the few lines—perhaps half a page—of sad recollection?
“He has no idea that little Jessy will die young, she is so gay, and chattering192, and arch—original even now; passionate193 when provoked, but most affectionate if caressed194; by turns gentle and rattling195; exacting yet generous; fearless . . . yet reliant on any who will help her. Jessy, with her little piquant196 face, engaging prattle197, and winning ways, is made to be a pet.
* * * * *
“Do you know this place? No, you never saw it; but you recognise the nature of these trees, this foliage—the cypress198, the willow199, the yew200. Stone crosses like these are not unfamiliar201 to you, nor are these dim garlands of everlasting202 flowers. Here is the place: green sod and a grey marble head-stone—Jessy sleeps below. She lived through an April day; much loved was she, much loving. She often, in her brief life, shed tears—she had frequent sorrows; she smiled between, gladdening whatever saw her. Her death was tranquil and happy in Rose’s guardian203 arms, for Rose had been her stay and defence through many trials; the dying and the watching English girls were at that hour alone in a foreign country, and the soil of that country gave Jessy a grave.
* * * * *
“But, Jessy, I will write about you no more. This is an autumn evening, wet and wild. There is only one cloud in the sky; but it curtains it from pole to pole. The wind cannot rest; it hurries sobbing204 over hills of sullen205 outline, colourless with twilight206 and mist. Rain has beat all day on that church tower” (Haworth): “it rises dark from the stony207 enclosure of its graveyard208: the nettles209, the long grass, and the tombs all drip with wet. This evening reminds me too forcibly of another evening some years ago: a howling, rainy autumn evening too—when certain who had that day performed a pilgrimage to a grave new made in a heretic cemetery210, sat near a wood fire on the hearth211 of a foreign dwelling212. They were merry and social, but they each knew that a gap, never to be filled, had been made in their circle. They knew they had lost something whose absence could never be quite atoned213 for, so long as they lived; and they knew that heavy falling rain was soaking into the wet earth which covered their lost darling; and that the sad, sighing gale214 was mourning above her buried head. The fire warmed them; Life and Friendship yet blessed them: but Jessy lay cold, coffined215, solitary—only the sod screening her from the storm.”
This was the first death that had occurred in the small circle of Charlotte’s immediate172 and intimate friends since the loss of her two sisters long ago. She was still in the midst of her deep sympathy with “Mary,” when word came from home that her aunt, Miss Branwell, was ailing—was very ill. Emily and Charlotte immediately resolved to go home straight, and hastily packed up for England, doubtful whether they should ever return to Brussels or not, leaving all their relations with M. and Madame Héger, and the pensionnat, uprooted216, and uncertain of any future existence. Even before their departure, on the morning after they received the first intelligence of illness—when they were on the very point of starting—came a second letter, telling them of their aunt’s death. It could not hasten their movements, for every arrangement had been made for speed. They sailed from Antwerp; they travelled night and day, and got home on a Tuesday morning. The funeral and all was over, and Mr. Brontë and Anne were sitting together, in quiet grief for the loss of one who had done her part well in their household for nearly twenty years, and earned the regard and respect of many who never knew how much they should miss her till she was gone. The small property which she had accumulated, by dint217 of personal frugality218 and self-denial, was bequeathed to her nieces. Branwell, her darling, was to have had his share; but his reckless expenditure219 had distressed220 the good old lady, and his name was omitted in her will.
When the first shock was over, the three sisters began to enjoy the full relish221 of meeting again, after the longest separation they had had in their lives. They had much to tell of the past, and much to settle for the future. Anne had been for some little time in a situation, to which she was to return at the end of the Christmas holidays. For another year or so they were again to be all three apart; and, after that, the happy vision of being together and opening a school was to be realised. Of course they did not now look forward to settling at Burlington, or any other place which would take them away from their father; but the small sum which they each independently possessed222 would enable them to effect such alterations223 in the parsonage-house at Haworth as would adapt it to the reception of pupils. Anne’s plans for the interval224 were fixed52. Emily quickly decided to be the daughter to remain at home. About Charlotte there was much deliberation and some discussion.
Even in all the haste of their sudden departure from Brussels, M. Héger had found time to write a letter of sympathy to Mr. Brontë on the loss which he had just sustained; a letter containing such a graceful225 appreciation226 of the daughters’ characters, under the form of a tribute of respect to their father, that I should have been tempted to copy it, even had there not also been a proposal made in it respecting Charlotte, which deserves a place in the record of her life.
“Au Révérend Monsieur Brontë, Pasteur Évangélique, &c, &c.
“Samedi, 5 Obre.
“MONSIEUR,
“Un évènement bien triste décide mesdemoiselles vas filles à retourner brusquement en Angleterre, ce départ qui nous afflige beaucoup a cependant ma complète approbation227; il est bien naturel qu’elles cherchent à vous consoler de ce que le ciel vient de vous ôter, on se serrant autour de vous, poui mieux vous faire apprécier ce que le ciel vous a donné et ce qu’il vous laisse encore. J’espère que vous me pardonnerez, Monsieur, de profiter de cette circonstance pour vous faire parvenir l’expression de mon respect; je n’ai pas l’honneur de vous connaître personnellement, et cependant j’éprouve pour votre personne un sentiment de sincère vénération, car en jugeant un père de famille par ses enfants on ne risque pas de se tromper, et sous ce rapport228 l’éducation et les sentiments que nous avons trouvés dans mesdemoiselles vos filles n’ont pu que nous donner une très-haute idée de votre mérite et de votre caractère. Vous apprendrez sans doute avec plaisir que vos enfants ont fait du progrès trèsremarquable dans toutes les branches de l’enseignenient, et que ces progrès sont entiérement dû à leur amour pour le travail229 et à leur persévérance; nous n’avons eu que bien peu à faire avec de pareilles éléves; leur avancement est votre œuvre bien plus que la nôtre; nous n’avons pas eu à leur apprendre le prix du temps et de l’instruction, elles avaient appris tout cela dans la maison paternelle, et nous n’avons eu, pour notre part, que le faible mérite de diriger leurs efforts et de fournir un aliment convenable230 à la louable activité que vos filles ont puisées dans votre exemple et dans vos leçons. Puissent les éloges méritées que nous donnons à vos enfants vous être de quelque consolation231 dans le malheur que vous afflige; c’est là notre espoir en vous écrivant, et ce sera, pour Mesdemoiselles Charlotte et Emily, une douce et belle18 récompense de leurs travaux.
“En perdant nos deux chéres éléves, nous ne devons pas vous cacher que nous éprouvons à la fois et du chagrin232 et de l’inquiétude; nous sommes affligés parce que cette brusque séparation vient briser l’affection presque paternelle que nous leur avons vouée, et notre peine s’augmente à la vue de tant de travaux interrompues, de tant de choses bien commencées, et qui ne demandent que quelque temps encore pour être menées à bonne fin85. Dans un an, chacune de vos demoiselles eût été entièrement prémunie contre les éventualités de l’avenir; chacune d’elles acquérait à la fois et l’instruction et la science d’enseignement; Mlle Emily allait apprendre le piano; recevoir les leçons du meilleur professeur que nous ayons en Belgique, et déjà elle avait elle-même de petites élèves; elle perdait donc à la fois un reste d’ignorance et un reste plus gênant encore de timidité; Mlle Charlotte commençait à donner des leçons en français, et d’acquérir cette assurance, cet aplomb233 si nécessaire dans l’enseignement; encore un an tout au plus et l’œuvre était achevée et bien achevée. Alors nous aurions pu, si cela vous eût convenu, offrir à mesdemoiselles vos filles ou du moins à l’une des deux une position qui eût été dans ses goùts, et qui lui eût donné cette douce indépendance si difficile à trouver pour une jeune personne. Ce n’est pas, croyez le bien, Monsieur, ce n’est pas ici pour nous une question d’intérêt personnel, c’est une question d’affection; vous me pardonnerez si nous vous parlons de vos enfants, si nous nous occupons de leur avenir, comme si elles faisaient partie de notre famille; leurs qualités personnelles, leur bon vouloir, leur zèle extrême sont les seules causes qui nous poussent à nous hasarder de la sorte. Nous savons, Monsieur, que vous peserez plus mûrement et plus sagement que nous la conséquence qu’aurait pour l’avenir une interruption complète dans les études de vos deux filles; vous déciderez ce qu’il faut faire, et vous nous pardonnerez notre franchise234, si vous daignez considérer que le motif235 qui nous fait agir est une affection bien désintéressée et qui s’affligerait beaucoup de devoir déjà se résigner à n’être plus utile à vos chers enfants.
“Agréez, je vous prie, Monsieur, l’expression respectueuse de mes sentiments de haute considération.
“C. HÉGER.”
There was so much truth, as well as so much kindness in this letter—it was so obvious that a second year of instruction would be far more valuable than the first, that there was no long hesitation236 before it was decided that Charlotte should return to Brussels.
Meanwhile, they enjoyed their Christmas all together inexpressibly. Branwell was with them; that was always a pleasure at this time; whatever might be his faults, or even his vices, his sisters yet held him up as their family hope, as they trusted that he would some day be their family pride. They blinded themselves to the magnitude of the failings of which they were now and then told, by persuading themselves that such failings were common to all men of any strength of character; for, till sad experience taught them better, they fell into the usual error of confounding strong passions with strong character.
Charlotte’s friend came over to see her, and she returned the visit. Her Brussels life must have seemed like a dream, so completely, in this short space of time, did she fall back into the old household ways; with more of household independence than she could ever have had during her aunt’s lifetime. Winter though it was, the sisters took their accustomed walks on the snow-covered moors; or went often down the long road to Keighley, for such books as had been added to the library there during their absence from England.
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relinquishment
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| n.放弃；撤回；停止 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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fluctuations
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| 波动，涨落，起伏( fluctuation的名词复数 ) | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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par
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| n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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pastor
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| n.牧师，牧人 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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prospects
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solitary
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rue
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belle
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villa
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moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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perseverance
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recoil
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mere
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remorse
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desolate
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intercourse
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miserably
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sufficiently
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eloquently
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conceal
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fabulous
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aboriginal
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| adj.（指动植物）土生的，原产地的，土著的 | |
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33
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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34
susceptible
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| adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的 | |
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36
tout
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| v.推销，招徕；兜售；吹捧，劝诱 | |
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37
alleys
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| 胡同，小巷( alley的名词复数 )； 小径 | |
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38
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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39
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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40
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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41
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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42
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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43
kennel
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| n.狗舍，狗窝 | |
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44
kennels
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| n.主人外出时的小动物寄养处，养狗场；狗窝( kennel的名词复数 )；养狗场 | |
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45
orchards
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| （通常指围起来的）果园( orchard的名词复数 ) | |
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46
orchard
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| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
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47
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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48
guild
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| n.行会，同业公会，协会 | |
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49
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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50
patronage
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| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
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51
affixed
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| adj.[医]附着的，附着的v.附加( affix的过去式和过去分词 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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52
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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53
semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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54
conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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55
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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56
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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57
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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58
archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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59
vices
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| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
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60
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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61
qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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62
conversational
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| adj.对话的，会话的 | |
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63
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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64
boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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65
insular
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| adj.岛屿的，心胸狭窄的 | |
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66
preposterous
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| adj.荒谬的，可笑的 | |
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67
lank
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| adj.瘦削的；稀疏的 | |
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68
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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69
yearning
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| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
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70
logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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71
capability
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| n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等 | |
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72
impairing
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| v.损害，削弱( impair的现在分词 ) | |
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73
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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74
obtuse
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| adj.钝的；愚钝的 | |
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75
daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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76
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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77
faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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78
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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79
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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80
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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81
dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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82
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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83
Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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84
blemishes
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| n.（身体的）瘢点( blemish的名词复数 )；伤疤；瑕疵；污点 | |
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85
fin
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| n.鳍；(飞机的)安定翼 | |
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86
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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87
derived
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|
| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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88
originality
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| n.创造力，独创性；新颖 | |
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89
simile
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| n.直喻，明喻 | |
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90
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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91
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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92
cultivation
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| n.耕作，培养，栽培（法），养成 | |
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93
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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94
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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95
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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96
repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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97
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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98
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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99
rhetoric
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| n.修辞学，浮夸之言语 | |
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100
choleric
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| adj.易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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101
irritable
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| adj.急躁的；过敏的；易怒的 | |
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102
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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103
stigmatize
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| v.污蔑，玷污 | |
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104
margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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105
inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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106
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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107
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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108
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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109
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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110
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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111
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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112
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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113
recur
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| vi.复发，重现，再发生 | |
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114
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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115
puissant
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| adj.强有力的 | |
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116
dormant
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| adj.暂停活动的；休眠的；潜伏的 | |
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117
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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118
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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119
impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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120
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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121
morale
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| n.道德准则，士气，斗志 | |
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122
milieu
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| n.环境；出身背景；(个人所处的)社会环境 | |
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123
rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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124
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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125
fatigues
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| n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服 | |
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126
depict
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| vt.描画，描绘；描写，描述 | |
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127
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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128
testament
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| n.遗嘱；证明 | |
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129
picturesqueness
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130
narrations
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| 叙述事情的经过，故事( narration的名词复数 ) | |
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131
depicting
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| 描绘，描画( depict的现在分词 )； 描述 | |
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132
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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133
prosaic
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| adj.单调的，无趣的 | |
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134
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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135
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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136
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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137
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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138
herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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139
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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140
synthetical
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|
| adj.综合的，合成的 | |
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141
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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142
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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143
expediency
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| n.适宜；方便；合算；利己 | |
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144
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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145
commonwealth
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| n.共和国，联邦，共同体 | |
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146
sift
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| v.筛撒，纷落，详察 | |
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147
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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148
backbone
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| n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气 | |
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149
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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150
missionaries
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| n.传教士( missionary的名词复数 ) | |
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151
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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152
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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153
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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154
mutinous
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| adj.叛变的，反抗的；adv.反抗地，叛变地；n.反抗，叛变 | |
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155
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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156
sedulously
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| ad.孜孜不倦地 | |
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157
idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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158
humbug
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| n.花招，谎话，欺骗 | |
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159
solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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160
physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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161
assenting
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| 同意，赞成( assent的现在分词 ) | |
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162
deferential
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| adj. 敬意的，恭敬的 | |
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163
variance
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| n.矛盾，不同 | |
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164
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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165
indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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analogous
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| adj.相似的；类似的 | |
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167
proficient
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| adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家 | |
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168
instructor
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| n.指导者，教员，教练 | |
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169
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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170
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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171
adjourning
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的现在分词 ) | |
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172
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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173
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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174
ewer
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| n.大口水罐 | |
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175
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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176
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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177
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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178
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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179
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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180
tirades
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| 激烈的长篇指责或演说( tirade的名词复数 ) | |
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181
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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182
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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183
tractable
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| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
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184
scholastic
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| adj.学校的，学院的，学术上的 | |
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185
quotation
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| n.引文，引语，语录；报价，牌价，行情 | |
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186
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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187
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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188
degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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189
celebrities
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| n.（尤指娱乐界的）名人( celebrity的名词复数 )；名流；名声；名誉 | |
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190
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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191
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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192
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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193
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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194
caressed
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| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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195
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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196
piquant
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| adj.辛辣的，开胃的，令人兴奋的 | |
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197
prattle
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| n.闲谈；v.（小孩般）天真无邪地说话；发出连续而无意义的声音 | |
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198
cypress
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| n.柏树 | |
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199
willow
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| n.柳树 | |
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200
yew
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| n.紫杉属树木 | |
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201
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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202
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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203
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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204
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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205
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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206
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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207
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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208
graveyard
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| n.坟场 | |
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209
nettles
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| n.荨麻( nettle的名词复数 ) | |
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210
cemetery
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| n.坟墓，墓地，坟场 | |
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211
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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212
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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213
atoned
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| v.补偿，赎（罪）( atone的过去式和过去分词 )；补偿，弥补，赎回 | |
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214
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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215
coffined
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| vt.收殓（coffin的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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216
uprooted
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| v.把（某物）连根拔起( uproot的过去式和过去分词 )；根除；赶走；把…赶出家园 | |
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217
dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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218
frugality
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| n.节约，节俭 | |
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219
expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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220
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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221
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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222
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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223
alterations
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| n.改动( alteration的名词复数 )；更改；变化；改变 | |
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224
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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225
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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226
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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227
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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228
rapport
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| n.和睦，意见一致 | |
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229
travail
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| n.阵痛；努力 | |
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230
convenable
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| 可召集的，可召唤的 | |
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231
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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232
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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233
aplomb
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| n.沉着，镇静 | |
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234
franchise
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| n.特许，特权，专营权，特许权 | |
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235
motif
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| n.(图案的)基本花纹，(衣服的)花边；主题 | |
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236
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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