It was during this visit at the Briery—Lady Kay Shuttleworth having kindly6 invited me to meet her there—that I first made acquaintance with Miss Brontë. If I copy out part of a letter, which I wrote soon after this to a friend, who was deeply interested in her writings, I shall probably convey my first impressions more truly and freshly than by amplifying7 what I then said into a longer description.
"Dark when I got to Windermere station; a drive along the level road to Low-wood; then a stoppage at a pretty house, and then a pretty drawing-room, in which were Sir James and Lady Kay Shuttleworth, and a little lady in a black-silk gown, whom I could not see at first for the dazzle in the room; she came up and shook hands with me at once. I went up to unbonnet, etc.; came down to tea; the little lady worked away and hardly spoke8 but I had time for a good look at her. She is (as she calls herself) UNDEVELOPED, thin, and more than half a head shorter than I am; soft brown hair, not very dark; eyes (very good and expressive9, looking straight and open at you) of the same colour as her hair; a large mouth; the forehead square, broad and rather over-hanging. She has a very sweet voice; rather hesitates in choosing her expressions, but when chosen they seem without an effort admirable, and just befitting the occasion; there is nothing overstrained, but perfectly10 simple. . . . After breakfast, we four went out on the lake, and Miss Brontë agreed with me in liking11 Mr. Newman's Soul, and in liking Modern Painters, and the idea of the Seven Lamps; and she told me about Father Newman's lectures at the Oratory12 in a very quiet, concise13, graphic14 way. . . . She is more like Miss —— than any one in her ways—if you can fancy Miss —— to have gone through suffering enough to have taken out every spark of merriment, and to be shy and silent from the habit of extreme, intense solitude15. Such a life as Miss Brontë's I never heard of before. —— described her home to me as in a village of grey stone houses, perched up on the north side of a bleak16 moor17, looking over sweeps of bleak moors18, etc., etc.
"We were only three days together; the greater part of which was spent in driving about, in order to show Miss Brontë the Westmoreland scenery, as she had never been there before. We were both included in an invitation to drink tea quietly at Fox How; and I then saw how severely19 her nerves were taxed by the effort of going amongst strangers. We knew beforehand that the number of the party would not exceed twelve; but she suffered the whole day from an acute headache brought on by apprehension20 of the evening.
"Brierly Close was situated21 high above Low-wood, and of course commanded an extensive view and wide horizon. I was struck by Miss Brontë's careful examination of the shape of the clouds and the signs of the heavens, in which she read, as from a book, what the coming weather would be. I told her that I saw she must have a view equal in extent at her own home. She said that I was right, but that the character of the prospect22 from Haworth was very different; that I had no idea what a companion the sky became to any one living in solitude,—more than any inanimate object on earth,—more than the moors themselves."
The following extracts convey some of her own impressions and feelings respecting this visit:—
"You said I should stay longer than a week in Westmoreland; you ought by this time to know me better. Is it my habit to keep dawdling23 at a place long after the time I first fixed24 on for departing? I have got home, and I am thankful to say Papa seems,—to say the least,—no worse than when I left him, yet I wish he were stronger. My visit passed off very well; I am glad I went. The scenery is, of course, grand; could I have wandered about amongst those hills ALONE, I could have drank in all their beauty; even in a carriage with company, it was very well. Sir James was all the while as kind and friendly as he could be: he is in much better health. . . . Miss Martineau was from home; she always leaves her house at Ambleside during the Lake season, to avoid the influx25 of visitors to which she would otherwise be subject.
"If I could only have dropped unseen out of the carriage, and gone away by myself in amongst those grand hills and sweet dales, I should have drank in the full power of this glorious scenery. In company this can hardly be. Sometimes, while —— was warning me against the faults of the artist-class, all the while vagrant26 artist instincts were busy in the mind of his listener.
"I forget to tell you that, about a week before I went to Westmoreland, there came an invitation to Harden Grange; which, of course, I declined. Two or three days after, a large party made their appearance here, consisting of Mrs. F—— and sundry27 other ladies and two gentlemen; one tall and stately, black haired and whiskered, who turned out to be Lord John Manners,—the other not so distinguished-looking, shy, and a little queer, who was Mr. Smythe, the son of Lord Strangford. I found Mrs. F. a true lady in manners and appearance, very gentle and unassuming. Lord John Manners brought in his hand a brace28 of grouse29 for Papa, which was a well-timed present: a day or two before Papa had been wishing for some."
To these extracts I must add one other from a letter referring to this time. It is addressed to Miss Wooler, the kind friend of both her girlhood and womanhood, who had invited her to spend a fortnight with her at her cottage lodgings30.
"Haworth, Sept. 27th, 1850.
"When I tell you that I have already been to the Lakes this season, and that it is scarcely more than a month since I returned, you will understand that it is no longer within my option to accept your kind invitation. I wish I could have gone to you. I have already had my excursion, and there is an end of it. Sir James Kay Shuttleworth is residing near Windermere, at a house called the 'Briery,' and it was there I was staying for a little time this August. He very kindly showed me the neighbourhood, as it can be seen from a carriage, and I discerned that the Lake country is a glorious region, of which I had only seen the similitude in dreams, waking or sleeping. Decidedly I find it does not agree with me to prosecute31 the search of the picturesque32 in a carriage. A waggon33, a spring-cart, even a post-chaise might do; but the carriage upsets everything. I longed to slip out unseen, and to run away by myself in amongst the hills and dales. Erratic34 and vagrant instincts tormented35 me, and these I was obliged to control or rather suppress for fear of growing in any degree enthusiastic, and thus drawing attention to the 'lioness'—the authoress.
"You say that you suspect I have formed a large circle of acquaintance by this time. No: I cannot say that I have. I doubt whether I possess either the wish or the power to do so. A few friends I should like to have, and these few I should like to know well; If such knowledge brought proportionate regard, I could not help concentrating my feelings; dissipation, I think, appears synonymous with dilution36. However, I have, as yet, scarcely been tried. During the month I spent in London in the spring, I kept very quiet, having the fear of lionising before my eyes. I only went out once to dinner; and once was present at an evening party; and the only visits I have paid have been to Sir James Kay Shuttleworth's and my publisher's. From this system I should not like to depart; as far as I can see, Indiscriminate visiting tends only to a waste of time and a vulgarising of character. Besides, it would be wrong to leave Papa often; he is now in his seventy-fifth year, the infirmities of age begin to creep upon him; during the summer he has been much harassed37 by chronic38 bronchitis, but I am thankful to say that he is now somewhat better. I think my own health has derived benefit from change and exercise.
"Somebody in D—— professes39 to have authority for saying, that 'when Miss Brontë was in London she neglected to attend Divine service on the Sabbath, and in the week spent her time in going about to balls, theatres, and operas.' On the other hand, the London quidnuncs make my seclusion40 a matter of wonder, and devise twenty romantic fictions to account for it. Formerly41 I used to listen to report with interest, and a certain credulity; but I am now grown deaf and sceptical: experience has taught me how absolutely devoid42 of foundation her stories may be."
I must now quote from the first letter I had the privilege of receiving from Miss Brontë. It is dated August the 27th.
"Papa and I have just had tea; he is sitting quietly in his room, and I in mine; 'storms of rain' are sweeping43 over the garden and churchyard: as to the moors, they are hidden in thick fog. Though alone, I am not unhappy; I have a thousand things to be thankful for, and, amongst the rest, that this morning I received a letter from you, and that this evening I have the privilege of answering it.
"I do not know the 'Life of Sydney Taylor;' whenever I have the opportunity I will get it. The little French book you mention shall also take its place on the list of books to be procured44 as soon as possible. It treats a subject interesting to all women—perhaps, more especially to single women; though, indeed, mothers, like you, study it for the sake of their daughters. The Westminster Review is not a periodical I see regularly, but some time since I got hold of a number—for last January, I think—in which there was an article entitled 'Woman's Mission' (the phrase is hackneyed), containing a great deal that seemed to me just and sensible. Men begin to regard the position of woman in another light than they used to do; and a few men, whose sympathies are fine and whose sense of justice is strong, think and speak of it with a candour that commands my admiration45. They say, however—and, to an extent, truly—that the amelioration of our condition depends on ourselves. Certainly there are evils which our own efforts will best reach; but as certainly there are other evils—deep-rooted in the foundation of the social system—which no efforts of ours can touch: of which we cannot complain; of which it is advisable not too often to think.
"I have read Tennyson's 'In Memoriam,' or rather part of it; I closed the book when I had got about half way. It is beautiful; it is mournful; it is monotonous46. Many of the feelings expressed bear, in their utterance47, the stamp of truth; yet, if Arthur Hallam had been somewhat nearer Alfred Tennyson, his brother instead of his friend,—I should have distrusted this rhymed, and measured, and printed monument of grief. What change the lapse48 of years may work I do not know; but it seems to me that bitter sorrow, while recent, does not flow out in verse.
"I promised to send you Wordsworth's 'Prelude,' and, accordingly, despatch49 it by this post; the other little volume shall follow in a day or two. I shall be glad to hear from you whenever you have time to write to me, but you are never, on any account, to do this except when inclination50 prompts and leisure permits. I should never thank you for a letter which you had felt it a task to write."
A short time after we had met at the Briery, she sent me the volume of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell's poems; and thus alludes51 to them in the note that accompanied the parcel:—
"The little book of rhymes was sent by way of fulfilling a rashly-made promise; and the promise was made to prevent you from throwing away four shillings in an injudicious purchase. I do not like my own share of the work, nor care that it should be read: Ellis Bell's I think good and vigorous, and Acton's have the merit of truth and simplicity52. Mine are chiefly juvenile53 productions; the restless effervescence of a mind that would not be still. In those days, the sea too often 'wrought54 and was tempestuous,' and weed, sand, shingle—all turned up in the tumult55. This image is much too magniloquent for the subject, but you will pardon it."
Another letter of some interest was addressed, about this time, to a literary friend, on Sept. 5th:—
"The reappearance of the Athenaeum is very acceptable, not merely for its own sake,—though I esteem56 the opportunity of its perusal57 a privilege,—but because, as a weekly token of the remembrance of friends, it cheers and gives pleasure. I only fear that its regular transmission may become a task to you; in this case, discontinue it at once.
"I did indeed enjoy my trip to Scotland, and yet I saw little of the face of the country; nothing of its grandeur58 or finer scenic59 features; but Edinburgh, Melrose, Abbotsford—these three in themselves sufficed to stir feelings of such deep interest and admiration, that neither at the time did I regret, nor have I since regretted, the want of wider space over which to diffuse60 the sense of enjoyment61. There was room and variety enough to be very happy, and 'enough,' the proverb says, 'is as good as a feast.' The queen, indeed, was right to climb Arthur's Seat with her husband and children. I shall not soon forget how I felt when, having reached its summit, we all sat down and looked over the city—towards the sea and Leith, and the Pentland Hills. No doubt you are proud of being a native of Scotland,—proud of your country, her capital, her children, and her literature. You cannot be blamed.
"The article in the Palladium is one of those notices over which an author rejoices trembling. He rejoices to find his work finely, fully62, fervently63 appreciated, and trembles under the responsibility such appreciation64 seems to devolve upon him. I am counselled to wait and watch—D. V. I will do so; yet it is harder to wait with the hands bound, and the observant and reflective faculties65 at their silent and unseen work, than to labour mechanically.
"I need not say how I felt the remarks on 'Wuthering Heights;' they woke the saddest yet most grateful feelings; they are true, they are discriminating66, they are full of late justice, but it is very late—alas! in one sense, TOO late. Of this, however, and of the pang67 of regret for a light prematurely68 extinguished, it is not wise to speak much. Whoever the author of this article may be, I remain his debtor69.
"Yet, you see, even here, Shirley is disparaged70 in comparison with "Jane Eyre"; and yet I took great pains with Shirley. I did not hurry; I tried to do my best, and my own impression was that it was not inferior to the former work; indeed, I had bestowed71 on it more time, thought, and anxiety: but great part of it was written under the shadow of impending72 calamity73; and the last volume, I cannot deny, was composed in the eager, restless endeavour to combat mental sufferings that were scarcely tolerable.
"You sent the tragedy of 'Galileo Galilei,' by Samuel Brown, in one of the Cornhill parcels; it contained, I remember, passages of very great beauty. Whenever you send any more books (but that must not be till I return what I now have) I should be glad if you would include amongst them the 'Life of Dr. Arnold.' Do you know also the 'Life of Sydney Taylor?' I am not familiar even with the name, but it has been recommended to me as a work meriting perusal. Of course, when I name any book, it is always understood that it should be quite convenient to send it."
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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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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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reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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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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amplifying
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| 放大，扩大( amplify的现在分词 )； 增强； 详述 | |
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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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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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oratory
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| n.演讲术；词藻华丽的言辞 | |
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concise
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| adj.简洁的，简明的 | |
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graphic
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| adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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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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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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dawdling
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| adj.闲逛的，懒散的v.混（时间）( dawdle的现在分词 ) | |
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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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influx
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| n.流入，注入 | |
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vagrant
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| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
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sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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grouse
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| n.松鸡；v.牢骚，诉苦 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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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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waggon
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| n.运货马车，运货车；敞篷车箱 | |
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erratic
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| adj.古怪的，反复无常的，不稳定的 | |
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tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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dilution
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| n.稀释，淡化 | |
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harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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chronic
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| adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的 | |
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professes
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| 声称( profess的第三人称单数 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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alludes
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| 提及，暗指( allude的第三人称单数 ) | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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scenic
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| adj.自然景色的，景色优美的 | |
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diffuse
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| v.扩散；传播；adj.冗长的；四散的，弥漫的 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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discriminating
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| a.有辨别能力的 | |
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pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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prematurely
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| adv.过早地，贸然地 | |
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debtor
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| n.借方，债务人 | |
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disparaged
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| v.轻视( disparage的过去式和过去分词 )；贬低；批评；非难 | |
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71
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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73
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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