The Brontës and their circle

Preface To Popular Edition

This hook, hrst published in 1S96. has had a large sale in Great Britain and the United States. It owes its success to the large mass of fresh and valuable material first made available in its pages. I have not at any time professed to make an appraisement of Charlotte Bronte's work, and still less to write her life. The former has been done in our day by Sir William Robertson Nicoll, Miss Mar}' F. Robinson, ^liss May Sinclair, and many others: the latter once and for all by ^Irs. Gaskell whose biography will never be superseded. This book owes whatever interest it may possess to the many letters to Mr. Smith Williams, to ^Ir. Bronte, and to Emily which it contains — letters which Mrs. Gaskell had not the good fortune to see. That these letters are supremel}- interesting few will deny. The manner in which they are here arranged has been variously estimated, but I naturally prefer to accept the judgment of the most accomplished of living biographers. Sir George Trevelyan. In a letter to the author he once ^NTOte, not in response to a gift of a copy but quite spontaneously: —

" We have lately read aloud for the second time your Bronte book; let alone private readings. It is unique in plan and excellence, and I am greatly obliged to you for it. Apart from the pleasure of the book, the form of it has always interested me as a professional biographer. It certainly is novel ; and in this case I am prett\' sure that it is right."

My cordial thanks are due to Mr. C. W. Haliield, of Pershore, for reading the proof-sheets.

C. K. S.

March 1914.

First Proposal of Marriage [Henry Nussey) . . March 1 839

Anne Bronte becomes governess at Blake Hall, Mrs. Ingham's ........ April 1839

Charlotte governess at Mrs. Sidgwick's at Stonegappe, and at

Swarcliffe, Harrogate ...... 1839

Second Proposal of Marriage {Mr. Bryce) .... 1839

Charlotte, Emily, and Anne at Haworth .... 1840

Charlotte's second situation as governess with Mrs. White,

Upperwood House, Rawdon .... March 1841

Charlotte and Emily go to School at Brussels . February 1842

Miss Branwell died at Haworth ... 29 Oct. 1842

Charlotte and Emily return to Haworth . . . Nov. 1842

Charlotte returns to Brussels ..... Jan. 1843

Returns to Haworth ...... Jan. 1844

Visits Miss Nussey at Brookroyd ..... 1844

Anne and Branwell at Thorp Green . . . . .1845

Charlotte visits Mary Taylor at Hunsworth .... 1845

Publication of Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell . . 1846

Charlotte Bronte visits Manchester with her father for see an Oculist ....

" Jane Eyre " published [Smith & Elder)

" Wuthering Heights " and " Agnes Grey " [Newby)

Charlotte and Emily visit London

" Tenant of Wildfell Hall "

Branwell died.

Emily died ....

Anne Bronte died at Scarborough

" Shirley " published

Visit to London, first meeting with Thackeray

Visit to London, sits for Portrait to Richmond

Third Offer of Marriage [James Taylor)

Visit to London for Exhibition .

" Villette" published

Visit to London

Visit to Manchester to Mrs. Gaskell

Marriage ....

Death .....

Patrick Bronte died

1846 1847 him to Aug.

Oct.

July 1848

. 1848

MRS. GASKELL

In the whole of English biographical literature there is no book that can compare in widespread interest with the Life of Charlotte Bronte by Mrs. Gaskell. It has held a position of singular popularity for nearly sixty years; and while biography after biography has come and gone, it still commands a place side by side with Bosweirs Johnson and Lockhart's Scott. As far as mere readers are concerned, it may indeed claim its hundreds as against the tens of intrinsically more important rivals. There are obvious reasons for this success. Mrs. Gaskell was herself a popular novelist, who commanded a very wide audience, and Cranford, at least, has taken a place among the classics of our literature. She brought to bear upon the biography of Charlotte Bronte all those literary gifts which made the charm of her seven volumes of romance. And these gifts were employed upon a romance of real life, not less fascinating than anything which imagination could have furnished. Charlotte Bronte's success as an author turned the eyes of the world upon her. Thackeray had sent her his Vanity Fair before he knew her name or sex. The precious volume was inscribed " With the grateful regards of W. M. Thackeray, July i8, 1848." And Thackeray did not send many inscribed copies of his books even to successful authors. Speculation concerning the author of Jane Eyre was sufficiently rife during those seven sad years of

The Brontes andf Their Circle

literary renown to make a biography imperative when death came to Charlotte Bronte in 1855. All the world had heard something of the three marvellous sisters, daugliters of a poor parson in Yorkshire, going one after another to their death with such melancholy swiftness, but leaving — two of them, at least — imperishable work behind them. The old. almost blind, father and the bereaved husband read the confused eulogy and criticism sometimes with a sad pleasure at the praise, oftener with a sadder pain at the grotesque inaccuracy. Small wonder that it became impressed upon Mr. Bronte's mind that an authoritative biography w^as desirable. His son-in-law, Mr. Arthur Bell Nicholls, who lived wdth him in the Haworth parsonage during the six weary years which succeeded Mrs. Nicholls's death, was not so readily Avon to the unveiling of his wife's inner life; and although we, who read Mrs. Gaskeil's Memoir, have every reason to be thankful for Mr. Bronte's decision, peace of mind would undoubtedly have been more assured to Charlotte Bronte's surviving relatives had the most rigid silence been maintained. The book, when it appeared in 1837, gave infinite pain to a number of people, including Mr. Bronte and Mr. Nicholls; and Mrs. Gaskeil's subsequent experiences had the effect of persuading her that all biographical literature was intolerable and undesirable. She would seem to have given instructions that no biography of herself should be wTitten; and thus it is that the w^orld lacks any authoritative record of one of the most fascinating women of her age. The loss to literature has been forcibly brought home to the present wTiter, who has in his possession a bimdle of letters written by Mrs. Gaskell to numerous friends of Charlotte Bronte during the progress of the biography. They serve, all of them, to impress one with the singular charm of the woman, her humanity and breadth of sympathy. They make us think better of Mrs. Gaskell, as Thackeray's letters to Mrs. Brookfield make us think better of the author of Vanity Fair.

Apart from these letters, a journe\' in the footsteps, as it were, of Mrs. Gaskell reveals to us the remarkable conscientiousness with which she set about her task. It would have been possible, with so much fame behind her, to have secured an equal success, and certamly an equal pecuniary reward, had she merelv written a brief monograph with such material as was voluntarily placed in her hands. Mrs. Gaskell possessed a higher ideal of a biographer's duties. She spared no pains to find out the facts; she visited every spot associated with the name of Charlotte Bronte — Thornton, Haworth. Cowan Bridge, Birstall, Brussels — and she wrote countless letters to the friends of Charlotte Bronte's earlier days.

But why, it may be asked, was Mrs. Gaskell selected as biographer ? The choice was made by Mr. Bronte, and not, as has been suggested, by some outside influence. \Mien Mr. Bronte had once decided that there should be an authoritative biography — and he alone was active in the matter — there could be but little doubt upon whom the task would fall. Among all the friends whom fame had brought to Charlotte. ^Irs. Gaskell stood prominent for her litersiry gifts and her large-hearted sympathy. She had made the acquaintance of Miss Bronte when the latter was on a visit to Sir James Kay Shuttleworth . in 1830J and a letter from Charlotte to her father, and others to ^Ir. W. S. Williams, indicate the beginning of a friendship which was to leave so permanent a record in literary history: —

TO W. 8. WILLI AAIS

2ot/i November, 1849.

My dear Sir, — You said that if I wished for any copies of Shirley to be sent to individuals I was to name the parties. I have thought of one person to whom I should much like a copy to be offered — Harriet Martineau. For her character — as revealed in her works — I ha^e a lively admiration, a deep esteem. Will you inclose with the \olume the accompanying note?

The letter you for^varded this morning was from Mrs. Gaskell, authoress of Mary Bartari ; she said I was not to answer it. but I cannot help doing so. The note brought the tears to mv eves. She is a 2:ood, she is a o:reat woman. Proud am I that I can touch a chord of sympathy in souls so noble. In Mrs. Gaskeir$ nature it mournfully pleases me to fanc}* a remote affinity to my sister Emily. In Miss Martineau's mind I ha\e always felt the same, though there are wide differences. Both these ladies are above

9> me — certainly far my superiors in attainments and experience. I think I could look up to them if I knew them. — I am^ dear sir^ yours sincerely,

C. Bronte.

November 2gth, 1849.

Dear Sir, — I inclose two notes for postage. The note you sent yesterday was from Harriet Martineau; its contents were more than gratifying. I ought to be thankful, and I trust I am, for such testimonies of sympathy from the first order of minds. When Mrs. Gaskell tells me she shall keep my works as a treasure for her daughters, and when Harriet Martineau testifies affectionate approbation, I feel the sting taken from the strictures of another class of critics. My resolution of seclusion withholds me from communicating further with these ladies at present, but I now know how they are inclined to me — I know how my writings have affected their wise and pure minds. The knowledge is present support and, perhaps, may be future armour.

I trust Mrs. Williams's health and, consequently, your spirits are by this time quite restored. If all be well, perhaps I shall see you next week. — Yours sincerely,

C. Bronte.

January isty 1850.

My dear Sir, — May I beg that a copy of Wuthering Heights may be sent to Mrs. Gaskell; her present address is 3 Sussex Place, Regent's Park. She has just sent me the Moorland Cottage, I felt disappointed about the publication of that book, having hoped it would be offered to Smith, Elder & Co.; but it seems she had no alternative, as it was Mr. Chapman himself who asked her to write a Christmas book. On my return home yesterday I found two packets from Comhill directed in two well-known hands waiting for me. You are all ver>' very good.

I txust to have derived benefit for my visit to Miss Martineau. A visit more interesting I certainly never paid. If self-sustaining strength can be acquired from example, I ought to have got good. But my nature is not hers; I could not make it so though I were to submit it seventy times seven to the furnace of affliction^ and discipline it for an age under the hammer and anvil of toil and self-sacrifice. Perhaps if I was like her I should not admire her so much as I do. She is somewhat absolute, though quite unconsciously so; but she is likewise kind, with an affection at once abrupt and constant, whose sincerity you cannot doubt. It was delightful to sit near her in the evenings and hear her converse, myself mute. She speaks with what seems to me a w^onderful fluency and eloquence. Her animal spirits are as unflagging as her intellectual powers. I w^as glad to find her health excellent. I believe neither solitude nor loss of friends would break her down. I saw some faults in her, but somehow I liked them for the sake of her good points. It gave me no pain to feel insignificant, mentally and corporeally, in comparison with her.

Trusting that you and yours are well, and sincerely wishing you all a happy new year, — I am, my dear sir, yours sincerely, C. Bronte.

The Briery, Windermere.

August loth, 1850.

Dear Papa, — I reached this place yesterday evening at eight o'clock, after a safe though rather tedious journey. I had to change carriages three times and to wait an hour and a half at Lancaster. Sir James came to meet me at the station; both he and Lady Shuttleworth gave me a ven- kind reception. This place is exquisitely beautiful, though the weather is cloudy, misty, and stormy; but the sun bursts out occasionally and shows the hills and the lake. Mrs. Gaskell is coming here this evening, and one

II or two other people. Miss Martineau, I am sorry to say, I shall not see^ as she is already gone from home for the autumn.

Be kind enough to write by return of post and tell me how you are getting on and how you are. Give my kind regards to Tabby and Martha^ and — Believe me^, dear papa, your affectionate daughter^ C. Brontk.

And this is how she writes to Ellen Nussey from Haworth, on her return, after that first meeting: —

Lady Shuttleworth never got out, being confined to the house with a cold : but fortunately there was Mrs. Gaskell, the authoress of Mary Barton^ who came to the Brierv' the day after me. I was truly glad of her companionship. She is a woman of the most genuine talent, of cheerful, pleasing^ and cordial manners^ and. I believe, of a kind and good heart.

September 20th, 1850.

My dear Sir, — I herewith send you a very roughly written copy of what I have to say about my sisters. When you have read it you can better judge whether the word " Notice " or " Memoir '' is the most appropriate. I think the former. Memoir seems to me to express a more circumstantial and different sort of account. My aim is to give a just idea of their identity^ not to write any narration of their simple, uneventful lives. I depend on you for faithfully pointing out whatever may strike you as faulty. I could not write it in the conventional form — that I found impossible.

It gives me real pleasure to hear of your son's success. I trust he may persevere and go on improving, and give his parents cause for satisfaction and honest pride.

I am truly pleased, too, to learn that Miss Kavanagh has managed so well with Mr. Colburn. Her position seems to me one deserving of all sympathy. I often think

Pi eliminary

of her. Will her novel soon be published? Somehow I expect it to be interesting.

I certainly did hope that Mrs. Gaskell would oj5er her next work to Smith & Elder. She and I had some conversation about publishers — a comparison of our literarv^ experiences was made. She seemed much struck with the differences between hers and mine^ though I did not enter into details or tell her all. Unless I greatly mistake^ she and you and Mr. Smith would get on well together; but one does not know what causes there may be to prevent her from doing as she would wish in such a case. I think Mr. Smith will not object to my occasionally sending her any of the Cornhill books that she may like to see. I have already taken the liberty of lending her Wordsworth's Prelude^ as she was saying how much she wished to have the opportunity of reading it.

I do not tack remembrances to Mrs. Williams and your daughters and Miss Kavanagh to all my letters, because that makes an empty form of what should be a sincere wish^ but I trust this mark of courtesy and regard, though rarely expressed^ is always understood. — Believe me, yours sincerely. C. Bronte.

Miss Bronte t\y\ce visited Mrs. Gaskell in her Manchester home, first in 1S31 and afterwards in 1853, and concerning this latter visit w^e have the following letter: —

TO MRS. GASKELL, MA^XHESTER

Haworth, April 141/1, 1853.

My dear Mrs. Gaskell, — Would it suit you if I w^ere to come next Thursday, the 21st?

If that day tallies with your convenience, and if my father continues as well as he is now, I know of no engagement on my part which need compel me longer to defer the pleasure of seeing you.

I should arrive by the train which reaches Manchester at 7 o'clock P.M. That, I think, would be about your tea-time, and, of course, I should dine before leaving home. I always like evening tor an arrival; it seems more cosy

The Brontes and 1 heir Circle

and pleasant than coming in about the busy middle of the day. I think if I stay a week that will be a very long visit; it will give you time to get well tired of me.

Remember me very kindly to Mr. Gaskell and Marianne. As to Mesdames Flossy and Julia, those venerable ladies are requested beforehand to make due allowance for the awe with which they will be sure to impress a diffident admirer. I am sorry I shall not see Meta. — Believe me. my dear Mrs. Gaskell, yours affectionately and sincerely,

C. Bronte.

In the autumn of 1853 Mrs. Gaskell returned Charlotte Bronte's visit at Haworth. She was not, however, at Charlotte's wedding in Haworth Church. 1

Haworth, September Sth, 1853.

My dear Miss Wooler, — Your letter was truly kind, and made me warmly wish to join you. My prospects, however, of being able to leave home continue very unsettled. I am expecting Mrs. Gaskell next week or the week after, the day being yet undetermined. She was to have come in June, but then my severe attack of influenza rendered it impossible that I should receive or entertain her. Since that time she has been absent on the Continent with her husband and two eldest girls: and just before I received yours I had a letter from her volunteering a visit at a vague date, which I requested her to fix as soon as possible. My father has been much better during the last three or four days.

When I know anything certain I will write to you again. — Believe me, my dear Miss Wooler, yours respectfully and affectionately, C. Bronte.

But the friendship, which commenced so late in Chaxlotte Bronte's life, never reached the stage of downright intimacy. Of this there is abundant evidence in the bio-

1 Although so stated by Professor A. W. Ward in the Didionafy

0/ National Biography , vol. xxi.

graphy; and Mrs. Gaskell was forced to rely upon the correspondence of older friends of Charlotte's. Mr. George Smith, the head of the firm of Smith and Elder, furnished some twenty letters. Mr. W. S. Williams, to whom is due the credit of '' discovering " the author of Jane Eyre, lent others; and another member of Messrs. Smith and Elder's staff, Mr. James Taylor, furnished half-a-dozen more; but the best help came from another quarter.

Of the two schoolfellows with whom Charlotte Bronte r^ularly corresponded from childhood till death, Mary Taylor and Ellen Nussey, the former had destroyed every letter; and thus it came about that by tax the larger part of the correspondence in Mrs. Gaskell's biography was addressed to Ellen Nussey, now as '' My dearest Nell,'' now simply as ** E." The unpublished correspondence in my hands, which refers to the biography, opens with a letter from Mrs. Gaskell to Miss Nussey, dated July 1855. It relates how, in accordance with a request from Mr. Bronte, she had undertaken to write the work, and had been over to Haworth. There she had made the acquaintance of Mr. NichoUs for the first time. She told Mr. Bronte how much she felt the difficulty of the task she had undertaken. Nevertheless, she sincerely desired to make his daughter's character known to all who took deep interest in her writings. Both Mr. Bronte and Mr, NichoUs agreed to help to the utmost, although Mrs. Gaskell was struck by the fact that it was Mr. NichoUs, and not Mr. Bronte, who was more intellectually alive to the attraction which such a book would have for the public. His feelings were opposed to any biography at all; but he had yielded to Mr. Bronte's *' impetuous wish," and he brought do\\Ti all the materials he could find, in the shape of about a dozen letters. Mr. NichoUs, moreover, told Mrs. Gaskell that Miss Nussey was the person of all others to apply to; that she had been the friend of his wife ever since Charlotte was fifteen, and that he was wTiting to Miss Nussey to beg her to let Mrs. Gaskell see some of the correspondence.

But here is Mr. Nicholls's actual letter, unearthed after fort^^ years, as well as earlier letters from and to Miss Nussey, which would seem to radicate a suggestion upon the part of " E " that some attempt should be made to

IS furnish a biography of. her friend — if only to set at rest, once and for all, the speculations of the gossiping community with whom Charlotte Bronte's personality was still shrouded in mystery ; and indeed it is clear from these letters that it is to Miss Nussey that we really owe Mrs. Gaskell's participation in the matter: —

TO REV. A. B. XICHOLLS

Brookroyd, June 6th, 1855.

Dear Mr. Nicholls^ — I have been much hurt and pamed by the perusal of an article in Sharpe for this months entitled " A Few Words about Jane Eyre'' You will be certain to see the article^ and I am sure both you and Mr. Bronte will feel acutely the misrepresentations and the malignant spirit which characterises it. Will you suffer the article to pass current without any refutations ? The writer merits the contempt of silence^ but there will be readers and believers. Shall such be left to imbibe a tissue of malignant falsehoods^ or shall an attempt be made to do justice to one who so highly deserved justice, whose very name those who best knew her but speak with reverence and affection.^ Should not her aged father be defended from the reproach the writer coarsely attempts to bring upon him.^

I wish Mrs. Gaskell^ who is every way capable^ \\ould undertake a reply^ and would give a sound castigation to the writer. Her personal acquaintance with Haworth, the Parsonage^ and its inmates^ fits her for the task, and if on other subjects she lacked information I would gladly supply her with facts sufficient to set aside much that is asserted, if you yourself are not provided with all the information that is needed on the subjects produced. Will you ask Mrs. Gaskell to undertake this just and honourable defence? I think she would do it gladly. She valued dear Charlotte, and such an act of friendship, performed with her ability and power, could only add to the laurels she has already won. I hope you and Mr. Bronte are well. My kind regards to both. — Believe me, vours sincerely, E. Nussey.

Haworth^ Jtme iitk, 1855.

Dear Miss Nussey^ — We had not seen the article in Sharpe, and very possibly should not^ if you had not directed our attention to it. We ordered a copy^ and have now read the '' Few Words about Jane Eyre'' The writer has certainly made many mistakes^ but apparently not from any unkind motive^ as he professes to be an admirer of Charlotte's works^ pays a just tribute to her genius^, and in common with thousands deplores her untimely death. His design seems rather to be to gratify the curiosity of the multitude in reference to one who had made such a sensation in the literary world. But even if the article had been of a less harmless character^ we should not have felt inclined to take any notice of it, as by doing so we should have given it an importance which it would not otherwise have obtained. Charlotte herself would have acted thus ; and her character stands too high to be injured by the statements in a magazine of small circulation and little influence — statements which the writer prefaces with the remark that he does not vouch for their accuracy. The many laudatory notices of Charlotte and her works which appeared since her death may well make us indifferent to the detractions of a few envious or malignant persons^ as there ever will be such.

The remarks respecting Mr. Bronte excited in him only amusement — indeed^ I have not seen him laugh as much for some months as he did while I was reading the article to him. We are both well in healthy but lonely and desolate.

Mr. Bronte unites with me in kind regards. — Yours sincerely, A. B. Nicholls.

Haworth^ July 24th, 1855.

Dear Miss Nussey^ — Some other erroneous notices of Charlotte having appeared;, Mr. Bronte has deemed it advisable that some authentic statement should be put forth. He has therefore adopted your suggestion and apphed to Mrs. Gaskell^ who has undertaken to wTite a life of Charlotte. Mrs. Gaskell came over yesterday and spent a few hours with us. The greatest diiticulty seems to be in obtaining materials to show the development of Charlotte's character. For this reason Mrs. Gaskell is anxious to see her letters, especially those of any early date. I think I understood you to say that you had some; if so, we should feel obliged by your letting us have any that you may think proper, not for publication, but merely to give the wTiter an insight into her mode of thought. Of course they will be returned after a little time.

I confess that the course most consonant with my own feelings would be to take no steps in the matter, but I do not think it right to ofier any opposition to Mr. Bronte's wishes.

We have the same object in view, but should diiler in our mode of proceeding. Mr. Bronte has not been very well. Excitement on Sunday (our Rush-bearing) and Mrs. Gaskell's visit yesterday have been rather much for him. — BeUeve me, sincerely yours,

A. B. NiCHOLLS.

Mrs. Gaskell, however, wanted to make Miss Nussey's acquaintance, and asked if she might visit her; and added that she would also like to see Miss Wooler, Charlotte's schoolmistress, if that lady were still alive. To this letter Miss Nussey made the following reply: —

TO MRS. GASKELL, Manchester

Ilkley, July 26//z, 1855.

My dear Madam, — Owing to my absence from home your letter has only just reached me. I had not heard of Mr. Bronte's request, but I am most heartily glad that he has made it. A letter from Mr. Nicholls was for\varded along with yours, which I opened first, and was thus prepared for your communication, the subject of which is of the deepest interest to me. I will do ever>'thing in my power to aid the righteous work you have undertaken, but I feel my powers ver^- limited, and apprehend that you may experience some disappointment that I cannot contribute more lars^elv the information which vou desire, I possess a great many letters (for I have destroyed but a small portion of the correspondence), but I fear the early letters are not such as to unfold the character of the wTiter except in a few points. You perhaps may discover more than is apparent to me. You will read them wnth a purpose — I perused them only with interests of affection. I will immediately look over the correspondence, and I promise to let you see all that I can confide to your friendly custody. I regret that my absence from home should have made it impossible for me to have the pleasure of seeing you at Brookroyd at the time you propose. I am engaged to stay here till Monday week, and shall be happy to see you any 'day you name after that date, or, if more convenient to you to come Friday or Saturday in next week, I will gladly return in time to give you the meeting. I am staying with our schoolmistress. Miss Wooler, in this place. I wish her very much to give me leave to ask you here, but she does not yield to my wishes; it would have been pleasanter to me to talk with you among these hills than sitting in my home and thinking of one who had so often been present there. — I am, my dear madam, yours sincerely, Ellen Nussey.

Mrs. Gaskell and Miss Xussey met, and the friendship which ensued was closed only by death ; and indeed one of the most beautiful letters in the collection in my hands is one signed '' Meta Gaskell," and dated Januaiy 22, 1866. It tells in detail, with infinite tenderness and pathos, of her mother's last moments. 1 That, however, was ten years later than the period with which we are concerned. In 1856 Mrs. Gaskell was energetically engaged upon a biography of her friend which should lack nothing of thoroughness, as she hoped. She

^ '* Mama's last days/* it runs, " had been full of loving thought and tender help for others. She was so sweet and dear and noble beyond words."