CHARLOTTE BRONTE.
[BORN 1816. DIED 1855.]
MRS GASKELL.
HE authoress of "Jane Eyre" and other works is, as she calls herself [August 1850], undeveloped then, and more than half a head shorter than I am. Soft brown hair, not very dark; eyes very good and expressive, looking straight and open at you, of the same colour as her hair; a large mouth; the forehead square, broad, and rather overhanging. 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 perfectly simple. Her nerves were severely taxed by the effort of going among strangers. On one occasion, though the number of the party could not exceed twelve, she suffered the whole day from acute headache, brought on by apprehension of the evening.
It was now [1853] two or three years since I had witnessed a similar effect produced on her, in anticipation of a quiet evening at a friend's home; and since then she had seen many and various people in London; but the physical sensations produced by shyness were still the same, and on the following day she laboured under severe headache. I had several opportunities of perceiving how this nervousness was ingrained in her constitution, and how acutely she suffered in trying to overcome it. One evening we had, among other guests, two sisters who sung Scotch ballads exquisitely. Miss Brontë had been sitting quiet and constrained, till they began "The Bonnie House of Airlie;" but the effect of that, and "Carlyle Yetts" which followed, was as irresistible as the playing of the piper of Hamelin. The beautiful clear light came into her eyes; her lips quivered with emotion; she forgot herself, rose and crossed the room to the piano, where she asked eagerly for song after song. The sisters begged her to come and see them next morning, when they would sing as long as ever she liked, and she promised gladly and thankfully. But on reaching the house her courage failed. We walked some time up and down the street, she upbraiding herself all the while for her folly, and trying to dwell on the sweet echoes in her memory, rather than on the thought of a third sister who would have to be faced if we went in. But it was of no use; and dreading lest this struggle with herself might bring on one of her trying headaches, I entered at last, and made the best apology I could for her non-appearance.
Much of this nervous dread of encountering strangers I ascribed to the idea of her personal ugliness, which had been strongly impressed upon her imagination early in life, and which she exaggerated to herself in a remarkable manner. "I notice," said she, "that after a stranger has once looked at my face, he is careful not to let his eyes wander to that part of the room again." A more untrue idea never entered into any one's head. Two gentlemen who saw her during this visit, without knowing at the time who she was, were singularly attracted by her appearance; and this feeling of attraction towards a pleasant countenance, sweet voice, and gentle, timid manners, was so strong in one as to conquer a dislike he had previously entertained to her works.
There was another circumstance that came to my knowledge at this period, which told secrets about the finely-strung frame. One night I was on the point of narrating some dismal ghost-story, just before bed-time. She shrank from hearing it, and confessed she was superstitious, and prone at all times to the involuntary recurrence of any thoughts of ominous gloom which might have been suggested to her. She said that in first coming to us, she had found a letter on her dressing-table from a friend in Yorkshire, containing a story which had impressed her vividly ever since; that it mingled with her dreams at night, and made her sleep restless and unrefreshing.
[There was a peculiarity about Charlotte Brontë's death.] Not long after her marriage with the Rev. Mr Nicholls, she was attacked by new sensations of perpetual nausea and ever-recurring faintness. "A wren would have starved on what she ate during these last six weeks." Long days and long nights went by; still the same relentless nausea and faintness, and still borne on in patient trust. About the third week in March [1856], there was a change; a low wandering delirium came on, and in it she begged constantly for food, and even for stimulants; she swallowed eagerly now, but it was too late. Wakening for an instant from this stupor of intelligence, she saw her husband's woe-worn face, and caught the sound of some murmured words of prayer that God would spare her. "Oh," she whispered forth, "I am not going to die, am I? He will not separate us, we have been so happy." Early on Saturday morning, March 31, the solemn tolling of Haworth Church bell spoke forth the fact of her death to the villagers who had known her from a child, and whose hearts shivered within them as they thought of the two sitting together [the father and husband] in the old grey house.
A SELECTION
FROM THE
Catalogue of Books
PUBLISHED BY
W. P. NIMMO, HAY, & MITCHELL,
SUITABLE FOR
SCHOOL PRIZES
AND
GENERAL PRESENTATION.
Selections from
NIMMO'S NATIONAL LIBRARY.
(New Bindings, in Colours.)
In crown 8vo, with Steel Frontispiece and Vignette, handsomely bound, cloth extra, price 5s. each; also in full gilt side, back, and edges, price 6s. each.
1. The English Circumnavigators: The most remarkable Voyages round the World by English Sailors. (Drake, Dampier, Anson, and Cook's Voyages.) With a Preliminary Sketch of their Lives and Discoveries. Edited, with Notes, Maps, etc., by David Laing Purves and R. Cochrane.
2. The Book of Adventure and Peril: A Record of Heroism and Endurance on Sea and Land. Compiled and Edited by Charles Bruce, Editor of 'Sea Songs and Ballads.' Illustrated.
3. The Great Triumphs of Great Men. Edited by James Mason. Illustrated.
4. Great Historical Mutinies, comprising the Story of the Mutiny of the 'Bounty,' the Mutiny at Spithead, the Mutiny at the Nore, Mutinies in Highland Regiments, and the Indian Mutiny. By David Herbert, M.A.
5. Famous Historical Scenes from Three Centuries. Pictures of Celebrated Events from the Reformation to the end of the French Revolution. Selected from the works of Standard Authors by A. R. Hope Moncrieff.
6. The English Explorers; comprising details of the more famous Travels by Mandeville, Bruce, Park, and Livingstone. With Map, and Chapter on Arctic Exploration.
7. The Book for Every Day; containing an Inexhaustible Store of Amusing and Instructive Articles. Edited by James Mason.
8. The Book of Noble Englishwomen: Lives made Illustrious by Heroism, Goodness, and Great Attainments. Edited by Charles Bruce.
9. A Hundred Wonders of the World in Nature and Art, described according to the latest Authorities, and profusely Illustrated. Edited by John Small, M.A.
10. A Book about Travelling, Past and Present. Profusely Illustrated. Edited by Thomas A. Croal.
11. Sir Edward Seaward's Narrative of his Shipwreck and Discovery of certain Islands in the Caribbean Sea. With a detail of many extraordinary and highly interesting events in his life, from the year 1733 to 1749. By Jane Porter, Author of the 'Scottish Chiefs,' etc.
12. The Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties. By George Lillie Craik, M.A.
13. The Mothers of Great Men. By Mrs. Ellis, Author of 'The Women of England,' etc. Illustrated by Valentine W. Bromley.
W. P. Nimmo, Hay, & Mitchell's Catalogue.
NIMMO'S 3s. 6d. UNIVERSAL GIFT BOOKS.
New and Enlarged Editions in Coloured Inks.
Full crown 8vo, gilt edges, Illustrated.
1. Wallace, the Hero of Scotland: A Biography. By James Paterson.
2. Life of the Duke of Wellington. By W. H. Maxwell, Author of 'Stories of Waterloo,' etc. Revised and abridged from the larger work.
3. Life of Napoleon Buonaparte. By John Gibson Lockhart, Author of 'Life of Sir Walter Scott,' etc. Revised and abridged from the larger work.
4. The Life of Nelson. By Robert Southey, LL.D. With Biography of the Author.
5. The Life of Peter the Great. By Sir John Barrow, F.R.S., etc.; Author of 'The Mutiny of the Bounty,' etc.
6. Mungo Park's Life and Travels. With a Supplementary Chapter, detailing the results of recent Discovery in Africa.
7. Men of History. By Eminent Writers. Views of the world's great men, in the best words of the best authors.
8. Benjamin Franklin: A Biography. From the celebrated 'Life' by Jared Sparks, and the more recent and extensive 'Life and Times' by James Parton.
9. Stories about Boys. By Ascott R. Hope, Author of 'Stories of School Life,' 'My Schoolboy Friends,' etc.
10. Stories of Whitminster. By Ascott R. Hope.
11. Wild Animals and Birds: Curious and Instructive Stories about their Habits and Sagacity.
12. Almost Faultless: A Story of the Present Day. By the Author of 'A Book for Governesses.'
13. Violet Rivers; or, Loyal to Duty. A Tale for Girls. By Winifred Taylor, Author of 'Story of Two Lives,' etc.
14. Women of History. By Eminent Writers.
15. Christian Osborne's Friends. By Mrs. Harriet Miller Davidson, Author of 'Isobel Jardine's History.'
16. Silverton Court. A Tale. By Winifred Taylor.
17. Naomi; or, The Last Day of Jerusalem. By Mrs. J. B. Webb, Author of 'The Child's Commentary on St. Luke,' etc.
18. Severn-side. The Story of a Friendship. By Edith E. Horsman.
Selections from
NIMMO'S
New Half-Crown Series of Stories
BY POPULAR AUTHORS.
In full crown 8vo, Illustrated, bound in cloth extra, gold and colours, gilt edges.
1. Schoolboy Stories. By Ascott R. Hope, Author of 'Stories out of Schooltime,' 'Stories of Whitminster,' 'A Handful of Stories,' etc.
2. Stirring Adventure in African Travel. Great Explorers—Hunting Exploits—Shipwreck—Captivity—Bombardment. By Charles Bruce, Author of 'The Book of Adventure and Peril,' etc. etc.
3. Graphic Scenes in African Story. Settlers—Slavery—Missions and Missionaries—Battlefields. By Charles Bruce, Author of 'How Frank began to Climb the Ladder,' etc.
4. John Lawrence: 'Saviour of India.' The Story of his Life. By Charles Bruce, Author of 'Stirring Adventure in African Travel,' etc.
5. The Highways of Literature; or, What to Read and How to Read. By David Pryde, M.A., LL.D., F.R.S.E., F.S.A. Scot.
In full crown 8vo, cloth extra, Illustrated, 2s. 6d.
1. Naomi; or, The Last Days of Jerusalem. By Mrs. J. B. Webb, Author of 'The Child's Commentary on St. Luke,' 'The Woods of Durand,' etc.
2. Ulric Zwingle; or, Zurich and its Reformer. The Story of a Noble Life. By the Author of 'The Spanish Inquisition.'
3. The Spanish Inquisition: Its Heroes and Martyrs. By Janet Gordon, Author of 'Champions of the Reformation.'
4. Heroes of Ancient Greece: A Story of the days of Socrates the Athenian. By Helen Palmer, Author of 'Fishermen of Galilee,' 'The Standard-Bearer,' etc.
W. P. Nimmo, Hay, & Mitchell's Catalogue.
NIMMO'S LIBRARY OF HISTORY, TRAVEL, AND ADVENTURE.
In crown 8vo, cloth extra, price 2s. each; gilt edges, 2s. 6d.
1. Travels and Discoveries in Abyssinia by James Bruce.
2. The Life and Travels of Mungo Park. With Supplementary Details of the Results of Recent Discovery in Africa.
3. A Voyage Round the World by Sir Francis Drake and William Dampier, according to the Text of the Original Narratives. Edited, with Notes, by D. Laing Purves.
4. A Voyage Round the World in the Years 1740-44 by George Anson. Edited, from the Original Narrative, with Notes, by D. Laing Purves.
5. Voyages Round the World by Captain James Cook. Edited, with Notes, etc., by D. Laing Purves.
6. The Story of the Good Ship 'Bounty' and her Mutineers. Mutinies in Highland Regiments.
7. The Story of the Indian Mutiny (1857-58).
8. Feats on the Fiord. A Tale of Norway. By Harriet Martineau.
NIMMO'S LIBRARY OF BIOGRAPHY.
Uniform in size and price with above. Each Volume having a suitable Portrait as Frontispiece.
1. Risen by Perseverance: Lives of Self-Made Men.
2. Heroes of Invention and Discovery.
3. Lives and Discoveries of Famous Travellers.
4. Great Achievements of Military Men, Statesmen, and others.
5. Eminent Philanthropists, Patriots, and Reformers.
6. Gallery of Notable Men and Women.
7. Earnest Lives: Biographies of Remarkable Men and Women.
8. Teachers and Preachers of Recent Times.
9. Great Orators, Statesmen, and Divines.
10. Kings without Crowns; or, Lives of American Presidents. With a Sketch of the American Constitution. By Charles H. Evans.
11. Lessons from Women's Lives. By Sarah J. Hale.
The above Series of Books have been specially prepared in order to meet the rapidly increasing demand for instructive and wholesome literature of permanent value. They are admirably adapted for School Prizes, Gift Books, etc. etc.
Selections from
NIMMO'S
'BLADE AND THE EAR' SERIES.
ENLARGED.
Crown 8vo, Illustrated, elegantly bound in cloth extra, bevelled boards, price 2s. each.
1. The Blade and the Ear. A Book for Young Men.
2. The Young Men of the Bible. A Series of Papers, Biographical and Suggestive. By Rev. Joseph A. Collier.
3. The King's Highway; or, Illustrations of the Commandments. By the Rev. Richard Newton, D.D., Author of 'The Best Things,' etc.
4. Nature's Wonders. By the Rev. Richard Newton, D.D., Author of 'The King's Highway,' etc.
5. Guiding Lights: Lives of the Great and Good. By F. E. Cooke, Author of 'Footprints.'
6. Heroes of Charity: Records from the Lives of Merciful Men whose Righteousness has not been Forgotten. By James F. Cobb, F.R.G.S., Author of 'Stories of Success,' etc.
7. Mountain Patriots. A Tale of the Reformation in Savoy. By Mrs. A. S. Orr.
8. Village Tales and Sketches. By Mary Russell Mitford, Author of 'Our Village,' etc. etc.
9. The Standard-Bearer. A Tale of the Times of Constantine the Great. By Ellen Palmer.
10. Stories told in a Fisherman's Cottage. By Ellen Palmer, Author of 'The Standard-Bearer,' etc. etc.
11. Diversions of Hollycot; or, The Mother's Art of Thinking. By Mrs. Johnstone, Author of 'Nights of the Round Table,' 'Clan Albin,' etc.
12. Philip Walton; or, Light at Last. By the Author of 'Meta Franz,' etc.
13. Picture Lessons by the Divine Teacher; or, Illustrations of the Parables of our Lord. By Peter Grant, D.D.
14. Taken Up. A Tale for Boys and Girls. By Alfred Whymper.
15. Champions of the Reformation. Stories of their Lives. By Janet Gordon.
W. P. Nimmo, Hay, & Mitchell's Catalogue.
NIMMO'S BOYS' OWN LIBRARY.
ENLARGED SERIES.
Crown 8vo, Illustrated, elegantly bound in cloth extra, gold and colours, bevelled boards, price 2s. each.
1. The Hermit's Apprentice. By Ascott R. Hope.
2. The Far North: Explorations in the Arctic Regions. By Elisha Kent Kane, M.D.
3. Monarchs of Ocean: Columbus and Cook.
4. Noble Mottoes of Great Families. By Charles Bruce, Author of 'Lame Felix,' etc.
5. The Castaway's Home; or, The Story of the Sailing and Sinking of the Good Ship 'Rose.' By Mrs. Hardy.
6. Great Men of European History, from the Christian Era till the Present Time. By David Pryde, LL.D.
7. Afloat and Ashore with Sir Walter Raleigh. By Mrs. Hardy, Author of 'Champions of the Reformation,' etc.
8. Lame Felix. A Book for Boys. By Charles Bruce.
9. Life at Hartwell; or, Frank and his Friends. By Katharine E. May, Author of 'Alfred and his Mother,' etc. etc.
10. Max Wild, the Merchant's Son; and other Stories for the Young.
11. Up North; or, Lost and Found in Russia and the Arctic Wastes. By Mrs. Hardy.
12. Angelo and Stella. A Story of Italian Fisher Life. By the Rev. Gerald S. Davies.
13. Seeing the World. A Young Sailor's own Story. By Charles Nordhoff.
14. The Miner's Son and Margaret Vernon. By M. M. Pollard, Author of 'The Minister's Daughter.'
15. How Frank began to Climb the Ladder. By Charles Bruce, Author of 'Lame Felix,' etc.
16. The History of Two Wanderers; or, Cast Adrift.
17. Memorable Wars of Scotland. By Patrick Fraser Tytler, F.R.S.E.
W. P. Nimmo, Hay, & Mitchell's Catalogue.
NIMMO'S
Two Shilling Library for Girls.
Small crown 8vo, Illustrated, elegantly bound in new style, cloth extra, price 2s. each.
1. Life's Crosses, and How to Meet Them. Tales for Girls. By T. S. Arthur.
2. A Father's Legacy to his Daughters, etc. A Book for Young Women. By Dr. Gregory.
3. Labours of Love: A Tale for the Young. By Winifred Taylor.
4. Mossdale: A Tale for the Young. By Anna M. De Iongh.
5. Jacqueline. A Story of the Reformation in Holland. By Mrs. Hardy (Janet Gordon).
6. The Minister's Daughter, and Old Anthony's Will. Tales for the Young. By M. M. Pollard.
7. The Two Sisters. By M. M. Pollard.
8. A Needle and Thread: A Tale for Girls. By Emma J. Barnes, Author of 'Faithful and True; or, The Mother's Legacy.'
9. Nonna: A Story of the Days of Julian the Apostate. By Ellen Palmer.
10. An Earl's Daughter. A Story for the Young. By M. M. Pollard, Author of 'The Two Sisters,' etc. etc.
11. Doing and Dreaming. A Tale for the Young. By Edward Garrett.
12. Vain Ambition; or, Only a Girl. By Emma Davenport, Author of 'Our Birthdays,' etc.
13. The Cottagers of Glenburnie. A Scottish Tale. By Elizabeth Hamilton.
14. My New Home: A Woman's Diary.
15. Home Heroines. Tales for Girls. By T. S. Arthur.
16. The Roseville Family. By Mrs. A. S. Orr.
17. Leah. A Tale of Ancient Palestine. By Mrs. A. S. Orr.
Transcriber's Note:
Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation in the original document have been preserved.
The following changes were made to repair apparently typographical errors:
p.41 "incantations to recal her spirit" recal changed to recall
p.67 "seducing Althelwold into a" Althelwold changed to Athelwold
p.195 "her, and did not like it.[">[" closing quotation mark in [] added
p.211 "discriminative in the extinct eulogies" extinct changed to extant
p.227 "than two hundred Scotticisms.[">[" closing quotation mark added
p.227 "compositions of Metastasio.[">[" closing quotation mark added
p.233 "anyrate no common phenomenon" anyrate changed to any rate
p.236 "BORN 1750. DIED 1728." 1728 changed to 1828
p.238 "n[h?]ighest admiration for the refined" text unclear; highest used
p.240 "BORN 1758. DIED 1848." 1758 changed to 1750
p.240 "ninty-seventh anniversary of her" ninty changed to ninety
p.270 "in 1709, after a visit the poetess" 1709 changed to 1809
p.303 "what she eat during these last six weeks" eat changed to ate
p.6, ads "Author of 'The King's Highway,[']" closing quotation mark added
The biography of Jane Shore refers to Edward the Fifth. This should probably be Edward the Fourth.