The Life of Charlotte Brontë — Volume 2Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn
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The Life of Charlotte Brontë — Volume 2
Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn
Brontë, Charlotte, 1816-1855; Novelists, English -- 19th century -- Biography
Again and again, her friend urged her to leave home; nor were various
invitations wanting to enable her to do this, when these constitutional
accesses of low spirits preyed too much upon her in her solitude. But
she would not allow herself any such indulgence, unless it became
absolutely necessary from the state of her health. She dreaded the
perpetual recourse to such stimulants as change of scene and society,
because of the reaction that was sure to follow. As far as she could
see, her life was ordained to be lonely, and she must subdue her
nature to her life, and, if possible, bring the two into harmony. When
she could employ herself in fiction, all was comparatively well. The
characters were her companions in the quiet hours, which she spent
utterly alone, unable often to stir out of doors for many days together.
The interests of the persons in her novels supplied the lack of interest
in her own life; and Memory and Imagination found their appropriate
work, and ceased to prey upon her vitals. But too frequently she could
not write, could not see her people, nor hear them speak; a great mist
of head-ache had blotted them out; they were non-existent to her.
This was the case all through the present spring; and anxious as her
publishers were for its completion, Villette stood still. Even her
letters to her friend are scarce and brief. Here and there I find a
sentence in them which can be extracted, and which is worth preserving.
"M----'s letter is very interesting; it shows a mind one cannot but
truly admire. Compare its serene trusting strength, with poor ----'s
vacillating dependence. When the latter was in her first burst of
happiness, I never remember the feeling finding vent in expressions of
gratitude to God. There was always a continued claim upon your sympathy
in the mistrust and doubt she felt of her own bliss. M---- believes;
her faith is grateful and at peace; yet while happy in herself, how
thoughtful she is for others!"
"March 23rd, 1852.
"You say, dear E----, that you often wish I would chat on paper, as you
do. How can I? Where are my materials? Is my life fertile in subjects of
chat? What callers do I see? What visits do I pay? No, you must chat,
and I must listen, and say 'Yes,' and 'No,' and 'Thank you!' for five
minutes' recreation.
* * * * *
"I am amused at the interest you take in politics. Don't expect to
rouse me; to me, all ministries and all oppositions seem to be pretty
much alike. D'Israeli was factious as leader of the Opposition; Lord
John Russell is going to be factious, now that he has stepped into
D'Israeli's shoes. Lord Derby's 'Christian love and spirit,' is worth
three half-pence farthing."
To W. S. WILLIAMS, ESQ.
"March 25th, 1852.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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