New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-03-26
( to stand for whole world of romantic sdren-


ture.
The head Of the school is Madame Beck. 3
parsonage, one would suppose, presenting
scanty materials for q novel Bat not so. Dat
Of this unpromising subject. Currer Bell draws
On infinite variety for the exercise Of be, soul
piercing pen. Her character is depicted sith
an acuteness and subtlety. rarely equaled in
the creations Of fiction. It's conception in-
wolves the incest discrimination. She is thor
oughly worldly. selfish, and heartless - bat
aiming At all sorts Of respectable plaasibiiities
deeply religious, in her way-s model of pro-
priety in her manners-engaging the esteem Of
all the authorized old standards in Villette-a
pattern Of head Of young ladies schoOl-in-
capable Of deep emotion or daring wickedness-
but gliding about with the velvety softness of
a cat-gaining by cunning. intrigue, and feline
caution, what she never could have achieved
by the degree Of culture or ability which she
was lucky enough to possess. But the ful
length picture of this worthy is too good to be
omitted:
When stirred, Madame Beck appeared parsonage OF
figure rather short and stout yet still graceful in its
peculiar way that IT, with the grace resulting from pro-
portion of parts Her complexion was fresh add san
Pune not too rubicund her eye blue and serene her
dark silk dress fitted her French seamstress alone
can make dress TT she looked well. though little
bOurgeoise AZ bourgeose, indeed, she was. know
not what Of harmony pervaded her whole person and
vet her face offered contrast too is features were by
no means such usually seen in conjunction with
COMPLEXION of such blended freshness and repose their
outline was stern her forehead was high but narrow
expressed capacity and come benevolence, but no ex
psn.e nor did her peaceful yet watchul eye know
the FIRE which IL knded in the heart or the sottness
which flows thence. Her mouth was hard-it could be
little grim her lips were thin. FOR sensi0lhty and
genius with ell their tenderness and temer1ty, felt
somehow that madame would be the right sort Of hnos
in pettcoats
in pettcoats too Her name was Modesto Maria Beck
nee Kint it ought to have been lgnacis She was
charitable woman and did great deal OF good There
never was a mistress whose rule was milder. was
told that che renOnttafed with the noiera
bic Mrs Sweeny despite her dpsiness, disorder snd
general neglect vet Mrs Sweeny had to 90 the mOmeot
her departure became convenient was told TOO, thai
neither masters nor teachers were found ault with In
that establishment yet both masters and teachers were
ofteO changed: they vanished. and others hned then
places none could well explain how.
The establishment was both pensionnat and an ex
ternat; the extremes day pupil exceeded one nun
dred in number the boarders were about score Ma
she ruled all these together with four Teachers eyht
nasters six servants and three children managing at
the same time 10 perfection, the pupils parents and
friends and that without apparent efort without Gus
lie fatigue fever or any symptom OF undue excitement
occupied she alwHs wssbusy, rarely II Is true tnht
madame had her own system for managing ana regula
ting this Of machinery and very pretty system
il wes the reader has seen aspecnen OF u, IN that
email nar OF turning my pocket Inside out and reading
my private memoranda. "SurYeihance' esPlDnsge
these were her watch words.
Still madame knew what honesty was. and liked IT
tbst IT, when it did obtrude its clumsy scruples in
the way of her will and interest She had respect for
"Angeterre !" and lies Anglaises." che would have
the women of other country about her own children
ii she could help II.
counter.plottne spying and receiving the reports OF
spies all dsy she would come up TO my room "a trace
OF real esrncss her browand she would sit down
and listen while the children said their little prayers to
me in Enelish-the Lords Prayer, and the hymn begin
ming Gentle Jesus" these little Catholics were permit
ted to repeat my knee and, when had put them 10
bed she would talk 10 me soon gained enough french
10 be able 10 understand and even answer herr about
Fnclsnd and Enplshwomen, and the reasons for what
she was pleased TO tenn Their superior intelg nee ana
more real and reliable probry Very good sense she
often showed very sonnd opinions she oi.en
strhin in blind ignorance, and under asuryeiiance ina
lett the moment and no corner for retirement was
not the best wsy 10 make them grow up honest ana
mode,t women but she Hverred that rulnous conse.
ouences would ensUe If any other method were tried
with continental chdren-they were 30 accustomed to
constrant thai relaxation however guarded would be
misunderstood and fatally presumed on; she was sick
she would declare of the means che had to use but use
them she must and after dscoursing often with dgnl-
~ and del cacy to me, she would move away ON her
soueTs de silence" and glide ghosike through the
use watchT and spying everywhere peerlng through
every key hole, listening behind every door
After all madames system was not bad-let me do her
ustce Nothing could be better than all her arrange
ment. for the ply steal welbeing OF her scholars NO
-. a IL. l.a.s uyall t-frfiatt
ted and made incompEraby easy to the learner there
was a liberty OF amusement and provision Tor exer
cse which kept the girls healthy the food was aoun-
dant and good neither pale puny faces were any
whore 10 be socn in the Rue Fossetie She gruge
a holiday fhe allowed plenty OF time Tor sleeping
dressing washinc eating her method IN all these mat
tcIs easy liberal, salutary, and rational msny an
suiteIe Engi,h schoolmiress would do vastly well TO
initiate it-snd believe many would be glad to do so, II
exsciing Englth partn would let them.
A. Madsme Beck ruled by espionage, she of course
had her staff OF spies she perfectly knew the quality Of
the fools the used and while she would not scruple 70
han die the drett Tor dirty occasiontingng this sort
trr her like refuse rnd after the orange has been duly
squeezed- have known her astidious in seeking pure
metal for clean uses; ana when once a bOodess ana
Tusefs instrument found, she Wss careful OF the
prize keeping il IN silk and cotton wool Yet woe be
TO that man OF who relied on her one inch be-
youd the point where her interest TO be rstwor
Thy interest was the maserkey a. msdames nature
the handspring OF her moves-the alpha and omega Of
her life. have seen her feelings appealed 10, and |
have smiled in hafpity hafscorn NJ the appellants
None ever eair ed her ear through that channel or
sway ed her purpose by that On the contrary
10 attempt TO touch her heart the way TO
rouse her Rntipaty, and 10 make OF her secret toe
IL proved 10 her that she had heart % be touched il
reminded her where she mpotenf snd dead. Never
was the distinction between charity aud mercy better
eXemphfed than IN her While devoid Of sympathy she
had suihcicncy OF rational benevOlence she would
give IN the resdiest manner TO people she bad never
seen-raiheT, however 20 classes than 70 individuals
/" Pour les psuvrcs' she opened her purse freely
against The peor NAN, as rule she kepti closed la
phsnhrOpo schemes, for the benefit of society at large
che took cheerful part no private sorrow Juched
her force Of suffering concentrated in Que
heart hsd power pierce hers Not the agony in Ceths
usne not the death Calvary could have wrung from
her eyes one tear
lsay again, msdsme was a very great and very capa
bic woman That school offered for her powers too Inn
tied sphere she ought TO have swayei nation she