Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-18
From Sharp's London Magazine.
THE AUTHOR OF JANE EYRE"

Haworth, consisting of q church and a few gray
stone cottages One of these, scarcely superb
or to its fellows, and distinguished only by
sort of courtyard surrounded by low stone
wall, and over grown with grass (shrubs and
flowers refusing to vegitate in so ungenial an
atmosphere,) is the parsonage. The archi-
lecture is OF the simplest description-a straight
walk leads up to the front door, on either side
of which appears window, that of the sitting
room looking into the churchyard, well filed
with gTavestones. On this parsonage until
within few months since, not touch of paint,
nor an article of furniture, had been expended
for thirty years, the period which has elapsed
since the death of Miss Bronte's mother.
Some six or seven years previous to that
date, an Irish clergyman, the Rev. Patrick
Bronte, then a resident Of Henzance, espoused
young lady, contrary to the wishes of her
relations, who refused to hold any further in
tercOurse with her after her marriage. Her
husband having obtained the perpetual curren-
cy of Haworth, took his bride to his new resi-
dence, where she spent the remainder of her
days, dying in rapid consumption after the
birth Of her sixth child, Charlotte. Mr.. Bronte
who though advanced in years, is still alive,
is described as man of studous and solitary
habits, and of q singular and highly eccentric
turn of mind, which, together with peculiar
temper, must have rendered him anything but
suitable guardian to youthful family. Nor
can We wonder at the mother'sd dying exclama-
ton, 'sWha Will become of my poor children?''
Engrossed by his own pursuits, the father
never even dined with his family nor taught
them anything, and the children learned to
read and write from servants only. When
Charlotte twelve years old, she (eyen then
of an original and self-reliant nature) asked
and obtained her fathers permission that her
sister and herself should be placed at the cler-
gy school at Cowan Bridge. This as it then
existed, she has described TO the life in Jane
Eyre. Two of her sisters died of the fever
which at one time devastated the school; the
two others and probably Charlotte herself,
quilted it with the seeds Of consumption in
their constitutions fostered by the cruel pri-
vations they underwent. The food was horri-
BILE, and Of it, bad as it was, they obtained so
little that often they literally half starved.
Frequently has she scrept under the table TO
At the time of the fever the doctor exam
ined the food he put some in his mouth, and
hastily rejected it, protesting it was not fit for
dogs. $50 hungry was l." said Charlotte,
':that l could have eaten what he threw away
The three survivors returned to Haworth with
broken health, but there fresh trials awaited
them. 'sAt nineteen,'' continued Charlotte
s'I should have been thankful for penny
week. l asked my father, but he said what
do women want with money ?''' She was yet
only nineteen when she advertised for and OBJ
tanned a situation teacher in school. Not
finding it turn out as she had hoped, she wal
ted until she had saved money enough to pay
her passage to Brussels where she had secured
position as school-teacher. She started alone,
never having previously quilted Yorkshire.
When she reached London it was night; she
became alarmed, not knowing where to go,
and fearing to trust herself with strangers, she
took cab drove to the tower stairs, hired a
boat, and was conveyed to the Ostend packet.
At first the officer in command refused to take
her on board till the next morning, but on hea-
ring her dcsolate situation, recalled his pro-
hibition. In Brussels she remained two years
her experiences there are detailed in E:Vilette."
The character of ''Adele," in particular is
drawn from life. On her return she found that
the health of her two remaining sisters was de-
clining and that her fathers eyesight was be-
coming affected, and she considered it her du-
| ty to remain at home. She tried various ways
| to increase their income but failed in all.
Without mentioning her project to her ia
! ther she wrote ssJane Eyre work of which
Messrs. Smith 6 Elder had the good sense to
| perceive the merits and were courageous
enough to publish it in spite ofits peculiari-
ties, which would have alarmed any but a re-
| ally spirited publisher. About three months
after the appearance of her novel, and when
its success was no longer doubtful, Miss Bronte
resolved to screw up her courage, and inform
her father of the step she had taken. Mr..
Bronte, it appears, did not then join with his
| family even at meal times. AT dinner, Char
| Iotte announced her intention to her sister,
| adding, that she would put it in execution be-
study with copy of her work wrapped up in
a review of it, which she had received, and
the following conversation ensued:
s'Papa 1 have been writing book"
''Haveyou, my dear? 2" He went on reading)
| ''But, papa, 1 want you to look at it,"
81 can't be troubled to read manuscript"
''But 1t is printed
81 hope you've not been involving yourself
IN any such silly EXPENSE
81 think shall gain some money by it; may
| | read some reviews of it 20