Morning journal and courier., 1891-04-04
No. Si

tered relics of the old Bronte household
 With marked contrast to the clerical brute who has repeatedly declared that the name of Bronte was hateful to him: that it was not his duty "to maintain show-plaee for strangers, but a house of prayer for the praise of God;" that the memory of this family represented to him merely "a re collection of predecessor incumbent and who has done everything in his little power to destroy the greatest and least vestiges of as noble and tender personali- ties and influences as ever hallowed Eng fish soil: this young man, poor man be- sides, Robinson Brown, of 123 Main street, Haworth, has passed life of sacrifice and almost personal want to secure these pre- cious relics and to generously welcome all strangers who may wish to see them. His home is the only real Bronte shrine in Ha- worth. The curate rules the village with a spiritual rod of iron, and this local au- tocracy makes 1t treason in HaYOrth 10 be interested in Bronte relics and memorials. Despite it now and then the old, old folk. and the humble workmen of the factories. who secretly adore the writings ot Char lotte and the memory of the noble family, steal in here by these mute bits from the old home, weep over them and steal away again, trembling from fear of discovery and prescription. Thus the curate main tains ''a house of prayer for the praise ot God" in the Haworth of to-day.
 NIT. Browns collection comprises & few paintings, many drawings and several specimens of needlework, all done by Charlotte. There is drawing, in sepia, of revenue cutter becalmed at sea in soft and humid moonlight. The pencil draw ings are numerous. Three of these are remarkably true 10 nature. Two are of @ laughing and crying child. The other is a river-bridge and mountain scene, full of delicaey and feeling. Her skill in needle work, and what wonld now be termed art embroidery, was superior An extrsordi- nary piece of this needlework is a study of q youthful shepherd and Ghepherdess tend ing flock of mOorland sheep, the faces all being partially laid in with water col ors. The only painting of Charlotte in oil, done during her lifetime, is also here. There are several of her letters in her wonderfully minute and perfect chirogra phy; and one was particularly interesting to me because written to the "old Susey" had seen. It is dated Haworth, June l3, 1S4S. Susey had left Haworth for a little stay at York. Miss BrOnte writes:
 was afraid that al first you would mol feel very comt among strangers persons who have lived most of their liSes in a quiet htile place like EaWoTIh find v8Si difference when they go to a fresh neighboTalmod and enter tlle SQCaefN UI strangers. " you ts-fl troubled about anything you will mol forget who is your best help and guide in every difficulty. and separated as you arc for . little while from your earthly friends you will humby and faithfully enireGt the protection Of your friend and father who Is in heaven
 There is also in the collection spotted print dress worn by the novelist: her shawl and brooch and lock of her hair given by her husband, NIT. Nichols, to Martha Brown Several old reviews con ..- their work, which were in her possession, are here. One, the Quarterly Review for December, 1S4S, hurt her deeply. Its re- view of 'tJane Eyre" refers to the author as having "horrid taste" Two of the most interesting articles to be seen are a water-color sketch by the novelist's own hand representing her fayorite dog,
 "Floss," chasing grouse over a reach of drear moorland, and priceless autograph copy of "Jane Eyre" the latter another gift to the beloved nurse, Martha Brown 4 basketwOrk dolls cradle, belonging 10 Charlotte, is here-all but the rockers. Those have been chipped of and given as mementoes to pilgrims from our own country. There are also a small wooden trinket-box containing cloak and shoe buckles, with one or two pieces of ribbon from the novelist's bonnet; several alabas ter vases from her room, and a silk patch | work counterpane, one among countless
 proofs of the dogged patience and uncon | querable pluck of the half-blind author ess. But single article remains as a re-
 hinder of the sad career and miserable ending of Patrick Branwell Bronte, the brilliant and unfortunate brother. The
 oldest character that perhaps ever lived in Haworth was ''old Bill Brown, the grabbed Haworth sexton of the Bronfes' time. He was almost immortaliZed by the Haworth poet, Harkaker, whose last stan
 za upon him runs in this wise:
 But think ye, old case hardened blade, Knight of the mattOck and the spade Some lustier brother of the trade
 Perhaps ere long.
 May liz you where you ve thousands laid Nor think 1t wrong
 and the capital oil painting of this canny | old character, who reminds one forcibly of | the old wretch who still officiates at ''Scotch marriages at GIetna Green, was
 the work of this misdirected and self-de-
 stroying genius.
 Grim, gaunt, gray Haworth, Perfect as
 were the lives thy sunless ways once
 knew: matchless as were the creations hewn out of thy heart of stone; dreary as ! the skies above thy dank old walls is thy
 hard, stern face in all its moods to men.
 One leaves thee with a sad and heavy heart, EDGAR l.. MARKHAM.