The morning call., 1891-04-05

older sisters; the curse of the hayward
brothers life and terrible death; the grim,
mistaken sense OF duty shown in the sur
viving sisters holding the sunless home to-
gether; and then all the long years of iron
hearted struggling by the three sisters,
"Currer. Ellis and Acton Bell" respect
lively Charlotte. Emily and Anne Bronte,
to reach the mighty world-heart with their
faraway, unknown voices and pens; the
final victory and rejOicingS; the coming to
the gray old village of the famous and great
to do honor to the now wnndrous folk OF the
parsonage: the loss of Charlotte's two sisters
within one year; her own brief and happy
welded life and ultimate death; the later
death of the sturdy old father; the death
but the other day. in Ireland, of his surviv-
ing sister. the last of the Bronte family
and finally the grooming gossip about Char
lotte's husband. Mr.. Nichols. once the
cnrate here, aud now white-haired Eng
lish farmer-all in so tender a way that you
Will more and more love the very earth
these perfect women trod.
From ones longing lettering about the
old parsonage, where now the spirit of envy
and hate repels all who come pilgriuing to
the former nest of genius anu love; from
wanderings ever the moors to which the
father and all the talented sisters were so
paSSionately devoted from dreaming about
the ancient church-yard. with its dank
graves and sOughng willows; and from
hushed and pensye lingering within the
church by the very spot where all these low
ing aud loyal, sad and tempestuons hearts
are resting in the eternal silenceS. Ii is a
delight, il still n melancholy pleasure, to
turn to an humble home not stones throw
from parsonage, church and graves, where a
younger cousin OF Charlotte's faithful nurse,
Martha Brown, have, with logged fidelity
to generous sentiment gathered together
many OF the scattered relics of the old Bronte
household With marked contrast to the
clerical brute who has repeatedly declared
that the name of BrOnts was hateful to him,
that it was not his duty ITO maintain Show
place for strangers, but house of prayer
for the praise Of God'; that the memory of
this family represented to him merely "a
recollection of a predecessor Incumbent;
and who has done everything in his little
power 10 destroy the greatest and least
veStiges Of as noble ard tender personalities
and influences as ever hallOwed English sell {;
this young man, poor man besides, Robin
son Brown OF 1913 Main street, Haworth, has
passed life oil sacrifice and almost personal
want 10 secure these precious relies ard to
generously welcome all strangers who NAV
wish 10 see them. His home IS the only real
BRONTE SHRINE IN HAWORTH.
The curate rules the village with q spiritual
rod of iron, and this local autOcracy makes
it treason in Havorth to be interested in
BrGnte relics and memorials Despite if,
humble workmen of the factories who Sc
crety adore the writings of Charlotte ana
the memory of the noble family. steal in
here by these mute bits from the old home,
weep over them and steal away again, trem-
bling from fear of discovery and proscrip-
ton. Thus the cuTate maintains "a house
of prayer for the praise of God" in the Ha-
worth of to-day.
Mr.. Browns collection comprises n few
paintings, many drawings and several
specimens OF needlewOrk, all done by
Charlotte There is drawing, in Sepia,
OF revenue cutter beealmed at sea in
soft and humid moonlight. The pencil
drawings are numerous. Three of these
are remarkably true to nature. Two are
OF laughing and a crying child. The
other is Tiyer-Grldge and mountain
scene, full OF delIcacy and feeling. Her
skill in needlework, and what would now
be termed art embroidery was superior. An
piece of this neeilework is a
study of a youthful shepherd and shepherd
eSs tending flock of mooTtand sheep. the
faces all being partially laid in with water
culOrS. The only painting OF Charlotte IN
oil, done during her lifetime, is also here
There are several Of her letters in her won
derfuily minute and perfect chirOgraphy;
and one was particularly interesting to me
because written TO the odd SuSey" | had
seen. Il is dated Haworth, June Is. 1913
Snsey had left Haworth for little stay at
y Ork. Miss BrOnte writes:
l was afraic that at first you would not feel
very comfortable among strangers; persons who
have lived most OF their lives In 4 quiet little
place like Haworth fud a vast difference when
they go 10 fresh neighbOrhood ana inter The
society Of strangers. II you feel troubled about
anything you VIII nOt forget who is your best
help and guide In every difficulty. and. separated
as yOu are Tor little while from yDUr earthly
friends, you Will humbly and faithfully eutreaU
the protection OF your Fri-nd and Father who is
10 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, Mr.. Nichols, to Martha Brown.
Several old reviews containing notices OF
the Bronte family and their work, which
were IN her possession, are here. one, the
Quarterly Review for December, 1S4S. hurt
her deeply. Its review Of Jane Eyre" re-
fers to the author as having ''hOrrid taste"
Two of the most interesting articles to be
seen are wateT-cOlor sketch by the novel
ISIS own hand representing her favorita dog
Floss chasing grouse over n reach of drear
m0arland, and a priceless autograph copy of
Jane Eyre" the latter another gift TO the
beloved nurse, Martha Brown. A basket
work dolls cradle, belonging to Charlotte,
S here-all Dut the rockers. Those have
been Clipped off and
GIVEN AS MEMENTOEs TO PILGRIMS
From our own country. There are also n
small wooden trinket-0ox containing cloak
and shoe buckles, with one or two pieces Of
ribbon from the neveliSt's bonnet; several
ilaba5ter vases from her ROOM and silk
patchwork Counterpart, one among count
ess proofs of the dOgged patience and I'M
pluck of the half-blind
lulh0resS. But a single article remains as
reminder 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 Bron es' time. He
was almost immortaized by the Haworth
poet, Hardaker, whose last stanza upon
aim rams in this wise:
But think ye old case-hardened blade,
Knight OF the matreck and the spade
Some lustIer brother OF the trade,
Perhaps ere long,
May Zig you where you've thousands laid
Nor UfHE IL wrong!
And the capital oil painting Of this canny
Did character, who reminds one forcibly of
The old wretch who still officiates at 8 Scotch
marriages" at Greina Green, was the work
Of this misdireeted and selt-destroying
genius
Grim, gaunt, gray Hayworth! Perfect as
we're the lives thy sunless ways once knew;
natchless as were the creations he~n out
II thy heart of stone: dreary rs the skies
above thy dank old walls is thy hard, stern
ACE in all its moods to men. One leaves
hee with sad and heavy heart.
. COJg7fChf, 1891 EDGAR L. WAKEaAN