Description of Keighley and its Neighbourhood-Haworth Parson-

age and Church-Tablets of the Brontë family.

CHAPTER II

Characteristics of Yorkshiremen-Manufactures of the West Rid-

ing-Descendants of the Puritans-A characteristic incident-

Former state of the country-Isolated country houses-Two

Yorkshire squires-Rude sports of the people-Rev. William

Grimshaw, Curate of Haworth-His opinion and treatment of

his parishioners-The 'arvill,' or funeral feasts-Haworth Field-

Kirk-Church riots at Haworth on the appointment of Mr.

Redhead as Perpetual Curate-Characteristics of the popula-

tion-Arrival of Mr. Brontë at Haworth.

CHAPTER III

The Rev. Patrick Brontë-His marriage with Miss Branwell of

Penzance-Social customs in Penzance-The Branwell family

-Letters of Miss Branwell to Mr. Brontë-Marriage of Mrs.

Bronte-Thornton, the birth-place of Charlotte Bronte-Re-

moval to Haworth-Description of the Parsonage-The people

of Haworth-The Bronte family at Haworth-Early training

of the little Brontës-Characteristics of Mr. Brontë-Death of

Mrs. Bronte-Studies of the Brontë family-Mr. Brontë's ac-

count of his children.

1

11

36

CHAPTER IV

Miss Branwell comes to Haworth - Account of Cowan Bridge

School, established by the Rev. Carus Wilson-Originals of

'Miss Scatcherd,' 'Helen Burns,' and 'Miss Temple' - Out-

break of fever in the school-Characteristics of the Brontë sis-

ters-Deaths of Maria and Elizabeth Brontë.

CHAPTER V

.

-

- Charlotte

The old servant Tabby - Patrick Branwell Brontë

Brontë's catalogue of her juvenile productions, with specimen

page-Extracts from the introduction to 'Tales of the Islanders'

-History of the Year 1829'-Charlotte's taste for art-Ex-

tracts from other early writings in MS.-Charlotte's mental

tendencies and home duties-A strange occurrence at the Par-

sonage-A youthful effusion in verse

CHAPTER VI

Personal description of Charlotte Brontë-Miss W's school at

Roe Head-Oakwell Hall and its legends-Charlotte's first ap-

pearance at school-Her youthful character and political feel-

ings-School days at Roe Head—Mr. Cartwright and the Lud-

dites-Mr. Roberson of Heald's Hall-Chapel scenes and other

characteristics of Heckmondwike and Gomersall

CHAPTER VII

Charlotte Brontë leaves school, and returns home to instruct her

sisters-Studies and books at the Parsonage-Visit from a

school friend-Letters to a friend visiting London for the first

time-On the choice of books-On dancing-Character and tal-

ents of Branwell Bronte-Plans for his advancement-Prospect

of separation

PAGE

61

82

. 96

122

CHAPTER VIII

Charlotte as teacher at Miss W- -'s school-Emily's home-sick-
ness-Letters indicative of Charlotte's despondency and mel-
ancholy-The sisters at home-Winter evenings at Haworth-
Charlotte writes to Southey, and Branwell to Wordsworth-
Branwell's letter and verses-Prospect of losing the society of a
friend-Charlotte's correspondence with Southey-Letter writ-

CONTENTS

ten in a state of despondency-Accident to the old servant, and

characteristic kindness of the Brontës-Symptoms of illness in

Anne Bronte-Charlotte's first proposal of marriage-Charlotte

and Anne go out as governesses-Charlotte's experience of gov-

erness life-Advent of the first Curate at Haworth-A second

proposal of marriage-A visit to the sea-side.

CHAPTER IX

Branwell Brontë still at home-Miss Branwell and her nieces-

Plan of keeping a school-Charlotte commences her first story

-The Curates at Haworth-Charlotte's sentiments on mar-

riage-She seeks ard obtains a situation as governess

CHAPTER X

ix

PAGE

142

. . 188

Second experience of governess life-Project of a school revived,

and plans for its realisation-Miss W's offer of her school

declined-Arrangements for leaving England

CHAPTER XI

Mr. Bronte accompanies his daughters to Brussels-The Pension-

nat of Madame Héger, and its inmates-M. Héger's account

of Charlotte and Emily Brontë-Charlotte's account of the

school-Her exercises in French composition-Her impres-

sions of the Belgians-Arrangements of the pensionnat—Cha:-

lotte's conduct as English teacher-Loss of a young friend-

Death of Miss Branwell, and return to Haworth-M. Héger's

letters to Mr. Brontë

CHAPTER XII

Charlotte returns to Brussels-Her account of Carnival and Lent

-Solitariness of the English teacher in the pensionnat-Her

devoir 'Sur la Mort de Napoléon '—Depression, loneliness, and

home-sickness-Estrangement from Madame Héger, and re-

turn to Haworth-Traits of kindness-Emily and her dog

'Keeper'

206

223

258

CHAPTER XIII

Plan of school-keeping revived and abandoned-Deplorable con-

duct of Branwell Brontë, and its consequences

283