Charlotte Brontë at home . rowingold and had three daughters to be providedfor, was inhuman, as well as extravagant,in slashing into what his father must payfor. The reckless bit of folly fastened theincident in the shoemakers mind, and theair with which it was done moved him toadmiration rather than reprobation. Branwell and Emily were left at homewhen gentle Anne took a place as govern-ess in April, 1839, and Charlotte entered thefamily of Mr. Sidgwick, a wealthy countrygentleman at Stonegappe, Yorkshire. Annes experience is condensed into onesentence in a confidential letter from Char-lott
Charlotte Brontë at home . rowingold and had three daughters to be providedfor, was inhuman, as well as extravagant,in slashing into what his father must payfor. The reckless bit of folly fastened theincident in the shoemakers mind, and theair with which it was done moved him toadmiration rather than reprobation. Branwell and Emily were left at homewhen gentle Anne took a place as govern-ess in April, 1839, and Charlotte entered thefamily of Mr. Sidgwick, a wealthy countrygentleman at Stonegappe, Yorkshire. Annes experience is condensed into onesentence in a confidential letter from Char-lotte to Ellen Nussey: You could neverlive in an unruly, violent family of childrensuch as those at Ingham Hall. Her own engagement was temporary, tofill the place of the regular governess, whohad leave of absence for three congratulated herself upon thiscircumstance after a short trial of the situa-tion. Her employer was a hard, haughtyparvenue, who overwhelmed her withoceans of needlework, yards of cambric to. o ? As Private Governess 119 hem, muslin night-caps to make, and dollsto dress. 1 see now, more clearly than I haveever done before, that a private governesshas no existence, is not considered as aliving, and rational, being except as con-nected with the wearisome duties she hasto fulfil, she breaks out bitterly. A sig^nificant caution follows in the latter partof the letter: Dont show this to Papaor Aunt, but only to ^raiiwell. They willthink 1 am never satisfied wherever 1 complain to you because it is a relief, andreally 1 have had some unexpected mor-tifications to put up with. A week later she asks Ellen to imagine the miseries of a reserved wretch thrown at onceinto the midst of a large family, proud as peacocks andrich as Jews, at a time when they were particularlygay, when the house was filled with company — allstrangers. At first 1 was for giving up all and going home. Butafter ^ little reflection I said to myself,— 1 had neverquitted a p
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookpublishernewyorklondongpput
