disappointed about the publication of that book, having hoped it
would be offered to Smith, Elder & Co.; but it seems she had no
alternative, as it was Mr. Chapman himself who asked her to write a
Christmas book. On my return home yesterday I found two packets from
Cornhill directed in two well-known hands waiting for me. You are
all very very good.

'I trust to have derived benefit from my visit to Miss Martineau. A
visit more interesting I certainly never paid. If self-sustaining
strength can be acquired from example, I ought to have got good. But
my nature is not hers; I could not make it so though I were to submit
it seventy times seven to the furnace of affliction, and discipline
it for an age under the hammer and anvil of toil and self-sacrifice.
Perhaps if I was like her I should not admire her so much as I do.
She is somewhat absolute, though quite unconsciously so; but she is
likewise kind, with an affection at once abrupt and constant, whose
sincerity you cannot doubt. It was delightful to sit near her in the
evenings and hear her converse, myself mute. She speaks with what
seems to me a wonderful fluency and eloquence. Her animal spirits
are as unflagging as her intellectual powers. I was glad to find her
health excellent. I believe neither solitude nor loss of friends
would break her down. I saw some faults in her, but somehow I liked
them for the sake of her good points. It gave me no pain to feel
insignificant, mentally and corporeally, in comparison with her.

'Trusting that you and yours are well, and sincerely wishing you all
a happy new year,--I am, my dear sir, yours sincerely,

'C. BRONTE.'

TO REV. P. BRONTE

'THE BRIERY, WINDERMERE,
'_August_ 10_th_, 1850.

'DEAR PAPA,--I reached this place yesterday evening at eight o'clock,
after a safe though rather tedious journey. I had to change
carriages three times and to wait an hour and a half at Lancaster.
Sir James came to meet me at the station; both he and Lady
Shuttleworth gave me a very kind reception. This place is
exquisitely beautiful, though the weather is cloudy, misty, and
stormy; but the sun bursts out occas