ed, but generally it is well rendered.

'Every cup given us to taste in this life is mixed. Once it would
have seemed to me that an evidence of success like that contained in
the _Revue_ would have excited an almost exultant feeling in my mind.
It comes, however, at a time when counteracting circumstances keep
the balance of the emotions even--when my sister's continued illness
darkens the present and dims the future. That will seem to me a
happy day when I can announce to you that Emily is better. Her
symptoms continue to be those of slow inflammation of the lungs,
tight cough, difficulty of breathing, pain in the chest, and fever.
We watch anxiously for a change for the better--may it soon come.--I
am, my dear sir, yours sincerely,

'C. BRONTE.

'As I was about to seal this I received your kind letter. Truly glad
am I to hear that Fanny is taking the path which pleases her parents.
I trust she may persevere in it. She may be sure that a contrary one
will never lead to happiness; and I should think that the reward of
seeing you and her mother pleased must be so sweet that she will be
careful not to run the risk of forfeiting it.

'It is somewhat singular that I had already observed to my sisters, I
did not doubt it was Mr. Lewes who had shown you the _Revue_.'

The many other letters referring to Emily's last illness have already
been printed. When the following letters were written, Emily and Anne
were both in their graves.

TO JAMES TAYLOR, CORNHILL

'_March_ 1_st_, 1849.

'MY DEAR SIR,--The parcel arrived on Saturday evening. Permit me to
express my sense of the judgment and kindness which have dictated the
selection of its contents. They appear to be all good books, and
good books are, we know, the best substitute for good society; if
circumstances debar me from the latter privilege, the kind attentions
of my friends supply me with ample measure of the former.

'Thank you for your remarks on _Shirley_. Some of your strictures
tally with some by Mr. Williams. You both complain of the want of
distinctness and impressiveness in my heroes. Probably you are
right. In delineating male character I labour under disadvantages:
intuition and theory