her knee, and obliged to go
home. I fear it will be long before she is in working condition
again. I received the number of the 'Record' you sent . . . I read
D'Aubigne's letter. It is clever, and in what he says about
Catholicism very good. The Evangelical Alliance part is not very
practicable, yet certainly it is more in accordance with the spirit of
the Gospel to preach unity among Christians than to inculcate mutual
intolerance and hatred. I am very glad I went to--when I did, for the
changed weather has somewhat changed my health and strength since. How
do you get on? I long for mild south and west winds. I am thankful
papa continues pretty well, though often made very miserable by
Branwell's wretched conduct. _There_--there is no change but for the
worse."

Meanwhile the printing of the volume of poems was quietly proceeding.
After some consultation and deliberation, the sisters had determined to
correct the proofs themselves, Up to March 28th the publishers had
addressed their correspondent as C. Bronte, Esq.; but at this time some
"little mistake occurred," and she desired Messrs. Aylott and Co. in
future to direct to her real address, "_Miss_ Bronte," &c. She had,
however, evidently left it to be implied that she was not acting on her
own behalf, but as agent for the real authors, since in a note dated
April 6th, she makes a proposal on behalf of "C., E., and A. Bell," which
is to the following effect, that they are preparing for the press a work
of fiction, consisting of three distinct and unconnected tales, which may
be published either together, as a work of three volumes, of the ordinary
novel size, or separately, as single volumes, as may be deemed most
advisable. She states, in addition, that it is not their intention to
publish these tales on their own account; but that the authors direct her
to ask Messrs. Aylott and Co. whether they would be disposed to undertake
the work, after having, of course, by due inspection of the MS.,
ascertained that its contents are such as to warrant an expectation of
success. To this letter of inquiry the publishers replied speedily, and
the tenor of their answer may be gathered from Charlotte's, dated April
11th.

"I beg to thank you, in the name of C., E., and A. Bell, for your
obliging offer of advice. I will avail myself of it, to request
information on two or three points. It is evident that unknown
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