“December 21st, 1839

“We are at present, and have been during the last month, rather busy, as, for that space of time, we have been without a servant, except a little girl to run errands.  Poor Tabby became so lame that she was at length obliged to leave us.  She is residing with her sister, in a little house of her own, which she bought with her savings a year or two since.  She is very comfortable, and wants nothing; as she is near, we see her very often.  In the meantime, Emily and I are sufficiently busy, as you may suppose:  I manage the ironing, and keep the rooms clean; Emily does the baking, and attends to the kitchen.  We are such odd animals, that we prefer this mode of contrivance to having a new face amongst us.  Besides, we do not despair of Tabby’s return, and she shall not be supplanted by a stranger in her absence.  I excited aunt’s wrath very much by burning the clothes, the first time I attempted to iron; but I do better now.  Human feelings are queer things; I am much happier black-leading the stoves, making the beds, and sweeping the floors at home, than I should be living like a fine lady anywhere else.  I must indeed drop my subscription to the Jews, because I have no money to keep it up.  I ought to have announced this intention to you before, but I quite forgot I was a subscriber.  I intend to force myself to take another situation when I can get one, though I hate and abhor the very thoughts of governess-ship.  But I must do it; and, therefore, I heartily wish I could hear of a family where they need such a commodity as a governess.”

CHAPTER IX

The year 1840 found all the Brontes living at home, except Anne.  As I have already intimated, for some reason with which I am unacquainted, the plan of sending Branwell to study at the Royal Academy had been relinquished; probably it was found, on inquiry, that the expenses of such a life, were greater than his father’s slender finances could afford, even with the help which Charlotte’s labours at Miss W—–­’s gave, by providing for Anne’s board and education.  I gather from what I have heard, that Branwell must have been severely disappointed when the plan fell through.  His talents were certainly very brilliant, and of this he was fully conscious, and fervently desired, by their use, either in writing or drawing, to make himself a name.  At the same time, he would probably have found his strong love of pleasure and irregular habits a great impediment in his path to fame; but these blemishes in his character were only additional reasons why he yearned after a London life, in which he imagined he could obtain every stimulant to his already vigorous intellect, while at the same time he would have a license of action to be found only in crowded cities.  Thus his whole nature was attracted towards the metropolis; and many an hour must he have spent poring over the map of London,