of childhood—­from never having experienced caresses or fond attentions themselves—­they were ignorant of the very nature of infancy, or how to call out its engaging qualities.  Children were to them the troublesome necessities of humanity; they had never been drawn into contact with them in any other way.  Years afterwards, when Miss Bronte came to stay with us, she watched our little girls perpetually; and I could not persuade her that they were only average specimens of well brought up children.  She was surprised and touched by any sign of thoughtfulness for others, of kindness to animals, or of unselfishness on their part:  and constantly maintained that she was in the right, and I in the wrong, when we differed on the point of their unusual excellence.  All this must be borne in mind while reading the following letters.  And it must likewise be borne in mind—­by those who, surviving her, look back upon her life from their mount of observation—­how no distaste, no suffering ever made her shrink from any course which she believed it to be her duty to engage in.

   “March 3rd, 1841.

“I told some time since, that I meant to get a situation, and when I said so my resolution was quite fixed.  I felt that however often I was disappointed, I had no intention of relinquishing my efforts.  After being severely baffled two or three times,—­after a world of trouble, in the way of correspondence and interviews,—­I have at length succeeded, and am fairly established in my new place.

* * * * *

“The house is not very large, but exceedingly comfortable and well regulated; the grounds are fine and extensive.  In taking the place, I have made a large sacrifice in the way of salary, in the hope of securing comfort,—­by which word I do not mean to express good eating and drinking, or warm fire, or a soft bed, but the society of cheerful faces, and minds and hearts not dug out of a lead-mine, or cut from a marble quarry.  My salary is not really more than 16_l_. per annum, though it is nominally 20_l_., but the expense of washing will be deducted therefrom.  My pupils are two in number, a girl of eight, and a boy of six.  As to my employers, you will not expect me to say much about their characters when I tell you that I only arrived here yesterday.  I have not the faculty of telling an individual’s disposition at first sight.  Before I can venture to pronounce on a character, I must see it first under various lights and from various points of view.  All I can say therefore is, both Mr. and Mrs. —–­ seem to me good sort of people.  I have as yet had no cause to complain of want of considerateness or civility.  My pupils are wild and unbroken, but apparently well-disposed.  I wish I may be able to say as much next time I write to you.  My earnest wish and endeavour will be to please them.  If I can but feel that I am giving satisfaction, and if at the same time I can keep my health, I shall, I hope, be