Beschreibung:

BRONTË, Charlotte. Autograph letter signed ("C., Bronte") to the Reverend Henry Nussey (brother of her friend Ellen Nussey), Upper Wood House, Rawden, May 9 [1841]. 3 pages, 4 o (228 x 187mm), page 4 with address panel in Charlotte's hand, postmarked, second leaf neatly inlaid to a larger sheet.
BRONTË, Charlotte. Autograph letter signed ("C., Bronte") to the Reverend Henry Nussey (brother of her friend Ellen Nussey), Upper Wood House, Rawden, May 9 [1841]. 3 pages, 4 o (228 x 187mm), page 4 with address panel in Charlotte's hand, postmarked, second leaf neatly inlaid to a larger sheet. "... IF I WRITE AT ALL I MUST WRITE AS I THINK" A gracious, faintly chiding letter to Reverend Henry, containing a wistful recollection of her distant home and her beloved siblings, who are, at this date, scattered far apart. At this date Charlotte was serving as governess to the White family in Rawden. She tells Henry -- whom she considered rather dull -- that she is taking "part of a Sunday evening" to write him, and adds that, since "Sunday evening is almost my only time of leisure, no one would blame me if I were to spend this spare hour in a pleasant chat with a friend, is it worse to spend it in writing, a friendly letter?" "I have just seen my little noisy charge deposited snugly in their cribs, and I am sitting alone in the schoolroom with the quiet of a Sunday evening pervading the grounds and gardens outside my window. I owe you a letter...Mr. Nussey you need not expect any gossip or news. I have none to tell you -- even if I had, I am not at present in the mood to communicate them...If I had thought you critical or captious I would have declined the task of corresponding with you -- When I reflect indeed -- it seems strange that I should sit down to write without a feeling of formality & restraint to an individual with whom I am personally so little acquainted as I am with yourself - but the fact is I cannot be formal in a letter[:] if I write at all I must write as I think." She confirms that "I have become a Governess again, and agrees with him that "it is indeed a hard thing for flesh and blood to leave home -- especially a good home -- not a wealthy or splendid one -- my home [Haworth parsonage] is humble and unattractive to strangers but to me it contains what I shall find no where else in the world -- The profound, and intense affection which brothers and sisters feel for each other when their minds are caste in the same mould, their ideas drawn from the same source -- when they have clung to each other from childhood and when family disputes have never sprung up to divide them." "We are all separated now, and winning our bread amongst strangers as we can -- my sister Anne is near York, my brother in a situation near Halifax -- I am here, Emily is the only one left at home where her usefulness and willingness make her indispensable. Under these circumstances should we repine? I think not -- our mutual affection ought to comfort us under all difficulties -- if the god on whom we must all depend will but vouchsafe us health and the power to continue in the strict line of duty, so as never under any temptation to waiver from it an inch -- we shall have ample reason to be grateful and contented." "I do not pretend to say that I am always contented -- a governess must often submit to have the heart-ache -- my employers Mr & Mrs White are kind worthy people in their way -- but the children are indulged -- I have great difficulties to contend with sometimes -- perseverance may perhaps conquer them -- and it has gratified me much to find that the parents are well satisfied with their children's improvements in learning since I came. But I am dwelling too much upon my own concerns and feelings -- it is true they are interesting to me but it is wholly impossible they should be so to you... I hope you will skip the last page for I repent having written it... She sends regards to Henry's family, recounts a recent visit to Ellen Nussey, commenting that "I think she wants a change." She closes with "sincere good wishes for your welfare...." Published in Letters ed. T.J. Wise and Symington, no.114. Provenance: Library Fund of the Grolier Club Benefit Auction (sale, Christie's New York, 25 March 1980, part lot B).