CHAPTER III
The Rev. Patrick Bronte is a native of the County Down in Ireland. His
father Hugh Bronte, was left an orphan at an early age. He came from the
south to the north of the island, and settled in the parish of Ahaderg,
near Loughbrickland. There was some family tradition that, humble as
Hugh Bronte's circumstances were, he was the descendant of an ancient
family. But about this neither he nor his descendants have cared to
inquire. He made an early marriage, and reared and educated ten children
on the proceeds of the few acres of land which he farmed. This large
family were remarkable for great physical strength, and much personal
beauty. Even in his old age, Mr. Bronte is a striking-looking man, above
the common height, with a nobly-shaped head, and erect carriage. In his
youth he must have been unusually handsome.
He was born on Patrickmas day (March 17), 1777, and early gave tokens of
extraordinary quickness and intelligence. He had also his full share of
ambition; and of his strong sense and forethought there is a proof in the
fact, that, knowing that his father could afford him no pecuniary aid,
and that he must depend upon his own exertions, he opened a public school
at the early age of sixteen; and this mode of living he continued to
follow for five or six years.
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