Both as a specimen of
her prose style at this time, and also as revealing something of the
quiet domestic life led by these children, I take an extract from the
introduction to "Tales of the Islanders," the title of one of their
"Little Magazines:"--
"June the 31st, 1829.
"The play of the 'Islanders' was formed in December, 1827, in the
following manner. One night, about the time when the cold sleet and
stormy fogs of November are succeeded by the snow-storms, and high
piercing night winds of confirmed winter, we were all sitting round
the warm blazing kitchen fire, having just concluded a quarrel with
Tabby concerning the propriety of lighting a candle, from which she
came off victorious, no candle having been produced. A long pause
succeeded, which was at last broken by Branwell saying, in a lazy
manner, 'I don't know what to do.' This was echoed by Emily and Anne.
"_Tabby_. 'Wha ya may go t' bed.'
"_Branwell_. 'I'd rather do anything than that.'
"_Charlotte_. 'Why are you so glum to-night, Tabby? Oh! suppose we
had each an island of our own.'
"_Branwell_. 'If we had I would choose the Island of Man.'
"_Charlotte_. 'And I would choose the Isle of Wight.'
"_Emily_. 'The Isle of Arran for me.'
"_Anne_. 'And mine shall be Guernsey.
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