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.
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