by had
much sagacity he would see that Ellis Bell is strong enough to stand
without being propped by Currer Bell, and would have disdained what
Ellis himself of all things disdains--recourse to trickery. However,
Ellis, Acton, and Currer care nothing for the matter personally; the
public and the critics are welcome to confuse our identities as much
as they choose; my only fear is lest Messrs. Smith & Elder should in
some way be annoyed by it.

'I was much interested in your account of Miss Kavanagh. The
character you sketch belongs to a class I peculiarly esteem: one in
which endurance combines with exertion, talent with goodness; where
genius is found unmarred by extravagance, self-reliance unalloyed by
self-complacency. It is a character which is, I believe, rarely
found except where there has been toil to undergo and adversity to
struggle against: it will only grow to perfection in a poor soil and
in the shade; if the soil be too indigent, the shade too dank and
thick, of course it dies where it sprung. But I trust this will not
be the case with Miss Kavanagh. I trust she will struggle ere long
into the sunshine. In you she has a kind friend to direct her, and I
hope her mother will live to see the daughter, who yields to her such
childlike duty, both happy and successful.

'You asked me if I should like any copies of the second edition of
_Jane Eyre_, and I said--no. It is true I do not want any for myself
or my acquaintances, but if the request be not unusual, I should much
like one to be given to Miss Kavanagh. If you would have the
goodness, you might write on the fly-leaf that the book is presented
with the author's best wishes for her welfare here and hereafter. My
reason for wishing that she should have a copy is because she said
the book had been to her a _suggestive_ one, and I know that
suggestive books are valuable to authors.

'I am truly sorry to hear that Mr. Smith has had an attack of the
prevalent complaint, but I trust his recovery is by this time
complete. I cannot boast entire exemption from its ravages, as I now
write under its depressing influence. Hoping that you have been more
fortunate,--I am, dear sir, yours faithfully,

'C. BELL.'

TO W. S. WILLIAMS