n for any other
cause. At any rate it was the length which was assigned to her as a
reason for non-acceptance. She was told that another book, which would
make the accredited three volume novel, might receive more favourable
consideration.

Charlotte Bronte took Mr. Williams's advice. She wrote _Jane Eyre_, and
despatched it quickly to Smith & Elder's house in Cornhill. It was read
by Mr. Williams, and read afterwards by Mr. George Smith; and it was
published with the success that we know. Charlotte awoke to find herself
famous. She became a regular correspondent with Mr. Williams, and not
less than a hundred letters were sent to him, most of them treating of
interesting literary matters.

One of Mr. Williams's daughters, I may add, married Mr. Lowes Dickenson
the portrait painter; his youngest child, a baby when Miss Bronte was
alive, is famous in the musical world as Miss Anna Williams. The family
has an abundance of literary and artistic association, but the father we
know as the friend and correspondent of Charlotte Bronte. He still lives
also in the memory of a large circle as a kindly and attractive--a
singularly good and upright man.

Comment upon the following letters is in well-nigh every case
superfluous.

TO W. S. WILLIAMS

'_February_ 25_th_ 1848.

'MY DEAR SIR,--I thank you for your note; its contents moved me much,
though not to unmingled feelings of exultation. Louis Philippe
(unhappy and sordid old man!) and M. Guizot doubtless merit the sharp
lesson they are now being taught, because they have both proved
themselves men of dishonest hearts. And every struggle any nation
makes in the cause of Freedom and Truth has something noble in
it--something that makes me wish it success; but I cannot believe
that France--or at least Paris--will ever be the battle-ground of
true Liberty, or the scene of its real triumphs. I fear she does not
know "how genuine glory is put on." Is that strength to be found in
her which will not bend "but in magnanimous meekness"? Have not her
"unceasing changes" as yet always brought "perpetual emptiness"? Has
Paris the materials within her for thorough reform? Mean, dishonest
Guizot being discarded, will any better successor be found for him
than brilliant, unprincipled Thiers?

'But I damp your enthusiasm, which I wou