d of those who
once on similar occasions looked on eagerly; I miss familiar voices
commenting mirthfully and pleasantly; the room seems very still, very
empty; but yet there is consolation in remembering that papa will
take pleasure in some of the books. Happiness quite unshared can
scarcely be called happiness--it has no taste.

'I hope Mrs. Williams continues well, and that she is beginning to
regain composure after the shock of her recent bereavement. She has
indeed sustained a loss for which there is no substitute. But rich
as she still is in objects for her best affections, I trust the void
will not be long or severely felt. She must think, not of what she
has lost, but of what she possesses. With eight fine children, how
can she ever be poor or solitary!--Believe me, dear sir, yours
sincerely,

'C. BRONTE.'

TO W. S. WILLIAMS

'_April_ 12_th_, 1850.

'MY DEAR SIR,--I own I was glad to receive your assurance that the
Calcutta paper's surmise was unfounded. {398} It is said that when
we _wish_ a thing to be true, we are prone to believe it true; but I
think (judging from myself) we adopt with a still prompter credulity
the rumour which shocks.

'It is very kind in Dr. Forbes to give me his book. I hope Mr. Smith
will have the goodness to convey my thanks for the present. You can
keep it to send with the next parcel, or perhaps I may be in London
myself before May is over. That invitation I mentioned in a previous
letter is still urged upon me, and well as I know what penance its
acceptance would entail in some points, I also know the advantage it
would bring in others. My conscience tells me it would be the act of
a moral poltroon to let the fear of suffering stand in the way of
improvement. But suffer I shall. No matter.

'The perusal of _Southey's Life_ has lately afforded me much
pleasure. The autobiography with which it commences is deeply
interesting, and the letters which follow are scarcely less so,
disclosing as they do a character most estimable in its integrity and
a nature most amiable in its benevolence, as well as a mind admirable
in its talent. Some people assert that genius is inconsistent with
domestic ha