eligion and its teachers. But in spite of all
this, I admired the noble integrity which could dictate so fearless an
opposition against so strong an antagonist.

"P.S.--Mr. W. has given another lecture at the Keighley Mechanics'
Institution, and papa has also given a lecture; both are spoken of
very highly in the newspapers, and it is mentioned as a matter of
wonder that such displays of intellect should emanate from the village
of Haworth, 'situated among the bogs and mountains, and, until very
lately, supposed to be in a state of semi-barbarism.' Such are the
words of the newspaper."

To fill up the account of this outwardly eventless year, I may add a few
more extracts from the letters entrusted to me.

"May 15th, 1840.

"Do not be over-persuaded to marry a man you can never respect--I do
not say _love_; because, I think, if you can respect a person before
marriage, moderate love at least will come after; and as to intense
_passion_, I am convinced that that is no desirable feeling. In the
first place, it seldom or never meets with a requital; and, in the
second place, if it did, the feeling would be only temporary: it would
last the honeymoon, and then, perhaps, give place to disgust, or
indifference, worse, perhaps, than disgust. Certainly this would be
the case on the man's part; and on the woman's--God help her, if she
is left to love passionately and alone.

"I am tolerably well convinced that I shall never marry at all. Reason
tells me so, and I am not so utterly the slave of feeling but that I
can _occasionally hear_ her voice."

"June 2nd, 1840.

"M. is not yet come to Haworth; but she is to come on the condition
that I first go and stay a few days there. If all be well, I shall go
next Wednesday. I may stay at G--- until Friday or Saturday, and the
early part of the following week I shall pass with you, if you will
have me--which last sentence indeed is nonsense, for as I shall be
glad to see you, so I know you will be glad to see me. This
arrangement will not allow much time, but it is the only practicable
one which, considering all the circumstances, I can effect. Do not
urge me to stay more than two or three days, because I shall be
obliged to refuse you. I intend to walk to Keighley, there to take
the coach as far as B---, then to get some one to carry my box, and to
walk the rest