The Brontes
Thornfield Edition (Seven Volumes) .................................................................................. 1
Vol. 1 Jane Eyre .............................................................................................................. 1
# 1 Statistical ............................................................................................................... 2
Vol. 2 Shirley .................................................................................................................. 3
# 2 Statistical ............................................................................................................... 4
Vol. 3 Villette.................................................................................................................. 5
# 3 Statistical ............................................................................................................... 6
Vol. 4 The Professor and Poems, etc. ............................................................................. 7
# 4 Statistical ............................................................................................................... 8
Vol. 5 Brontë, E. Wuthering Heights. Brontë, A. Agnes Grey ....................................... 9
# 5 Statistical ............................................................................................................. 10
Vol. 5 AGNES GREY .................................................................................................. 11
# 6 Statistical ............................................................................................................. 12
Thornfield Edition (Seven Volumes)
Vol. 1 Jane Eyre
New York : Harper & brothers [1847] 1899? Intro by Ward
https://archive.org/details/janeeyre00broniala
[janeeyre00broniala.pdf] [janeeyre00broniala_bw.pdf]
CHAPTER I
269 words:
THERE was no possibility of taking a walk that day. We had been
wandering, indeed, in the leafless shrubbery an hour in the morning; but
since dinner (Mrs. Reed, when there was no company, dined early) the cold
winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating,
that further outdoor exercise was now out of the question.
I was glad of it: I never liked long walks, especially on chilly
afternoons: dreadful to me was the coming home in the raw twilight, with
nipped fingers and toes, and a heart saddened by the chidings of Bessie, the
nurse, and humbled by the consciousness of my physical inferiority to Eliza,
John, and Georgiana Reed.
The said Eliza, John, and Georgiana were now clustered round their
mamma in the drawing-room: she lay reclined on the sofa by the fireside,
and with her darlings about her (for the time neither quarrelling nor crying)
looked perfectly happy. Me, she had dispensed from joining the group;
saying, 'She regretted to be under the necessity of keeping me at a distance;
but that until she heard from Bessie and could discover by her own
observation that I was endeavouring in good earnest to acquire a more
sociable and childlike disposition, a more attractive and sprightly manner-something lighter, franker, more natural, as it were she really must exclude
me from privileges intended only for contented, happy, little children.'
'What does Bessie say I have done?' I asked.
'Jane, I don't like cavillers or questioners: besides, there is something
truly forbidding in a child taking up her elders in that manner.
# 1 Statistical
\-\THERE was no possibility {of taking*GerOP03 a walk} that day.#NuA02 \\We had been wandering, indeed, {in the leafless shrubbery} an hour#NuA02 {in the
morning;} \C\but {since dinner} [LINJ(Mrs. Reed, [MAVFwhen there was no company,]
dined early)] the cold winter wind had brought {with it} clouds so sombre,#PPA02 and a
rain=CC so penetrating,*GiveR02 [RAVFthat further outdoor exercise was now {out of
the question.}]
\-\I was glad {of it:} \C\I never liked long walks, especially {on chilly
afternoons:} \C\dreadful {to me} was the coming home#NuA01 {in the raw twilight,}
{with nipped fingers and toes, and a heart saddened#AOP10 {by the chidings} {of
Bessie,} the nurse,#App02 and humbled#AOP14 {by the consciousness} {of my physical
inferiority} {to Eliza, John, and Georgiana Reed.}}
\-\The said Eliza, John,=CS and Georgiana=CS were now clustered=PV {round
their mamma} {in the drawing-room:} \C\she lay reclined*GerNu07 {on the sofa} {by
the fireside,} and {with her darlings} {about her} {(for the time} neither
quarrelling*GiveR02 nor crying)*GiveR02 looked=CV perfectly happy. \-\Me, she had
dispensed {from joining*GerOP03 the group;} saying,*GiveR70 [RNDO'She regretted to
be*INFDO11 {under the necessity} {of keeping*GerOP05 me {at a distance;}}] but
[RNDOthat [LAVFuntil she heard {from Bessie} and could discover=CV {by her own
observation} [RNDOthat I was endeavouring {in good earnest} to acquire*INFDO22 a
more sociable and childlike disposition, a more attractive and sprightly manner--#App06
something#App01 lighter,#PPA01 franker,#PPA01 more natural,#PPA05 [RAVFas it
were--]]]] she really must exclude me {from privileges} intended*GiveR07 only {for
contented, happy, little children.'}
\-\'What does Bessie say [RNDOI have done?'] [RINJI asked.]
\-\'Jane,#DrA01 I don't like cavillers or questioners:=CC \C\besides, there is
something#APN13 truly forbidding {in a child taking#AOP09 up her elders {in that
manner.}}
Vol. 2 Shirley
https://archive.org/details/shirleywithintro00bronuoft
New York Harper,
[shirleywithintro00bronuoft.pdf] []
Chapter 1 - LEVITICAL
311 words
Of late years, an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the north
of England: they lie very thick on the hills; every parish has one or more of
them; they are young enough to be very active, and ought to be doing a great
deal of good. But not of late years are we about to speak; we are going back
to the beginning of this century: late years—present years are dusty, sunburnt, hot, arid; we will evade the noon, forget it in siesta, pass the mid-day
in slumber, and dream of dawn.
If you think, from this prelude, that anything like a romance is
preparing for you, reader, you never were more mistaken. Do you anticipate
sentiment, and poetry, and reverie? Do you expect passion, and stimulus,
and melodrama? Calm your expectations; reduce them to a lowly standard.
Something real, cool, and solid, lies before you; something unromantic as
Monday morning, when all who have work wake with the consciousness that
they must rise and betake themselves thereto. It is not positively affirmed
that you shall not have a taste of the exciting, perhaps towards the middle
and close of the meal, but it is resolved that the first dish set upon the table
shall be one that a Catholic—ay, even an Anglo-Catholic—might eat on
Good Friday in Passion Week: it shall be cold lentils and vinegar without
oil; it shall be unleavened bread with bitter herbs, and no roast lamb.
Of late years, I say, an abundant shower of curates has fallen upon the
north of England; but in eighteen-hundred-eleven-twelve that affluent rain
had not descended: curates were scarce then: there was no Pastoral Aid—no
Additional Curates' Society to stretch a helping hand to worn-out old rectors
and incumbents, and give them the wherewithal to pay a vigorous young
colleague from Oxford or Cambridge.
# 2 Statistical
\-\{Of late years,} an abundant shower {of curates} has fallen {upon the north}
{of England:} \C\they lie very thick {on the hills;} \C\every parish has one or more=CC
{of them;} \C\they are young enough to be*INFAV04 very active, and ought to be
doing=CV a great deal {of good.} \-\But not {of late years} are we {about to
speak;*INFOP02} \C\we are going back {to the beginning} {of this century:} \C\late
years-- present years#App02 are dusty, sun-burnt,=CC hot,=CC arid;=CC \C\we will
evade the noon, forget=CV it {in siesta,} pass=CV the mid-day {in slumber,} and
dream=CV {of dawn.}
\-\[LAVFIf you think, {from this prelude,} [RNDOthat anything {like a romance}
is preparing {for you,}]] reader,#DrA01 you never were more mistaken. \-\Do you
anticipate sentiment, and poetry,=CC and reverie?=CC \-\Do you expect passion, and
stimulus,=CC and melodrama?=CC \-\Calm your expectations; \C\reduce them {to a
lowly standard.} \-\Something real,#PPA01 cool,#PPA01 and solid,#PPA02 lies {before
you;} something#App22 unromantic#PPA21 {as Monday morning,} [RAJFwhen all
[MAJFwho have work] wake {with the consciousness} [RAJFthat they must rise and
betake=CV themselves thereto.]] \-\It is not positively affirmed=PV [RNDSthat you shall
not have a taste {of the exciting,} perhaps {towards the middle and close} {of the meal,}]
\C\but it is resolved=PV [RNDSthat the first dish set#ASu07 {upon the table} shall be
one [RAJFthat a Catholic-- ay,#Inj01 even an Anglo-Catholic--#App04 might eat {on
Good Friday} {in Passion Week:}]] \C\it shall be cold lentils and vinegar=CC {without
oil;} \C\it shall be unleavened bread {with bitter herbs, and no roast lamb.}
\-\{Of late years,} [LINJI say,] an abundant shower {of curates} has fallen {upon
the north} {of England;} \C\but {in eighteen-hundred-eleven-twelve} that affluent rain
had not descended: \C\curates were scarce then: \C\there was no Pastoral Aid-- no
Additional Curates' Society#App44 to stretch*INFAV11 a helping hand {to worn-out old
rectors and incumbents,} and give*INFAV13 them the wherewithal to pay*INFAJ10 a
vigorous young colleague {from Oxford or Cambridge.}
Vol. 3 Villette
https://archive.org/details/villette00broniala
New York & London : Harper and Brothers, 1853 [1899?]
[villette00broniala.pdf] []
CHAPTER I – BRETTON
284 words
MY godmother lived in a handsome house in the clean and ancient
town of Bretton. Her husband's family had been residents there for
generations, and bore, indeed, the name of their birthplace—Bretton of
Bretton: whether by coincidence, or because some remote ancestor had been
a personage of sufficient importance to leave his name to his neighbourhood,
I know not.
When I was a girl I went to Bretton about twice a year, and well I
liked the visit. The house and its inmates specially suited me. The large
peaceful rooms, the well-arranged furniture, the clear wide windows, the
balcony outside, looking down on a fine antique street, where Sundays and
holidays seemed always to abide—so quiet was its atmosphere, so clean its
pavement—these things pleased me well.
One child in a household of grown people is usually made very much
of, and in a quiet way I was a good deal taken notice of by Mrs. Bretton,
who had been left a widow, with one son, before I knew her; her husband, a
physician, having died while she was yet a young and handsome woman.
She was not young, as I remember her, but she was still handsome,
tall, well-made, and though dark for an Englishwoman, yet wearing always
the clearness of health in her brunette cheek, and its vivacity in a pair of fine,
cheerful black eyes. People esteemed it a grievous pity that she had not
conferred her complexion on her son, whose eyes were blue—though, even
in boyhood, very piercing—and the colour of his long hair such as friends
did not venture to specify, except as the sun shone on it, when they called it
golden.
# 3 Statistical
\-\MY godmother lived {in a handsome house} {in the clean and ancient town}
{of Bretton.} \-\Her husband's family had been residents there {for generations,} and
bore,=CV indeed, the name {of their birthplace--} Bretton#App03 {of Bretton:}
[RAVRwhether {by coincidence,}] [LAVRor because some remote ancestor had been a
personage {of sufficient importance} to leave*INFAV07 his name {to his
neighbourhood,} [RINJI know not.]]
\-\[LAVFWhen I was a girl] I went {to Bretton} about twice#NuA04 a
year,#NuA02 \C\and well I liked the visit. \-\The house and its inmates=CS specially
suited me. \-\The large peaceful rooms, the well-arranged furniture,=CS the clear wide
windows,=CS the balcony=CS outside, looking*GiveM24 down {on a fine antique
street,} [MAJFwhere Sundays and holidays=CS seemed always to abide-- [MINJso quiet
was its atmosphere,] [MINJso clean its pavement--]] these things#App02 pleased me
well.
\-\One child {in a household} {of grown people} is usually made=PV very much
of, \C\and {in a quiet way} I was a good deal#NuA03 taken=PV notice#RCM02 of {by
Mrs. Bretton,} [RAJFwho had been left=PV a widow,#RCM05 {with one son,}
[RAVFbefore I knew her;] her husband, a physician,#App02 having died#AAv15
[RAVFwhile she was yet a young and handsome woman.]]
\-\She was not young, [RAVFas I remember her,] \C\but she was still handsome,
tall,=CC well-made,=CC and [RAVRthough dark=CC {for an Englishwoman,}] yet
wearing*GiveR22 always the clearness {of health} {in her brunette cheek,} and its
vivacity {in a pair} {of fine, cheerful black eyes.} \C\People esteemed it*INFDE04 a
grievous pity [RNDSthat she had not conferred her complexion {on her son,}
[RAJFwhose eyes were blue-- [RAVRthough, even {in boyhood,} very piercing--]]]
\C\and the colour {of his long hair} such [RAVFas friends did not venture to
specify,*INFDO02 {except [RNOPas the sun shone {on it,} [RAVFwhen they called
it*INFDE02 golden.}]]]
Vol. 4 The Professor and Poems, etc.
https://archive.org/details/professorpoemsby04bronuoft
New York & London : Harper, [1857] 1900?
[professorpoemsby04bronuoft.pdf] []
The Professsor
Chapter I - Introductory
258
The other day, in looking over my papers, I found in my desk the
following copy of a letter, sent by me a year since to an old school
acquaintance:—
‘Dear Charles,—
'I THINK, when you and I were at Eton together, we were neither of
us what could be called popular characters: you were a sarcastic, observant,
shrewd, cold-blooded creature; my own portrait I will not attempt to draw,
but I cannot recollect that it was a strikingly attractive one—can you? What
animal magnetism drew thee and me together I know not; certainly I never
experienced anything of the Pylades and Orestes sentiment for you, and I
have reason to believe that you, on your part, were equally free from all
romantic regard to me. Still, out of school-hours we walked and talked
continually together; when the theme of conversation was our companions
or our masters we understood each other, and when I recurred to some
sentiment of affection, some vague love of an excellent or beautiful object,
whether in animate or inanimate nature, your sardonic coldness did not
move me. I felt myself superior to that check then as I do now.
‘It is a long time since I wrote to you, and a still longer time since I
saw you. Chancing to take up a newspaper of your county the other day, my
eye fell upon your name. I began to think of old times; to run over the events
which have transpired since we separated; and I sat down and commenced
this letter.
# 4 Statistical
\-\The other day,#NuA03 {in looking*GerOP04 over my papers,} I found {in my
desk} the following copy {of a letter,} sent*GiveR11 {by me} a year#NuA03 since {to
an old school acquaintance:--}
\-\'Dear Charles,--#DrA02
'I THINK, [RNDO[LAVFwhen you and I=CS were {at Eton} together,] we were
neither {of us} [RNPNwhat could be called=PV popular#RCM02 characters:]] \C\you
were a sarcastic, observant, shrewd, cold-blooded creature; \C\my own portrait I will not
attempt to draw,*INFDO05 \C\but I cannot recollect [RNDOthat it was a strikingly
attractive one--] [RINJcan you?] \-\What animal magnetism drew thee and me=CC
together [RINJI know not;] \C\certainly I never experienced anything {of the Pylades and
Orestes sentiment} {for you,} \C\and I have reason to believe*INFAJ16 [RNDOthat you,
{on your part,} were equally free {from all romantic regard} {to me.}] \-\Still, out {of
school-hours} we walked and talked=CV continually together; \-\[LAVFwhen the theme
{of conversation} was our companions or our masters=CC] we understood each other,
\C\and [LAVFwhen I recurred {to some sentiment} {of affection,} some vague
love#App15 {of an excellent or beautiful object,} [RAVRwhether {in animate or
inanimate nature,}]] your sardonic coldness did not move me. \-\I felt myself*INFDE05
superior {to that check} then [RAVFas I do now.]
\-\'It is a long time [RAVFsince I wrote {to you,}] and a still longer time=CC
[RAVFsince I saw you.] \-\Chancing*GiveL12 to take*INFDO11 up a newspaper {of
your county} the other day,#NuA03 my eye fell {upon your name.} \-\I began to think
{of old times;} to run=CV {over the events} [RAJFwhich have transpired [RAVFsince
we separated;]] \C\and I sat down and commenced=CV this letter.
Vol. 5 Brontë, E. Wuthering Heights. Brontë, A. Agnes Grey
https://archive.org/details/lifeworksofsiste00bron
[lifeworksofsiste00bron.pdf]
WUTHERING HEIGHTS, BY ELLIS BELL
New York & London : Harper, [1847] 1900?
CHAPTER I
252
I have just returned from a visit to my landlord—the solitary
neighbour that I shall be troubled with. This is certainly a beautiful country!
In all England, I do not believe that I could have fixed on a situation so
completely removed from the stir of society. A perfect misanthropist's
heaven: and Mr. Heathcliff and I are such a suitable pair to divide the
desolation between us. A capital fellow! He little imagined how my heart
warmed towards him when I beheld his black eyes withdraw so suspiciously
under their brows, as I rode up, and when his fingers sheltered themselves,
with a jealous resolution, still further in his waistcoat, as I announced my
name.
'Mr. Heathcliff?' I said.
A nod was the answer.
‘Mr. Lockwood, your new tenant, sir. I do myself the honour of
calling as soon as possible after my arrival, to express the hope that I have
not inconvenienced you by my perseverance in soliciting the occupation of
Thrushcross Grange: I heard yesterday you had had some thoughts—'
'Thrushcross Grange is my own, sir,' he interrupted, wincing. 'I should
not allow any one to inconvenience me, if I could hinder it—walk in!'
The 'walk in' was uttered with closed teeth, and expressed the
sentiment, 'Go to the Deuce:' even the gate over which he leant manifested
no sympathising movement to the words; and I think that circumstance
determined me to accept the invitation: I felt interested in a man who seemed
more exaggeratedly reserved than myself.
# 5 Statistical
\-\I have just returned {from a visit} {to my landlord--} the solitary
neighbour#App09 [RAJFthat I shall be troubled=PV with.] \-\This is certainly a beautiful
country! \-\{In all England,} I do not believe [RNDOthat I could have fixed {on a
situation so completely removed#AOP10 {from the stir} {of society.}}] \F\A perfect
misanthropist's heaven: \C\and Mr. Heathcliff and I=CS are such a suitable pair to
divide*INFAV06 the desolation {between us.} \F\A capital fellow! \-\He little imagined
[RNDOhow my heart warmed {towards him} [RAVFwhen I beheld his black eyes
withdraw*INFDO13 so suspiciously {under their brows,} [RAVFas I rode up,]] and
[RAVFwhen his fingers sheltered themselves, {with a jealous resolution,} still further {in
his waistcoat,} [RAVFas I announced my name.]]]
\-\'Mr. Heathcliff?'#DrA02 I said.
\-\A nod was the answer.
\F\'Mr. Lockwood, your new tenant,#App03 sir.#DrA01 \-\I do myself the honour
{of calling*GerOP28 as soon [RAVRas possible] {after my arrival,} to
express*INFAV20 the hope [RAJFthat I have not inconvenienced you {by my
perseverance}} {in soliciting*GerOP06 the occupation {of Thrushcross Grange:}}] \C\I
heard yesterday [RNDOyou had had some thoughts--']
\-\'Thrushcross Grange is my own, sir,'#DrA01 [RINJhe interrupted,
wincing.*GiveR01] \-\'I should not allow any one to inconvenience*INFDO05 me,
[RAVFif I could hinder it--] \C\walk in!'
\-\The 'walk in' was uttered=PV {with closed teeth,} and expressed=CV the
sentiment, [RNAP'Go {to the Deuce:'}] \C\even the gate [MAVF{over which} he leant]
manifested no sympathising movement {to the words;} \C\and I think [RNDOthat
circumstance determined me to accept*INFDO05 the invitation:] \C\I felt interested {in a
man} [RAJFwho seemed more exaggeratedly reserved=PV {than myself.}]
Vol. 5 AGNES GREY
1847 []
CHAPTER I - THE PARSONAGE
274
All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure
may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity, that the dry,
shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut.
Whether this be the case with my history or not, I am hardly competent to
judge. I sometimes think it might prove useful to some, and entertaining to
others; but the world may judge for itself. Shielded by my own obscurity,
and by the lapse of years, and a few fictitious names, I do not fear to
venture; and will candidly lay before the public what I would not disclose to
the most intimate friend.
My father was a clergyman of the north of England, who was
deservedly respected by all who knew him; and, in his younger days, lived
pretty comfortably on the joint income of a small incumbency and a snug
little property of his own. My mother, who married him against the wishes
of her friends, was a squire's daughter, and a woman of spirit. In vain it was
represented to her, that if she became the poor parson's wife, she must
relinquish her carriage and her lady's-maid, and all the luxuries and
elegancies of affluence; which to her were little less than the necessaries of
life. A carriage and a lady's-maid were great conveniences; but, thank
heaven, she had feet to carry her, and hands to minister to her own
necessities. An elegant house and spacious grounds were not to be despised;
but she would rather live in a cottage with Richard Grey than in a palace
with any other man in the world.
# 6 Statistical
\-\All true histories contain instruction; [RAVFthough, {in some,} the treasure
may be hard to find,*INFAV02 and [LAVRwhen found,] so trivial=CC {in quantity,}
[RAVFthat the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates {for the trouble} {of
cracking*GerOP03 the nut.}]] \-\[LAVFWhether this be the case {with my history} or
not,] I am hardly competent to judge.*INFAV02 \-\I sometimes think [RNDOit might
prove useful {to some,} and entertaining {to others;}] \C\but the world may judge {for
itself.} \-\Shielded*GiveL16 {by my own obscurity,} and {by the lapse {of years,} and a
few fictitious names,} I do not fear to venture;*INFAV02 and will candidly lay=CV
{before the public} [RNDOwhat I would not disclose {to the most intimate friend.}]
\-\My father was a clergyman {of the north} {of England,} [RAJFwho was
deservedly respected=PV {by all} [RAJFwho knew him;]] and, {in his younger days,}
lived=CV pretty comfortably {on the joint income} {of a small incumbency and a snug
little property} {of his own.} \-\My mother, [MAJFwho married him {against the
wishes} {of her friends,}] was a squire's daughter, and a woman=CC {of spirit.} \-\{In
vain} it was represented=PV {to her,} [RNDSthat [LAVFif she became the poor parson's
wife,] she must relinquish her carriage and her lady's-maid,=CC and all the luxuries=CC
and elegancies=CC {of affluence;} [RAJFwhich {to her} were little less {than the
necessaries} {of life.}]] \-\A carriage and a lady's-maid=CS were great conveniences;
\C\but, thank heaven,#Inj02 she had feet to carry*INFAJ03 her, and hands to
minister*INFAJ06 {to her own necessities.} \-\An elegant house and spacious
grounds=CS were not to be*INFAJ03 despised; \C\but she would rather live {in a
cottage} {with Richard Grey} {than {in a palace} {with any other man} {in the world.}}