As so often when we look at the Brontë story during the year’s progress, tragedy follows hard fast after triumph and joy. Yesterday we marked Mother’s Day, but today we mark the 170th anniversary of the death of Charlotte Brontë.
Charlotte was pregnant at the time of her death, making her passing even more tragic as it ended the Brontë line. She had suffered from excessive morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum, at a time when the condition was not understood and there was no available cure.
For Brontë fans and lovers of literature it was, and ever will be, a great loss. For those closest to Charlotte, it was a devastating personal tragedy, as two letters sent 170 years ago show.
On 30th March, Charlotte’s father Patrick Brontë wrote to her best friend Ellen Nussey:
“My Dear Madam, we are all in great trouble, and Mr. Nicholls so much so, that he is not sufficiently strong, and composed as to be able to write.
I therefore devote a few moments, to tell you, that my Dear Daughter is very ill, and apparently on the verge of the grave.
If she could speak, she would no doubt dictate to us whilst answering your kind letter, but we are left to ourselves, to give what answer we can. The Doctors have no hope of her case, and fondly as we a long time cherished, that hope is now gone, and we have only to look forward to that solemn event, with prayers to God, that he will give us grace and Strength sufficient unto our day.
Will you be so kind as to write to Miss Wooler, and Mrs. Joe Taylor, and inform them that we requested you do so – telling them of our present condition.
Ever truly and respectfully yours, P. Brontë”
A day later another letter followed for Ellen. Charlotte’s suffering was over:
Charlotte was gone from this world, but her work will never be gone from this world. As long as our Earth endures so will her great novels. She was a kind woman, fiercely loyal and devoted to her friends, a deeply loving woman, a fiery woman who did not suffer fools or hold back her words. She was a genius of the highest order. There will never be another Charlotte Brontë.
Let us raise a glass to the memory of Charlotte and her sisters. All were taken at the height of their powers, but in their short lifetimes they created an eternal legacy. I hope to see you on Sunday for another new Brontë blog post.
