I hope your new year has got off to a happy start full of health and wealth. Alas, it was not to be in the Brontë household at the start of 1849 for it was on this very day that Anne Brontë was diagnosed with the thing her family dreaded – terminal consumption.
In just a handful of months this terrible disease had claimed her brother Branwell and her beloved sister Emily Brontë, and consumption, what we now call tuberculosis, had not finished with Haworth Parsonage yet. By the time Emily’s funeral was held Anne was already exhibiting the classic symptoms of couging and shortness of breath upon any exertion. Soon these symptoms would be joined with sleepless nights, fatigue and wasting, and the coughing up of blood – as Anne Brontë’s blood spattered handkerchief shows all too clearly.
Patrick Brontë, all too aaware what these symptoms could mean but still clinging on to some hope asked a Dr Teale to attend the parsonage from Leeds. Teale was a consumption specialist, and Ellen Nussey, who was visiting the parsonage at the time in order to conceal Charlotte Brontë following Emily’s death, gave this moving account of what happened next:
“Anne was looking sweetly pretty and flushed, and in capital spirits for an invalid. While consultations were going on in Mr Brontë‘s study, Anne was very lively in conversation, walking around the room surrounded by me. Mr Brontë joined us after Mr Teale’s departure and, seating himself on the couch, he drew Anne towards him and said, “My dear little Anne.” That was all – but it was understood.’
The final chapter in Anne Brontë’s story had commenced – she had been diagnosed with the final stages of consumption, and there was nothing that medical science of the time could do. Anne’s life would be over all too quickly, and yet when we look back at our distance of two centuries we can see that it was a life of triumph. Anne’s life and works are remembered still, and always will be. I was delighted, therefore, to receive news of a fabulous Anne Brontë event taking place at the Brontë birthplace in Thornton, Bradford on January 18th. The event is called The Three Ann(e)s, and will be a celebration of Anne Brontë’s life with prose and piano.
The event takes place at St. James’ Church, across from the Old Bell Chapel which saw Anne’s baptism. Doors open at 1.30 and the main event commences at 2pm. Over the course of a fascinating hour pianist Ann Airton and Brontë buff Anne Powell will celebrate Anne using music and words. It’s something that music loving Anne Brontë would definitely have approved of, especially as it’s just one day after Anne’s birthday.
It also marks the start of Bradford’s reign as 2025 City Of Culture. There will also be refreshments and a raffle, and an opportunity to mix with fellow Brontë enthusiasts in the village where the Brontë sisters’ story began. What better way could you spend a Saturday afternoon in January. For more information and tickets just click on this link. Oh, and by the way, the brilliant Brontë Birthplace is also seeking applicants for their Programme Manager position, so take a look at their website if you can help.
I hope to see you next week for another new Brontë blog post.