Details
BRONTË, Charlotte. Autograph letter signed ("C Brontë") to "My dear Mrs. Forster (wife of John Forster?), in Rawden, Haworth, 28 October 1851. 1 page, 12mo, integral blank, with note "authoress of Jane Eyre."
..."IT IS NOT IN MY POWER TO LEAVE HOME.... Charlotte, whose health had become delicate, declines an invitation, evidently from Mr. and Mrs John Forster: "We are come to the close of the month and I find it is not in my power to leave home. There would be no use in dwelling on the regret I feel at this circumstance; I can but once more thank you and Mr. Forster for your kindness (of which I am as sensible as if I had been able more fully to profit for it) and beg you briefly to believe me Sincerely yours...."
1851 was an eventful year in the author's life; four years after the acclaimed publication of Jane Eyre, and the wrenching series of bereavements (Branwell and Emily Brontë died in 1848; Anne in 1849), Charlotte had acheived considerable, unexpected recognition. She visited London on three occasions that year, abandoned the "Currer Bell" nom-de-plume, and was introduced by her publishers to other writers including Harriet Martineau and William Thackeray, who she particularly admired (to whom she dedicated the second editon of Jane Eyre).
..."IT IS NOT IN MY POWER TO LEAVE HOME.... Charlotte, whose health had become delicate, declines an invitation, evidently from Mr. and Mrs John Forster: "We are come to the close of the month and I find it is not in my power to leave home. There would be no use in dwelling on the regret I feel at this circumstance; I can but once more thank you and Mr. Forster for your kindness (of which I am as sensible as if I had been able more fully to profit for it) and beg you briefly to believe me Sincerely yours...."
1851 was an eventful year in the author's life; four years after the acclaimed publication of Jane Eyre, and the wrenching series of bereavements (Branwell and Emily Brontë died in 1848; Anne in 1849), Charlotte had acheived considerable, unexpected recognition. She visited London on three occasions that year, abandoned the "Currer Bell" nom-de-plume, and was introduced by her publishers to other writers including Harriet Martineau and William Thackeray, who she particularly admired (to whom she dedicated the second editon of Jane Eyre).
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