Cranford

Cranford

My father has written of the memories connected with the writing of books, and of the scenes and feelings which are printed on the pages, quite other from those which they recount. And there are also the associations of the readers as well as of the writers. One scene in Cranford always comes back to me, not only for its own most pathetic value, but because I saw my father reading it. I can still remember him coming through the doorway just as I had finished the chapter, when not without some agitation and excitement I put the close printed number of Household Words into his hand. It was in the little dining-room of his house in Young Street, by gas light, just before dinner-time. The story was that of Captain Brown and he sat down and read it then and there, and afterwards told me the writers name. But indeed I did not think of it as a story at all, it seemed to me rather vithat I had witnessed some most touching and heroic deed, some sad disaster, and though I was a grown girl at the time I had a foolish childish wish for my fathers sympathy, and a feeling that even yet he might avert the catastrophe. Dear Captain Brown! in his shabby wig and faded coat, loved and remembered far beyond the narrow boundaries of Cranfordthe city of the Amazons, the home of Miss Pole, and Miss Matty, and Miss Jenkyns, the place where economy was always elegant, where though some might be poor we were all aristocratic. Ever since the winters evening when I made my first acquaintance with that delightful place it has seemed to me something of a visionary country home, which I have visited at intervals all my life long (in spirit) for refreshment and change of scene. I have been there in good company. Thank you for your letter, Charlotte Bront writes to Mrs. Gaskell in 1853. It was as pleasant as a quiet chat, as welcome as spring showers, as reviving as a friends visit; in short, it was very like a page of Cranford. ... The quotation breaks off with little dots, but I am sure that each one of them represents a happy moment for Currer Bell, who had not many such in her sad life. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 57539
Author: Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn
Release Date: Jul 20, 2018
Format: eBook
Language: English

Contributors

Illustrator: Thomson, Hugh, 1860-1920