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she grew stronger than we had yet known her。 Day by day； when I saw
with what a front she met suffering； I looked on her with an anguish of
wonder and love。 I have seen nothing like it； but； indeed； I have never seen
her parallel in anything。 Stronger than a man； simpler than a child； her
nature stood alone。 The awful point was； that while full of ruth for others；
on herself she had no pity； the spirit was inexorable to the flesh； from the
trembling hand； the unnerved limbs； the faded eyes； the same service was
exacted as they had rendered in health。 To stand by and witness this； and
not dare to remonstrate； was a pain no words can render。
Two cruel months of hope and fear passed painfully by； and the day
came at last when the terrors and pains of death were to be undergone by
this treasure； which had grown dearer and dearer to our hearts as it wasted
before our eyes。 Towards the decline of that day； we had nothing of Emily
but her mortal remains as consumption left them。 She died December 19；
1848。
We thought this enough： but we were utterly and presumptuously
wrong。 She was not buried ere Anne fell ill。 She had not been committed
to the grave a fortnight； before we received distinct intimation that it was
necessary to prepare our minds to see the younger sister go after the elder。
Accordingly； she followed in the same path with slower step； and with a
patience that equalled the other's fortitude。 I have said that she was
religious； and it was by leaning on those Christian doctrines in which she
firmly believed； that she found support through her most painful journey。 I
witnessed their efficacy in her latest hour and greatest trial； and must bear
my testimony to the calm triumph with which they brought her through。
She died May 28； 1849。
What more shall I say about them？ I cannot and need not say much
more。 In externals； they were two unobtrusive women； a perfectly
secluded life gave them retiring manners and habits。 In Emily's nature the
extremes of vigour and simplicity seemed to meet。 Under an
unsophisticated culture； inartificial tastes； and an unpretending outside； lay
a secret power and fire that might have informed the brain and kindled the
veins of a hero； but she had no worldly wisdom； her powers were
unadapted to the practical business of life； she would fail to defend her
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most manifest rights； to consult her most legitimate advantage。 An
interpreter ought always to have stood between her and the world。 Her will
was not very flexible； and it generally opposed her interest。 Her temper
was magnanimous； but warm and sudden； her spirit altogether unbending。
Anne's character was milder and more subdued； she wanted the power；
the fire； the originality of her sister； but was well endowed with quiet
virtues of her own。 Long…suffering； self…denying； reflective； and intelligent；
a constitutional reserve and taciturnity placed and kept her in the shade；
and covered her mind； and especially her feelings； with a sort of nun…like
veil； which was rarely lifted。 Neither Emily nor Anne was learned； they
had no thought of filling their pitchers at the well…spring of other minds；
they always wrote from the impulse of nature； the dictates of intuition； and
from such stores of observation as their limited experience had enabled
them to amass。 I may sum up all by saying； that for strangers they were
nothing； for superficial observers less than nothing； but for those who had
known them all their lives in the intimacy of close relationship； they were
genuinely good and truly great。
This notice has been written because I felt it a sacred duty to wipe the
dust off their gravestones； and leave their dear names free from soil。
CURRER BELL SEPTEMBER 19； 1850。
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EDITOR'S PREFACE TO THE
NEW EDITION OF 'WUTHERING
HEIGHTS'
I HAVE just read over 'Wuthering Heights；' and； for the first time；
have obtained a clear glimpse of what are termed （and； perhaps； really are）
its faults； have gained a definite notion of how it appears to other people …
to strangers who knew nothing of the author； who are unacquainted with
the locality where the scenes of the story are laid； to whom the inhabitants；
the customs； the natural characteristics of the outlying hills and hamlets in
the West Riding of Yorkshire are things alien and unfamiliar。
To all such 'Wuthering Heights' must appear a rude and strange
production。 The wild moors of the North of England can for them have no
interest： the language； the manners； the very dwellings and household
customs of the scattered inhabitants of those districts must be to such
readers in a great measure unintelligible； and … where intelligible …
repulsive。 Men and women who； perhaps； naturally very calm； and with
feelings moderate in degree； and little marked in kind； have been trained
from their cradle to observe the utmost evenness of manner and
guardedness of language； will hardly know what to make of the rough；
strong utterance； the harshly manifested passions； the unbridled aversions；
and headlong partialities of unlettered moorland hinds and rugged
moorland squires； who have grown up untaught and unchecked； except by
Mentors as harsh as themselves。 A large class of readers； likewise； will
suffer greatly from the introduction into the pages of this work of words
printed with all their letters； which it has become the custom to represent
by the initial and final letter only … a blank line filling the interval。 I may
as well say at once that； for this circumstance； it is out of my power to
apologise； deeming it； myself； a rational plan to write words at full length。
The practice of hinting by single letters those expletives with which
profane and violent persons are wont to garnish their discourse； strikes me
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as a pro