Hitherto I have recorded iail the events of my insignifit existeo the first ten years of my life I have given almost as many chapters. But this is not to be a regular autobiography. I am only bound to invoke Memory where I know her responses will possess some degree of i; therefore I now pass a space of eight years almost in silence: a few lines only are necessary to keep up the links of e.
Wheyphus fever had fulfilled its mission of devastation at Lowood, it gradually disappeared from thence; but not till its virulend the number of its victims had drawn public attention on the school. Inquiry was made into the in of the sce, and by degrees various facts came out which excited publidignation in a high degree. The uhy nature of the site; the quantity and quality of the children’s food; the brackish, fetid water used in its preparation; the pupils’ wretched clothing and aodations—all these things were discovered, and the discovery produced a result mortifying to Mr. Brocklehurst, but beneficial to the institution.
Several wealthy and benevolent individuals in the ty subscribed largely for the ere of a more ve building in a better situation; new regulations were made; improvements i and clothing introduced; the funds of the school were intrusted to the ma of a ittee. Mr. Brocklehurst, who, from his wealth and family es, could not be overlooked, still retaihe post of treasurer; but he was aided in the discharge of his duties by gentlemen of rather more enlarged and sympathising minds: his office of ior, too, was shared by those who knew how to bine reason with striess, fort with ey, passion with uprightness. The school, thus improved, became in time a truly useful and noble institution. I remained an inmate of its walls, after its regeion, fht years: six as pupil, and two as teacher; and in both capacities I bear my testimony to its value and importance.
During these eight years my life was uniform: but not unhappy, because it was not inactive. I had the means of an excellent education placed within my reach; a fondness for some of my studies, and a desire to excel in all, together with a great delight in pleasing my teachers, especially such as I loved, urged me on: I availed myself fully of the advantages offered me. In time I rose to be the first girl of the first class; then I was ied with the office of teacher; which I discharged with zeal for two years: but at the end of that time I altered.
Miss Temple, through all ges, had thus far tinued superinte of the seminary: to her instru I owed the best part of my acquirements; her friendship and society had been my tinual solace; she had stood me iead of moverness, and, latterly, panion. At this period she married, removed with her husband (a clergyman, an excellent man, almost worthy of such a wife) to a distant ty, and sequently was lost to me.
From the day she left I was no lohe same: with her was gone every settled feeling, every association that had made Lowood in some degree a home to me. I had imbibed from her something of her nature and much of her habits: more harmonious thoughts: what seemed better regulated feelings had bee the inmates of my mind. I had given in allegiao duty and order; I was quiet; I believed I was tent: to the eyes of others, usually even to my own, I appeared a disciplined and subdued character.
But destiny, in the shape of the Rev. Mr. Nasmyth, came between me and Miss Temple: I saw her iravelling dress step into a post
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