'DEAR MISS NUSSEY,--We had not seen the article in _Sharpe_, and very
possibly should not, if you had not directed our attention to it. We
ordered a copy, and have now read the "Few Words about _Jane Eyre_."
The writer has certainly made many mistakes, but apparently not from
any unkind motive, as he professes to be an admirer of Charlotte's
works, pays a just tribute to her genius, and in common with
thousands deplores her untimely death. His design seems rather to be
to gratify the curiosity of the multitude in reference to one who had
made such a sensation in the literary world. But even if the article
had been of a less harmless character, we should not have felt
inclined to take any notice of it, as by doing so we should have
given it an importance which it would not otherwise have obtained.
Charlotte herself would have acted thus; and her character stands too
high to be injured by the statements in a magazine of small
circulation and little influence--statements which the writer
prefaces with the remark that he does not vouch for their accuracy.
The many laudatory notices of Charlotte and her works which appeared
since her death may well make us indifferent to the detractions of a
few envious or malignant persons, as there ever will be such.
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