A little while ago as Emily & me one stormy night were going through the wood which leads to school we saw by the light of the moon which just then broke through a cloud the flashing of some bright substance, the moon then became obscured & we could discern nothing more but see very black cloud. we heard a well known voice saying “0 Arthur I wish we had never come! what will my father say if he ever gets to know of it? & I am begining to get very cold for it rains fast and the wind is highf “wrap your fur cloak closer round you Charles & let us lean against this old tree for I shall not be able to stand much longer without some suportf. the sky is quite covered with dark clouds & how dismaly the wind is moaning among the trees.” “Athur what was that noise I heard? listenf “it is a raven Charles I am not much given to superstition but I remember hearing my grandmother say it is a sign that something bad is comeing to pass.f “if we were to die here tonight & remember Athur we came here by apointment of two of our worst enemies what would my mother do & my father - “ here they both sobbed aloud & we likewise heard a strange & horrible noise sweep through the wood. “what is the matter with our dogs Arthurf? are they dying?”
“no Charles but that likewise is said to be a sound of death “ “a sound of death Arthur! but listen again to the raven O! this is a dreadful place.f’
“Hush Charles! they are coming.”
the glimmering of a lantern appeared through the trees and two men burst upon the path. one of them was tall & bony but he had an expression of pity in his face as he said “poor fellows! Though I dont particularly like you yet I’m sorry you’ve had to wait so long in the rain this cold night - “ the other was a mean despicable wretch & he squinted . “prince Leopold & Sir gfeorge I — I ill we are quite ready to follow you but go slowly for we cannot possibly walk fastf’ “come along then.f so saying they set off & we followed closfe behind . by the light of the lantern we could see that the Marquis of Douro & Lord Charles Wellesley had 2 bloodhound’s with them & as soon as they imerged from the forest these 2 dogs gave a dreadful yell . Prince Lfeopold shook with terror & Charles patted them at which they moaned piteously. after this they were silent for awhile & the march proceededf. after climbing a great many high steep rocks & leaping many ditches we entred on the confines of the great moor. just then the bloodhound’s stopped again & gave another horrible cry which rang all over the wide heath & seemed to be answered from a great distance with a deeper & more dreadful yell.
“do make your nasty dogs hold their tongues or else I will” said Sir Gfeorge “if you touch them Hill you must take the consequences” answered Arthur “they might bite you”
Leopold was panting with fear.
“come on boy’s “ shouted Sir George with a peal of hollow laughter which was answered by the echoing rocks with tenfold vehemence. just at that moment a dull flapping of wings & an ominous croak was heard .
“what in the name of wonder is that?”
“jit’s a ravenlf replied Leopold almost fainting with cowardice. f”0! do make haste that we may reach some shelter for the darkness of the night is increasing the rain is falling faster & the wind sweeps with more fearful blast over this wild bleak moorf they all moved on & after a while a light became visible on the verge of the horizon which as they approached it vanished but by the help of the lantern we could discern a small & seemingly deserted cottagef. they entred it & we followed by a door which was decayed by time & shattered by violence in many places.
“& is this where you intend to take us?” exclaimed the Marquis of Dfouro.
f”Oh no but as you seem unable to go any father I thought you had better stop here & very likely we shall find some of our freind’s below said Sfir Gfeorge as he opened a door which discovered a narrow flight of steps down which they went & then came to another door & now likewise they heard a sound of many voices & much mirth . Sir G eorge opened the door & imediatly a blaze of light & genial warmth burst forth which almost overpowered them after being so long exposed to the dark wet night. the cellar into which they came was vaulted & the lime dropping of the wall in many parts, there was a large peat fire blazing on the hearth & on benches round sat a great many officers among whom was the Marquis of A Lords CAW & G P.u some where drinking some playing at card’s singing & yet. as soon as the marquis of Douro & Lord Charles Wfellesley saw these things they exclaimed “we will go no father & though we die for it we had rather stop all night on the open moor than in this wicked place & if you prevent us from going hence it will be at your peril.”
“will it?” said Leopold with a shrill scornful laughf.
they called their dog’s which however did not make their appear- ancef. Leopold then rushed toward’s them threw them down & gaged them & tied their hand’s & feet then returning to the party round the fire he began to play sing and be as loud & talkative as any among them, but in the midst of all this mirth & cheerfulness the sound of footsteps was heard descending the stairs the door was burst open & 2 men followd by 3 large dogs burst into the apartmentf. one of the men was instantly known by his stern countenance & flashing eye as he exclaimed with feirce energy “you wretches where are my son’s.?” it was the. DUKE OF WELLINGTON, they where too much astounded to reply till he repeated the question more feircely than before & commanded them to give him an answer. Leopold replied tremblingly “they are there.”
“they are! you vile beggarf said his Grace & kicked him to the opposite end of the cellar then going to the corner which Lfeopold had pointed to he unbound & ungaged his sons & raised them up. they were however unable to stand & fell back againf. his Grace then turned to the rest & said in a tone of voice which showed he meant to be obeyed, “I command you all to quit this place & if ever you return here again I shall make you suffer for it & that dreadfully.”
imediatly they flung open the door rushed up the stair & scampered of as fast as they could. In the meantime the other man who was Doctor Hume had given Afrthur & Charles something which strengthened them so much that they could stand & even walk. the Duke then inquired how they came to that house, just at this moment we issued from our hiding place & related all the circumstances after which we asked how his Grace got to know of Charles & Arthur being theref. His Grace told us that as he was on his way to sfchool accompanied by Hume & his great Bloodhound he thought he heard at a distance the yelling of his sons dogs which was imediatly answered by his own and that after he had gone about a mile father he met a countryman who told him that he had seen his sons on the Great moor in the company of George Hill & Prince Leopold that then though it was night he rode towards the moor but was met on his way by his sons dogs who led them to the cottage.
as soon as his Grace had finished he rose to depart & Afrthur &
Charles followed. when they had got up the dark narrow stairs and to the door of the cottage they were surprised to find the rising sun beaming through the chinks of the door & when they reached the open air the scenes which greeted their eyes were truly refreshing. instead of dark watery clouds there was the blue radiant dome like sky in which the pale moon was yet visible. the glorious sun was rising in the east & making the rain which had fallen the preceding night and which still remained on the balmy heath to sparkle like fine diamond’s. a few little wild mountain sheep were to be seen & as they drew near they scurried? away & sprang up the rocks till they could view us safely at a distance^ the lark sprang from his mossy bed at our approach and began to warble its matin song & the higher it mounted up in the blue heavens the sweeter did its song become till it could no longer be heard, in a short time they came to the edge of the moor & reached School about 9 oclock all sound in life & limb. thus ended the Duke’s Marquis’s & Lord’s adventure of the cottage
Charlotte Bronte June the 31 - 1829
SECOND VOLUME OF TALES OF THE ISLANDERS
CHAPTER ONE
I have before put forth a volume of these tales in which the subject of the school was mentioned, in that volume I laid down the rule’s by which the school was governed & l
ike wise the names of the gov- erner’s with their several character’s &c. I shall now proceed with this subject.
for some time after it was established the institution went on very well. all the rules were observed with scrupolous exactness, the gov- erner’s attended admirably to their duty the children where absolutely becoming something like civilized being’s, to all outward appearance at least, gambling was less frequent among them, their quarrels with each other were less savage & some little attention was paid by them- selve’s to order & cleanliness, at this time we constantly resided in the magnificent palace of the school as did all the governers so that nothing was left entirely to the care of servants & underlings. The great room had become the resort of all the great ministers in their hours of leisure (that is in the evenings) and they seeing how well were conducted resolved to uphold the institution with all their might.
this prosperous state of affairs continued for about six months & then Parliament was opened & the Great Catholic question’ was brought forward & the Dukes measures were disclosed and all was slander violence party spirit & confusion. O those 3 months from the time of the kings speech to the end! nobody could think speak or write on anything but the catholic question and the Duke of Wellington or Mr Peel. I remember the day when the Intelligence Extraordinary came with Mr Peels speech in it containing the terms on which the catholics were to be let in; with what eagerness papa tore off the cover & how we all gathered round him & with what breathless anxiety we listend as one by one they were disclosed & explained & argued upon so ably & so well & then when it was all out how aunt said she thought it was excellent & that the catholics could do no harm with such good security. I remember also the doubts as to wether it would pass into the house of Lords & the prophecys that it would not. when the paper came which was to decide the question the anxiety was almost dreadful with which we listened to the whole affair - the opening of the doors the hush the Royal Dukes in there robes & the Great Duke in green sash & waistcoat the rising of all the peeresses when he rose the reading of his speech papa saying that his words were like precious gold & lastly the majority one to 4 in favour of the bill, but this is a digression & I must beg my reader’s to excuse it — to proceed with my subject then.
in consequence of this catholic question the Duke & Mr Peel where of course obliged to be constantly in London & we soon took ourselves off to the same place. OShaugnesy & his nephew were away shooting somewhere & the whole management of the school was left to the Marquis of Dfouro and lord Charles Wfellesley. The upshot will be seen in the next chapter
CHAPTER TWO
For some time we heard not a word about the school & never took the trouble to inquire until at length one morning as we were sitting at breakfast in came a letter the which when we had opened we perceived was from my lord Wfellesley. the purport was as follows June 8. Vision Island Little King & queen’s I write this letter to inform you of a rebellion which, has broken out in the school the particulars of which I have not time to relate: all I can say is that I am at present in a little hut built in the open air - and - but they are coming & I can say no more —
I remain yours &c - Charles W
PS since I wrote the above we have had a battle in which our bloodhounds fought bravely & we have conquered — we are however reduced to a great extremity for want of food & if you dont make haste & come to our help we must surrenderf. bring my father’s great blood-hound with you & doctor Hume & the gamekeeper likewise
as soon as we had read this letter we ordered a balloon’4 the which when it was brought we got into & then steered our way through the air towards Strathfieldsayf. when we had there arrived we took up blood & hounds & the gamekeeper & then went quick-way to the Island. we alighted in the grounds about the School and on casting our eyes toward’s the myrtle grove we saw the stately palace rising in it’s magnificence from the green trees which grew thickly around & towering in silent grandeur over that Isle which was rightly named a dream for never but in the visions of the night has the eye of man beheld such gorgeous beauty such wild magnificence as is in this fairy land and never but in the imaginings of his heart has his ear heard such musick as that which proceeds from the giant’s harp hid from sight amid those treesf. listen there is a faint sound like the voice of a dying swan but now a stronger breeze sweeps through the strings & the music is rising. hark how it swellsf! what grandeur was in that wild note but the wind roars louder. I heard the muttering of distant thunder it is drawing nearer & nearer & the tunes of the harp & swelling till all at once amidst the roaring of thunder & the howling of the wind it peals out with such awful wildness such unearthly grandeur that you are tempted to believe it is the voice of spirits speaking. This is the storm.
but to proceed with my subject: after we had been in the Island about half an hour we saw lord Wellesley approaching at a distance^ when he came near he acosted us with “well little Queen’s I am glad you are come make haste & follow me for there is not a moment to be lost.” as we went along he at our request gave us the following narrative as to the origin of the school rebellion.
“for about 3 day’s after you were gone things went on very well but, at the end of that time symptom’s of insubordination began to manifest themselvesf. these we strove to check but in vain & instead of growing better they grew worse . the school now was divided into 4 parties each of whom was headed by a cheiftein namely Pfrince Polignac Prince George & Johny Lockhart & the Princess Vittoria.’5 these 4 were constantly quarreling & fighting with each other in a most outrageous maner & after struggleing a few weeks with them to no purpose they all ran off & are now encamped in a very wild part of the Island which we shall presently come to. they are well provided with 2 cannons each party & a quantity of powder & shot. sometime’s they all unite against us & then we have a bad chance I assure you but now you are come to our assistance we shall soon do for them.f as soon as he had ended we emerged from the forest in which we had till then been travelling & entred a deep glen through which rushed an impetuous brawling river roaring & foaming amongst the large stone’s which impeded its course & then as it’s chanel deepened & widened it became calm & smooth flowing silently through the wide green plain on the right hand fertilizing & refreshing it as it went. on our left arose rocks frowning darkly over the glen & black- ning it with their mighty shadowf. in some parts they were covered with tall pine tree’s through which the wind moaned sadly as it swept among their scathed branchesf. in other parts imense fragments of rock looked out from their shaggy covring & hung their grey summits awfully over the vale. no sound but the echo of a distant cannon which was discharge d as we entred the glen & the scream of the eagle startled from her aerie disturbed the death like silence.
in a short time we came to the place where the children were encampedf. the tents of the Vitorans were pitched on the sumit of a rock those of the Polignacs in a deep ravine & the Georgians had taken up their abode in an open spot of ground & the Lockhartians had entrenched them selves among some trees. the hut of the Marquis of Douro & Lord Wellesley was built beneath the shade of a spreading oak. a tremendous rock rose above it. on one side was a gently swelling hill on the other a grove of tall trees & before it ran a clear rippling streamf.
when we had entred the humble abode we beheld the Marquis of Dfouro lying on a bed of leaves. his face was very pale; his fine feature’s seemed as fixed as a marble statuef. his eyes were closed & his glossy curling hair was in some parts stiffned with blood, as soon as we beheld this sight Charles rushed forward & falling on the bed beside his brother he fainted away, the usual remidies were then applied to him by doctor Hume & after a long time he recovered. all this while Arthur had neither spoke nor stirred & we thought he was dead. the game-keeper was raving & even the hardihearted Hume shed some tears & Charles seemed like one demented. in this emergency we thought it advisable to send quick-way for the Duke of Wellington. this we accordingly did & as soon as we saw him coming one of us went out to meet him. when we had informed him
of what had happened he became as pale as death; his lip’s quivered & his whole frame shook with agitation . in a short time he arrived at the hut & then going up to the bedside he took hold of one lifeless hand & said in a tremulous & scarcely audible voice “Arthur my son speak to me”. just then at the sound of his father’s words Arthur slowly opened his eye’s & looked up. when he saw the Duke he tried to speak but could not. we then in the plenitude of our goodness & kindness of heart, cured him instantaneously by the application of some fairy remedie’s & as soon as we had done so the Duke drew from his finger a diamond ring & presented it to us. this we accepted & thanked him for it.
after these transactions we informed his Grace of the school rebellion . he imediately went out without speaking a word & we followed him. he proceeded up to the place were they were encamped & called out in a loud tone of voice that if they did not surrender they were all dead men as he had brought several thousand blood hound’s with him who would tear them to peice’s in a moment. this they dreaded more than anything & therefore agreed to surrender which they did imediately & for a short time thereafter the school prospered as before but we becoming tired of it sent the children of to their own home’s & now onlv fairy’s dwell in the Island of a dream
C. Bronte October 6 1829
CHAPTER THREE
Delphi Complete Works of the Brontes Page 228
