Delphi Complete Works of Elizabeth Gaskell

by Elizabeth Gaskell

  “C. B. NICHOLLS.”

  I do not think she ever wrote a line again. Long days and longer nights went by; still the same relentless nausea and faintness, and still borne on in patient trust. About the third week in March there was a change; a low wandering delirium came on; and in it she begged constantly for food and even for stimulants. She swallowed eagerly now; but it was too late. Wakening for an instant from this stupor of intelligence, she saw her husband’s woe-worn face, and caught the sound of some murmured words of prayer that God would spare her. “Oh!” she whispered forth, “I am not going to die, am I? He will not separate us, we have been so happy.”

  Early on Saturday morning, March 31st, the solemn tolling of Haworth church-bell spoke forth the fact of her death to the villagers who had known her from a child, and whose hearts shivered within them as they thought of the two sitting desolate and alone in the old grey house.

  CHAPTER XIV.

  I have always been much struck with a passage in Mr. Forster’s Life of Goldsmith. Speaking of the scene after his death, the writer says: —

  “The staircase of Brick Court is said to have been filled with mourners, the reverse of domestic; women without a home, without domesticity of any kind, with no friend but him they had come to weep for; outcasts of that great, solitary, wicked city, to whom he had never forgotten to be kind and charitable.”

  This came into my mind when I heard of some of the circumstances attendant on Charlotte’s funeral.

  Few beyond that circle of hills knew that she, whom the nations praised far off, lay dead that Easter mooring. Of kith and kin she had more in the grave to which she was soon to be borne, than among the living. The two mourners, stunned with their great grief, desired not the sympathy of strangers. One member out of most of the families in the parish was bidden to the funeral; and it became an act of self-denial in many a poor household to give up to another the privilege of paying their last homage to her; and those who were excluded from the formal train of mourners thronged the churchyard and church, to see carried forth, and laid beside her own people, her whom, not many months ago, they had looked at as a pale white bride, entering on a new life with trembling happy hope.

  Among those humble friends who passionately grieved over the dead, was a village girl who had been seduced some little time before, but who had found a holy sister in Charlotte. She had sheltered her with her help, her counsel, her strengthening words; had ministered to her needs in her time of trial. Bitter, bitter was the grief of this poor young woman, when she heard that her friend was sick unto death, and deep is her mourning until this day. A blind girl, living some four miles from Haworth, loved Mrs. Nicholls so dearly that, with many cries and entreaties, she implored those about her to lead her along the roads, and over the moor-paths, that she might hear the last solemn words, “Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

  Such were the mourners over Charlotte Bronte’s grave.

  I have little more to say. If my readers find that I have not said enough, I have said too much. I cannot measure or judge of such a character as hers. I cannot map out vices, and virtues, and debatable land. One who knew her long and well, — the “Mary” of this Life — writes thus of her dead friend: —

  “She thought much of her duty, and had loftier and clearer notions of it than most people, and held fast to them with more success. It was done, it seems to me, with much more difficulty than people have of stronger nerves, and better fortunes. All her life was but labour and pain; and she never threw down the burden for the sake of present pleasure. I don’t know what use you can make of all I have said. I have written it with the strong desire to obtain appreciation for her. Yet, what does it matter? She herself appealed to the world’s judgment for her use of some of the faculties she had, — not the best, — but still the only ones she could turn to strangers’ benefit. They heartily, greedily enjoyed the fruits of her labours, and then found out she was much to be blamed for possessing such faculties. Why ask for a judgment on her from such a world?”

  But I turn from the critical, unsympathetic public — inclined to judge harshly because they have only seen superficially and not thought deeply. I appeal to that larger and more solemn public, who know how to look with tender humility at faults and errors; how to admire generously extraordinary genius, and how to reverence with warm, full hearts all noble virtue. To that Public I commit the memory of Charlotte Bronte.

  The Biography

  The parish church, Knutsford, where the author married the Rev. William Gaskell in 1832

  MRS. GASKELL AND KNUTSFORD by Rev. George A. Payne

  Following the painful toils of writing her Charlotte Brontë biography, Gaskell requested that no such biography should be written on her own life. Therefore, there is a lack of contemporary works that explore Gaskell’s life. However, in 1900 Rev. George A. Payne published this informative book, which explores Gaskell’s beloved town of Knutsford, near Manchester, of which Payne was a resident. There are also many biographical references to the famous writer’s life and works.

  Knutsford, Canute Place and Princess Street 1900’s

  Knutsford, present day

  MRS. GASKELL AND KNUTSFORD

  CONTENTS

  PREFACE

  PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION

  INTRODUCTION

  CHAPTER 1

  KNUTSFORD

  CHANGES IN KNUTSFORD

  THE BELLMAN

  THE RHYMSTER

  IS KNUTSFORD THE ORIGINAL OF “CRANFORD”?

  CRANFORD NOTES.

  BROOK STREET CHAPEL

  CHAPTER II

  MRS. GASKELL

  BIOGRAPHY AND CRITICISM

  MEMORIALS OF MRS. GASKELL

  BIBLIOGRAPHY

  MAGAZINE ARTICLES CONCERNING MRS. GASKELL

  CHAPTER III

  THE REV. WILLIAM GASKELL,M.A

  PREFACE

  No complete biography of Mrs. Gaskell can be written, the Misses Gaskell feeling strongly that their mother’s wish — that no biography should be written — ought to be respected.

  The author of this little book has brought together from papers of his which have already appeared in the Gentleman’s Magazine, the Sketch, the Manchester Herald, and other magazines and newspapers, as a nucleus, a great deal of information about Knutsford, which he thinks may be of interest to all lovers of the writings of the gifted authoress, who spent much of her time here.

  This is followed by a biography which has been compiled from sources named, with remarks on her stories long and short, bibliographical notes, and a sketch of the Rev. William Gaskell, M.A., portions of which are culled from the able sketch written by the Rev. Alexander Gordon, M.A., for the “Dictionary of National Biography.”

  The author desires to express his grateful thanks to the last named for this valuable assistance, to “Edna Lyall” for her invaluable aid in writing an introduction, and for her great willingness in so readily consenting to do so, and to T. R. Wilkinson, Esq., for kindly reading the proof-sheets.

  Should any source of information be unacknowledged, he would plead for consideration in this his first venture. His object has been to write a little book which shall give as much information as possible about Mrs. Gaskell.

  Knutsford, October, 1900.

  PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION

  The first edition of my little book having been so well received, I am emboldened to issue a second edition, with corrections and additions.

  It was never my intention to write a “Life of Mrs. Gaskell,” but I am glad, nevertheless, that this will be done by Mr. Clement K. Shorter.

  There has been a notable revival of interest in Mrs. Gaskell and her stories.

  The special Gaskell collection at Moss Side, Manchester, has grown apace, and now consists of 218 volumes, thanks to the indefatigable labours of Mr. W. E. A. Axon and Mr. J. A. Green, the Librarian. A most carefully prepa
red hand list has been compiled by Mr. Green, which all admirers of Mrs. Gaskell’s work will be glad to have, “Edna Lyall,” who very kindly wrote an introduction to the first edition, has since passed away, but her influence for good will long remain.

  With regard to Knutsford being the original of “Cranford,” my friend, Mr. W. B. Tracy (who has also passed away), put the matter most aptly in a very kind review of my book, which appeared in “Lancashire Faces and Places,” when he said, speaking of drawing from the life, “ When a writer sits down to meditate and write, and the mental constituents he represents gather about him, the pleasures of memory and the tempering of genius are the chief factors in the subsequent work.”

  In the “Cranford Notes” which I have added to this edition, I have tried to show that Knutsford was the “ old ancient place” which people smile about when they read “ Cranford.”

  Knutsford, 1905.

  INTRODUCTION

  All lovers of Mrs. Gaskell’s books will welcome the very interesting sketch of Knutsford, and her connection with it, which Mr. Payne has compiled with so much care.

  Among all our novelists there is scarcely, we think, one so lovable as the writer of “Wives and Daughters,” and all that has been told of her beautiful character, and her simple, practical way of living, makes us wish very earnestly that she herself had not forbidden the writing of any formal biography.

  However, since a complete life is out of the question, it is well to have such a faithful outline of facts as this little book gives; and Mr. Payne’s work will no doubt send many of us back to the novels themselves, to refresh our memories with those delicate character studies, and wholesome, humorous pictures of life.

  “EDNA LYALL.”

  Eastbourne, November 3, 1900.

  CHAPTER 1

  KNUTSFORD

  This old-fashioned Cheshire town of about five thousand inhabitants is situated between Manchester and Chester, about fifteen miles from the former and twenty-four from the latter place.

  It is not only interesting on account of its association with Mrs. Gaskell and her writings, but also on account of its antiquity, the picturesque beauty of its rural scenery, and its proximity to several ancient mansions and historic churches.

  There is a tradition to the effect that when Canute, or Knut, marched northwards against the King of Scotland, he forded a small stream (now covered up) which united the upper and lower morass, and thus gave his name to the town.

  The Rev. Henry Green, M.A., who in 1859 wrote “Knutsford: its Traditions and History,” one of the most interesting and complete histories of a small town that has ever been written, strongly believed that this was the correct derivation of the name. He points out that the very form of the word — for Cunetesford is the name given to the place in the Domesday Book — shows that it was derived from the name of a person, and also that as early as 1609, when William Smith wrote his “ Treatise on Cheshire,” he said, “ Knutsford, I think, should be called in Latin, Vadum Canuti, that is, the ford of Canutus.” The spelling of the name varies from Cunetesford to Knottesford, and from Knotsford to Knutsford.

  There was no separate parish of Knutsford until the year 1741, the parish church having been built in 1744. There was a chapel of ease in the town, no trace of which can now be found; but a heap of bricks and stones in the midst of a very old and disused burying-ground, lying about a mile to the east of the town, marks the spot where the “ Parochial Chappel of Nether Knotsford,” in the parish of Rostherne, formerly stood. This chapel had a peal of four bells, and it is a curious fact that when the new church was built they were melted down and recast into a peal of five bells, which, together with a sixth bell paid for by public subscription, were hung in the new tower.

  The Saturday market, which to-day is very small and unimportant, lasting only for a few hours, was established so long ago as 1292, and at one time, when it was held in the market square, was very large and flourishing. Strangers are often at a loss to know what the people do for a living, for there are no industries except those which are carried on on a very small scale, such as basket-making, mat - making, brick - making, and the making of rustic summer-houses and garden-seats.

  The town was much more flourishing when, as some of the old inhabitants well remember, silk-weaving was carried on in most of the cottages, and when as much as 30s. per week could be earned at the loom. The work was brought from Macclesfield and given out to the people, who sometimes had to carry the finished product back a distance of twelve miles. But while silk was brought from Macclesfield, cotton was brought from Manchester, and on many fustian looms as much as from 25s. to 27s. per week was regularly earned. Going back again to an earlier period, about a hundred and fifty years ago, the making of linen thread was the staple industry.

  The district is famous above all else for its fine trees. Within a radius of two miles from the parish church, delightful avenues of oak, beech, and lime may be found, the Lime Walk in Booth Park being especially lovely. There are a number of beautiful parks in the neighbourhood, among them being Tatton Park, the seat of Earl Egerton of Tatton; Tabley, the seat of Lady Leighton Warren, whose brother, the late Lord de Tabley, was the author of several charming volumes of poetry, two of the best known being “ Poems: Dramatic and Lyrical,” First and Second Series. Other parks are Toft, Booth, Peover, and Mere. Though there is no river, some of the largest meres in Cheshire are in the immediate vicinity. Of these, Tatton, Rostherne and Mere are each about a mile in length, and Rostherne in some places is over one hundred feet in depth.

  Knutsford is a grand field for the archaeologist, many of the mansions dating back to very early times. One of the most interesting of these is Tabley Old Hall, situated about two and a half miles from Knutsford, on the road to Northwich.1 The house, which is now kept as a show place — a modern residence having been built in the centre of the park in 1744 — is built on an island in Tabley Mere, evidently with a view to its security from attack. It lies a little distance from the ancient Roman road — Watling Street — which runs from Manchester to Chester. The present building is a good specimen of Elizabethan architecture, with large stone windows having mullions and transoms. The original structure was built in the reign of Richard II. It was a “ many-gabled and highly picturesque example of the half- timbered style of building, and was Reference may be made besides to “ Knutsford: its Traditions and History,” by Rev. Henry Green, M.A.; Ormerod’s “ Cheshire “; and “ Old Halls in Lancashire and Cheshire,” by Henry Taylor.

  restored and enlarged by Sir Peter Leicester in 1671.”

  The old chapel, which is adjacent to the Hall, was built in 1675, and the high-backed oaken pews face north and south; the men, according to an ancient custom, sitting on the one side, and the women on the other. The father of the late Lord de Tabley is said to have remarked that the women ought to allow the men to rest at least one hour in the week. The park, which is large and well wooded, is closed to the public; but the Old Hall may be visited by procuring an order from Lady Leighton Warren, who is very kind to people who are really interested. “ Sir Nicholas De Leycester, Knight, was Seneschall to the greate subject & favourite Henry Lacy, Earl of Lincoln & Constable of Cheshire, in the reigne of K. Edward I., about a.d. 1288. “ 1

  Tenth in descent from Sir Nicholas was Peter Leycester, who married Alice, daughter of Sir John Holford in 1529.

  Holford Hall, a very pretty black and white building,is not far from Tabley Hall.

  1 “ Travels in England,” by Richard le Gallienne, p. 261.

  Returning once again to the Old Hall, we find that the great hall is a spacious apartment, forty feet long by twenty-five feet wide, with a gallery on three sides, the roof being supported by huge timbers roughly hewn. The walls are festooned with old armour, spears, and pikes, and with instruments of war and other curios brought from foreign lands by different members of the family. Sir Peter Leicester who restored and enlarged Tabley Old Hall, was created a baronet in 1660. He it was wh
o wrote an invaluable “ History of the Bucklow Hundred of Cheshire.”

  Other halls in the neighbourhood date back to a period far remote, that at Over Tabley, now used as a farmhouse by Mr. John Dean, having been built about 1291, and the Hall at Toft, in the midst of a beautifully wooded park, dating from the reign of Richard I., while Higher Peover Hall, about three miles from Knutsford, has been “ the homestead of the Main- warings from times, perhaps, long anterior to the Conquest.”

  Knutsford is to this day an old-world sort of place. The cattle fair is still partly held in the public streets, and until quite recently the bellman, or town- crier, prefaced any announcement he had to make with, “ God save the Queen and the lord of this manor,” in return for which he received a new suit of clothes each year. When the Queen ascended the throne we are told that the old bellman, Jeremy Low, who was a noted public character, found it difficult not to make his customary prelude, “ God save the King and the lord of this manor,” and frequently had to correct himself. On one occasion, being so exasperated with himself for having to say “ God save the King — Queen,” and forgetting for the moment the loyalty due to his sovereign, he turned round, and, in a growling undertone, said, “ God d

  the Queen.”

  The old custom, which seems peculiar to Knutsford, of “ sanding “ for marriages and special occasions, is still most carefully observed. Designs, some of which are extremely artistic, are worked out in sand on the pavements and across the streets in front of the houses.