On this day in 1843 Branwell Bronte wrote his poem "Thorpe Green".

Thorpe Green

I sit, this evening, far away

From all I used to know,

And nought reminds my soul today

Of happy long ago.

Unwelcome cares, unthought-of fears

Around my room arise;

I seek for suns of former years,

But clouds o’ercast my skies.

Yes–Memory, wherefore does thy voice

Bring back old times to view,

As thou would bid me not rejoice

In thoughts and prospects new?

I’ll thank thee, Memory, in the hour

When troubled thoughts are mine—

For thou, like sun’s in April’s shower,

On shadowy scenes will shine.

I’ll thank thee when approaching death

Would quench life’s feeble ember,

For thou wouldst even renew my breath

With thy sweet word “Remember!”
Patrick Branwell Brontë 

March 30th 1843, Thorpe Green

 

Substantial manor house near Little Ouseburn, six miles from Boroughbridge, where Anne went as governess to the Robinson family in 1840, and Branwell followed her as tutor to Edmund, the one son, in 1843. The family had lived there for nearly 50 years, and the Rev. Edmund Robinson seems to have been a country gentleman in his tastes and pursuits. The estate was large and beautiful, and the possibilities for field sports were abundant. The house burnt down early in the twentieth century, but the rooms and their proportions can be found in the advertisements when the house was let after the departure of the Robinsons ( Leeds Intelligencer , 21 Aug 1847 and 8 Dec 1855). Also part of the estate was the Monks’ House, where Branwell apparently lodged. This building still stands. blackwell reference

Like his sisters, Branwell Brontë was tutored at home at Haworth Parsonage. The only brother in a family of sisters, he was the indulged, spoiled darling of the family. But he was also, like his sisters, highly talented. A willing scholar with a ‘precocious intellect’, he translated Horace to critical acclaim, played the organ in his father’s church, and aspired to being a professional portrait painter.

Physically small, he had flaming red hair, was impulsive and quick-witted, and had a “penchant for showing off in company”, according to the Brontë Society’s biography. He also had an erratic and emotional nature that stopped him making the most of his talents, however. York press