“Do you know that I was in Leeds on the very same day with you last Wednesday? I had thought of telling you where I was going, and having your help and company in buying a bonnet, &c., but then I
reflected this would merely be making a selfish use of you, so I determined to manage or mismanage the matter alone. I went to Hurst and Hall’s for the bonnet, and got one which seemed grave andquiet there amongst all the splendours; but now it looks infinitely too gay with its pink lining. I saw some beautiful silks of pale sweet colours, but had not the spirit nor the means to launch out at the rate of five shillings per yard, and went and bought a black silk at three shillings after all. I rather regret this, because papa says he would have lent me a sovereign if he had known. I believe, if you had been there, you would have forced me to get into debt.... arthursbookshelf
The Illustrated London News of September 11, 1858 stated that Leeds was the "largest and most flourishing" city in Yorkshire, the fifth in England "in point of population and commercial activity. The population in 1851 was 172,270. The number of inhabited houses in 1851 was 36,165
Leeds
Lord, wouldn't one just love to see Charlotte Bronte shopping? She often seemed charmingly confused in a spot right between her inner and outer worlds. lol!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenCharlotte was so use to arraying the finest fabrics on her characters in her juvenile writings, she actually was an expert. But when it came to herself, that was another matter
If I was Ellen, I'd be vexed I wasn't told we were both in Leeds at the same time , because damn it, Charlotte plainly needed help to make the leap to those... "beautiful silks of pale sweet colours"
But perhaps she was not quite ready to leave
behind the mourning black