“Why do you like Miss Austen so very much? I am puzzled on that point..."

October 10, 2016

Dear Jane,

When last I wrote, I mentioned that I would not write again until I had some diverting fall excursions to tell you of. Happily, I had a most lovely Friday evening last week and I hearily wish to tell you all about it. (Pray, do not be alarmed by the quotation above as it will all be explained in good time.) 

A portrait of
Miss Charlotte Brontë.

After a surprisingly pleasant day of temping, I was determined to visit the Morgan Library (one of my most favorite places in New York City) in order to walk through an exhibit currently on display there called, "Charlotte Brontë: An Independent Will." Fortunately, the Morgan offers patrons free admission on Friday evenings from seven o'clock until nine o'clock so I had no excuse to miss it. 

Miss Brontë's writing desk...
I need one of these!

Now, as Miss Brontë found her fame many years after your passing, you would not have known her, but she certainly knew you, Jane. I implore you not to hold it against her, but Charlotte was no great admirer of yours. I do not wish to make you unhappy, but she once wrote in a letter to W.S. Williams that, "Jane Austen was a complete and most sensible lady, but a very incomplete and rather insensible (not senseless) woman." She is also the author of the first quotation above, which she wrote in a letter to her friend George Lewes after reading Pride & Prejudice at his recommendation. Even if she and I disagree about you, Miss Austen, she is an authoress I highly esteem and I was most eager to learn more about her.  In truth, Jane Eyre is a splendid novel and I do not think you would disagree with me had you been given the opportunity to read it. I only wish she was more gracious towards yourself!

Now, I do not wish to cause offense to those loyal to Charlotte, but I think Miss Brontë was perhaps a bit jealous of your fame and consequence. Also, I do not believe she knew enough about your life to be able make such ill judgements about you. That being said, however, we cannot be angry with her for her opinions. Unfortunately, during her lifetime readers and publishers sometimes used your writing as a means of judgement for hers and with a writing style very different than your own, I am sure Charlotte did not appreciate such ignorant comparisons. Sadly, because you were both writers of the female sex, many felt that they had the right to compare you to one another. If only they had realized that you were both geniuses in your own rights!

The tiny handwriting of
Charlotte Brontë...what a sight!

A first edition! You can see here that
Charlotte used the pen name 'Currer Bell.'

My passionate musings aside, I visited the museum with the knowledge that the curator of the Brontë exhibit was giving a special talk in the education center about Charlotte and the various artifacts on display. Happily, I realized that I have had some delightful instagram interactions with the lady and thought it a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the exhibit and become acquainted with her. I was not disappointed! Miss Nelson brought out some extra objects that were not on display to the general public, one of which was the first volume of a first edition of Jane Eyre (shown above). This particular copy was personally given by Miss Brontë to her friend, Mary, which of course made it all the more special. 

Miss Christine Nelson
of the Morgan Library
reading to us from
one of the treasures 
on display! 

After her presentation, I introduced myself to Miss Nelson as a fan of her instagram account (delighfully awkward, I know) and she was most gracious in asking who I was. When I stated that I was "@yoursfaithfullyamanda," she immediately recognized me and even remembered our conversation about how important it is for Janeites to have an appreciation for both yourself and the Brontë sisters. We then spoke for a few more moments and she thanked me for introducing myself. Huzzah for not being an intovert for a few moments! 

A dress and pair of shoes worn by
Miss Brontë.

As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the exhibit and highly recommend it to all. There are some truly remarkable things to see, many of which are owned by the Morgan Museum. Additionally, there are also paintings on loan from the National Portrait Gallery in London and rare personal momentos and books from the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, England. It is truly a most concise and riveting exhibit exploring one of England's most beloved authors. I do believe Charlotte would have been pleased to see how she is being remembered and revered in today's world. She and her beloved Jane Eyre were both women of independent wills, neither of whom will be forgotten any time soon. The exhibit is on display until January 2, 2017 and it is not one to be missed! 

Expect another letter from me soon, Jane, for I still have much more to relate to you!

Yours Faithfully,

Amanda