This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII MRS. SIDGWICK'S NURSERY GOVERNESS If Charlotte Bronte found her whole soul in revolt at the life of a governess in a small school where the two headmistresses looked upon themselves as her personal friends, she was not likely to meet with a happier lot when she elected to try the life of a private governess. Yet it seemed to be the only career that offered itself to Miss Bronte--aged twenty-two--at this time. Anne was with her at Haworth, back from Miss Wooler's school, but eager for independence. Emily had had enough of such'independence, ' she had left the hateful discipline of Miss Patchett's uncongenial 'Academy.' Branwell, although of an age when he should have been earning money, had already begun that restless, ill-judged career of dissipation that was so soon to wreck his life. He alternated between Haworth and Bradford, where he rented a studio in Fountain Street; painting now and again a portrait, one, for example, of his uncle, the Rev. William Morgan, but lounging for the most part in the bar of the George Hotel in this latter town, where among his cronies were John James, the future historian of Bradford; Wilson Anderson, a landscape-painter; Geller, the mezzotintoengraver; Richard Waller, a portrait-painter, and occasionally Leyland the sculptor.1 Branwell clearly was costing his father money, and Charlotte and Anne had to think of a plan to help. Meanwhile a way of escape for the elder sister had presented itself. Charlotte Bronte received 1 Thi Bronte Family, with special reference to Patrick Branwell Bronte, by Francis A. Leyland. 2 vols. Hurst and Blackett. 1886. an offer of marriage. The lover was her friend Ellen Nussey's brother Henry. He was at this time a curate at Donnington in Sussex. He afterwards..