Sometimes, a little thing can change the world – such as a manuscript that arrived in the hands of George Smith on 24thAugust 1847. You may have guessed that it was the manuscript of Jane Eyre, and today we’re going to look at a first hand account of its arrival and reception.
Interspersed throughout this post are images from that very manuscript, in the handwriting of Charlotte Brontë herself. In her letters to Ellen Nussey, Charlotte often asks Ellen to excuse her ‘scrawl,’ but in fact having read hundreds of examples of it I’ve always found Charlotte’s handwriting to be neat and legible – all the more remarkable considering the manuscript was written by quill pen, and often the famously short sighted author was writing by candlelight. These images are from the original copy now held by the British Library but they note on their website that: ‘We have been unable to contact the copyright holder for Fair copy manuscript of Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre.”’ As the copyright holder died 171 years ago, that may prove a fruitless task.
The following account is also long out of copyright, as it comes from Charlotte’s publisher George Smith. In his memoir Smith also reveals how he had offered employment as publishing assistant to W. S. Williams who at that point, in Smith’s words, was a bookkeeper whose ‘gifts were of a most primitive character.’
With Williams’s letter accepting the position came a slip of paper from a certain Currer Bell, saying they would soon be sending a new novel for the firm’s perusal (after previously sending them the manuscript of The Professor which they, like everyone else, had rejected.) For what happened next let’s turn to George Smith himself:
‘In reply to Mr. Williams’s letter came a brief note from Currer Bell, expressing grateful appreciation of the attention which had been given to the MS. [manuscript], and saying that the author was on the point of finishing another book, which would be sent to us as soon as completed.
The second MS. was Jane Eyre. Here again Currer Bell’s suspicion as to the excessive parsimony of London publishers in regard to postage-stamps found expression in the letter accompanying the MS. She wrote:
“I find I cannot prepay the carriage of the parcel, as money for that purpose is not received at the small station where it is left. If, when you acknowledge the receipt of the MS., you would have the goodness to mention the amount charged on delivery, I will immediately transmit it in postage-stamps.”
The MS. of Jane Eyre was read by Mr. Williams in due course. He brought it to me on a Saturday, and said that he would like me to read it. There were no Saturday half-holidays in those days, and, as was usual, I did not reach home until late. I had made an appointment with a friend for Sunday morning; I was to meet him about twelve o’clock, at a place some two or three miles from our house, and ride with him into the country. After breakfast on Sunday morning I took the MS. of Jane Eyre to my little study, and began to read it. The story quickly took me captive. Before twelve o’clock my horse came to the door, but I could not put the book down. I scribbled two or three lines to my friend, saying I was very sorry that circumstances had arisen to prevent my meeting him, sent the note off by my groom, and went on reading the MS. Presently the servant came to tell me that luncheon was ready; I asked him to bring me a sandwich and a glass of wine, and still went on with Jane Eyre. Dinner came; for me the meal was a very hasty one, and before I went to bed that night I had finished reading the manuscript.
The next day we wrote to Currer Bell accepting the book for publication. I need say nothing about the success which the book achieved, and the speculations as to whether it was written by a man or a woman. For my own part I never had much doubt on the subject of the writer’s sex; but then I had the advantage over the general public of having the handwriting of the author before me. There were qualities of style, too, and turns of expression, which satisfied me that Currer Bell was a woman, an opinion in which Mr. Williams concurred. We were bound, however, to respect the writer’s anonymity, and our letters continued to be addressed to Currer Bell, Esq. Her sisters were always referred to in the correspondence as Messrs. Ellis and Acton Bell.’
Many readers today know just how Smith felt, as we find it equally unputdownable. Happy Jane Eyre Day one and all tomorrow, and I hope you can join me next week for another new Brontë blog post.
