The amazing secret life of Brontë news

The Daily Mail has a lengthy article on Mrs Gaskell whose contents are remarkable, specially as articles on Mrs Gaskell go, yet we find the style a tad too gossipy and tabloid-y for our liking, starting by its title: The amazing secret life of Cranford creator Elizabeth Gaskell.

Keighley News reports belatedly the recent acquisition of a Branwell Brontë painting by the Brontë Parsonage Museum (check this old post):

AN OIL painting by Branwell Brontë - of his sister's friend - has been bought by the Brontë Parsonage Museum.
The painting of Maria Taylor, of Manor House, Stanbury, who knew Charlotte Brontë, was purchased for £6,600 at a Bonham's auction. The museum was also successful in bidding for a letter written by Charlotte, author of Jane Eyre, to Maria. It paid £5,280.
Museum librarian Ann Dinsdale said: "We are thrilled to have got both items. The portrait of Maria is particularly special because we already have a painting of her brother Robert which was done by Branwell."
The museum had been helped in the purchases by grants from the Victoria & Albert Museum's purchase fund, from the Art Fund and a donation from a Brontë Society member.
She said it was planned to display both items when the new season opened in February.
The paintings were created by Branwell in his studio in Fountain Street, Bradford, which he had in 1839.
In the 1839 letter to Maria, Charlotte tells her that she can't visit her for a fortnight because she is to holiday in Scarborough - the first time she saw the sea.

A comment has to be made here. Maria Taylor, more an acquaintance than a friend as is described in the article, should not be confused with Mary Taylor.

A Lady's Diversions has written to us announcing her ongoing contest. Check it out:

Every autumn (October, usually---I'm running behind), I re-read one of my favorite novels, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. It is such a passionate, tumultuous novel, which seems to match the changing weather.
This year, I have decided to have a little Wuthering Heights Contest. The prize includes a small, gilt-edged copy of the novel; some loose-leaf Yorkshire Harrogate Tea from my favorite tea shop; and a pair of wristwarmers that I knit.
The contest will end Friday, 30 November, at 3pm, after which I will pick a winner at random. (Lady Jane)

All you have to do to enter is comment on her post. So, what you are waiting for?

Wuthering Heights is also the subject of this entry on poet R.N. Taber's blog that includes a poem of one of his books: Time on Haworth Moor (Love and Human Remains, 2001). Another writer, Eduardo Berti, also posts about the Brontë sisters in his blog, Bertigo (in Spanish).

Let's end this post with this lovely comment published in The Enterprise Ledger:

“There are few rewards in life more pleasant during this holiday season than watching a child sitting on the swing on our broad front porch reading ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte,” said Dr. Jim Powell, director of the Lucile Pierce Family Center in Opp.

Indeed.

Categories: Branwell Brontë, Brontëana, Jane Eyre, Poetry, Wuthering Heights