On the Death of Emily Jane Brontë

Today marks the anniversary of the death of Emily Brontë 176 years ago. Charlotte wrote a poem about it:

On the Death of Emily Jane Brontë

My darling thou wilt never know

The grinding agony of woe

That we have bourne for thee,

Thus may we consolation tear

E'en from the depth of our despair

And wasting misery.

The nightly anguish thou art spared

When all the crushing truth is bared

To the awakening mind,

When the galled heart is pierced with grief,

Till wildly it implores relief,

But small relief can find.

Nor know'st thou what it is to lie

Looking forth with streaming eye

On life's lone wilderness.

"Weary, weary, dark and drear,

How shall I the journey bear,

The burden and distress?"

Then since thou art spared such pain

We will not wish thee here again;

He that lives must mourn.

God help us through our misery

And give us rest and joy with thee

When we reach our bourne!

ABC News manages the apt combination of Emily Brontë and Christmas for today:

In the European tradition, carollers were a group of musicians who went from house to house to spread some festive cheer in exchange for food and drink.

Emily Bronte wrote about this in Wuthering Heights.

“[These carollers] go the rounds of all the respectable houses, and receive contributions every Christmas, and we esteemed it a first-rate treat to hear them,” related Mrs Dean, the main narrator of Wuthering Heights. (Ria Andriani)

And more Christmas as The Telegraph and Argus has some suggestions for 'Things to do in Haworth, Yorkshire during Christmas time'.

The very best way to start your day in Haworth is to walk on the moors. It’s good for the soul. Whether you delight in trekking for hours, or just want to go a short way and breathe in some Yorkshire air before breakfast, there’s routes to suit everyone. If the weather is wild and wuthering, then you’ve hit the jackpot, as that’s just how the Brontës describe it in their writing. If it’s beautiful sunshine (we get more sun than you might think!), then you’re also a winner. One thing is for sure, the dramatic scenery will never let you down. [...]

A visit to the The Bronte Parsonage Museum is a must. The former home of the famous literary family now houses the world’s largest collection of Brontë works. (Josie Price)