pageantry with which George IV. was entertained in that city.  Even those great writers who hid themselves amongst lakes and mountains associated with each other; and though little seen by the world were so much in its thoughts that a new term, ‘Lakers,’ was coined to designate them.  The chief part of Charlotte Bronte’s life was spent in a wild solitude compared with which Steventon and Chawton might be considered to be in the gay world; and yet she attained to personal distinction which never fell to Jane’s lot.  When she visited her kind publisher in London, literary men and women were invited purposely to meet her:  Thackeray bestowed upon her the honour of his notice; and once in Willis’s Rooms, {117} she had to walk shy and trembling through an avenue of lords and ladies, drawn up for the purpose of gazing at the author of ‘Jane Eyre.’  Miss Mitford, too, lived quietly in ‘Our Village,’ devoting her time and talents to the benefit of a father scarcely worthy of her; but she did not live there unknown.  Her tragedies gave her a name in London.  She numbered Milman and Talfourd amongst her correspondents; and her works were a passport to the society of many who would not otherwise have sought her.  Hundreds admired Miss Mitford on account of her writings for one who ever connected the idea of Miss Austen with the press.  A few years ago, a gentleman visiting Winchester Cathedral desired to be shown Miss Austen’s grave.  The verger, as he pointed it out, asked, ’Pray, sir, can you tell me whether there was anything particular about that lady; so many people want to know where she was buried?’ During her life the ignorance of the verger was shared by most people; few knew that ’there was anything particular about that lady.’

It was not till towards the close of her life, when the last of the works that she saw published was in the press, that she received the only mark of distinction ever bestowed upon her; and that was remarkable for the high quarter whence it emanated rather than for any actual increase of fame that it conferred.  It happened thus.  In the autumn of 1815 she nursed her brother Henry through a dangerous fever and slow convalescence at his house in Hans Place.  He was attended by one of the Prince Regent’s physicians.  All attempts to keep her name secret had at this time ceased, and though it had never appeared on a title-page, all who cared to know might easily learn it:  and the friendly physician was aware that his patient’s nurse was the author of ‘Pride and Prejudice.’  Accordingly he informed her one day that the Prince was a great admirer of her novels; that he read them often, and kept a set in every one of his residences; that he himself therefore had thought it right to inform his Royal Highness that Miss Austen was staying in London, and that the Prince had desired Mr. Clarke, the librarian of Carlton House, to wait upon her.  The next day Mr. Clarke made his appearance, and invited her to Carlton House,