Part 4 (2/2)
Johnson's proposition, deliberately throw over other chances ofa livelihood to rely entirely upon literature She was young, unmarried, and, to all intents and purposes, alone in the world Such a step was unprecedented in English literary annals She would really be, as she wrote to her sister, the first of a new genus Her conduct would unquestionably be criticised and censured She would have to run the gauntlet of public opinion, a h which she had passed at the castle in Mitchelstown
But, on the other hand, she would thereby gain freedom and independence, for which she had always yearned above all else; her ould be congenial; and, what to her was even more important, she would obtain better means to further the welfare of her sisters and brothers, and to assist her father Compared to these inducements, the fact that people would look upon her askance was a very insignificant consideration She believed in a woht to independence; and, the first chance she had, she acted according to her lights
But, at the same time, she knew that if her friends heard of her determination before she had carried it into effect, they would try to dissuade her from it She was firmly resolved not to be influenced in this matter by any one; and therefore, to avoid the unpleasant discussions and disputes that ht arise from a difference of opinion, she maintained strict secrecy as to her plans From her letters it seeements with Mr Johnson before her forh In September of 1788 she stayed at Henley for a short time with Mrs Bishop; and it was doubtless this visit that caused Margaret's unhappiness and hence her nation At Henley Mary enjoyed a short interval of rest The quiet of the place and temporary idleness were the best of tonics for her disordered nerves, and an excellent preparation for her new labors That she was at that ti for literature, but that she did not take her sister into her confidence, is shown by this letter written to Mr Johnson, containing a pleasant description of her holiday:--
HENLEY, Thursday, Sept 13
MY DEAR SIR,--Since I saw you I have, literally speaking, _enjoyed_ solitude My sister could not accompany me in my rambles; I therefore wandered alone by the side of the Tharounds: the prospects were of such a placid kind, I _caught_ tranquillity while I surveyed theive you an account how I have spent my time, you would smile I found an old French Bible here, and alish translation; then I would listen to the falling leaves, or observe the various tints the autu of a robin or the noise of a water-edso from this _tiny_ world to new systems
After these excursions I returned to the family reeable), and my sister was ato mend my pen; but I believe it will enable me to say all I have to add to this epistle Have you yet heard of an habitation for me? I often think of my new plan of life; and lest my sister should try to prevail onit to her I ah at female determinations; but letof consequence, that I did not adhere resolutely to it, till I had accoht have appeared to a more tiathered some experience, and feltfor a little peace and _independence_! Every obligation we receive from our fellow-creatures is a new shackle, takes from our native freedom, and debases the !
I am, Sir, yours, etc, MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT
When she parted fro her new life, she thought it best to coed the latter not to mention them to any one else She seems for some ti of her whereabouts or her occupations
She wrote from London on the 7th of Noveirl, once more thrown on the world I _have_ left Lord K's, and they return next week to Mitchelstown I long since iined that my departure would be sudden I have not _seen_ Mrs
Burgh, but I have informed her of this circumstance, and at the same time mentioned to her, that I was determined not to see any of my friends till I am in a way to earn my own subsistence And to this deterreeable pity and advice would be at this juncture I have two other cogent reasons Before I go on will you pause, and if, after deliberating, you will prons, though youyou to conceal them unreasonable, I will trust to your honor, and proceed
Mr Johnson, whose uncommon kindness, I believe, has saved me from despair and vexation I shrink back from, and fear to encounter, assures , Ito be the first of a new genus I tremble at the attempt; yet if I fail _I_ only suffer; and should I succeed, e, where for a few et the cares that disturb the rest I shall strain every nerve to obtain a situation for Eliza nearer town: in short, I am once more involved in schemes Heaven only knohether they will answer! Yet while they are pursued life slips away I would not on any account inforns You and Eliza are the only part of the family I am interested about; I wish to be awould subject me to ridicule and an inundation of friendly advice to which I cannot listen; I must be independent I wish to introduce you to Mr Johnson You would respect him; and his sensible conversation would soon wear away the impression that a formality, or rather stiffness of e I am sure you would love him, did you knohat tenderness and humanity he has behaved to me
I cannot write more explicitly I have indeed been very much harassed But Providence has been very kind to me, and when I reflect on past mercies, I am not without hope with respect to the future; and freedo floated in my mind You know I am not born to tread in the beaten track; the peculiar bent of my nature pushes me on Adieu; believe me ever your sincere friend and affectionate sister,
MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT
Seas will not now divide us, nor years elapse before we see each other
Thus, hopeful for herself and her sisters, she started out upon a new road, which, smoother than any she had yet trodden, was not without its many thorns and pitfalls For a little while she stayed with Mr Johnson, whose house was then, as ever, open to her But as soon as possible she e Street, in the neighborhood of Blackfriars' Bridge Here she was near him, and this was an iive her necessitated frequent intercourse between thee for her to be within reasonable distance of the only friend she possessed in London
Mr Johnson ave her the manuscripts sent to him to read and criticise; he also required that she should translate for hireat demand, and that she should contribute to the ”analytical Reviehich had just been established Her position was a good one It is true it left her little tiht that it contracted rather than enlarged her genius for the tiave her a certain valuable experience and much practice which she would not otherwise have obtained, and it insured her steady employment She was to the publisher what a staff contributor is to a newspaper Whenever anything was to be done, she was called upon to do it Therefore, there was no danger of her dying of starvation in a garret, like Chatterton, or of her offering herbookseller after another, as happened to Carlyle
She did not disappoint Mr Johnson's expectations She worked well and diligently, being thoroughly conscientious in whatever she did The office of ”reader” is no mere sinecure; it requires a keen critical sense, an ie The first of these qualifications Mary possessed naturally, and her honesty enabled her to cultivate the two last She was as fearless in her criticisms as she was just; she praised and found fault with equal tereeable duty was the indirect cause of the happiest event of her life The circus to a later date, but it may more appropriately be mentioned here in connection with this branch of her work On one occasion she had to read a volume of Essays written by Miss Hayes The preface displeased her, and this she told the author, stating her reasons with unhesitating frankness Miss Hayes was a wo such candor of speech; and the business transaction led to a sincere and lasting friendshi+p Miss Hayes was thebetween Godwin and Mary, who, as the sequel will shoere not very friendly when they first met This fact adds a personal interest to Mary's letter She writes,--
”I yesterday mentioned to Mr Johnson your request, and he assented, desiring that the titlepagemore, for trifles of this kind I have always left to him to settle; and you , the phrase on which you have laid a stress, is the cant of both trade and sex; for if really equality should ever take place in society, the ives a just equivalent for the money he receives will not behave with the servile obsequiousness of a servant
”I areater frankness I do not approve of your preface, and I will tell you why: if your work should deserve attention, it is a blur on the very face of it
Disadvantages of education, etc, ought, in my opinion, never to be pleaded with the public in excuse for defects of any ith of mind to overcome the common difficulties that lie in his way, nature seems to command hi others to those who can This kind of vain huusted me; and I should say to an author, who huood opinion of your own production, why intrude it on the public? We have plenty of bad books already, that have just gasped for breath and died The last paragraph I particularly object to, it is so full of vanity Your male friends will still treat you like a woman; and many a man, for instance Dr Johnson, Lord Littleton, and even Dr Priestley have insensibly been led to utter wariums in private that they would be sorry openly to avoithout so explanatory ifs
An author, especially a woman, should be cautious, lest she too hastily ss the crude praises which partial friend and polite acquaintance bestow thoughtlessly when the supplicating eye looks for thereat resolution to try rather to be useful than to please With this re you to pardonto add,--rest on yourself If your essays haveup_ of Dr this or that will not long keep thear have a pertinent proverb, 'Too many cooks spoil the broth;' and let ence, it seeth Indeed, the preface, and even your paht to be ly interests the public, true round, for it is only about the character and life of a _good_ author that curiosity is active A blossom is but a blossom”
It is a pity that most of Mary's contributions to the ”analytical Review,” being unsigned, cannot be credited to her She wrote for it many reviews and similar articles, and they probably were characterized by her uncohtforwardness of speech ”If you do not like the manner in which I reviewed Dr J----'s S---- on his wife,” she wrote in a note to Mr Johnson, ”be it known unto you, I _will_ not do it any other way I felt so a just tribute of respect to the memory of a man, who, spite of all his faults, I have an affection for” From this it appears, that to tell the truth in these enial duty
She was principally occupied in translating Following Mr Johnson's advice, she had while in Ireland perfected her French She was tolerably familiar with Italian; and she now devoted all her spareGer, and her deter she had chosen, indo up the only capital she kne to accumulate, and she feared her future loss should she not make use of present opportunities She wrote to Mr Johnson, as ress,--
I really want a Gere, and I will tell you the reason why While I live, I a to procure an independence and render ht to storeaway I see the necessity of laboring now, and of that necessity I do not complain; on the contrary, I am thankful that I have e, and draw my pleasures from the employloorateful to you Without your humane and _delicate_ assistance, how many obstacles should I not have had to encounter! Too often should I have been out of patience with my fellow-creatures, whom I wish to love AllowI respect Adieu
MARY W