Journal

and Anne at 29 in 1849. It also followed her unrequited love for Constantin
Heger in Brussells during her stays in 1842 and 1843.
One winter night, Lucy (Snowe) was invited to a concert by Dr John and his
mother. It was followed by a lottery and to crown all, the King and Queen
were to be present.
Charlotte attended a concert on 10th December 1843 at Salle de la Grande
Harmonie which the Belgian King Leopold I and Queen Louise also
attended. The drawing of a lottery took place for the benefit of charity. Art
imitates life. There are other concerts in the book that mirror the actual
concerts that Charlotte herself attended in Brussels.
Having been well acquainted with the music of those days, Charlotte made
the most of several pieces which amplified the effect that each scene created.
Winifred Gérin wrote
The importance of tracing her true experiences, as opposed to fictional
ones integrated into her novel, lies in their influence on her creative
powers … All her perceptions, as though under the influence of a
drug, were heightened to their fullest capacity by the struggle going on
in her soul.
The Professor
In The Professor music is not often referred to. There is a piano in M’selle
Reuter’s room. Pierre-Jean Beranger (1780-1857) is the only musician’s name
mentioned in the novel. His speciality was liberal and republican songs, so M.
Pelet is assumed to support the republic government, though in the novel,
political issues are scarcely discussed. There is a reference to a nightingale
singing in chapter 25, when William and Frances are on their way back to
Daisy Lane.
Shirley
In Shirley music was often played or sung at family gatherings.
‘What has Mr Sweeting, besides his curacy?’ … ‘What has Sweeting?
Why. David has his harp, or flute, which comes to the same thing. He
has a sort of pinchbeck watch; ditto, ring: ditto, eye-glass; that’s what he
has.’
This suggests that Rev Sweeting can entertain at family gatherings with a flute.
- 48 -