Jane Eyre: An Autobiography

Charlotte Brontë's classic work is beautifully presented in this edition. This version is faithful to the text of the third edition, including the introductions Brontë wrote for the second and third editions. Spelling has been updated to the modern standard expected by American readers. ---Excerpt--- Hitherto I have recorded in detail the events of my insignificant existence: to the first ten years of my life I have given almost as many chapters. But this is not to be a regular autobiography. I am only bound to invoke Memory where I know her responses will possess some degree of interest; therefore I now pass a space of eight years almost in silence: a few lines only are necessary to keep up the links of connection. When the typhus fever had fulfilled its mission of devastation at Lowood, it gradually disappeared from thence; but not till its virulence and the number of its victims had drawn public attention on the school. Inquiry was made into the origin of the scourge, and by degrees various facts came out which excited public indignation in a high degree. The unhealthy nature of the site; the quantity and quality of the children's food; the brackish, fetid water used in its preparation; the pupils' wretched clothing and accommodations-all these things were discovered, and the discovery produced a result mortifying to Mr. Brocklehurst, but beneficial to the institution.