Maria was delicate, unusually clever and thoughtful for her age, gentle, and untidy.

Of her frequent disgrace from this last fault--of her sufferings, so patiently borne--I have already spoken.

The only glimpse we get of Elizabeth, through the few years of her short life, is contained in a letter which I have received from "Miss Temple." "The second, Elizabeth, is the only one of the family of whom I have a vivid recollection, from her meeting with a somewhat alarming accident, in consequence of which I had her for some days and nights in my bedroom, not only for the sake of greater quiet, but that I might watch over her myself.

Her head was severely cut, but she bore all the consequent suffering with exemplary patience, and by it won much upon my esteem.

Of the two younger ones (if two there were) I have very slight recollections, save that one, a darling child, under five years of age, was quite the pet nursling of the school." This last would be Emily.
Charlotte was considered the most talkative of the sisters--a "bright, clever, little child." Her great friend was a certain "Mellany Hane" (so Mr.Bronte spells the name), whose brother paid for her schooling, and who had no remarkable talent except for music, which her brother's circumstances forbade her to cultivate.