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"Gone to a strange and distant land..." Charles, born in 1817, was the youngest of Emily and Ellen's brothers. At the start of 1839, aged only 18, Charles left for to Australia to start a career by running a sheep farm. Emily and Ellen felt his loss acutely. The well-being of their brothers was hugely important to them, as was their proximity, and to loose Charles to such an unknown and distant land was heart-breaking and their feeling regarding his departure are recorded at length in both of their diaries and can be read here. The language used to describe Charles's departure was incredibly strong and emotive, much like the sister's response to Melmouth's unacceptable marriage. Ellen and Emily certainly were not the only women of their era to feel that their love for their brothers was very important to them. While grieving at the knowledge of Charles's imminent journey, Ellen sat up late one night with her friend Rose-Anne who told a sad tale about the deep love one woman felt for her brother and how much the loss of his affection disturbed her. You can read the tale here. Rose-Anne also confided in Ellen how strongly and passionately she loved her own brother. What she told Ellen can be read here. These feelings of sibling love were something Ellen could empathise with: Ellen's Diary, Friday 28th December, 1838 “This story and the almost wild manner in which it was told made a deep impression on me_I can conceive no feeling so desolate, so heart breaking, as the loss of your dearest brothers love…” |
