W - Top Withens
This is another house I had never heard of.
You have to read on to find out more as I shall also have to.
This is another house I had never heard of.
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| Top Withens, Haworth circa 1900 (Source: Law, Alice 1923; p149 "Patrick Bramwell Bronte." - Public Domain) |
I suppose the Haworth name should have given me a clue.
The house is now a roofless ruin but it does have an explanatory plaque.
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| Top Withens - Bronte Society Plaque (18 May 2005 - by Dave Dunsford - Public domain) |
It's a long time since I read 'Wuthering Heights' but early in Chapter 1 Mr Lockwood finds out that -
"Wuthering Heights is the name of Mr Heathcliff's dwelling. "Wuthering" being a significant provincial adjective, descriptive of the atmospheric tumult to which its station is exposed in stormy weather. Pure, bracing ventilation they must have up there at all times, indeed: one may guess the power of the north wind blowing over the edge, by the excessive slant of a few stunted firs at the end of the house; and by a range of gaunt thorns all stretching their limbs one way, as if craving alms of the sun. Happily, the architect had foresight to build it strong: the narrow windows are deeply set in the wall, and the corners defended with large jutting stones."
