This stone is erected by his
sorrowful
parishioners.
Childrens - Roses and Emily
" said Mr.
Blandford. "Oh yes, Sir; pray, pray do,
if you are a Doctor. " ". Well, but if I
b3
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? 6
ROSE AND EMILY J. OH>>
am not a Doctor, I. may. be a friend;"
*' If you are a friendSir," said the child
eagerly > " come directly, for my mamma
told us yesterday she had. no. friend but
God, and he, you know, is in Heaven,
which is a long way off; my papa is
there top, and though mamma tells me he
is very happv, I cannot help wishing him
with us again; for when he was here, she
never cried, and now she cries very often. 5*
The little girl sighed as she concluded,
and Mr. Blandford affectionately took her
hand* "Ah," she said, "papa used to
take my hand. just so,. and. we had. such
nice. walks together! ''
A sudden impression that the innocent
prattle to which he had been irresistibly
yielding the kindest feelings of his heart,
was a trick of infancy, seized upon. his
imaginationand disengaging his hand
frQm her gentle grasp, he hastily said--<
"Go home, child, to your mother--. 1
cannot attend you. " *' Then," said Rose
timidly, "you are not mamma s friend*
as I thought. " "No, no--go your way. "
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. *1
The poor little girl, as she parted from
him, lifted up her blue eyes to his face
with an expression so soft and sorrowful*
that his heart upbraided him with injus-
tice and inhumanity; and hastily calling
her back, he again took her hand, saying
"I have changed my mind, and will go
with you to see your mother. " "Thank
you, Sir," said Rose. "Mamma will be
glad to see a friend"
A silence of some minutes ensued, till
they came within sight of a small thatch,
ed cottage, in appearance so very humble,
that Mr. Blandford's might indeed be
called a genteel mansion when compared
with this. Rose suddenly exclaimed--
** Yonder are mamma and Isabel walking
in the garden and quitting hold of his
hand, bounded over the low stone wall
that surrounded the cottage. "Can
that be her mother," thought Mr. Bland-
ford, as he gazed on the graceful figure of
a woman leaning on the arm of an elegant
girl---*' Can they be the inhabitants of
such a place as this J" and he hesitated
B4
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? 8
ROSE AND EMILY } OR,
. whether to proceed or return--to pro-
ceed would require an apology, to return
would imply caprice; but whilst the foot
of freedom was arrested in its progress,
the eye of curiosity still dwelt on the
objects before him, and as he lingered on
the spot, he heard the anxious. enquiries
of the child, whilst fondly kissing the
hand held out to her. "Dear, de? . r
mamma, how are you now. ? I am so glad
to see you out. " "Do not speak so loud
and quick,my Rose,"said Isabel, "mamma
is better, but not well. " "I could not
find the Doctor," said Rose, lowering her
voice; "but I have brought a friend. "
Mrs. Sydney, turning her head, saw the
companion of her little girl, and ap<<
proaching him, apologised for her inatten-
tion, and invited him into the cottage to
impart his business. "I am ashamed to.
confess, madam, that I have none, and
concerned to find that I have obtruded
myself into a spot which sorrow and
sickness appear to have made sacred.
This little interesting girl attracted my
i
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? SKETCHES OF TOUTH.
9
attention, and irresistibly drew me hither;
she is at once the cause of my intrusion
and its apology. " Mrs. Sydney thanked
him for his praise*f her child, and assured
him as a mother she required nothing
more to be alleged in excuse for his visit*
"But I think it necessary," he added'
** to tell you my name--it is Blandford. I
am a mere idler--have been a resident of
this place only a few days, and am per-
fectly unacquainted with any of its inha-
bitants. The appellation of friend, which
accident has applied to me, I should be
most happy to confirm. May I enquire
if this be really your abode? ' ** For the
present it is. " "Pardon my curiosity,"
he continued, "perhaps, like myself, you
have chosen this spot for change? "
"Change indeed ! " sighed Mrs. Sydney.
"I perceive, Sir, you are a stranger here. "
Mr. Blandford s curiosity, though
strongly excited, was not of that selfish
nature which seeks its own gratification
at the expence of another's feelings, he7
? & 5 \ .
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? ]0 KOSE. ASfD EMILY; Oft,
therefore forbore any further . questions;
or observations. ; . anckfinding himself too
deeply interested to attempt general con-
versation, he only addej^thatas. he might.
probably reside in. the village a few.
months, he hoped she would permit him*
occasionally, as a neighbour, to enquire1
after her health. Mrs. Sydney thanked^
him,and Mr. BIandfprd, again apologising.
fcu\ his intrusion, departed. .
Iri. thelifc-thne of Mr. Sydney, his. house.
had often been the resort of. the stranger.
and iof the traveller. , who,. . accidentally.
attracted by the beauty of the situation,.
was observed,. . and. invited by its social .
owner to. share. the hospitality. of . his,
table; or, introduced to him through the.
medium of friends, became for . a time his
guest. . Mr. ' Blandford's visit,. therefore,
occasioned Mrs. . Sydney neither . embar- .
rassment nor surprise. . As. a stranger, it
was natural lie should explore every part.
of the village, and wish to become. ac-
quainted with its inhabitants; . as a .
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. :
11
stranger too, he was entitled to attention
and civility-"-. . ; 5 i ? ,. ';<<.
As he walked homewards, his mind
dwelt upon the accidental circumstance
of. his introduction to Mrs. Sydney and
her daughters. . In the mother he beheld
that graceful ease of manner frhicti. dis-
tinguishes the well educated woman j a
gentleness at once dignified and engaging,
which, whilst it invited friendship^ re-
pressed familiarity; and notwithstanding
the1 repeated deceptions he had met
with in human nature, he still considered
himself a skilful physiognomist, and he
traced in her countenance all the virtues
that elevate the female character in our
esteem, combined? with' those milder
charms that endear it to our affections.
The widow's sable habit told part of her;
tale of sorrow. Isabel was a fair girl o%
fifteen, ; but whilst the parent stem was
drooping, this blossom could . scatcely
raise her head.
e6
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? 12
ROSE AND EMILT; OR,
As his memory reflected back this in-
teresting groupe in theif humble cottage,
his opinion of the general depravity of'
human nature vanishelL He forgot
he had ever been duped by fafee appear-
ances, and he yielded for a moment to
the generous impulses of benevolence
and sympathy. He believed them
amiable--every thing pronounced them
unfortunate; but how often had he been
deceived! how many unworthy charac-
ters had appeared to him at first as esti-
mable as they did \ and as he thus pur-
sued the course of his reflections, dis-
trust gradually crept into his bosom,and he
began to hesitate whether or not he should
avail himself of the tacit permission he had
received from Mrs. Sydney to call again*
The next morning, after breakfast, he
went out, as usual, on a solitary ramble,
and passing through the church-yard,
paused to survey the grave stones. In
one corner, under the shade of a large
yew tree, which seemed to stand chief
mourner of the scene, he observed a
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. f ?
newly raised mound of earth, and on a
stone read these " rudely sculptured'*
lines.
"Sacred to the Memory of the
Rev. Henry Sidney^
Who died --.
Aged
After having been twenty years the pions
Pastor. of this garish.
This stone is erected by his sorrowful parishioners. *'
This " plain, unvarnished tale;" this
simple tribute to departed merit, touched
the heart of Mr. Blandfbrd, and he in-
stantly penetrated into the cause of Mrs.
Sydney's grief and situation. He felt
ashamed of the distrust that had induced
him for a moment to think she might be
unworthy, and determined to repair im-
mediately to her cottage; he found Rose
gathering some flowers. On seeing him,
she held out her little hand in welcome,
and began her artless chat. "This rose-
bud I have been watching a long time,
*nd thought it would never be a rose j
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? 14< ROSE AND EMILY }. OK,
but see, it is one. Ihavefounda piece'
of honeysuckle and jessamine, and mamma i
will be so pleased with them, for she*
Joves floweis. " "Is she at home ? " en-
quired Mr. Blandford. "Oh yes, mamma
never goes out, e . cept to see poor old
Martha, who is uyir. g. ' Can she, thought
Mr. Bhodfo. . d, who is so. ill herself, at-
tend to :he sutfe. ings of another ? " Tell
your mamma, my? sweet Rose, that I am
here, and ask if she will permit me to see
her. ' Away ran the. little girl, and re-
turning in a moment took his hand. to lead
Mm into the house. Isabel was working
by the side of her mother, who, to Mr. '
Blfindford's enquiries after her health,
replied she was better than the preceding
day; that her faintings had been . less
frequent, and she hoped he. r strength was
returning. After some general chat, he'
expressed, as delicately as he could, his
astonishment at finding a family such as
hers in so humble an habitation, and his
sincere sorrow for the event that must have
? ccasioned it--again hinting his hopes
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? SKETCHES OF VOUTH.
15
"that friendship might alleviate, if it could
not remove, a portion' of her calamity.
She gratefully thanked him for his solici-
tude, and added,. " Though Heaven has.
deprived me of my dearest earthly bless-
ing, yet I have still many sources of com-
fort in the affection of my children, and
the kindness of my good neighbours. The
blow, it is true, was severe, and I bend
beneath its weight--but I. will not ob*
t;ude a repetition of my griefs oai you. '*
Mr. Rlandford intreated her to consider.
hirn as one desirous of rendering her any;
service. in his power, as one who really
felt himself her frierid--and requested
her to continue the subject, in which ? he.
felt. a strong, . though a sudden interest.
". My happiness,". she resumed, " was
too great to he durable, and I fear, I.
thought this worhfcontained every bless-
ing, till robbed . of two. treasures, on which
my heart daated? . Forgive these, tears--
I cannot always^controul them; but
these dear ones . ^folding an arm round
each of her daughters) will wipe them
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? 16 ROSE AND EMILY } OR,
away. Yes, my darlings, you will yet
see your mother happy, for you will ren-
der her so. " Isabel wept in silence,
whilst little Rose hid her face in her mo-
ther's bosom. "For twenty years, Sir,'*
continued Mrs. Sydney, " I was the be-
loved wife of the best of men. In this
village was spent our bridal day-^in this'*"
she paused--" perhaps you have
seen his name? " "I have,'' replied Mr.
Blandford. "Then you already know,
my cause of sorrow. " "In part only,"
he replied, and intreated her to proceed.
"It is a melancholy, and I fear a selfish
indulgence," she answered, " but to
dwell upon the subject sometimes re-
lieves the oppression of my heart; and
as you wish it, I will continue my little
narrative. No material events marked
our life; we ' kept the noiseless tenor of
our way, with little interruption. . Mr.
Sydney was one of a numerous family,
and educated for the church, but without
any interest to promote him, or a mind
that could solicit favours, it is not surpri-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 17
sing he never attained a higher situation
than that of curate.
The gentleman of whom he first held
this curacy, was one who did honour to
the christian character. His. affluence
flowed in various channels ^ he fed the
hungry, relieved the sick, succoured the
afflicted, and loved all men. He con-
sidered his curate as his representative,
and allowed him a liberal stipend. With.
the addition of a small patrimonial inhe-
ritance of my husband's, our income
amounted to about two hundred a-year.
In this retired part of the kingdom, where
all the necessaries of life are reasonable,
we found it ample. We resided in the
parsonage; our orchard and garden were
productive; a cow, pigs, and poultry, al-
most supplied our table; our wine and
beer were home-made, and we had always
something to bestow upon our poor neigh-
bours. Though the early part of my life
had been passed in a large city, the love.
of nature was so engrafted in my heart,
$Q entwined around every thought and?
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? 18 HOSE AND EMILY; OH,
feeling, that I derived no pleasure from
crowded rooms, balls, or theatres; and
when my sisters went to these amuse-
ments, I would ramble with my maid in
the fields and lanes, and filling my hand
with wild flowers, return home joyous and
happy. Pardon this egotism; it is here /
indulged only to inform you, that the life
of privacy and simplicity which I have
passed in this humble village was conge-
nial to my natural taste and sentiments.
The mind of Mr. Sydney seemed formed
in the same mould as my own--our incli-
nations were the same, our pleasures re-
ciprocal, our duties performed from the
came moral and religious principles; no
opposing opinions, no jarring wishes dim-
med the lustre of our day; he read,
while I worked; we visited the poor, we
walked together, and our children were
the objects (C)f our undivided care. I had
a son" the mother paused, then sud-
denly clasping her hands together ex-
claimed--" My William! my brave, my
beautiful! --but he too is dead, if you
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? SKETCHES Or YOUTH. 19
are a father, you can forgive this
agony. "
Mr. Blandford was too deeply affected
to answer--but rising from his seat, walk-
ed to the little casement, and passing his
hand across his eyes, said--" With your
permission, madam, I will call to-morrow
--at present I must take my leave, and
suffer me to add, I quit you with every
sentiment of respect and compassion,"
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? 20
ROSE ANB EMILY ? OBy
CHAP. II.
After his departure, the afflicted Mrs. .
Sydney walked about the little garden
with her daughters, and endeavoured to
compose her agitated spirits* By the
tender assiduities of Isabel, and the art-
less chat of Rose, aided by those self ex-
ertions which can best fortify the mind,
she gradually became tranquil.
Mr. Blandford, when he quitted her,
reflected seriously upon her apparently
destitute situation--a situation in which
the , relics of clergymen are too fre-
quently and unavoidably placed. With
an income barely sufficient to supply the
demands of their family, and compelled
to preserve the rank and appearance of
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
21
gentlemen, a provision for that family can
seldom be made from means that so slen-
derly provide even for its exigencies.
Brought up in seclusion and innocence,
educated with tenderness and delicacy,
their offspring are, . at their decease,
"thrown into the world to earn the bitter
morsel of dependence, while the widow
pines in neglect, poverty, and obscurity!
As these reflections pressed upon his
mind, Mr. Blandford considered what
might be the best means of serving Mrs.
Sydney and her children. He had a
friend who was a governor of an institution
for the relief of clergymen's widows and
orphans, and to him he thought of repre-
senting her situation, should Mrs. Sydney
sanction the proposal. From his own
purse he did not presume to offer assist-
ance, until authorised by further acquain-
tance.
The next morning he again called at
her house, and found her conversing with
her daughter, who had been reading to
her, "I have called, madam," said Mr.
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? 22 ROSE AND EMILY; OS,
Blandford, " to enquire after your health. *
At present you appear too weak to sup.
port conversation without fatigue ; there-
fore you will excuse my leaving you al-
most immediately. " "You take too
warm an interest in my situation," re-
plied Mrs. Sydney, " to listen to my re-
cital without suffering, and I fear I tres-
passed unwarrantably upon your feelings
yesterday; but sympathy is so soothing
to the'afflicted, that we often indulge our-
selves at the expence of others. . Our
morning has hitherto been more cheerful
than usual, and my dear girls have amused
me by their reading and observations;
favour us, therefore, with your company
for half an hour. "
Mr. Blandford took a seat, and Rose
crept to his side. He placed her on his
knee, and enquired what book she had
been reading. "Pity's Gift," she re-
plied. "And can you read without
spelling? " O yes; I have read a long
time without spelling--I cannot remem-
ber how long. " "Do not boast too
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?
Blandford. "Oh yes, Sir; pray, pray do,
if you are a Doctor. " ". Well, but if I
b3
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? 6
ROSE AND EMILY J. OH>>
am not a Doctor, I. may. be a friend;"
*' If you are a friendSir," said the child
eagerly > " come directly, for my mamma
told us yesterday she had. no. friend but
God, and he, you know, is in Heaven,
which is a long way off; my papa is
there top, and though mamma tells me he
is very happv, I cannot help wishing him
with us again; for when he was here, she
never cried, and now she cries very often. 5*
The little girl sighed as she concluded,
and Mr. Blandford affectionately took her
hand* "Ah," she said, "papa used to
take my hand. just so,. and. we had. such
nice. walks together! ''
A sudden impression that the innocent
prattle to which he had been irresistibly
yielding the kindest feelings of his heart,
was a trick of infancy, seized upon. his
imaginationand disengaging his hand
frQm her gentle grasp, he hastily said--<
"Go home, child, to your mother--. 1
cannot attend you. " *' Then," said Rose
timidly, "you are not mamma s friend*
as I thought. " "No, no--go your way. "
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:35 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hn2hfl Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. *1
The poor little girl, as she parted from
him, lifted up her blue eyes to his face
with an expression so soft and sorrowful*
that his heart upbraided him with injus-
tice and inhumanity; and hastily calling
her back, he again took her hand, saying
"I have changed my mind, and will go
with you to see your mother. " "Thank
you, Sir," said Rose. "Mamma will be
glad to see a friend"
A silence of some minutes ensued, till
they came within sight of a small thatch,
ed cottage, in appearance so very humble,
that Mr. Blandford's might indeed be
called a genteel mansion when compared
with this. Rose suddenly exclaimed--
** Yonder are mamma and Isabel walking
in the garden and quitting hold of his
hand, bounded over the low stone wall
that surrounded the cottage. "Can
that be her mother," thought Mr. Bland-
ford, as he gazed on the graceful figure of
a woman leaning on the arm of an elegant
girl---*' Can they be the inhabitants of
such a place as this J" and he hesitated
B4
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? 8
ROSE AND EMILY } OR,
. whether to proceed or return--to pro-
ceed would require an apology, to return
would imply caprice; but whilst the foot
of freedom was arrested in its progress,
the eye of curiosity still dwelt on the
objects before him, and as he lingered on
the spot, he heard the anxious. enquiries
of the child, whilst fondly kissing the
hand held out to her. "Dear, de? . r
mamma, how are you now. ? I am so glad
to see you out. " "Do not speak so loud
and quick,my Rose,"said Isabel, "mamma
is better, but not well. " "I could not
find the Doctor," said Rose, lowering her
voice; "but I have brought a friend. "
Mrs. Sydney, turning her head, saw the
companion of her little girl, and ap<<
proaching him, apologised for her inatten-
tion, and invited him into the cottage to
impart his business. "I am ashamed to.
confess, madam, that I have none, and
concerned to find that I have obtruded
myself into a spot which sorrow and
sickness appear to have made sacred.
This little interesting girl attracted my
i
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? SKETCHES OF TOUTH.
9
attention, and irresistibly drew me hither;
she is at once the cause of my intrusion
and its apology. " Mrs. Sydney thanked
him for his praise*f her child, and assured
him as a mother she required nothing
more to be alleged in excuse for his visit*
"But I think it necessary," he added'
** to tell you my name--it is Blandford. I
am a mere idler--have been a resident of
this place only a few days, and am per-
fectly unacquainted with any of its inha-
bitants. The appellation of friend, which
accident has applied to me, I should be
most happy to confirm. May I enquire
if this be really your abode? ' ** For the
present it is. " "Pardon my curiosity,"
he continued, "perhaps, like myself, you
have chosen this spot for change? "
"Change indeed ! " sighed Mrs. Sydney.
"I perceive, Sir, you are a stranger here. "
Mr. Blandford s curiosity, though
strongly excited, was not of that selfish
nature which seeks its own gratification
at the expence of another's feelings, he7
? & 5 \ .
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:35 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hn2hfl Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ]0 KOSE. ASfD EMILY; Oft,
therefore forbore any further . questions;
or observations. ; . anckfinding himself too
deeply interested to attempt general con-
versation, he only addej^thatas. he might.
probably reside in. the village a few.
months, he hoped she would permit him*
occasionally, as a neighbour, to enquire1
after her health. Mrs. Sydney thanked^
him,and Mr. BIandfprd, again apologising.
fcu\ his intrusion, departed. .
Iri. thelifc-thne of Mr. Sydney, his. house.
had often been the resort of. the stranger.
and iof the traveller. , who,. . accidentally.
attracted by the beauty of the situation,.
was observed,. . and. invited by its social .
owner to. share. the hospitality. of . his,
table; or, introduced to him through the.
medium of friends, became for . a time his
guest. . Mr. ' Blandford's visit,. therefore,
occasioned Mrs. . Sydney neither . embar- .
rassment nor surprise. . As. a stranger, it
was natural lie should explore every part.
of the village, and wish to become. ac-
quainted with its inhabitants; . as a .
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. :
11
stranger too, he was entitled to attention
and civility-"-. . ; 5 i ? ,. ';<<.
As he walked homewards, his mind
dwelt upon the accidental circumstance
of. his introduction to Mrs. Sydney and
her daughters. . In the mother he beheld
that graceful ease of manner frhicti. dis-
tinguishes the well educated woman j a
gentleness at once dignified and engaging,
which, whilst it invited friendship^ re-
pressed familiarity; and notwithstanding
the1 repeated deceptions he had met
with in human nature, he still considered
himself a skilful physiognomist, and he
traced in her countenance all the virtues
that elevate the female character in our
esteem, combined? with' those milder
charms that endear it to our affections.
The widow's sable habit told part of her;
tale of sorrow. Isabel was a fair girl o%
fifteen, ; but whilst the parent stem was
drooping, this blossom could . scatcely
raise her head.
e6
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? 12
ROSE AND EMILT; OR,
As his memory reflected back this in-
teresting groupe in theif humble cottage,
his opinion of the general depravity of'
human nature vanishelL He forgot
he had ever been duped by fafee appear-
ances, and he yielded for a moment to
the generous impulses of benevolence
and sympathy. He believed them
amiable--every thing pronounced them
unfortunate; but how often had he been
deceived! how many unworthy charac-
ters had appeared to him at first as esti-
mable as they did \ and as he thus pur-
sued the course of his reflections, dis-
trust gradually crept into his bosom,and he
began to hesitate whether or not he should
avail himself of the tacit permission he had
received from Mrs. Sydney to call again*
The next morning, after breakfast, he
went out, as usual, on a solitary ramble,
and passing through the church-yard,
paused to survey the grave stones. In
one corner, under the shade of a large
yew tree, which seemed to stand chief
mourner of the scene, he observed a
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. f ?
newly raised mound of earth, and on a
stone read these " rudely sculptured'*
lines.
"Sacred to the Memory of the
Rev. Henry Sidney^
Who died --.
Aged
After having been twenty years the pions
Pastor. of this garish.
This stone is erected by his sorrowful parishioners. *'
This " plain, unvarnished tale;" this
simple tribute to departed merit, touched
the heart of Mr. Blandfbrd, and he in-
stantly penetrated into the cause of Mrs.
Sydney's grief and situation. He felt
ashamed of the distrust that had induced
him for a moment to think she might be
unworthy, and determined to repair im-
mediately to her cottage; he found Rose
gathering some flowers. On seeing him,
she held out her little hand in welcome,
and began her artless chat. "This rose-
bud I have been watching a long time,
*nd thought it would never be a rose j
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? 14< ROSE AND EMILY }. OK,
but see, it is one. Ihavefounda piece'
of honeysuckle and jessamine, and mamma i
will be so pleased with them, for she*
Joves floweis. " "Is she at home ? " en-
quired Mr. Blandford. "Oh yes, mamma
never goes out, e . cept to see poor old
Martha, who is uyir. g. ' Can she, thought
Mr. Bhodfo. . d, who is so. ill herself, at-
tend to :he sutfe. ings of another ? " Tell
your mamma, my? sweet Rose, that I am
here, and ask if she will permit me to see
her. ' Away ran the. little girl, and re-
turning in a moment took his hand. to lead
Mm into the house. Isabel was working
by the side of her mother, who, to Mr. '
Blfindford's enquiries after her health,
replied she was better than the preceding
day; that her faintings had been . less
frequent, and she hoped he. r strength was
returning. After some general chat, he'
expressed, as delicately as he could, his
astonishment at finding a family such as
hers in so humble an habitation, and his
sincere sorrow for the event that must have
? ccasioned it--again hinting his hopes
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? SKETCHES OF VOUTH.
15
"that friendship might alleviate, if it could
not remove, a portion' of her calamity.
She gratefully thanked him for his solici-
tude, and added,. " Though Heaven has.
deprived me of my dearest earthly bless-
ing, yet I have still many sources of com-
fort in the affection of my children, and
the kindness of my good neighbours. The
blow, it is true, was severe, and I bend
beneath its weight--but I. will not ob*
t;ude a repetition of my griefs oai you. '*
Mr. Rlandford intreated her to consider.
hirn as one desirous of rendering her any;
service. in his power, as one who really
felt himself her frierid--and requested
her to continue the subject, in which ? he.
felt. a strong, . though a sudden interest.
". My happiness,". she resumed, " was
too great to he durable, and I fear, I.
thought this worhfcontained every bless-
ing, till robbed . of two. treasures, on which
my heart daated? . Forgive these, tears--
I cannot always^controul them; but
these dear ones . ^folding an arm round
each of her daughters) will wipe them
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? 16 ROSE AND EMILY } OR,
away. Yes, my darlings, you will yet
see your mother happy, for you will ren-
der her so. " Isabel wept in silence,
whilst little Rose hid her face in her mo-
ther's bosom. "For twenty years, Sir,'*
continued Mrs. Sydney, " I was the be-
loved wife of the best of men. In this
village was spent our bridal day-^in this'*"
she paused--" perhaps you have
seen his name? " "I have,'' replied Mr.
Blandford. "Then you already know,
my cause of sorrow. " "In part only,"
he replied, and intreated her to proceed.
"It is a melancholy, and I fear a selfish
indulgence," she answered, " but to
dwell upon the subject sometimes re-
lieves the oppression of my heart; and
as you wish it, I will continue my little
narrative. No material events marked
our life; we ' kept the noiseless tenor of
our way, with little interruption. . Mr.
Sydney was one of a numerous family,
and educated for the church, but without
any interest to promote him, or a mind
that could solicit favours, it is not surpri-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 17
sing he never attained a higher situation
than that of curate.
The gentleman of whom he first held
this curacy, was one who did honour to
the christian character. His. affluence
flowed in various channels ^ he fed the
hungry, relieved the sick, succoured the
afflicted, and loved all men. He con-
sidered his curate as his representative,
and allowed him a liberal stipend. With.
the addition of a small patrimonial inhe-
ritance of my husband's, our income
amounted to about two hundred a-year.
In this retired part of the kingdom, where
all the necessaries of life are reasonable,
we found it ample. We resided in the
parsonage; our orchard and garden were
productive; a cow, pigs, and poultry, al-
most supplied our table; our wine and
beer were home-made, and we had always
something to bestow upon our poor neigh-
bours. Though the early part of my life
had been passed in a large city, the love.
of nature was so engrafted in my heart,
$Q entwined around every thought and?
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? 18 HOSE AND EMILY; OH,
feeling, that I derived no pleasure from
crowded rooms, balls, or theatres; and
when my sisters went to these amuse-
ments, I would ramble with my maid in
the fields and lanes, and filling my hand
with wild flowers, return home joyous and
happy. Pardon this egotism; it is here /
indulged only to inform you, that the life
of privacy and simplicity which I have
passed in this humble village was conge-
nial to my natural taste and sentiments.
The mind of Mr. Sydney seemed formed
in the same mould as my own--our incli-
nations were the same, our pleasures re-
ciprocal, our duties performed from the
came moral and religious principles; no
opposing opinions, no jarring wishes dim-
med the lustre of our day; he read,
while I worked; we visited the poor, we
walked together, and our children were
the objects (C)f our undivided care. I had
a son" the mother paused, then sud-
denly clasping her hands together ex-
claimed--" My William! my brave, my
beautiful! --but he too is dead, if you
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? SKETCHES Or YOUTH. 19
are a father, you can forgive this
agony. "
Mr. Blandford was too deeply affected
to answer--but rising from his seat, walk-
ed to the little casement, and passing his
hand across his eyes, said--" With your
permission, madam, I will call to-morrow
--at present I must take my leave, and
suffer me to add, I quit you with every
sentiment of respect and compassion,"
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? 20
ROSE ANB EMILY ? OBy
CHAP. II.
After his departure, the afflicted Mrs. .
Sydney walked about the little garden
with her daughters, and endeavoured to
compose her agitated spirits* By the
tender assiduities of Isabel, and the art-
less chat of Rose, aided by those self ex-
ertions which can best fortify the mind,
she gradually became tranquil.
Mr. Blandford, when he quitted her,
reflected seriously upon her apparently
destitute situation--a situation in which
the , relics of clergymen are too fre-
quently and unavoidably placed. With
an income barely sufficient to supply the
demands of their family, and compelled
to preserve the rank and appearance of
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
21
gentlemen, a provision for that family can
seldom be made from means that so slen-
derly provide even for its exigencies.
Brought up in seclusion and innocence,
educated with tenderness and delicacy,
their offspring are, . at their decease,
"thrown into the world to earn the bitter
morsel of dependence, while the widow
pines in neglect, poverty, and obscurity!
As these reflections pressed upon his
mind, Mr. Blandford considered what
might be the best means of serving Mrs.
Sydney and her children. He had a
friend who was a governor of an institution
for the relief of clergymen's widows and
orphans, and to him he thought of repre-
senting her situation, should Mrs. Sydney
sanction the proposal. From his own
purse he did not presume to offer assist-
ance, until authorised by further acquain-
tance.
The next morning he again called at
her house, and found her conversing with
her daughter, who had been reading to
her, "I have called, madam," said Mr.
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? 22 ROSE AND EMILY; OS,
Blandford, " to enquire after your health. *
At present you appear too weak to sup.
port conversation without fatigue ; there-
fore you will excuse my leaving you al-
most immediately. " "You take too
warm an interest in my situation," re-
plied Mrs. Sydney, " to listen to my re-
cital without suffering, and I fear I tres-
passed unwarrantably upon your feelings
yesterday; but sympathy is so soothing
to the'afflicted, that we often indulge our-
selves at the expence of others. . Our
morning has hitherto been more cheerful
than usual, and my dear girls have amused
me by their reading and observations;
favour us, therefore, with your company
for half an hour. "
Mr. Blandford took a seat, and Rose
crept to his side. He placed her on his
knee, and enquired what book she had
been reading. "Pity's Gift," she re-
plied. "And can you read without
spelling? " O yes; I have read a long
time without spelling--I cannot remem-
ber how long. " "Do not boast too
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?
