No More Learning

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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 35
few weeks longer, until I enter upon a
plan which I have formed for my future
support. "
Mrs. Sydney ceased, and Mr. Bland-
ford thanking her for her unreserved
communication, wiped away a tear which
had unconsciously stolen down his cheek
during her recital. "I, madam," he
said, "am a being of whim, and I con-
gratulate myself that one of my whims
has been the means of introducing me
to your family. " He then briefly told
her he had conceived a disgust to. the
metropolis, and had become a temporary
resident of the village for the sake
of change. He again expressed an ear-
nest desire to assist her, and added--*< If
I dare flatter myself the services, such as
I could-offer, wqukl be acceptablet; and
that I should not be presuming too much
upon our short acquaintance, I should
request permission to procure a donation
to which your misfortune has entitled
you. " "I understand you. Sir," replied
. Mrs Sydney, "and for my children's
c6
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? 36
ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
sake I could not refuse what would con-
tribute to their comfort as well as my
own. Did any petty pride lift me above
the acceptance of a benefaction "bestowed
by a charitable institution, these dear
objects of my anxiety would suppress it-
No, Sir, I do not reject your friendly of-
fer; but on the contrary shall esteem
myself gratefully your debtor. The re-
lics of clergymen are seldom in affluent,
or even in easy circumstances; and I
own a very small sum remains of that
produced by the sale of some of our books
and furniture. Ill health has hitherto pre-
vented my commencing a plan which I
have formed for our support; but I look
forward to its accomplishment in a few
weeks, for I must not remain in idleness. "
"For your daughters, too," said Mr.
Blandford, " I could obtain assistance,
if you would consent to part with them.
There is a fund for placing them in re-
spectable situations, where they may ac-
quire a knowledge of some business
which will enable them to support them-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 37'
selves. " "Forbear, my good Sir," said
Mrs. Sydney eagerly, " to speak on this
subject. I am grateful for your inten-
tions, but my daughters must remain
with me--I cannot part with them, who
are the only treasures left me on earth.
Oh no! whatever be our fate, we must
share it together; speak not again, I con-
jure you, of any divided plans. " Mr.
Blandford apologised for having uninten-
tionally wounded her, and added --
"May I enquire, madam, what is the
design you have formed for the future;
for though a stranger, I feel for you the
interest of a friend. " "It is my inten-
tion," replied Mrs. Sydney, " to hire a
small house or apartments at B , and
take day scholars. Isabel, though young,
has yet some knowledge to impart; her
father delighted to teach her, and she
- will assist me. You are now, Sir, in
possession of my past and present life;
the future is in the hands of him who
gave it; if good awaits me, may I be
grateful; if evil, submissive. "
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? 38 HOSE AND EMILY; OK,
Impressed with pity for the sorrows,
and respect for. the virtues of Mrs. Syd-
ney, Mr. BlandfOrd took his. leave. On
returning to his own house, his thoughts
rested on the amiable family which he
had quitted. The narrow-heartedness
of human nature he again inveighed
against in the mercenary conduct of Dr.
Blake; but the truly simple, pious^ and
christian character of Mr. Sydney claim-
ed his warmest admiration. He reflect-
ed on the plan Mrs. Sydney had men-
tioned to him for her future support.
To teach little girls, perhaps only at six-
pence a wcek,he considered a degradation
to one whose manners and conversation
were of a superior order. He had the
pecuniary power to assist her--he had
also the strongest inclination; but he
was at a loss how to employ either with
the delicacy that was due to her. No
doubts existed even in his mind of the
worth of the object who interested him,
for too many proofs presented themselves
that she was desolate and amiable.
I
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? SKETCHES OF YOtTTiV
CHAP. m.
In the evening, the apothecary^. as is
customary on the arrival of* a new resi-
dent, paid him a visit, in order to intro-
duce himself and his profession. Mr.
Blandrord led the conversation to Mrs.
Sydney, respecting whom he wished to
receive further information. "She is,"
said the honest Mr. Price, " an incom-
parable woman, and her children are like
flowers thrown in a desert, for who is
there here to mark their beauty, or know
their value? " "Mr. Sydney was a wor-
thy man? " said Mr. Blaudford, in an
accent of enquiry. "A better, Sir, ne-
ver existed; he was truly the shepherd
watching over his flock 5 if one strayed,
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? 40
ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
he gently led him back to his fold. When-
ever any petty dissentions disturbed the
harmony of his neighbours, he thought it
his duty to interfere, and never desisted
till he had reconciled them to each other.
He had but little for himself, but he had
always something to bestow upori the
poor and the stranger. As for Mrs. Syd-
ney, I can only say, she was wor-
thy the happiness of being his wife. "
"Had they not a son? " enquired Mr.
Blandford. "Ah, Sir, and such a one
as few parents are blessed with; I think
I see him now, blooming as a carnation,
and good as he was handsome; but,
blessed with such parents, it Avould have
been wonderful had he been otherwise.
When his father died, the whole parish
wept; but when news came that he also
was dead, I thought we should never see
a smiling face again. Dr. Blake has gi-
ven us a curate who thinks he does
enough for a parish of poor people if he
preaches one sermon in the week, some-
times omitting that; but I believe he
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 41
works as he is paid :--he does not live
amongst us, and as he has other parishes
to attend to, he cannot be regular in his *
duty to any; but all this, Sir, makes us
the more lament the loss of Mr. Sydney. '
It is a great affliction to us to see his wi"
dow in so destitute a condition, and her
health declining. " "Can you do no-
thing for her, my good Sir? " said Mr.
Blandford. "Her disease," replied Mr.
Price, "does not come within the reach
of my art; I have no cure for grief; and
I fear she is unable to procure those
nutritious remedies which alone would
repair her constitution. I cannot recom-
mend Madeira and jellies to one who
has not the means of obtaining them;
neither is it in my power to supply her
with them. " "Will they be serviceable do
you think? " "I do not doubt it. " "Then,"
replied Mr. Blandford, "she shall have
them;"' and ringing the bell, ordered
Ruth, his servant, who was well skilled in
the culinary art, to prepare some jelly
In his retirement he had resolved to re-
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? 42
ROSE AND EM1XY; OR^
frain from wine, and with. the life, enjoy
only the simple food of a villager; he
had, therefore, no Madeira to give, but
dispatched a person to the next market
town for a few bottles, and requested.
Mr. Price would send them to Mrs. Syd-
ney as a remedy he thought requisite for
her health, and as a present from him. ^
self.
The bitterness of sensation which had
accompanied Mr. Blandford into the
country, the keen sense of mankind's
injustice and ingratitude, had yielded to
softer feelings since his departure from
the scene where he had experienced
them; anJ, relieved from the lethargic
dullness whnsh a mind, without any po-
sitive resource in itself, would probably
have sunk into, by the interesting situ-
ation of Mrs. Sydney's family, he began
to think there were some really amiable
beings in the universe, and that elegance
of mind might be combined with simpli-
city of manner.
His little girl,. vexed at his walking
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 48
out so often without her, and weary of
having no other society than that of
Ilutlv met him with tears and repin-
ings. "I am tired to death, papa,
(C)f this nasty place; I have nobody
to play with, nobody to speak to but old
Ituth, and she scolds me all day long for
pulling up the things in the garden.
What do I care for the frightful garden;
it has nothing in it but roses aiid honey-
suckles, which grow as well in the hedges;
uiy dolls are broken, and so are all my
playthings: do, pray papa, take me back
ia London, for I hate this place. " "But
if you had a play. fellow, Emily, should
you hate it then? " "No, if she was a
nice one, and would let me do as I like. "
"I will try and find you one," said Mr. .
Bland ford. "Oh, do papa^ but I'sha n't
like those ugly girls with stuff gowns and
straight hair combed smooth over their
races; what frights they are! " "Well,"
replied Mr. Blandford, w we must look
round the village for another. "
Mr. Blandford had observed, with in-
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? 44
ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
ternal chagrin, the difference between
the simple and unobtrusive, yet lively
Rose, and his rude and discontented
Emily. The truth began to dawn upon
his mind. He had prohibited the whole
system of modern education as inculca-
ting only cunning and artifice; a gem
rough from the mine he considered as a
greater treasure than when it had re-
ceived an artificial polish. Emily was
that gem ; unused to controul, she could
not submit to contradiction, and was
seldom good-humoured except when she
wasfollowing her own inclinations. Some-
times Mr. Blandford would undertake to
teach her himself, but her disposition had
so much stubborn strength, that he found
it difficult to be. nd it to any form, and he
therefore indolently relinquished the at-
tempt. He had not spoken of his little
girl to Mrs. Sydney, because the plan
he wished to pursue respecting her, was
to exclude her from an intercourse with
children even of her own age^ lest she
should meet with any ill example; and
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 45
though he respected Mrs.
Sydney and
admired her daughters, a kind of cauti-
ous reserve had entwined itself about his
heart, whenever Emily became the sub-
ject of his thoughts.
The next day he only sent to enquire
after Mrs. Sydney, and was informed that
she was worse; he called the succeed-
ing one, and found she had received the
Madeira, and believed herself somewhat
better; he learnt too that the good apo-
thecary, modestly declining to send it
in his own name, had said that it came
from a lady who was anxious for her re-
covery. "Another worthy character,"
thought Mr. Blandford, and he begun
to suspect that human nature had its
good, as well as bad propensities.
Little Rose, the instant she perceived
him stepping over the stone fence, ran to
take his hand, and to tell him a long story
of a pet lamb of Phcebe Bloomfield's that
followed her wherever she went, and
that Phoebe said it sh. ndd never be kill-
id--not even when it was grown into a
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? 46 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
great sheep; that she had been reading
a pretty tale to her mamma, and had
found a sweet-briar in the corner of her
own garden. To this medley of intelli-
gence Mr. Blandford listened with an
affectionate smile, and asked her whe-
ther she should like a play-mate. "Yes,
that I should," said Rose, "Phoebe
Bloomfield plays with me sometimes, and
I love her very much, she is so good;
but I cannot teach her to read, though
I try very often; she likes I should
read to her; but I wish she could
read herself. '. ' What would you
say to my little girl? " "Your little
girl? Oh, dear! have you a little girl,
alid never told me of her before, never
brought her with you to see me? "
** You seem surprised, Rose," said Mr.
Blandford. "Yes, so I am; for every
body knows mamma has me and Isabel;
and I wonder I never knew vou had a
little girl; but is she here? in this very
village? oh, pray let me see her; I am
sure I shall love her; how tall is she?
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? SKETCHES'OF YOUTH.
47
^can she run and play? " "Yes, my
sweet Rose, she can run and play, and
is taller and older than you. " "Well,
that is nice--but what is her name ? '?
"Emily. " <<? g*Ehat is a very pretty
name; when sfflRpsee her? " "To-
'morrow; if your mamma will allow me"
to introduce her. "
Mrs. Sydney felt, though she forbore
to express astonishment, at this reserve
respecting his child; and instantly gave
not only her consent, but earnestly in-
treated him not to delay her visit
till the next day, but to permit her to
come that evening; and proposed to send
Isabel for her. Mr. Blandford refused
to have Isabel sent, but promised to bring
her himself in the evening.
Whilst they were conversing, a girl, of
about twelve years old, entered the room,
bending beneath the weight of a large
basket, and curtsying respectfully to Mrs.
Sydney, said, that her mother, with her
humble duty, begged her acceptance of
its contents. A faint blush passed over
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? 48 ROSE AND EMILY J (C)a,
Mrs. Sydney's cheek, and a tear swam
in her eye; taking the girl's hand, she
sent her love and thanks to her mother.
"Can I, madam," said the child, "be of
any service to you this afternoon; my
mother says she does not want me, and
if you would be so kind as let me stay
and do something for you, she would be
obliged to you. " "You may stay, my
good girl," said Mrs. Sydney, "but I
believe there is nothing to do; Rose and
Isabel are, you know, early risers, and as
active as yourself. " "Yes ma'am, but
it is not for them to do what I do, and it
goes to my heart, and so it does to my
mother's, to think that they should," cried
she, bursting into tears. Mrs. Sydney
kissed her cheek, and said, " Well--
stay this afternoon to give us pleasure,
and to-morrow you may come and be
useful. " "Thank you, madam," said
the child, dropping a curtsy, and retired
into another apartment. "That is Phoebe
Bloomfield," said Mrs. Sydney, daughter
to the worthy people who so benevolently
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? SKETCHES Ol' YOUTH.
49
Jont me this cottage; and this basket
probably contains a part of the produce
of their farm and dairy. . . Ulhey endea-
vour to anticipate allmy wishes,. and more
than . supply; . all my wants. I should
wound them "were I to refuse their kind-
ness, but. I fear it will never be in my
power to return it," ;:
When Mr. Blandford was gone, the
idea of a new companion, Mr. Blandford's
little girl too,. Mr. Blandford who was
so. . kind to her mamma that . she loved
? him . deavlyi rendered the naturally buoy-
ant spirits. of Hose so. light and gay, that
? she jumped and talked. all the afternoon;
? and calling Phoebe, told her she Was go.
? ing to have a new play-fell oW. "I ain
sure," said Phoebe sorrowfully,# I should
be always glad to play with you, and do
any thing for you. " ** Yes,1l know that,
Phoebe," said Rose, " but fcfcis" is Mr.
Blandford's little girl," " I don't know*"
replied Phoebe, that you will like her
the better for ;that; for I hear she will
have her own way in every thing. " Bose
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? . 50
ROSE AND EMILY; OH,
was a little vexed, but turning to Isabel
said--" Well, now tell me what kind of
a girl you think Emily is? " "How can
I possibly tell F said her sister. She
may have blue eyes, or black eyes--light
hair, or dark hair, or red hair. " ** Oh
no," exclaimed Rose, '< not red hair, I
am sure she has not red hair, I cannot
endure red hair. " "Then," said poor
Phoebe dejectedly, " you don't like
mine. " "But I love you," says Rose.
"You know, Phcebe, I love you, and I
forgot you had red hair, I never think
about it," cried she, kissing her; " you are
so good that I think of nothing else but
that when Hook at you. " "Well," said Isa-
bel, do not talk so fast, my Rose, but tell
me what sort of a girl you wish her to be. "
"I shall like her, whatever she is," said
Rose; because^ she is Mr, Blandford's;
but I think," continued the little fanciful
prattler, " that she is very tall and very
thin, with light hair and blue eyes, per-
'haps like you, Isabel. , I think too, she
is very polite; for you know, mamma,
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? SKETCllKS OF VOUTHr 51
Emily comes from London. " . Mrs. Syd-
ney smiled. "London does not render
every one polite, my child } but sup-
pose you called her Miss Bkndford, as
she is older than you, and a stranger. "
*' I will, mamma. Miss Blandford, then,
I think, must be very sensible;, and will
tell me a great deal about St* Paul's, and
the Monument, and the Tower, and the
wax-work, and pictures, and all the
strange birds and beasts; and then I
dare say she has a great many books, and
will let me read with her, and will tell
me stories; and oh! if she should play
on the piano! I shall be so happy, shall
I not Isabel? " "Indeed, my dear Rose,
I think you will, if all you fancy should
prove true. " "Oh, how I wish evening
was come," said Rose, " I can think of
nothing but Emily--MUs Blandford I
mean/' ** Suppose. you water your
flowers, that will amuse you for some
time," said Isabel. '* I am glad you
thought of it," replied Rose, and away
ran the light hearted girl, followed by
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? 62
ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
Phoebe. She soon rapped at the win-
dow--"Isabel, they are coming--I1 can
see them at a distance and returning. ,
she waited at the stone steps till they
arrived; and giving her hand to Emily,
both to welcome and assist her, told her
she had been watching for her a long
time. Emily surveyed her with a look,
whichj though it did not invite further
kindness, did not entirely check the over-
flowing joy of Rose's heart. "I am glad
you are come," she said. "You are a
kind little girl," replied Mr. Blandford,
and I hope Emily ancF you will be good
friends. " "That we shall," answered
Ilose. Emily had withdrawn her hand,
. and seemed doubtful whether to be
rplcased or not. "" '?
Mr. BlandfeTd, 'in neglecting to edu-
cate liis 'daughter, merely designed to
preserve her mind free and uncontami-
nated; in excluding her from all inter-
course with others, he imagined he
should avoid the danger of any pernici-
ous example; but'he had not considered
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? SKETCIIKS OF YOUTH. J3
that the society of the vulgar and \mt
educated, amongst whom, in his absence,
she was unavoidably thrown, possessed
poison still more injurious. With them
she had imbibed pride, cunning, and dis-
content. She knew they were her de-
pendents, and she exercised over them
all the petty power with which she
thought herself invested. She saw their
stratagems and artifices, and a habit of
evasion and concealment was too' soon
acquired. She heard therrt envy ithfc
situation of their superiors* andjshfcbfc-
came. dissatisfied, ajso,. Her person indi-
cated health and s^ength; her features
were handsome, b$t they wore anYe>>- .
pressiqn of ? haughtiness and contempt
which^repdledaffecjion; The brilliancy
of a fine brown eye was obscured by a
lurking look of sullen suspicion, and/a
pretty mouth spoiled by the poutings of
ill*humou,*. o . :. m\J \' <v/. '. ' . . m
Mrs* Sydney was grieved to see the
neglect whidirappeared in;her dress and
person; her hands were 'dirty, her fine
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? 54
ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
muslin frock torn and scarcely tied, and
her bonnet bent so as to have entirely
lost its original form.
Accustomed to treat children with
tenderness, Mrs. Sydney took her hand,
and affectionately kissed her; '* My
little girl," she said, "has but few to as-
sociate with, and will be delighted to
know you; you will find her a kind-
hearted, good child, and I hope will like
her. " Miss Blandford made no reply,
but looked at Mrs. Sydney with an half-
i uplifted eye of sly examination.