No More Learning

Pity, therefore, my poor Emily, bereft
as she is of a mother, and with a father
-
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? 112 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
unsettled in his present habits, uncertain
in his future projects. "
"I have no hesitation, Sir," replied
Mrs. Sydney, "in avowing my wish to
accede to yours, and if you can be satis-
fied with my humble exertions to render
Miss Blandfbrd like my own children,
I shall engage in her education with
pleasure ; but I fear" "Fear nothing
madam, I wish her only to be like them
consent to receive my child, and I am
happy. " "I will, Sir, for one twelve-.
month; but if, at the end of that period I.
you' are disappointed in your expecta-
tions, I shall request to relinquish the
charge. " "I consent to your stipula-
tions," replied Mr. Blandfbrd, "and bless
you for accepting the trust, even for that
time. O Emily 1" exclaimed he, "you
. in whom are centered all my hopes of
earthly happiness, ! jou will yet realize
them all. " "Do not " said Mrs. Sydney
calmly, " assure yourself too sanguinely
of my success. I think Emily naturally
amiable, and I hope I shall strengthen
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 113
every virtuous propensity of her disposi-
tion; but we cannot be certain of suc-
cess in our best attempts. "
Mr. Blandford, after a p? use, said--
"I have already made some arrange-
ments in the event that you would re-
ceive my daughter, and 1 hope I shall
not meet with any opposition to the steps
I have taken, as I imagined I was anti-
cipating your wishes. Your former ha-
bitation, madam, is nearly ready for your
reception. '' Mrs. Sydney bowed her head
in silence. "If you have any objection
? if you would prefer any other place. "
"O no, Sir--of all spots it is the dearest
to me--it is peculiarly consecrated. "
"The house," proceeded Mr. Bland-
ford, " has been several weeks engaged,
and is now repairing by my orders, in
the hope that you would be induced to
become the protectress of my daughter.
I will now hasten the workmen, thltt be-
fore I quit the village, I may have the
consolation of seeing you, your dear
girls, and my fortunate Emily, its inha-
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? 114 ROSE AND EMILY; OH,
bitants. " "Be it so," said Mrs. Sydney,
"I have no words to thank you. "
When it was rumoured that Mrs. Syd-
ney was to return to the parsonage, more
than usual diligence was employed to put
it in repair; for every one of the work-
men had some remembered act of Mr. or
Mrs. Sydney's kindness to relate, and
they redoubled their exertions in order
to repay it.
Mr. Blandford's benevolence had also.
been felt by every child of suffering ift
the parish, and his name was blessed by
every lip.
The respect entertained for Mrs* Syd^.
ney, and gratitude towards Mr. Blandford,
lightened labour of its weight ;; and in a
few weeks the furniture, which had been
purchased at a neighbouring market town,
was placed in the parsonage. The gar-
den was only cleared of its weeds, for he
knew that pruning and planting would
afford pleasure to Mrs. Sydney and her
daughters.
. While these preparations were going
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH: 115
. forward, Mr. Blandford called one day
at Mrs. Sydney's with a landscape, which
he requested Isabel to copy--" It is in
your style," he said, " and I think you
- will execute it nearly as well; if not, it
wilL be excellent as a study. " He was
himself no mean artist, and had fre-
quently, in his rambles round the village,
taken sketches of its scenery. From the
few specimen* he had seen of Isabel's
drawing, he thought the talent might be
cultivated to advantage, and he wished
to encourage her to pursue it. "This,"
he said, "is a little gem--how glowing
is that tint--how gradually declining that
? shade--how fine the sky--what harmony
in every part. . I purchased it to-day at
B , and was told that the artist was
a lady in the neighbourhood, but I could
. not learn her name. Do not you think,
Miss Sydney, it is extremely like a view
near the river? I could almost declare I
had sat fishing in the Derwent beneath
that alder, for how decidedly it is an
aldei;-*-then the distant church,i the; Qpt*
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? 116 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
tage nestling under that hanging wood,
the projecting rock--it must be the very
same--do not }Tou think so? "
As he made this second appeal, he
turned his head towards her; she had
half retired from observation; her crim-
soned cheek and downcast eyes betrayed
some extraordinary agitation. "My
Isabel," are you not well? " said her
mother, who had, till that moment, been
attending to a little narrative of Rose's,
and had scarcely heard the remarks of
Mr Blandford, "are yOu not well? "
** Yes mamma, quite well,"' and taking
the drawing from Mr. Blandford, was
hurrying out of the room. "Let me see
it, my dear girl," said her mother "before
you take it away. " Isabel returned with
a reluctant step, and the instant Mrs.
Sydney's eyes glanced on the landscape
they were directed to her daughter with
an expression of surprise and enquiry--
"Has this drawing ever been out of your
possession Isabel ? the Inst! " She paused*
"Yes mamma," replied Isabel, "this draw-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 117
ing has been out of mypossession. " "How
could you part with it, my child? " said
Mrs. Sydney with emotion. "I must
then explain myself," replied Isabel, and
running up stairs, returned in an instant
with the original, the "last" which Mr.
Sydney had ever sketched, and froma spot
to which he was particularly attached.
"This is the drawing mamma. O I
could never part with it. " "Explain
the other. " "It is a copy I made ; and,
forgive me for concealing any thing from
you, I took it early in a morning before
you and Rose were up; I requested
good Mr. Price to dispose of it, with
another, and with the money which I
received, I procured a few things which
I thought you required, and which you
imagined came from some of our kind
neighbours. Forgive this artifice, my dear
mamma. -, it is the first your Isabel has ever
. practised. " "Forgive you! " exclaim-
ed her mother fondly clasping her in her
arms " beloved child i rather let me bless
you. " "I am sure," said Rose, " I
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? IIS ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
knew nothing of it mamma. " "I believe
you my dear girl," replied Mrs. Sydney
with a smile that played through her
tears; "indeed I believe you Rose. "
This incident gave Mr. Blandford new
reasons to congratulate himself on the
measures he had taken for the benefit of
his daughter, and for the future happiness
of Mrs. Sydney and her children. " .
In a few weeks the repairs of the par-
sonage were completedtwo female ser-
vants engaged, and a man who was to fill
every department out of doors. Nothing
was omitted, on the part of Mr. Bland-
ford, which he imagined would conduce
to the comfort of this interesting family;
and as he reflected on the action he was
performing, the blessings he was dispen-
sing, and Yhe advantages that would be
derived by his Emily from a constant re-
sidence with Mrs. Sydney and her chil-
dren, his heart swelled with emotions the
most benignant, the most grateful. Never
had his wealth appeared to him of so
much value. He felt that, like mercy,
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? SKETCHES 0E YOUTH. 119*
*s It is twice blessed; it blesseth him
that gives, and him that takes and he
thanked that gracious Providence^ which
by one of those events we blindly deno-
minate chance, had guided him to that
spot, and made him the 'happy instru-
ment of rescuing merit from poverty and
sorrow.
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? 120
ROSE AND EMILY; OK,
CHAR IX.
It was on the first of January that Mrs.
Sydney quitted the humble roof which
had sheltered them in indigence and sor-
row, for that which had been the abode
of prosperity and happiness. The oldyear,
like another volume of her life, was closed
for ever. ; but the events that had marked
it were written on her memory in inde-
lible characters: a new one was now
opened, and its blank pages excited
mingled sensations of hope and fear; but
while her mind was agitated by these va-
rious reflections, gratitude to the bene- v
factor who had thus raised her and her
children from poverty, and to that God
who had ordained it, was the predomi-
nant feeling of her bosom.
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? 8JCETCHES OF YOUTH. J21
The return to an abode so long dear
to them, was marked by varied emotions
of joy and grief, as different recollections
pressed upon their minds. Mrs. Syd*
ney's eyes were dimmed with tears, when,
leaning on the arm of Isabel, she entered
the white gate'of the garden, which se-
parated the house from the village road;
and once more seated in the little par-
lour, she alternately pressed her children
to her bosom, her heart silently and fer-
vently blessing them ; but she could not
articulate her welcome to that home to
which they were so unexpectedlyrestored.
The first emotions having subsided,
Mrs. Sydney reflected upon the import-
ant task she had pledged herself to per-
form; it was equally one of duty and
gratitude, and she determined to exert
all the powers of her mind, and to call in
all the aid of religion, to enable her to
subdue the regrets that still hung so
heavily on her heart, in order faithfully
and conscientiously to execute the task
assigned her. . ? ?
G
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? 122 ROSE AND EMILY OR,
Mr. Blandford passed the evening at the
parsonage, and consigned Emily toher ma-
ternal care, and her entire guidance, for
at least one twelvemonth; but expressed a
a hope that she would protect her for what-
ever length of time he might be absent
from England. He was happy to find
Mrs.
Sydney more cheerful than he had
ever before seen her; a fuint smile, like
the gleamings of a wintry sun, for a few
moments played upon her face, and as
she looked at her children and Emily,
she seemed to say--" It is for these I
smile. " Isabel was, as usual, gentle and
endearing, attentive to every look of her
mother, and anxious to anticipate her
every wish ; while little Rose was all joys
prattle, and activity. Emily received
her father's parting kiss and blessing with
many tears; but the affectionate sooth-
ings of Mrs. Sydney, the tender caresses
"of her daughters, and the novelty of her
situation, in a short time chased them
away; yet she sat thoughtful an'd silent.
Mr. Blandford settled a small annuity
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 123
Upon Ruth, who went to reside with a
sister in the neighbourhood of London.
The next morning he left the village, his
mind pursuing that train of sweet reflec-
tions which always result from the con-
sciousness of having performed our duty
to God and our fellow creatures; nor
. could he forbear looking-forward to that
period when he should receive his Emily
from the hands of her kind instructors;
when he should find her the graceful
woman, the intellectual companion, the
affectionate friend; and when all his
wishes for her would be at once realized.
After he had quitted them the pre-
ceding evening, Mrs. Sydney attended
the little girls to their chamber, which
was fitted up with two neat beds, and
another in an adjoining room for a ser-
vant. Rose, who had always been ac-
customed, every night and morning, to
offer up her humble petitions to her
Maker, knelt down, and "lisp'd with
holy look her evening prayer. " When
she had ended, and Mrs. Sydney had
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? 124 HOSE AND EMILY; OR,
given her a kiss and blessing, she turned
to Emily, who had been standing by her;
"Repeat your prayers, my love," said
Mrs. Sydney. Emily, in some confusion,
muttered over a few almost unintelligible
words; then pausing, and hiding her
head in Mrs. Sydney's lap, burst into
tears. "Why do you cry? " enquired
her kind friend; "Have you forgotten
them? " "No,*' she sobbed, "I never
knew any more; I never liked saying
my prayers, and I don't know what they
mean. " "My poor child! " exclaimed
Mrs. Sydney, tenderly taking her hand,
"my poor Emily, attend to me seriously
and I will teach you. Prayer is a duty
we owe to our Maker, as an humble con-
fession of our dependance upon him, and
an acknowledgment of his mercy and
goodness. It is from him we derive our
existence; by him we are supported;
6 in him we live, and move, and have our
being and we should pray to him night
and morning, to render us more deserving
of his gracious care and protection, and of
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
125
all the blessings we receive from him; but
another time, my dear girl, I will explain
to you more fully tht nature of this obli-
gation; for the present, good-night, and
may God bless you. "
Rose was soon asleep, with the lightest,
sweetest visions of joy and happiness
floating on her buoyant fancy. With
Emily it was otherwise ; *she thought that
her ignorance must have humbled her in
the regard of Mrs. Sydney, and she felt
in every respect her inferiority to Rose,
who was two years younger than herself.
When Mrs Sydney went into their room
to give them a last look at night, she
found them both asleep; but on Emily's
. cheek the tears were still moist.
The next morning Rose was the first
in the family who awoke; she was soon
dressed, and regardless of a cold and
frosty air, ran over the garden. The
sun brightly gilded every object, and
though not warm as her hopes, was cheer-
ful as her fancy; she bounded over the
well known paths; flew to the honey-
G3
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? 126
ROSE AND EMILY } OR,
suckle bower,which,though now disrobed
of all its beauties, still told " a tale of the
times of old;" she thought with delight
of the spring, when she should train its
vagrant branches; and of the summer,
when its light tassels would again float in
the? air. Emily soon joined her, and Rose
painted. to her all the pleasures she had
been promising herself, and of "their own
nice little garden, which she was sure
her mamma would permit them to have. "
When they returned to the house, Mrs.
Sydn ey and Isabel were in the breakfast par-
lour, and the meal passed in cheerfulness.
Thekindnessofsome of their good neigh-
bourshad already anticipated many of their
wishes, and several offerings of gratitude
and attachmentsolicited their acceptance.
A few fowls were the gift of Mrs. Bloom-
field, and Phoebe gave her own favourite
kitten to Rose. A boy, whose little sister
she had once helped over a brook, when
the weight of a heavy basket prevented
his assisting her himself, brought, as a
mark of his gratitude, a beautiful gold. -
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. , 127
finch, which he assured her he did not
steal from the nest, but had purchased it
in the summer for a penny, with which
he was going to buy gingerbread, of
some boys who had taken it. In the
house, neatness and order soon resumed
their reign; and the domestic fowls, the
kitten, and the bird, gave it an aduiuonaj
appearance and feeljng of home.
Mrs. Sydney gradually commenced
her plan of instruction, and, impercep-
tibly to Emily, became the monitress as
well as the friend. She knew that re-
straint would at first appear harsh to an
ungoverned child; she therefore imposed
no lessons upon her, but by conversation,
and the various games invented for the
information of children5 made her sensible
how little she already knew, how much
she might attain; and she soon became
desirous of more regular instruction.
She explained to her the duty of
prayer, and as she taught her to repeat
the Lord's prayer, endeavoured to ren-
der it intelligible to her understanding.
? g 4
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? 12? ROSE AN>> EMILY; OR,
"Our Saviour commanded his disci-
ples to p*ray,. . and gave them this prayer
which we call from him, the Lord's
Prayer. When we say, ' Our Father
which art in Heaven,' we address our-
selves first to God as his children, and
invoke his blessings, not only for our-
selves, but for all people; because we are
taught to love each other as brothers and
sisters. When we say, ' in Heaven,' we
remember how high above us is the
great. Being whom we address; that
there is his throne from which he vouch-
safes to look down upon us, and from
which he marks every word and action
of our lives, whether they be good, or
whether they be evil. How watchful
then ought we to be never to commit any
act. which Gan disgrace ourselves in the
eye of our Maker. * Hallowed be thy
name,' reminds us to reverence him with
an humble heart, and that his name is
never to be used in sport or carelessness,
but held as sacred. 4 Thy kingdom come,'
expresses a hope of that eternal life,whieh
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 129
is promised to all who are virtuous, and
which we desire to be admitted into when
we leave this world. * Thy will be done
on earth as it is in Heaven,' means that as
the angels are obedient to him in every
thing, so ought \ye to be, and never pre-
? sume to doubt his power and authority,
or "murmur at any of his dispensations;
but in pain, sorrow, sickness, or any other
adversity, submit patiently to his will,
and comfort ourselves with this blessed
assurance, that if we are afflicted in this
world, we shall be rewarded in the next.
* Give us this day our daily bread,' soli-
cits all that may be necessary for the
support of . our; existence; we must re-
member . thafe all our food is from the
bountyofGod; that it is hewho makes the
grass to grow, who created all things living
/ for. our use, who has provided all things
needful both for our souls and bodies,
and without whose assistance . we should
have neither food nor raiment. . ' And
forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
them that trespass against us;' here we
g 5i
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? 130 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
implore the Almighty to reward us ac-
cording to our treatment of others; if
we forgive injuries done to us, we may
also hope to have our offences forgiven;
but if we forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will our heavenly Father forgive
us our trespasses; it is, therefore, our
duty to pardon, and be reconciled to
those who may have injured us, and ne-
ver, on any account, bear them resent-
ment, or shew them unkindness. 'And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil;' from the weakness of our
nature, we are so prone to error, that
without the assistance of God, we should
not be able to resist any temptation; and
here, from a consciousness of our frailty
and imperfection, we earnestly solicit
his help to keep us from it, and deliver
us from every evil thing that may tempt
us to transgress any of his commands,.
* For thine is the kingdom, the power,and
* the' glory for ever and ever;' this king-
dom. the kingdom of God, is promised to
all true christians; and this kingdom}
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 131
power and glory, belong only to God for
ever and ever. "
Emily listened with attention, and
promised to remember the explanation
her friend had humbly attempted; the
little girls were then consigned to their
pillows, and Mrs. Sydney and Isabel
finished the evening with l eading.
In a few days a letter from Mr. Bland-
ford informed them of his safe arrival in
London; and while they were one even-
ing seated round a cheerful fire, the
arrival of several boxes was announced.
The two little girls were in an instant all
curiosity and enquiry. A large deal case
particularly excited their attention--
"? Wl^at can this contain? " said the vo-
luble Rose; "perhaps drawers for Emi- ?
ly's clothes, or shelves for books? How
shall we open it, mamma? " "We must
wait, my love, till the morning, as un-
packing it now would be attended with
great inconvenience^but we mayexamine
the smaller boxes. " The first which they
opened contained a very complete set of
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? 132 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
paints and drawing materials for Isabel,
with many pieces, both of figures and?
landscapes^ from the pencils of the best
artists, for her studies. The next was
filled with' books. of different kinds of
instruction and amusements; the poets,
history, treatises on botany, with many
of the best modern productions, andr
other miscellaneous works,both in French
and English.
Another case was addressed" mutually
to Rosa and Emily, whom Mr. Bland-
ford wished to participate in every thing*
as sisters. This contained a variety of
geographical historical, and other games,
with many smaller books, both of amuse-.
roent and instruction. We are happy
girls,"' said Rose, "but. 1" wish I knew.
what the. great case? eon? tains," and,
like tha. good woman, who, living in tha
midst of plenty, pined till she knew what
was intone,covered dish,, so did poor Rosa
turn from the drawings* and the. books,.
and the different games, to. look, and
wonder at the unpacked case. .
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 133
"Here is a letter for you, my love,"
said Mrs, Sydney to Emily, " read it
whilst I peruse mine. " Emily took it
with a blush; she could not read it, and
in confusion, returned it to her friend.
*{ Will you, madam, be so kind as to
read it to me ? --I cannot;" and tears
of shame and sorrow streamed from her
eyes. Mrs. Sydney read as follows :--
"My beloved child,
"To inform your mind, and to amend
your heart, are the first wishes of mine;
your happiness is the first object of my
life; to promote which, I have consent-
ed to part with you; to tear myself from
the sole comfort of my existence, and
for some years to leave you under the
guidance and protection of the only
person to whom I would consign my
treasure. Consider Mrs.