No More Learning

Previous to dinner, Mr. Falkland
(which was the gentleman's name) intro-
duced his sister to Mrs. Sydney and her
party, and politely consigning them to
her care, took himself the seat of presi-
dent (as it is . termed) at the top of the
table. Mrs. Falkland (for though still
unmarried she had relinquished Miss,
that epithet of " single blessedness,")
possessed an easy cheerfulness of manner,
which soon removed all embarrassment,
from our little party, and the meal passed,
even to theira, pleasantly. Isabel's modest
eye ventured to glance round the table,
though fearful ofparticularlyresting upon
any object, lest she herself should be no-
ticed. Emily remarked a few, whom pecu-
liarity of countenance or manner distin-
guished from the multitude; while Rose,
ever quick to observe as to feel, saw and
commented upon all. Mrs. Falkland was
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? 190 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
accompanied by her niece, Fanny Bel.
mont, a girl of about sixteen; who, having
frequently been at Matlock with her
aunt, was, to our young friends, a plea-
sant and communicative companion. Af-
ter dinner Mrs. Falkland proposed join-
ing them for an early evening walk, and,
till then, they separated.
Rose, who frequently attached too
much value to personal beauty, com-
menced her comments upon Fanny Bel-
mont; wished her nose did not turn up,
and that her mouth was smaller. "Your
observations upon person, my dear Rose/*
said her mother, "often vex and displease
me. There may be a very intelligent
countenance, one expressive of high in-
tellect, and sweetness of temper, without
a feature, when considered 'separately,
which we can admire. Miss Belmont's
nose, "un petit nez retrousse" " would be
denominated by the French a beauty,
as giving a peculiar archness and pi-
quancy to the expression of the counte-
nance; for my own part I cannot fancy
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 191
any other nose adapted to her face; if
her mouth be wide, as you, my dear
Rose, so very pathetically lament, have
you ever seen finer teeth? a sweeter
dimple when she smiles, or eyes more ex-
pressive? Is not her complexion clear
and animated? And does not the whole
character of her countenance imply good
sense and good nature? Such a girl,
though she may not strike us with admi-
ration, will sooner win our affections than
one whose charms consist merely in pretty
features, without any gr^ce of mind} for
we turn from the insipidity of mere per-
sonal beauty, to refresh ourselves, as it
were, at the fountain of intellect; and
Fanny Belmont will delight us when our
prettier companions will be forgotten. "
Rose felt her mother's reproof, and was
grateful for her admonition; and when
Mr. Falkland, his sister, and niece, join-
ed them for the evening walk, she was
particularly attentive to the latter; her
heart making ample atonement for the
error of her tongue. Mr. Falkland spoke
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? 192 ROSE AND EMILY; OK,
of the road they had travelled the pre-
ceding day, and particularized some of
its fine and characteristic features. Rose,
to whom he had addressed an occasional
remark, was encouraged to add her own.
"I thought," she said, "as we crossed.
the wide moor, that it must resemble the
scene of some of Fingal's battles; that
such was 'the dark brown heath. where
the chiefs of Ossian met; where Fingal
and Swaran fought,' the heroes of other
times. " Observing Mr. Falkland's good
humoured smile^. and his eyes sparkling
through his spectacles, as he fixed them
attentively upon her, she continued-->** I
almost expected to see their spirits flit
before me, and some fair Agandecca,
fall beneath the steel of Starna, * like a
wreath of snow that slides from the rocks
of Ronan. ' The grey stones also seemed
to mark the graves of the heroes, and. I
thought whose fame is in that dark
green tomb ? Four stones with their heads
of moss. stand there, and mark the nar-
row house of death. '" "Delightfully
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTfli 193
imagined! " exclaimed Mr. Falkland;
"come my little enthusiast," added he,
drawing her hand through his arm5 and
giving the other to his niece, " I must
hear more of your fancies, for they are in
unison with my own. " Ablush of plea-
sure, not unmixed with vanity, mantled
upon her cheek, at receiving the praises
and attentions of one whom she already
considered as a very superior being, and
she listened to every word he uttered as
to that of an oracle. ,
Mrs. Sydney mentioned Phoebe Bowne,
and enquired if she were as eccentric as
had been represented to her? " She is an
extraordinary creature)'" replied Mr. Falk-
land, " and is another proof of the many
we have now in existence* that the strong-
er faculties of the mind wait not for the
cultivating hand of education, but spring
up in any soil, and under any circum-
stances: education might have trained
them so as to be more useful and more
ornamental; but the peculiar direction
they have taken, render her more an ob.
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? 194 HOSE AND EMILY; OR,
ject of curiosity. " He then informed
them that Phcebe Bowne resided with
her mother, who was a widow* in a cot-
tage by the road side; that the singula-
rity and variety of her pursuits as a fe-
male, attracted many to her house, and
sometimes occasioned her invitations to
the hotel. She was esteemed one of the
best judges of a horse in the country;
and her opinion on the merits of one had
lately decided a wager of some impor-
tance ; she acted either as hostler, farrier,
groom, or horse-breaker; worked in the
fields, either as a mower or reaper; was
a mason or carpenter; played on the
flute and violoncello, and performed on
these instruments sufficiently well to take
a part with others, who better understood
the theory of music. Those who expect-
ed excellence in her performance would
be disappointed, but the wonder was that
she could play as she did; and in the
extraordinary combination of her habits,
she was as singular in her dress as in her
manners and occupations; was not with-
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? SKETCHES QtF IfOAJTHt. '. J95
out vanity, and liked attention; and
though proud of her peculiarities, and
tenacious of feer independence, never
scrupled to receive . a few shillings. as a
tribute to her talents. The bluntness of
her manner to those she disliked was very
offensive; and her . attentions to those
who pleased her were sometimes 'as ob-
trusive. Mrs. Sydney, as well as her
? daughters and Emily, expressed a wish
to see this original character, and the fol-
lowing morning Was fixed upon for Mr.
Falkland and his sister to accompany
them to hoc cottage.
When they entered the breakfast room,
Mr. Falkland met Rose with the cor-
diality of an old friend; her vivacity had
particularly attracted bin*, and in the
images of her fancy, the rapidity of her
remarks, and the illumination of her
countenance, he imagined he traced the
early dawnings, and genuine character-
istics of genius > whilst the enthusiasm of
her expressions, and the playfulness of
her manner, indicated a heart alive to
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? 196 ROSE AND EMILY J OK,
every generous and affectionate impulse;
to this little girl, therefore, his attentions
were, involuntarily, the most directed,
with the truest, kindest feelings of a friend
and brother. He also was a poet; and
v her idea of the moors suggested the fol-
lowing lines, which he presented to her
as they seated themselves at the break-
fast table.
Seek ye who lies buried here?
One who scorn'd the name of slave;
One to Fame and Glory dear,
And these grey stones mark his grave.
i
Seek ye how and where he fell?
Sleep in honour's bed the brave;
Let his fellow soldier's tell,
How these grey stones mark his grave.
Eve shall give her pearly tear,
Fresh and cool the turf to save;
Heath flowers shed their fragrance here,
Where these grey stones mark his grave.
Howling winds at night shall rise,
O'er the rude moors wildly rave;
Spare the sod near which he lies,
While these grey stones mark his grave!
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 197
Honour'd thus is valour's dust,
Thus remember'd are the brave;
Faithful to their holy trust,
These pale grey stones mark his grave.
To have given an idea to Mr. Falkland,
upon which he had condescended to write;
and to see it so poetically exemplified, de-
lighted her beyond the power of words to
express. It was the most flattering com-
pliment she had ever received, and she
gave the lines to her mother with a blush
of mingled pride, pleasure, and confu-
sion. Mrs. Sydney read them with the
admiration they merited; and smiling,
said to Mr. Falkland, "You must not
spoil my little girl by indulging her fan-
cies, or adding to her vanity. " At the
word '? '? vanity" the tears started to poor
Rose's eyes. "Oh mamma! do you
think me vain? " "Your Ossianic quo-
tations, my love, partook, I thought, of
as much vanity as fancy; but since they
were so good-humouredly listened to by
Mr. Falkland, and have produced this
specimen of his imagination, I will say
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? 198 BOSE AND EMILY; OR,
nothing more upon the subject. " Rose's
rapture, (which her mother had perceived
was . likely to exceed the bounds of reason*
and had therefore adopted this method of
suppressing it) was instantly checked;
and the fear of betraying vanity put? a.
guard upon her tongue, and gave a little
. reserve,to her manner, which Mrs. Syd-
ney wished; Mr. Falkland, who had de-
licately withdrawn the moment he saw
tears in the eyes, of Rose, and who had
been conversing with a gentleman at
another part of the room, now returned
to therri,. and enquired at what hour he
and his sister should have the pleasure of
accompanying them on their visit to
Phcehe. . This. being arranged, they sepa-
rated till. the time arrived. for their setting
QUt- 1}. ? ? ? .
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 19&
CHAP. XIV.
The cottage was situated opposite to one
of the most beautiful windings of the
Derwent, and divided from the road by
a narrow slip of garden, bounded by the
stonewall which Phcebe had been repairing
on the day of Mrs. Sydney's arrival. On
entering the house, they beheld the object
of their curiosity lying at length upon a
settle, or wooden . bench, placed on one
side of the room; a table was near her,
on which stood a small wooden bowl, with
the remains of the porridge which had
been her dinner. She did not rise from
her position. ; but, just lifting up her
head, nodded familiarly to Mr. and Mrs.
Falkland, whom she had frequently seefr
before; and made a motion to them with
her hand to be seated.
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? 200 $OSE AND EMILY; OR,
Her mother, whose silver locks gave
tokens of many winters' snow, but whose
form was still unbent, was sitting spinning
flax; she was dressed in the manner of
the country, in a man's woollen coat and
petticoat, several handkerchiefs tied roun d
her head and under her chin, and a large
man's hat over these.
The most perfect
neatness prevailed in the house, as well
as in the persons of both the mother and
daughter,and both were equally unmoved
and unembarrassed by the entrance of the
party. On Phoebe's motioning with her
hand that they should sit, a deficiency of
chairs was observed ; and the old woman
left her seat to bring two Yrom another
apartment. The eye of Phoebe was di-
rected towards her new visitors, with a
side-long glance of the keenest scrutiny,
and she seemed reluctant to speak till
she had formed some opinion of them.
Mrs- Sydney was as minutely examining
her; and soon discovered that Phcebe,
though. in a cottage, was not a person to
fee treated with too mucji familiarity;
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 201
and readily gave her that sort of attention
which- she appeared to expect. Phoebe's
skill in physiognomy, or rather her intui-
tive penetration into character, soon led
her to decide favourably upon her guests;
and raising . . herself from her wooden seat,
began to account, n<<t . to apologize, for
lying . there so long: ? " She had but just
returned from the labours of the hay field;
had taken her dinner, and was resting after
it. " Then particularly addressing herself
to Mrs. Sydney, she? enquired how long
she had been atMatlock; and entered into
those light and general. topics which are
started i to avoid the awkwardness of
silence; but even on these she expressed
herself in a . manner. which denoted obser-
vation: and reflection* and m language
original and easy. She; asked them if they
meant to attend the balls, and bade them,
if they did, remark. the. conduct of some
of the. company, whom she accused of
pride and selfishness,in disdaining to give
their hands to those; who' were partaking
of the same. amusement, and contributing
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? 202' ROSE AND EMILY; Olty
to, theirs; she inveighed, with. a great.
deal of spleen and bitterness, against
some of the neighbouring gentry, (as she
sarcastically called*; them$) persons who
had, by one happy turn of fortune, at*
tained rank and wealth. . "Their gardens.
may be fine, and their houses grand,"*
continued Phoebe,," but look at their be-
haviour, and in that you may trace their
origin; haughty to their inferiors, and
servile to those above them, they prove.
that a little. wmdtiaincapable of elevation. .
Locke compares the human understand-
ing to a sheet of blank paper, which' wilt
receive any character you like to imprint;
upon it ;. but this theory was proved to be .
wrong by Lord Chesterfield, who endea-,
voured, both by precept and example, to. *
make his booby son a polite man 5. but it
was all in vain. White-wash a. red brick
as much as you will, it is a red brick
still, and at times will shew itself so; 4o-
do these people, notwithstanding their
fine dress^ shew themselves to be of coarse
materials by their conduct at the balls. "
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTlt. 20S
Mrs. Sydney was astonished to hear
her talk of Locke and Chesterfield;
she had, it is true, quoted two things
which are generally known ; but to apply
their principles, and adduce the conse-
quences, shewed a reflective mind, which
was extraordinary in her situation. Mr.
Falkland addressed her on the subject of
music. She immediately rose from her
seat, and going to a bason of water, hewn
out of the rock from which it gushed by
the side of the house, washed her hands,
and then desired him to go with her into
the next room to try a harpsichord which
a lady had sent her as a present. She did
not play upon it; but she said ladies fre-
quently Came from the hotel to play and
sing to her. She produced her violoncello
and flute, and spoke upon each as if to-
lerably well acquainted with the theory of
music; the former seemed her favourite
instrument, and which frequently intro-
duced her. . to. . quartette. parties' at the ho-
tel, though she did not consider herself
any mean proficient on the latter *, fotf
1. 6
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? ^04 ROSE AtfIX EMILY; OU,
after Mr; Falkland liad played a sweet
and plaintive air* she took it out of his
hand, saying, with a smile, she believed
she understood it the best; and gave a
specimen of her own skill in tones which
she imagined much superior, because
they were much stronger. Mrs. Sydney
asked how she acquired her knowledge
of music? She said, that several years
ago a Welch harper had attended at Mat-
lock, from him she learned her notes -y
but not being able to procure a harp, she
had recourse to any instrument she could
the most easily obtain. .
Mrs. Sydney entered. into conversation
with. the mother, whose cheerful-looking
countenance inyitednoti. ee. Sheeoquired
who had. instructed her daughter when a
child ? . " The clerk. of the parish," shxs
replied;; " but. she could soon have
taught him. '*' Kas she, read many
v books ? " said Mrs. Sydney*. "Not. many
but the few. she has. read have been good
ones. . In summer,. she is too much en^
$aged; in the fields, and with the com-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 205
pany, to read; but in winter, when the
evenings are long, she likes her books
and her music. " "How does she pror
cure books? " "Some are lent, and some
are given, for she is taken a deal of notice
of. "; . " What was your husband, my
friend? " "He was a builder,and built this
cottage; but Phoebe is an architect. " The
distinction between builder and architectt
from the lips of one in so very humble a
station, surprised Mrs. Sydney; and she
thought the mother almost as much of a
wonder as the daughter. Phoebe, she
found, had herself built the room in which
the harpsichord stood, and expressly for
its accommodation. She had also im-
proved the cottage, which probably made
the good woman imagine her more inge-
nious than her husband, and therefore. an
architect.
Phcebe was pleased with her new ac-
quaintances, and asked them to callagajn^
a request made to very few; for, the. least
degree of ridicule or haughtiness in those
who visited. her,. never failed . to excite
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? 206 ROSE AND EMILY J OR,
her warmest resentment; and it was said,
she once had carried a pi3tol about with
her,threateningto be revenged upon some
person of distinction, who, she thought*
had insulted her, by laughing at her ec-
centricities. "When Mrs. Sydney and her
paity took leave, she mentioned the fol-
lowing evening, as a time when all her.
work would be over, for their next. visit.
As they returned home, their conver-
sation naturally dwelt upon Phoebe, as an
extraordinary instance of intellectual ca-.
pacity rising above the oppression of po-
verty; seizing upon every casual advan- .
tage, and strengthening itself in the very;
depths of obscurity. She appeared about i
thirty (this was in the year 1804) j her
person was a little above the middle size,
andherlimbswere even delicately formed.
Her face, "brown with meridian toil,"
was more indicative of subtle penetration
than of candid intelligence; it had no
bad expression, and it had no good one;
she wore a stuff petticoat, and a man's
short coat of blue cotton plush } her mus-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 2Q7
lin handkerchief was tucked into her di-
mity stays, and both were as white as
neatness herself could, desire; her hair
was confined round her face and neck by
stiff rollers \ and, by their size, it must
have been long and thick ; a small round
beaver hat, which she bad worn, was
lying on the table when the party enter-
ed the room, and which completed her
dress out of doors. : '. > . ! ;
Mrs. Sydney and her family did not
feil . tq repeat their visit the following?
evening, but unaccompanied by Mr.
Falkland and his sister, who were en-
gaged. When they arrived at the cot-
tage* Phoebe was working in the little
garden. ; she received them with a very
gracious smile of welcome, and bade
them walk in: her plush coat was now.
exchanged for one of striped cotton, but
made exactly in the same fashion. The
old woman: soon after entered the room,
and going up to Mrs. Sydney, put two
fine plums into her lap; Mrsw Sydney
wished to excuse herself from accepting
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? 208 ROSE AND EMILY; OH,
them, having observed, as she came into
the garden, but one small plum tree
against the wall, and very little fruit
upon it; but the mother pressed her to
keep them, and Phoebe said drily, " Nay.
take them, take them; it is not often we>
see people we like well enough to give*
even a plum to; but you are from the-
south, and they are always more civil.
than our brutes of the north;" "Nov .
my good friend," replied Mrs. Sydney,. . .
"though I was born iiuthe. souih^ it is>>
long since I was there, and I am now
almost your neighbour. " ^1 am sorry
for it; for I thought you came from the? .
south, by your civility. " She then gave>
an account of a. journey which she once:. .
made to Liverpool, of her dissatisfaction
with the manners of the people, and the
want of information in the general so*
ciety. She termed them contemptuously^
"a. tribe> of. illiterate stocking-weavers,.
from. whom she did not gain a single
idear during ? the whole time she.