and owned she had been a very naughty
The liveliness of Mrs.
The liveliness of Mrs.
Childrens - Tales of the Hermitage
My child I My lost Eliza !
"
Mr. Darn. 'ey, who was reading,
sprang from his feat, and flew to the
door in an ecstacy of joy ; in less than a
minute he returned, folding his Eliza to
his throbbing heart! --The joyful intel-
ligence ran through the house, and the
other
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? 11& TKE FRUITS Ofi
other children impatiently slew to this
scene of transport. To describe their feel-
ings, or express their felicity, would re-
quire the aid of the most descriptive pen,
and even then would be but saintly told;
and therefore had much better be passed
over.
From that moment the children all
unanimously agreed strictly to attend to
their sather's orders, and never in the
slightest instance act in opposition to his
will. ' /
Mr. and Mrs. Montague were laden
with caresses. and earnestly entreated to
remain Mr. Darnley's guests. The hos-
pitable invitation would have been glad-
ly accepied, had not the thoughts of the
poor children, who were still at Wy-
combe, seemed to claim his immediate
attention; and so great was the philan-
thropy
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? DISOBEDIENCE. I79.
thropy of Mr. Montague's character,
that he could never rest satisfied if >>
single duty remained unfulsilled.
A CURE
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? CURE FOR SATIRE;
OR, THE
DANGER OF RIDICULE.
X EARCY Priory, the seat of a worthy
baronet of that name, was situated at a
short distance from Bath, and from its
vicinity to that scene of gaiety, was
generally crowded with a variety of.
guests, who were either attracted thither
by the ties of friendship, or the force of
hospitality ; for as there were no chil-
dren" to inherit an ample fortune, Sir
Edward
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE. l8l
Edward thought himself at liberty to
dispose of it in a manner best suited to
his disposition and inclination.
Although he was not a brilliant, he
was a most amiable character, and the
practice of virtue more than compensated
for the want os greatness. --His fondness
for children was excessive, and his. disap-
pointment at not becoming a sather was
at first rather severe; but after having
lamented the circumstance five and
twenty years, he was unexpectedly gra-
tified by the birth of a little girl, whose
peculiar beauty was so extremely strik-
ing, that it was impossible to behold it
without admiration.
The happiness which had for so many
years subsisted between Sir Edward and
Lady Pearcy seemed so perfect that no-
thing could increase It; but the appear-
ance of the little stranger soon convinced
r them
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? l82 A CURE FOR SATIRS.
-- . . . . . . . . . ---- *
them it was capable of being augmented.
A circumstance which gave Sir Edward
so much joy, he was resolved should not
pass uncommemorated ; and' as soon as
her ladyship was recovered, an universal
invitation was sent to all the peasantry
round the Priory to partake a rural fete
champelre, prepared solely for themselves,
where they were regaled with an excel. .
lent dinner, a supper, and a dance, and
at their departure each was presented with
a new half guinea.
During the period of Amanda's in-
fancy, Lady Pearcy Confined herself
wholly to her mansion, which, as Sir Ed-
ward was fond of society, was crowded
. with a succeslion of fresh company, to
all of whom the doating father presented
His little treasure under the fictitious
name of his Euphrosyne *. . -'
J. -. . - . '
_ * The name of one of the Graces.
The
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE. 183
The beauty cf the child was of that
striking nature, that it was impossible
to behold it without admiration ; but the
too partial fondness of its worthy pa-
rents threatened destruction to its future
peace ; for they were alike incapable of
correcting or controlling, and the most
extravagant of her wishes were imme-
diately complied with. The servants
were taught to obey her mandates with
an alacrity never wished for. by them-
selves ; and a tear or a sigh from her
absolutely seemed to agonize their hearts.
Her understanding was quick, and
her ideas were correct; but she had a na-
tural propensity for ridicule, which her
too doating parents always encouraged
rather than reproved ; for her liveliness
pleased, her wit charmed, and her sa-
tire perfectly delighted them.
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? I84 A CURE FOR SATIRE.
Mrs Ann Mordant, the only sister of
Lady Pearcy", arrived at the Priory on
the day her niece attained her fourth
year, and was absolutely captivated with
her personal charms ; but a few fliort
Hours soon wearied out her fondness,
and lhe totally forgot the child was hand-
some. She easily perceived she was ruin-
ed by indulgence, and was grieved that
a temper naturally sweet, frank, and
open, should become fretful,' turbulent,
and untoward.
Mrs. Mordant, lamenting the error^
of her sister's conduct, besought her ear-
nestly to change it, and Lady Pearcy be-
ginning to feel the esfects of her own
imprudence, promised to be guided by
her sister's counsel, and begin a reforma-
tion on the following day.
At an early hour the next morning,
. Mr*. Mordant was roused by a most un-
pleasant
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? A- CURE FOR SATIRE. 185
pleasant and unusual noise, and ringing
her bell to inquire the occasion of itg
was informed, as the morning was rainy, >>
Miss Pearcy had chosen to have her little
chaise driven up and down the gallery,
and that the noise proceeded from the
footman's running with it.
" Tell my sister," says Mrs. . Mor-
dant, " I beg the child may be imme-
diately taken out, . or I shall absolutely be
unnerved for a week. Did ever mortal
hear of such indulgence ? "
The servant carried the message^ con-
vinced in her own mind it would not be
attended to, as she had known much
more extravagant things than that, not
only permitted, but applauded, and was
extremely astonished at seeing her lady
slip on her dressing-gown and go to . the
child.
" That noise, my dear Amanda,"
R 3 said
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? l86 A CURE FOR SATIRE.
said her mother, " affects your poor
aunt's head this morning; if you'll
come out, my love, for half an hour,
you shall ride again as soon as she is up. "
. " No, no,"- replied the child ; " /
must ride now ; drive away, Thomas,
drive away ; I'm going to Bath, mamma,
to btiy some pretty things. "
" You shall buy them presently, my
angel," continued Lady Pearcy, at-
tempting to take her gently from the
chaise ; but a violent scream soon check-
ed the sudden impulse, and brought the
frightened sather to the scene.
" What are they doing to my little
angel r" he exclaimed, in a voice that
proved his fears and apprehension.
" Mamma won't let me ride," said
she, pouting her lip and putting on her
frown. --Lady Pearcy was then under
the necessity not only of repeating her
sister's
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE. 187
sister's message, but explaining the con-
versation which had pasted the preceding
evening, the justness of wh ch Sir Ed-
ward could not but allow, though he
found himself unable to be guided by
her counsel.
As there was no possibility of getting
the child out of the carriage without her
screams being much more likely to dis-
turb than the noise of it, Lady Pearcy
ordered the servants to strip the beds inr?
mediately of their blankets, and spread
them thick along the gallery ; and as the
novelty of the circumstance happened to
recommend it, Amanda consented to
the adoption of the plan, and she had
enjoyed her ride about a quarter of an
hour, when the door opened, and Mrs.
Mordant entered.
Both Sir Edward and Lady Pearcy
were completely embarrassed at the
proof
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? lR8 A CURE FOR SATIRE.
proof she saw of their too partial folly,
and stammering out some awkward ex-
cuse, they declared their child too timid
for subjection. ! t
Mrs. Mordant, who had plainly per-
ceived that timidity made no part of her
niece's character, expostulated with them
upon the error of their. plan, and con-
jured them to permit her to try her as-
cendancy upon the occasion, and with-
out waiting their reply, desired the ser-
vant to stop the carriage ; when going
up to the child, she took her tenderly by
the hand', and inquired if shc would ac-
company her into her drefling-room.
" No," replied Amanda; " I can't
go with you, because I'm driving to Bath
to buy some pretty things for the new
doll you bought me. "--" But you mould
always do what you are asked," said Mrs.
Mordant, <<< or you will find, when yoii'
. . . . 4 request
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE.
request a savour, no one will be inclined
to gratify it; and I could never love a dis-
obliging child" .
" Papa and mamma will always love
me though, and thai is best, and so I
shall not care; but drive on, Thomas,
or we shall not be back to breaksast. "--
Mrs. Mordant desired the servant to de-
sist, and taking her forcibly from out
the chaise, ^carried her into her own
room, notwithstanding her kicks, screams,
and violence.
Restriction of any kind was so en-
tirely new, that it was not likely she
, would receive it with composure ; but
as soon as she was quiet enough to listen
to conversation, her aunt informed her
she would tell her a little story, if she
would kiss her, and acknowledge she
had been wrong ; and the child instantly
wiped her eyes, put up her little mouth,
and
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? 190 A CURE FOR SATIRE.
and owned she had been a very naughty
The liveliness of Mrs. Mordant's
imagination easily supplied her with a
proper subject, and she worked up a
little asfecting tale calculated to make an
impression on her niece's heart, the he-
roine of which was introduced of the
same age with herself, who from being
indulged in all the little caprices she re-
quired, became both turbulent mi proud,
and made her parents so completely
wretched, thatthey were unable to sup-
port the weight of their asflictions, and
both fell victims to her violence, ata
time of life when she most wanted their
protection and. support.
The wonderful effect which the little
tale instantaneously made upon Aman-
da's feelings, convinced her aunt that
she would become as amiable as she was
lovely,
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE. I. gl
lovely,under any tuition but her parents';
-and entreated them immediately to let
her have a governess ; but notwithstand-
ing they had both a very high opinion of
Mrs. Mordant's judgment, they could
not bear the idea of their child being
subject to control at an age they thought
too early to receive it, and by that mis-
taken proof of fondness they susfered
those habits, which might then have easily
been conquered, to obtain an ascendancy
which at a future period it was very dif-
ficult to surmount.
During the month Mrs. Mordant
remained at the Priory, she had several
quarrels with her little niece; but a story
applicable to the subject. which had oc-
casioned it, always produced a harmony
between them ; and though she was the
only person who opposed her inclina-
tion,
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? 192 A CURE FOR SATIRE.
tion, yet the child became really attached
to her. .
Soon after Amanda had entered her
ninth year, Sir Edward Pearcy was taken
extremely ill, and even his daughter's
cheerfulness became^ satiguing ; and as
Lady Pearcy spent a great deal of time
in her husband's apartment, it was
at length determined to fend the child
to school, as the widow of an officer, a
most accomplished woman, had just
opened a seminary for young ladies at
Bath.
The few restrictions which Amanda
had met with, for some time rendered
the discipline of a school extremely irk-
some ; but as Mrs. Dawson's manners
were both soft and gentle, she soon be-
came completely reconciled, and im-
proved daily both in mind and manners.
Amongst the number of boarders in
Mrs.
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? A CUBE FOR SATIRE. 193
Mrs. Dawson's school was a young lady
of the name of" Blisset, whose sather
having amassed a large fortune by the
. flop trade in London, retired to Bath to
forget his own insignificance, and by
making an ostentatious display of the
greatness of his wealth, acquire the ti-
tle of a gentleman. This girl, who
happened to be about two years older
than Amanda, possessed all her sailings
without any of her virtues ; for to live-
liness and wit, were united cunning and
duplicity, and to a tolerably good tem-
per a very bad heart.
It has been before observed, that from
her earliest childhood Amanda testified a
turn for ridicule; and as Miss Blisset was
a professed mimic, she required no
other recommendation to her savour; and
in less than six months they were pro-
fessed friends. Mrs. Dawson, the teach-
s ers,
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? 194 A CURE FOR SATIRE.
ers, the masters, and the scholars, by
turns afforded them amusement ; and to
strengthen the force of their satirical
productions, they were generally accom-
. panied with a caricature, and the differ-
ent subjects of their art were handed
about for the amusement of their com-
panions.
As Sir Edward's health was visibly on
the decline, Lady Pearcy's confinement
gradually increased, and instead of vi-
siting Bath twice a week, she at length
omitted going there at all, but sent for her
daughter and her friend to the Priory re-
gularly every Wednesday and Saturday
afternoon.
About four years after Amanda had
been under the care of Mrs. Dawson,
her friend, in one of their visits to the
Priory, made a caricature sketch of Sit
Edward wheeling himself round the room
in
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? A CURE FOR. SATIRfc. 195
in one of Merlin's chairs, and preserved
the likeness so distinctly, that it was ab-
solutely impossible not to know it.
This picture, upon her return, was in-
discriminately Ihown to all the scholars,
. who naturally despised a girl that could
be capable of ridiculing the father of
her friend, when sickness made him an
object of compajjion; and those who
were not partial to Amanda imagined
she was privy to the scheme, and longed
to name it to their governess : but as
every tale was totally prohibited, Mrs.
Dawson never heard it; and Amanda
was removed from school in less than
three months after it happened, in conse-
quence of the death of her worthy sather,
whose loss was universally deplored.
Lady Pearcy's distress was of the most
poignant nature, and Amanda for a
while Was lost to gaiety ; bus time, the
s 2 sovereign
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? I96. A CURE FOR SATIRE.
sovereign antidote to care, at length soft-
ened their afflictions, and her Ladyship
. was persuaded to mix again in general
society.
As Amanda's beauty had improved
with her years, and her manners had ac-
quired a peculiar degree of gracefulness,
Lady Pearcy was both mortisied and
astonished at observing her attract so lit-
tle attention } yet flattered herself it pro-
ceeded from envy and ill-nature, as shc
could not imagine it had been occasioned
by any display of an unamiable disposi-
tion.
About twelve months after the death of
Sir Edward Pearcy, Mrs. Mordant re-
turned from the south of France, where
she had resided several years fpr the re-
covery of her health, and was highly de-
lighted with the appearance of her niece,
who was at her arrival making prepara-
tions
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE.
tions for a. ball at Lout Darwin's, in ho-
nour of his son's birth-day.
As Lady Pearcy was engaged to ac-
company her daughter, she persuaded
her sister to join the party ; and as Mrs.
Mordant had only travelled twenty miles
Aat marning, she was easily prevailed
upon to accompany them.
When they arrived at Darwin Hall,
the greater part of the company were
already assembled, and every eye was
directed towards Amanda the moment
she entered the scene of gaiety, and her
fbnd mother's heart beat high with. ex-
ultation, when she beheld the admiration
that was involuntarily paid her.
As the entertainment was entirely in-
tended foryoung people, the band struck
up soon aftet their arrival; and when the
gentlemen got up to select their partners,
s j Amanda
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? I98 A CURE FOR SATIRE,
Amanda and her friend were totally
neglected. . ' N
This circumstance, so unexpected and
so astoniihing, mortified her pride and
tortured herfeelings; and, unable to sup-
port the asfront she had received, she con-
jured her mother to return home.
Mrs. Mordant, who had beheld the
applause with which she had been gazed
at upon her first appearance at the assem-
bly, could not possibly account for the
mortifying treatment; but resolving to dis-
cover the real cause, she joined a lady,
who seemed remarkably loquacious, but
whose back was towards her when she
entered.
After some usual observations upon
the performance they were viewing, she
carelessly inquired the name of the two
young ladies who were unemployed, and
expressed her astonishment at the blind-
. . ness
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? A CURE TOR SATIRE.
199
ness of the beaux in susfering the most
beautiful girl in the room to be without
a partner.
" She is certainly most uncommonly
lovely? ' replied Mrs. Winter ; " but I
believe the boys are all afraid of her,
for she has such a wondrous talent for
the ridiculous, that even her father, dur-
ing his satal illness, became the object
of her satire ; and one of her schoolfel-
lows, envious of her beauty, has circu-
lated the story round the room: and
though it certainly proved a corrupted
heart, I cannot help pitying the poor
girl's mortification. "
"Do you know the lady," replied
Mrs. Mordant, " who has been illibe-
ral enough to spread a report so com-
pletely detrimental ? for 1 really cannot
help doubting its veracity, and, like your-
self ,
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? 200 A CURE FOR . SATIRE.
self, participate in the embarrassment I
perceive she feels. " . . . . .
Mrs. Winter immediately pointed
her out, and Mrs. Mordant waited un-
til she reached the bottom of the set,
and then requested a few moments audi-
ence.
Miss Collet was not much delighted
with the idea of being drawn from an
amusement of which she was passion-
ately fond^ but when Mrs. vMordant
requested her to explain her motive for
prejudicing the party against her niece,
her confusion was so great, it was with
difficulty she could reply ; but as she
was rather encouraged, than repressed, by
the gentleness of Mrs. Mordant's man*
ner, she candidly owned that, in con-
sequence of Miss Pearcy's having ridi-
culed and caricatured her during the time
she
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE. 201
she was at school, she had always felt
an unconquerable aversion to her, which
had been greatly increased by having
heard that she had made a jest of her
. papers Infirmities.
*<< That you should be exasperated
against Miss Pearcy," said Mrs. Mor-
dant, " for indulging her vein for ridi-
cule at your expense, Miss Collet, I can
readily forgive; but that you should
adopt this paltry method of showing your
resentment, I most heartily despise, and
am inclined to think there is more of
ill-nature' than truth in the report you
have sabricated. "
" I did not fabricate it, Ma'am," said
she, colouring with resentment; " for
Miss Blisset, who is her particular
friend, has the caricature by her, which
she drew, and I am certain Miss Pearcy
assisted in the performance. '* .
<< Well,"
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? C02 A CURE FOR SATIRE,
" Well," continued Mrs. Mordant, <
" as it is necessary to investigate the
matter, you will do me a savour by ac-
companying me across the room to Miss
Blisset; and if my niece is a stranger to
the circumstance, you will certainly do
her the justice to contradict a report, so
much to her discredit. "
Miss Blisset was much less woiinded
by the mortification stie had received,
than the young lady, who much less de-
served it, and had actually proposed
that they should dance together; but
when Mrs. Mordant taxed her with
having caricatured the father of her
friend, her embarrassment became com-
pletely distressing, and bursting int>>
tears, stu acknowledged her culpability.
" What! " said Amanda, testifying
the utmost astonishment, " could you
think of ridiculing my dear papa, who
always
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE.
always was so good and kind to you r
Eliza, surely you never could be so un-
grateful '? " ,
" You perceive, Miss Collet," said
Mrs. Mordant, " my niece is not so des-
picable as you imagined ; and though Ihe
might in the height of girlish folly have
amused herself by satirizing your little
imperfections, she would have shuddered
at the idea of exposing her fathers infir-
mities ; and I must insist upon your pub-
licly acknowledging the injury you have
done. ".
" O my dear aunt," replied Amanda,
4? spare me the mortification, I beseech
you, of becoming an object es general
obseryation i we have already attracted
the attention of the party, and I entreat
you to susfer "me to leave the room. "
Lady Pearcy, whose attention had for
'some time been occupied by the sight of
an
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Mr. Darn. 'ey, who was reading,
sprang from his feat, and flew to the
door in an ecstacy of joy ; in less than a
minute he returned, folding his Eliza to
his throbbing heart! --The joyful intel-
ligence ran through the house, and the
other
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? 11& TKE FRUITS Ofi
other children impatiently slew to this
scene of transport. To describe their feel-
ings, or express their felicity, would re-
quire the aid of the most descriptive pen,
and even then would be but saintly told;
and therefore had much better be passed
over.
From that moment the children all
unanimously agreed strictly to attend to
their sather's orders, and never in the
slightest instance act in opposition to his
will. ' /
Mr. and Mrs. Montague were laden
with caresses. and earnestly entreated to
remain Mr. Darnley's guests. The hos-
pitable invitation would have been glad-
ly accepied, had not the thoughts of the
poor children, who were still at Wy-
combe, seemed to claim his immediate
attention; and so great was the philan-
thropy
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? DISOBEDIENCE. I79.
thropy of Mr. Montague's character,
that he could never rest satisfied if >>
single duty remained unfulsilled.
A CURE
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? CURE FOR SATIRE;
OR, THE
DANGER OF RIDICULE.
X EARCY Priory, the seat of a worthy
baronet of that name, was situated at a
short distance from Bath, and from its
vicinity to that scene of gaiety, was
generally crowded with a variety of.
guests, who were either attracted thither
by the ties of friendship, or the force of
hospitality ; for as there were no chil-
dren" to inherit an ample fortune, Sir
Edward
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE. l8l
Edward thought himself at liberty to
dispose of it in a manner best suited to
his disposition and inclination.
Although he was not a brilliant, he
was a most amiable character, and the
practice of virtue more than compensated
for the want os greatness. --His fondness
for children was excessive, and his. disap-
pointment at not becoming a sather was
at first rather severe; but after having
lamented the circumstance five and
twenty years, he was unexpectedly gra-
tified by the birth of a little girl, whose
peculiar beauty was so extremely strik-
ing, that it was impossible to behold it
without admiration.
The happiness which had for so many
years subsisted between Sir Edward and
Lady Pearcy seemed so perfect that no-
thing could increase It; but the appear-
ance of the little stranger soon convinced
r them
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? l82 A CURE FOR SATIRS.
-- . . . . . . . . . ---- *
them it was capable of being augmented.
A circumstance which gave Sir Edward
so much joy, he was resolved should not
pass uncommemorated ; and' as soon as
her ladyship was recovered, an universal
invitation was sent to all the peasantry
round the Priory to partake a rural fete
champelre, prepared solely for themselves,
where they were regaled with an excel. .
lent dinner, a supper, and a dance, and
at their departure each was presented with
a new half guinea.
During the period of Amanda's in-
fancy, Lady Pearcy Confined herself
wholly to her mansion, which, as Sir Ed-
ward was fond of society, was crowded
. with a succeslion of fresh company, to
all of whom the doating father presented
His little treasure under the fictitious
name of his Euphrosyne *. . -'
J. -. . - . '
_ * The name of one of the Graces.
The
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE. 183
The beauty cf the child was of that
striking nature, that it was impossible
to behold it without admiration ; but the
too partial fondness of its worthy pa-
rents threatened destruction to its future
peace ; for they were alike incapable of
correcting or controlling, and the most
extravagant of her wishes were imme-
diately complied with. The servants
were taught to obey her mandates with
an alacrity never wished for. by them-
selves ; and a tear or a sigh from her
absolutely seemed to agonize their hearts.
Her understanding was quick, and
her ideas were correct; but she had a na-
tural propensity for ridicule, which her
too doating parents always encouraged
rather than reproved ; for her liveliness
pleased, her wit charmed, and her sa-
tire perfectly delighted them.
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? I84 A CURE FOR SATIRE.
Mrs Ann Mordant, the only sister of
Lady Pearcy", arrived at the Priory on
the day her niece attained her fourth
year, and was absolutely captivated with
her personal charms ; but a few fliort
Hours soon wearied out her fondness,
and lhe totally forgot the child was hand-
some. She easily perceived she was ruin-
ed by indulgence, and was grieved that
a temper naturally sweet, frank, and
open, should become fretful,' turbulent,
and untoward.
Mrs. Mordant, lamenting the error^
of her sister's conduct, besought her ear-
nestly to change it, and Lady Pearcy be-
ginning to feel the esfects of her own
imprudence, promised to be guided by
her sister's counsel, and begin a reforma-
tion on the following day.
At an early hour the next morning,
. Mr*. Mordant was roused by a most un-
pleasant
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? A- CURE FOR SATIRE. 185
pleasant and unusual noise, and ringing
her bell to inquire the occasion of itg
was informed, as the morning was rainy, >>
Miss Pearcy had chosen to have her little
chaise driven up and down the gallery,
and that the noise proceeded from the
footman's running with it.
" Tell my sister," says Mrs. . Mor-
dant, " I beg the child may be imme-
diately taken out, . or I shall absolutely be
unnerved for a week. Did ever mortal
hear of such indulgence ? "
The servant carried the message^ con-
vinced in her own mind it would not be
attended to, as she had known much
more extravagant things than that, not
only permitted, but applauded, and was
extremely astonished at seeing her lady
slip on her dressing-gown and go to . the
child.
" That noise, my dear Amanda,"
R 3 said
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? l86 A CURE FOR SATIRE.
said her mother, " affects your poor
aunt's head this morning; if you'll
come out, my love, for half an hour,
you shall ride again as soon as she is up. "
. " No, no,"- replied the child ; " /
must ride now ; drive away, Thomas,
drive away ; I'm going to Bath, mamma,
to btiy some pretty things. "
" You shall buy them presently, my
angel," continued Lady Pearcy, at-
tempting to take her gently from the
chaise ; but a violent scream soon check-
ed the sudden impulse, and brought the
frightened sather to the scene.
" What are they doing to my little
angel r" he exclaimed, in a voice that
proved his fears and apprehension.
" Mamma won't let me ride," said
she, pouting her lip and putting on her
frown. --Lady Pearcy was then under
the necessity not only of repeating her
sister's
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE. 187
sister's message, but explaining the con-
versation which had pasted the preceding
evening, the justness of wh ch Sir Ed-
ward could not but allow, though he
found himself unable to be guided by
her counsel.
As there was no possibility of getting
the child out of the carriage without her
screams being much more likely to dis-
turb than the noise of it, Lady Pearcy
ordered the servants to strip the beds inr?
mediately of their blankets, and spread
them thick along the gallery ; and as the
novelty of the circumstance happened to
recommend it, Amanda consented to
the adoption of the plan, and she had
enjoyed her ride about a quarter of an
hour, when the door opened, and Mrs.
Mordant entered.
Both Sir Edward and Lady Pearcy
were completely embarrassed at the
proof
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? lR8 A CURE FOR SATIRE.
proof she saw of their too partial folly,
and stammering out some awkward ex-
cuse, they declared their child too timid
for subjection. ! t
Mrs. Mordant, who had plainly per-
ceived that timidity made no part of her
niece's character, expostulated with them
upon the error of their. plan, and con-
jured them to permit her to try her as-
cendancy upon the occasion, and with-
out waiting their reply, desired the ser-
vant to stop the carriage ; when going
up to the child, she took her tenderly by
the hand', and inquired if shc would ac-
company her into her drefling-room.
" No," replied Amanda; " I can't
go with you, because I'm driving to Bath
to buy some pretty things for the new
doll you bought me. "--" But you mould
always do what you are asked," said Mrs.
Mordant, <<< or you will find, when yoii'
. . . . 4 request
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE.
request a savour, no one will be inclined
to gratify it; and I could never love a dis-
obliging child" .
" Papa and mamma will always love
me though, and thai is best, and so I
shall not care; but drive on, Thomas,
or we shall not be back to breaksast. "--
Mrs. Mordant desired the servant to de-
sist, and taking her forcibly from out
the chaise, ^carried her into her own
room, notwithstanding her kicks, screams,
and violence.
Restriction of any kind was so en-
tirely new, that it was not likely she
, would receive it with composure ; but
as soon as she was quiet enough to listen
to conversation, her aunt informed her
she would tell her a little story, if she
would kiss her, and acknowledge she
had been wrong ; and the child instantly
wiped her eyes, put up her little mouth,
and
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? 190 A CURE FOR SATIRE.
and owned she had been a very naughty
The liveliness of Mrs. Mordant's
imagination easily supplied her with a
proper subject, and she worked up a
little asfecting tale calculated to make an
impression on her niece's heart, the he-
roine of which was introduced of the
same age with herself, who from being
indulged in all the little caprices she re-
quired, became both turbulent mi proud,
and made her parents so completely
wretched, thatthey were unable to sup-
port the weight of their asflictions, and
both fell victims to her violence, ata
time of life when she most wanted their
protection and. support.
The wonderful effect which the little
tale instantaneously made upon Aman-
da's feelings, convinced her aunt that
she would become as amiable as she was
lovely,
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE. I. gl
lovely,under any tuition but her parents';
-and entreated them immediately to let
her have a governess ; but notwithstand-
ing they had both a very high opinion of
Mrs. Mordant's judgment, they could
not bear the idea of their child being
subject to control at an age they thought
too early to receive it, and by that mis-
taken proof of fondness they susfered
those habits, which might then have easily
been conquered, to obtain an ascendancy
which at a future period it was very dif-
ficult to surmount.
During the month Mrs. Mordant
remained at the Priory, she had several
quarrels with her little niece; but a story
applicable to the subject. which had oc-
casioned it, always produced a harmony
between them ; and though she was the
only person who opposed her inclina-
tion,
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? 192 A CURE FOR SATIRE.
tion, yet the child became really attached
to her. .
Soon after Amanda had entered her
ninth year, Sir Edward Pearcy was taken
extremely ill, and even his daughter's
cheerfulness became^ satiguing ; and as
Lady Pearcy spent a great deal of time
in her husband's apartment, it was
at length determined to fend the child
to school, as the widow of an officer, a
most accomplished woman, had just
opened a seminary for young ladies at
Bath.
The few restrictions which Amanda
had met with, for some time rendered
the discipline of a school extremely irk-
some ; but as Mrs. Dawson's manners
were both soft and gentle, she soon be-
came completely reconciled, and im-
proved daily both in mind and manners.
Amongst the number of boarders in
Mrs.
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? A CUBE FOR SATIRE. 193
Mrs. Dawson's school was a young lady
of the name of" Blisset, whose sather
having amassed a large fortune by the
. flop trade in London, retired to Bath to
forget his own insignificance, and by
making an ostentatious display of the
greatness of his wealth, acquire the ti-
tle of a gentleman. This girl, who
happened to be about two years older
than Amanda, possessed all her sailings
without any of her virtues ; for to live-
liness and wit, were united cunning and
duplicity, and to a tolerably good tem-
per a very bad heart.
It has been before observed, that from
her earliest childhood Amanda testified a
turn for ridicule; and as Miss Blisset was
a professed mimic, she required no
other recommendation to her savour; and
in less than six months they were pro-
fessed friends. Mrs. Dawson, the teach-
s ers,
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? 194 A CURE FOR SATIRE.
ers, the masters, and the scholars, by
turns afforded them amusement ; and to
strengthen the force of their satirical
productions, they were generally accom-
. panied with a caricature, and the differ-
ent subjects of their art were handed
about for the amusement of their com-
panions.
As Sir Edward's health was visibly on
the decline, Lady Pearcy's confinement
gradually increased, and instead of vi-
siting Bath twice a week, she at length
omitted going there at all, but sent for her
daughter and her friend to the Priory re-
gularly every Wednesday and Saturday
afternoon.
About four years after Amanda had
been under the care of Mrs. Dawson,
her friend, in one of their visits to the
Priory, made a caricature sketch of Sit
Edward wheeling himself round the room
in
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? A CURE FOR. SATIRfc. 195
in one of Merlin's chairs, and preserved
the likeness so distinctly, that it was ab-
solutely impossible not to know it.
This picture, upon her return, was in-
discriminately Ihown to all the scholars,
. who naturally despised a girl that could
be capable of ridiculing the father of
her friend, when sickness made him an
object of compajjion; and those who
were not partial to Amanda imagined
she was privy to the scheme, and longed
to name it to their governess : but as
every tale was totally prohibited, Mrs.
Dawson never heard it; and Amanda
was removed from school in less than
three months after it happened, in conse-
quence of the death of her worthy sather,
whose loss was universally deplored.
Lady Pearcy's distress was of the most
poignant nature, and Amanda for a
while Was lost to gaiety ; bus time, the
s 2 sovereign
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? I96. A CURE FOR SATIRE.
sovereign antidote to care, at length soft-
ened their afflictions, and her Ladyship
. was persuaded to mix again in general
society.
As Amanda's beauty had improved
with her years, and her manners had ac-
quired a peculiar degree of gracefulness,
Lady Pearcy was both mortisied and
astonished at observing her attract so lit-
tle attention } yet flattered herself it pro-
ceeded from envy and ill-nature, as shc
could not imagine it had been occasioned
by any display of an unamiable disposi-
tion.
About twelve months after the death of
Sir Edward Pearcy, Mrs. Mordant re-
turned from the south of France, where
she had resided several years fpr the re-
covery of her health, and was highly de-
lighted with the appearance of her niece,
who was at her arrival making prepara-
tions
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE.
tions for a. ball at Lout Darwin's, in ho-
nour of his son's birth-day.
As Lady Pearcy was engaged to ac-
company her daughter, she persuaded
her sister to join the party ; and as Mrs.
Mordant had only travelled twenty miles
Aat marning, she was easily prevailed
upon to accompany them.
When they arrived at Darwin Hall,
the greater part of the company were
already assembled, and every eye was
directed towards Amanda the moment
she entered the scene of gaiety, and her
fbnd mother's heart beat high with. ex-
ultation, when she beheld the admiration
that was involuntarily paid her.
As the entertainment was entirely in-
tended foryoung people, the band struck
up soon aftet their arrival; and when the
gentlemen got up to select their partners,
s j Amanda
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? I98 A CURE FOR SATIRE,
Amanda and her friend were totally
neglected. . ' N
This circumstance, so unexpected and
so astoniihing, mortified her pride and
tortured herfeelings; and, unable to sup-
port the asfront she had received, she con-
jured her mother to return home.
Mrs. Mordant, who had beheld the
applause with which she had been gazed
at upon her first appearance at the assem-
bly, could not possibly account for the
mortifying treatment; but resolving to dis-
cover the real cause, she joined a lady,
who seemed remarkably loquacious, but
whose back was towards her when she
entered.
After some usual observations upon
the performance they were viewing, she
carelessly inquired the name of the two
young ladies who were unemployed, and
expressed her astonishment at the blind-
. . ness
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? A CURE TOR SATIRE.
199
ness of the beaux in susfering the most
beautiful girl in the room to be without
a partner.
" She is certainly most uncommonly
lovely? ' replied Mrs. Winter ; " but I
believe the boys are all afraid of her,
for she has such a wondrous talent for
the ridiculous, that even her father, dur-
ing his satal illness, became the object
of her satire ; and one of her schoolfel-
lows, envious of her beauty, has circu-
lated the story round the room: and
though it certainly proved a corrupted
heart, I cannot help pitying the poor
girl's mortification. "
"Do you know the lady," replied
Mrs. Mordant, " who has been illibe-
ral enough to spread a report so com-
pletely detrimental ? for 1 really cannot
help doubting its veracity, and, like your-
self ,
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? 200 A CURE FOR . SATIRE.
self, participate in the embarrassment I
perceive she feels. " . . . . .
Mrs. Winter immediately pointed
her out, and Mrs. Mordant waited un-
til she reached the bottom of the set,
and then requested a few moments audi-
ence.
Miss Collet was not much delighted
with the idea of being drawn from an
amusement of which she was passion-
ately fond^ but when Mrs. vMordant
requested her to explain her motive for
prejudicing the party against her niece,
her confusion was so great, it was with
difficulty she could reply ; but as she
was rather encouraged, than repressed, by
the gentleness of Mrs. Mordant's man*
ner, she candidly owned that, in con-
sequence of Miss Pearcy's having ridi-
culed and caricatured her during the time
she
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE. 201
she was at school, she had always felt
an unconquerable aversion to her, which
had been greatly increased by having
heard that she had made a jest of her
. papers Infirmities.
*<< That you should be exasperated
against Miss Pearcy," said Mrs. Mor-
dant, " for indulging her vein for ridi-
cule at your expense, Miss Collet, I can
readily forgive; but that you should
adopt this paltry method of showing your
resentment, I most heartily despise, and
am inclined to think there is more of
ill-nature' than truth in the report you
have sabricated. "
" I did not fabricate it, Ma'am," said
she, colouring with resentment; " for
Miss Blisset, who is her particular
friend, has the caricature by her, which
she drew, and I am certain Miss Pearcy
assisted in the performance. '* .
<< Well,"
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? C02 A CURE FOR SATIRE,
" Well," continued Mrs. Mordant, <
" as it is necessary to investigate the
matter, you will do me a savour by ac-
companying me across the room to Miss
Blisset; and if my niece is a stranger to
the circumstance, you will certainly do
her the justice to contradict a report, so
much to her discredit. "
Miss Blisset was much less woiinded
by the mortification stie had received,
than the young lady, who much less de-
served it, and had actually proposed
that they should dance together; but
when Mrs. Mordant taxed her with
having caricatured the father of her
friend, her embarrassment became com-
pletely distressing, and bursting int>>
tears, stu acknowledged her culpability.
" What! " said Amanda, testifying
the utmost astonishment, " could you
think of ridiculing my dear papa, who
always
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? A CURE FOR SATIRE.
always was so good and kind to you r
Eliza, surely you never could be so un-
grateful '? " ,
" You perceive, Miss Collet," said
Mrs. Mordant, " my niece is not so des-
picable as you imagined ; and though Ihe
might in the height of girlish folly have
amused herself by satirizing your little
imperfections, she would have shuddered
at the idea of exposing her fathers infir-
mities ; and I must insist upon your pub-
licly acknowledging the injury you have
done. ".
" O my dear aunt," replied Amanda,
4? spare me the mortification, I beseech
you, of becoming an object es general
obseryation i we have already attracted
the attention of the party, and I entreat
you to susfer "me to leave the room. "
Lady Pearcy, whose attention had for
'some time been occupied by the sight of
an
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