No More Learning

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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. Sydney in every
respect as your mother; love, honour,
and obey her as such ;? regard her daugh-
ters as your sisters and it is my parti-
cular desire that in every thing. which I
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? 134 ROSE AND EMILY } OK,
have sent you. Rose should participate.
This blended interest, will, I trust, at-
tach you more closely to each other, and
strengthen the bond of love and harmony.
"You will find books of various kinds,
from which you may derive, under the
direction of your best of friends, Mrs*
Sydney, all the information I am desi-
rous you should obtain. To amuse and
enliven some of your evening hours, I
have sent you a variety'of games; and,'
as a farther entertainment, a hand organ
with barrel s^ for fifty tunes. "
A hand organ with barrels for fifty
tunes! " exclaimed Rose; and springing
from her seat, threw her arms round
Emily in a transport of joy. Mrs. Syd-
ney smiled, but commanded silence, and:
continued :--
't Be a good chiid; follow implicitly
the directions of Mrs. and Miss Syd-
ney, that you may become as dear'to
them as you are to me. In a few years,
I hope to see you the amiable and
well informed woman; and then, with
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 135
what pride and affection shall I press you
to my bosom. God bless you, my darling
Emily, and remember your father. '
The affectionate anxiety expressed in
this letter, (the first which Emily had ever
received) the earnest appeal of the father
to his child, deeply penetrated her heart,
and she sat silent and thoughtful; the
books, drawings, organ--every thing was
forgotten, but her father's letter. Mrs.
Sydney held out her hand to her, and
she threw herself weeping on her bosom.
"Omy dear madam, will you ever love
such a naughty, ignorant girl as I am?
I remember how often I have vexed
my poor papa, and how good he was
to me. I wish I could write; but
when he desired me to learn I would
not, and I blotted my book instead
of making letters; I wish I could tell
him that I will never grieve him again,
and that I will try to be as good and
clever as he wishes me. " Mrs. Sydney re-
turned her theletter,(whichshekissedand
placed. in her bosom). and was pleased to
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? 136 ROSE AND EMILY J OB,
see the strong feeling of filial affection,
and of contrition for past errors, awaken-
ed in the breast of her pupil; and to ob-
serve that the hopes of her father, ex-
pressed in all the tenderness of parental
anxiety, had excited an emulation which
might lead to their accomplishment.
Rose's vivacity was for a time checked
by the tears of Emily; but when her
face had resumed its composure, she
again exclaimed--" A hand-organ with
fifty tunes! O how I long to hear it! "
"Be patient, my love, till to-morrow,"
said Mrs. Sydney, " and then. you will
be gratified. " It was < difficult for Rose
to restrain her impatience and pleasure;
the tide of joy rushed so . rapidly to her
little heart, that. she knew not how to con-
fine it within proper bounds, but her
mamma's. decision was never murmured
at, and she smilingly acquiesced, though
anxiously wishing for the morrow. The
morrow came, and this object of her cu*
riosity was taken from its case. Its gay
and gilded exterior produced an excla-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 137
mation of surprise and admiration; but
when she first heard its tones, delight for
once checked her Utterance, and she
listened in mute astonishment. Not the
harp of Memnon, when touched by the
rays of Phoebus, ever excited more sur-
prise or rapture to its votaries, than did
the notes of the organ to the wondering
Rose; it was the first she had ever heard,
and she had no words to express her
transport.
In the liberality and variety of these
gifts Mrs. Sydney perceived the true mo-
tives of the friend and father; anxious not
only to promote the instruction of his
child, but the happiness and amusement
of the whole family. It is often by
attention to minor pleasures and trifling
comforts, that the heart of friendship
most forcibly reveals itself; and though
real services may claim our gratitude,
little kindnesses will always engage our
love,
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? 238 KOSE AND EMILY; OR,
CHAP. X.
The education of Emily now began to
assume the regular form of lessons, and
the habits she had imbibed, when under
no controul, were gradually yielding to
the admonitions of Mrs. Sydney, and the
example of her daughters, whilst her un-
derstanding, like a rich border of earth
newly cultivated. promised abundantly
to repay the care of the improver. The
mind of Mrs. Sydney, thus compelled to
exertion, acquired strength and compo-
sure; her thoughts, urged into new
channels, no longer brooded over her ca-
lamities; she had now positive duties to
perform; and except at some occasional
intervals, when the chord of sorrow vi-
biated to some accidental touch, her
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 139
feelings had, in a great degree, regained
their former tone and harmony.
Winter glided swiftly away, as duty
and affection went hand in hand. The
children. found in Mrs. Sydney the mo-
ther, the monitress, and the friend; and
in them she beheld the sun that gave light
and warmth to her existence, that bright,
ened every prospect, and the springs
that fed every vital part. In the
gentle nature, the equal temper, and
the unvarying affections of Isabel, she
had a blessing on which her heart might
safely repose. In the vivacity and good-
thumour of Rose there was an amusement
which diverted her thoughts and ani-
mated her spirits; and in the interest
she felt for Emily, and her gratitude
io Mr. Blandford, a stimulus to exertion
that rendered the indulgehce of all sel-
fish sorrow both injurious and unjust.
Their garden began to assume a cheerful
appearance; the aconite, the first child
of spring, was pointed out by Rose in
triumph. "Look mamma at that dear
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? 140 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
little yellow cup in a green saucer," she
exclaimed; "what a pity it is poisonous,
it is so pretty. " "Even in this simple
blossom, my Rose, you may learn a use-
ful lesson--not to value any thing for its
exterior only; yet nothing is given in
vain, and poison as frequently ministers
to health, as it is the instrument of death. "
Crocuses, snow-drops, and " the sad
anemone," next succeeded; but with
what joy did she discover the first violet*
whose sweetness betrayed where it was
concealed; she brought it to her mamma
as the loveliest blossom in the garden.
A small piece of ground was allotted for
the children, and Emily soon received
pleasure from cultivating it, though she
could not understand Rose's enthusiastic
fondness for flowers, which, in the exu-
berance of her fancy, she almost per-
sonified, and often appropriated as em-
blems of different persons. This taste
and feeling were in themselves so amu-
sing, so natural, and so innocent,that Mrs.
Sydney never attempted to restrain them!
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 141
though she often smiled at the little absur-'
dities of her young enthusiast of nature.
The first of May arrived, and Rose,
whose beauty, engaging manners, and
sweet temper, had rendered her the little
pet and darling of the village, again re-
ceived the customary congratulations on
? her birth-day; the boys and girls, with
Phoebe #t their head, assembled early in
the morning at the gate of the parsonage,
with their gay garlands of flowers. Rose
was soon in the midst of them, her cheeks
glowing with joy, her heart beating with
. exultation; again she received her simple
offerings, again was crowned queen of
. the May, and again garlanded and deco-
rated with the treasures of Flora, shewed
herself in triumph to her mamma, who,
though the remembrance of other times
? pressed upon her heart, and clouded her
feelings, completed the happiness of her
child by bestowing her fondest kiss and
blessing.