No More Learning

was observed,. . and. invited by its social .
owner to. share. the hospitality. of . his,
table; or, introduced to him through the.
medium of friends, became for . a time his
guest. . Mr. ' Blandford's visit,. therefore,
occasioned Mrs. . Sydney neither . embar- .
rassment nor surprise. . As. a stranger, it
was natural lie should explore every part.
of the village, and wish to become. ac-
quainted with its inhabitants; . as a .
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. :
11
stranger too, he was entitled to attention
and civility-"-. . ; 5 i ? ,. ';<<.
As he walked homewards, his mind
dwelt upon the accidental circumstance
of. his introduction to Mrs. Sydney and
her daughters. . In the mother he beheld
that graceful ease of manner frhicti. dis-
tinguishes the well educated woman j a
gentleness at once dignified and engaging,
which, whilst it invited friendship^ re-
pressed familiarity; and notwithstanding
the1 repeated deceptions he had met
with in human nature, he still considered
himself a skilful physiognomist, and he
traced in her countenance all the virtues
that elevate the female character in our
esteem, combined? with' those milder
charms that endear it to our affections.
The widow's sable habit told part of her;
tale of sorrow. Isabel was a fair girl o%
fifteen, ; but whilst the parent stem was
drooping, this blossom could . scatcely
raise her head.
e6
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? 12
ROSE AND EMILT; OR,
As his memory reflected back this in-
teresting groupe in theif humble cottage,
his opinion of the general depravity of'
human nature vanishelL He forgot
he had ever been duped by fafee appear-
ances, and he yielded for a moment to
the generous impulses of benevolence
and sympathy. He believed them
amiable--every thing pronounced them
unfortunate; but how often had he been
deceived! how many unworthy charac-
ters had appeared to him at first as esti-
mable as they did \ and as he thus pur-
sued the course of his reflections, dis-
trust gradually crept into his bosom,and he
began to hesitate whether or not he should
avail himself of the tacit permission he had
received from Mrs. Sydney to call again*
The next morning, after breakfast, he
went out, as usual, on a solitary ramble,
and passing through the church-yard,
paused to survey the grave stones. In
one corner, under the shade of a large
yew tree, which seemed to stand chief
mourner of the scene, he observed a
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. f ?
newly raised mound of earth, and on a
stone read these " rudely sculptured'*
lines.
"Sacred to the Memory of the
Rev. Henry Sidney^
Who died --.
Aged
After having been twenty years the pions
Pastor. of this garish.
This stone is erected by his sorrowful parishioners. *'
This " plain, unvarnished tale;" this
simple tribute to departed merit, touched
the heart of Mr. Blandfbrd, and he in-
stantly penetrated into the cause of Mrs.
Sydney's grief and situation. He felt
ashamed of the distrust that had induced
him for a moment to think she might be
unworthy, and determined to repair im-
mediately to her cottage; he found Rose
gathering some flowers. On seeing him,
she held out her little hand in welcome,
and began her artless chat. "This rose-
bud I have been watching a long time,
*nd thought it would never be a rose j
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? 14< ROSE AND EMILY }. OK,
but see, it is one. Ihavefounda piece'
of honeysuckle and jessamine, and mamma i
will be so pleased with them, for she*
Joves floweis. " "Is she at home ? " en-
quired Mr. Blandford. "Oh yes, mamma
never goes out, e . cept to see poor old
Martha, who is uyir. g. ' Can she, thought
Mr. Bhodfo. . d, who is so. ill herself, at-
tend to :he sutfe. ings of another ? " Tell
your mamma, my? sweet Rose, that I am
here, and ask if she will permit me to see
her. ' Away ran the. little girl, and re-
turning in a moment took his hand. to lead
Mm into the house. Isabel was working
by the side of her mother, who, to Mr. '
Blfindford's enquiries after her health,
replied she was better than the preceding
day; that her faintings had been . less
frequent, and she hoped he. r strength was
returning. After some general chat, he'
expressed, as delicately as he could, his
astonishment at finding a family such as
hers in so humble an habitation, and his
sincere sorrow for the event that must have
? ccasioned it--again hinting his hopes
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? SKETCHES OF VOUTH.
15
"that friendship might alleviate, if it could
not remove, a portion' of her calamity.
She gratefully thanked him for his solici-
tude, and added,. " Though Heaven has.
deprived me of my dearest earthly bless-
ing, yet I have still many sources of com-
fort in the affection of my children, and
the kindness of my good neighbours. The
blow, it is true, was severe, and I bend
beneath its weight--but I. will not ob*
t;ude a repetition of my griefs oai you. '*
Mr. Rlandford intreated her to consider.
hirn as one desirous of rendering her any;
service. in his power, as one who really
felt himself her frierid--and requested
her to continue the subject, in which ? he.
felt. a strong, . though a sudden interest.
". My happiness,". she resumed, " was
too great to he durable, and I fear, I.
thought this worhfcontained every bless-
ing, till robbed . of two. treasures, on which
my heart daated? . Forgive these, tears--
I cannot always^controul them; but
these dear ones . ^folding an arm round
each of her daughters) will wipe them
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? 16 ROSE AND EMILY } OR,
away. Yes, my darlings, you will yet
see your mother happy, for you will ren-
der her so. " Isabel wept in silence,
whilst little Rose hid her face in her mo-
ther's bosom. "For twenty years, Sir,'*
continued Mrs. Sydney, " I was the be-
loved wife of the best of men. In this
village was spent our bridal day-^in this'*"
she paused--" perhaps you have
seen his name? " "I have,'' replied Mr.
Blandford. "Then you already know,
my cause of sorrow. " "In part only,"
he replied, and intreated her to proceed.
"It is a melancholy, and I fear a selfish
indulgence," she answered, " but to
dwell upon the subject sometimes re-
lieves the oppression of my heart; and
as you wish it, I will continue my little
narrative. No material events marked
our life; we ' kept the noiseless tenor of
our way, with little interruption. . Mr.
Sydney was one of a numerous family,
and educated for the church, but without
any interest to promote him, or a mind
that could solicit favours, it is not surpri-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 17
sing he never attained a higher situation
than that of curate.
The gentleman of whom he first held
this curacy, was one who did honour to
the christian character. His. affluence
flowed in various channels ^ he fed the
hungry, relieved the sick, succoured the
afflicted, and loved all men. He con-
sidered his curate as his representative,
and allowed him a liberal stipend. With.
the addition of a small patrimonial inhe-
ritance of my husband's, our income
amounted to about two hundred a-year.
In this retired part of the kingdom, where
all the necessaries of life are reasonable,
we found it ample. We resided in the
parsonage; our orchard and garden were
productive; a cow, pigs, and poultry, al-
most supplied our table; our wine and
beer were home-made, and we had always
something to bestow upon our poor neigh-
bours. Though the early part of my life
had been passed in a large city, the love.
of nature was so engrafted in my heart,
$Q entwined around every thought and?
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? 18 HOSE AND EMILY; OH,
feeling, that I derived no pleasure from
crowded rooms, balls, or theatres; and
when my sisters went to these amuse-
ments, I would ramble with my maid in
the fields and lanes, and filling my hand
with wild flowers, return home joyous and
happy. Pardon this egotism; it is here /
indulged only to inform you, that the life
of privacy and simplicity which I have
passed in this humble village was conge-
nial to my natural taste and sentiments.
The mind of Mr. Sydney seemed formed
in the same mould as my own--our incli-
nations were the same, our pleasures re-
ciprocal, our duties performed from the
came moral and religious principles; no
opposing opinions, no jarring wishes dim-
med the lustre of our day; he read,
while I worked; we visited the poor, we
walked together, and our children were
the objects (C)f our undivided care.
I had
a son" the mother paused, then sud-
denly clasping her hands together ex-
claimed--" My William! my brave, my
beautiful! --but he too is dead, if you
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? SKETCHES Or YOUTH. 19
are a father, you can forgive this
agony. "
Mr. Blandford was too deeply affected
to answer--but rising from his seat, walk-
ed to the little casement, and passing his
hand across his eyes, said--" With your
permission, madam, I will call to-morrow
--at present I must take my leave, and
suffer me to add, I quit you with every
sentiment of respect and compassion,"
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? 20
ROSE ANB EMILY ? OBy
CHAP. II.
After his departure, the afflicted Mrs. .
Sydney walked about the little garden
with her daughters, and endeavoured to
compose her agitated spirits* By the
tender assiduities of Isabel, and the art-
less chat of Rose, aided by those self ex-
ertions which can best fortify the mind,
she gradually became tranquil.
Mr. Blandford, when he quitted her,
reflected seriously upon her apparently
destitute situation--a situation in which
the , relics of clergymen are too fre-
quently and unavoidably placed. With
an income barely sufficient to supply the
demands of their family, and compelled
to preserve the rank and appearance of
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
21
gentlemen, a provision for that family can
seldom be made from means that so slen-
derly provide even for its exigencies.
Brought up in seclusion and innocence,
educated with tenderness and delicacy,
their offspring are, . at their decease,
"thrown into the world to earn the bitter
morsel of dependence, while the widow
pines in neglect, poverty, and obscurity!
As these reflections pressed upon his
mind, Mr. Blandford considered what
might be the best means of serving Mrs.
Sydney and her children. He had a
friend who was a governor of an institution
for the relief of clergymen's widows and
orphans, and to him he thought of repre-
senting her situation, should Mrs. Sydney
sanction the proposal. From his own
purse he did not presume to offer assist-
ance, until authorised by further acquain-
tance.
The next morning he again called at
her house, and found her conversing with
her daughter, who had been reading to
her, "I have called, madam," said Mr.
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? 22 ROSE AND EMILY; OS,
Blandford, " to enquire after your health. *
At present you appear too weak to sup.
port conversation without fatigue ; there-
fore you will excuse my leaving you al-
most immediately. " "You take too
warm an interest in my situation," re-
plied Mrs. Sydney, " to listen to my re-
cital without suffering, and I fear I tres-
passed unwarrantably upon your feelings
yesterday; but sympathy is so soothing
to the'afflicted, that we often indulge our-
selves at the expence of others. . Our
morning has hitherto been more cheerful
than usual, and my dear girls have amused
me by their reading and observations;
favour us, therefore, with your company
for half an hour. "
Mr. Blandford took a seat, and Rose
crept to his side. He placed her on his
knee, and enquired what book she had
been reading. "Pity's Gift," she re-
plied. "And can you read without
spelling? " O yes; I have read a long
time without spelling--I cannot remem-
ber how long. " "Do not boast too
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
much, mydea: Rose. "s? ;. ? babel smiling;
<<* you read very prettily for a. little girl,
but . sometime 3, you know, you are rather
puzzled. " "Oil, when I meet with any
very long word, which I do not under-
stand. " "Will you read to me? " said
Mr. Blandford. Hose, proud of being
asked to read to a gentleman, and a little
piqued at Isabel's observation, began in
her very best manner the beautiful and
affecting story of the can? ry, and read it
so distinctly, and with so naturrl an em-
phasis, that Mr. Blandford bestowed upon
her the praise she merited. Rose blushed
with pleasure, and turned an eye of
triumph on Isabel. "Admirably read
indeed, my sweet girl," he continued;
u did mamma teach you to read thus ? '*
"Yes, and papa too; and when I read
well, he always kissed me and called me
Rosa. " Mrs. Sydney turned away her
face, to conceal the starting tear, which
Mr. Blandford observing, he endeavoured
to change the subject. "How old are
you Rose? " "I am eight--my birth-day is
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? '24; HOSE AND EHfoliY } OK,
on the first of May, and the little girls of
the village always bring me a garland at
flowers; but I did not wear the last, be-
cause we were very unhappy. " "For-
bear, my Rose," said Isabel in a whis-
per; "do not you see you distress our
poor mamma? " "Do I," said Rose,
and running to her, threw her arms
round her neck, and kissed off the tears
that were stealing down her cheek. "It
is a string easily touched," said Mrs.
Sydney to Isabel, who was gently chiding
Rose for having excited painful recol-
lections, " and when touched it is long
ere it ceases to vibrate. If I should not'
weary you with the recital," addressing
herself to Mr. Blandford, " I would now
finish the little narrative of my past
years ; but say candidly,- . shall I engage
too much of your time, or. iir. . jose too
heavy a tax upon your politeness? "
Mr. Blandford, who anxiously wished
to hear the conclusion of her domestic
history, but. who forbore to urge that?
which m;^ht recall images of sorrow,
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH- 25
assured her he should think his time well
spent in listening to her; and as an idle
man he should even thank her for en-
gaging it; but as one interested in her
situation, he could not devote it in any
other way so much to his own satis-
faction.
"My tears," said Mrs. Sydney, " were
still flowing for the death of my beloved
husband, when intelligence reached me
of that of my son; but * thy will be
done,'" said she lifting her eyes to
Heaven. "Grief, I fear is egotistic,
and this subject, once resumed, I shall
find it difficult to relinquish.
"The period of my greatest felicity
was that when Mr. Sydney and myself
cultivated our children's minds, and en-
deavoured to train them to every virtue.
Parental fondness saw, with pride and
satisfaction, these attempts were not in
vain. My boy, four years older than
Isabel, received an education from his
father as regularly as if he had been at a
school; but the retirement in which we
c
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? 26 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
lived was not calculated to give his man-
ners that ease which boys who mix in
general society readily acquire--a bash-
fulness, which we called modesty--a re-
serve, which we denominated diffidence
--a tenderness of manner the most en-
dearing, and an undeviating adherence
to truth, marked his character; but the
partiality of parents frequently leads them
to judge erroneously. This we knew in
theory, but could not persuade ourselves
we practised, till a friend, whom we had
not seen for many years, paid us a visit.
His own boys were at a public school,
and he contrasted the retiring manners
of my son with the ease of theirs. He
remarked that his abilities were good,
his acquirements great for his age, but
his address was too gentle, and his ideas
too simple; he required a certain confi-
dence and spirit, which the society of
boys of his own age alone could give
. him. He offered to exert his interest
to place him on the foundation at Eton,
and we at length sacrificed the fond feel-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 27
ings of affection, which would retain a
beloved object ever in sight, to his appa-
rent interest, his worldly advantages!
We flattered ourselves (what will not
parents flatter themselves with! ) that he
would soon be distinguished for his abi-
lities, and become an ornament to any
circle in which he was destined to move.
This idea made it appear almost a crime
to refuse him the opportunities of im-
provement that were now offered, and
we yielded to the persuasions of our
friend, who faithfully performed every
promise; nor were our hopes and expec-
tations of our son disappointed. Trained
up from infancy in the duties of religion,
and the exercise of every moral virtue,
he went to a public school protected by
the surest shield that could oppose its
vices. His application to his studies
rendered him a favourite with his tutors,
and his good humour gained him the
love of his school-fellows. In the holi-
days, when he returned home, how did
'? our hearts exidt to see this cbTd of our
C3
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? 28
ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
hopes adorned with all those mental
graces that give superiority to the man,
the tender affections that shed an endear-
ing charm over the son and brother, the
charities that characterise the christian,
and, pardon a mother's weakness, all the
personal qualifications that can adorn a
human being.
At school he formed an acquaintance
with a young nobleman, which increased
to an intimate friendship. Lord L
entered the army, and on my son's quit-
ting school, offered him, through the in-
terest of his father, a commission in the
same regiment, which was destined for
foreign service. It was a profession
which neither Mr. Sydney nor myself
wished him to embrace; but the patron-
age of a nobleman whose virtues added a
lustre to his rank, and the honour con-
ferred by such friendship, inspired hopes,
possibly too ambitious, and parental ap-
prehensions were hushed as weaknesses.
"My son, happy to obtain our consent,
poured out his acknowledgments. ^ terms
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 29
so ardent, as to convince us, that had
our consent been withheld, how great
would have been his disappointment;
and having rendered him happy, we be-
came so ourselves. We knew he had
entered a path strewed with dangers, but
the same Almighty Power that watched
over his infancy, would equally protect
him in manhood--in the field of battle as
on his pillow ; and to his care, in humble
confidence, we committed our treasure.
The expences attending a public edu-
cation, though regulated with the strict-
est economy, were yet more than our
slender finances could defray; and
though we made every possible retrench-
ment in our family, we were obliged to
have recourse to the little sum which
had annually been set apart as a future
provision for our children. At this time
also our worthy rector died, and the
gentleman who succeeded him, we found
a very different character.
The stipend Mr Sydney had received
from his predecessor, he considered as
c3
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? 80
ROSE ANil EMILY; OH,
too large for a retired curate, in a parish
composed of such humble inhabitants.