No More Learning

These appeals
to him were so certain of exciting
his sympathy, that the semblance of
misery was often borrowed, the tale
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
of woe often fabricated, and he became
the dupe of the designing. A discovery
of such impositions never failed to pro-
duce those feelings of misanthropy which
led him for a time to shun society.
Mr. Blandford was an only son; every
gratification that money could purchase,
every indulgence that affection could
grant, was his from infancy to manhood.
Uncontrouled in all his wishes, it was pe-
culiarly fortunate that he possessed a
good disposition, or the most fatal conse-
quences might have ensued. ;
On the death of his parents, he visited
the continent, chiefly residing in Italy,
where he married an English lady of
great beauty and merit; but the same
hour which gave a daughter to his arms,
deprived him ef an amiable wife. To
sooth his affliction, he had again recourse
to travelling, and in change of place and
objects found a temporary alleviation of
his misery; but this plan, at first adopt-
ed as a relief to his mind, became at last
ne. cQss. ary from habit, .
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? 90 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
This unsettled mode of life was ill
adapted to any system of education,
which Emily's age began to render ne-
cessary; he therefore hired a house in
London, with an intention of engaging a
well-informed woman to instruct her;
but unfortunately in the families with
whom he associated on his first arrival in
town, he met with daughters whose edu. -
cation had been shewy and superficial;.
who practised a little of every thing, and
understood nothing; whose manners were
elegant and polished, but when he at-
tempted by conversation to draw forth
the qualities of the mind, he found it
composed of childish trifles, with the
shreds and patches of fashion, and he
turned disgusted from accomplishments
that merely gave a varnish to the exte-
rior of woman.
A prejudice in some minds becomes a
principle of action; and when we are
guided by extremes, we generally lose
the object we aim at. Mr. Blandford
determined to avoid altogether, what he
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 91
conceived to be, t he dangers of education,
and to consign Emily to the care of an
old servant whose fidelity and integrity
had been proved, and whose entire igno-
rance of all "lettered lore," he con-
sidered a recommendation rather than
an' objection. This servant, whose name
was Ruth, was of the meanest birth, un-
couth in her manners, and blunt in her
expressions; but she appeared honest
and undesigning, was really fond of Emily
when she gave her no trouble, and was
obedient to her master.
Mr. Blandford sometimes attempted
to teach his daughter himself, but she.
disliked every species of constraint; and
to be quiet, for even the short time that
the first lessons required, seemed to her
a punishment; to avoid which, she had .
recourse to every little stratagem; her
father found a tear irresistible, a smile
rendered her too endearing, and a fit of
passion made instruction useless ; so. that
lessens were generally relinquished as
soon *s begun, and either caresses de<<
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? 92 ROSE AND EMILY J OE,
v
tained her by his side, or reproofs sent
her back to Ruth.
Whatever were the faults of Emily,
she was less an object of censure than
compassion. No tender mother watched
over her infancy, to correct her errors or
reward her good conduct; and here, let
me remind you, my young readers, who
are blest with parents, of the love and
duty you owe them; they are your guar-
dians in this life, and your guides to the
next. The most devoted affection and
obedience only can repay them for the
care and anxiety with which they at-
tended to your early years, and never let
this debt of gratitude be forgotten.
To your teachers and instructors, those
who patiently lead you up the difficult
ascent of science; who stimulate your
exertions, reward your labours, and re-
prove your errors, be gentle, attentive,
and submissive ; and rejoice that you aro?
not left, like poor Kmily, to the injudi-
cious indulgences, or capricious punish-
ments,. of an ignorant dependents ?
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 93
The desolate situation of Mrs. Sydney
had excited in Mr. Blandford sentiments of
the most respectful compassion, and hav-
ing been instrumental in procuring her a
trifling annuity, afforded him heartfelt
satisfaction; but this, however accept-
able, was in itself so inadequate to the
necessities of a family, that he revolved
in his mind many plans, in order to ren-
der her a more essential benefit, but was
unable to determine upon any. The
single taper that dimly lighted her little
cottage, the frugal fire that scarcely
warmed it, (though in a part of the king-
dom where coalsare cheap,) threwa gloom
over the scene that heightened its misery
and desolation. s '- /'
Isabel, in whatever she was engaged,
displaj'edva cheerfulness, a fortitude, and
an activity, that he had never before seen
consistently combined in a girl of fifteen.
Rose, always affectionate and good hu-
moured, was his little play-thing and de-
light, and the increasing interest, esteem,
and pity which he felt for this family,
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? 9* ROSE AND EMILY } OH,
made him reluctant to leave the village
while they were in poverty and sorrow.
The parsonage was still unoccupied, and
as the present curate refused to reside in
so retired a place, it was at the service of
any one who wished to hire it. A spring
and summer's neglect had occasioned
everything around itto grow in wild luxu-
riance; he knew Mrs. Sydney's attach-
ment to the spot, and, could he once
more obtain it for her, he might have the
satisfaction of reflecting that he left her
surrounded by, at least, local comforts;
but how was she to support herself? This
thought suggested another, and no sooner
was it admitted, than he ardently desired
its accomplishment. Would she receive
Emily as her child and pupil--would she
but allow her to share in the lessons of
Rose, he should consider himself fortunate.
He had, for some time,painfully remarked
the rude and unaccommodating manners
of his child; and when he contrasted them
with the playful simplicity and obliging
sweetness of Rose, he felt a pang some-
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? SKETCHES OP YOUTH. 95
thing like self-reproach, and he ardently
wished she could profit by the instruction
of Mrs. Sydney, and the example of her
children. He weighed the whole. plan
in his mind, and resolved to apply for the
parsonage, as a preliminary step to the
proposal he intended to make to Mrs.
Sydney. The application was acceded
to by Dr. Blake, and the village work-
men were instantly ordered to begin the
necessary repairs.
It was one chill evening in the month
of November, when Mr. Blandford was
seated by their little fire, conversing with
Mrs. Sydney and Isabel, that Rose, who
had been on a visit to Phcebe, hastily
ran into the room with the news that
the parsonage was repairing, and that
somebody must be going to reside in it.
A faint crimson passed across Mrs. Syd-
ney's cheek at this intelligence, and
Isabel's mild eye was instantly suffused
with a tear. After a short pause, she
said--" I am glad of it my child; may
its destined inhabitants be as happy as
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? ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
we once were. As for us, we shall sooa
quit the village; I wrote to a person at
B to engage apartments, and her
answer, which I have just received, is
more favourable than I expected. We
shall have two neat rooms on reasonable
terms, and already she has obtained the
promise of a small number ot day pupils.
I have been too long inactive, and must
determine to be so no longer. "
Mr. Blandford ventured to hint at the
uncertainty of her success, and enquired
whether she did not think there might
be some other plan more promising. --
"I know of none," she replied, " and
however uncertain this may be, I must
hope for the best. " "I too am going
from hence," he said, " and have given
my landlord notice that I shall leave his
house this day month--perhaps earlier,'*
** This day month! " repeated Emily,
who was present, and bursting into tears,
covered her face with her hands. "I
shall return to London," replied her
father, " and you know you like town .
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? SKETCHES Ol? YOUTH. 97
better than the country. " "I might say
so once; but I am sure I don't like it
half so well now. " "And why not? "
"There will be nobody to love me V*
"Shall not I be with you, Emily; and
do not I love you? " "Yes, papa, some-
times; but when you are not with me, I
shall be all alone. " "There is Ruth. "
*' O, papa, Ruth is not Mrs. Sydney. "
"Then you#vould wish to stay with Mrs.
Sydney and leave me? " Emily held
down her head. "Speak truth, Emily,"'
continued her father; " if Mrs. Sydney
would consent to your staying with her,
would you like it? " "I love Mrs. Syd-
ney," replied Emily, in a low voice;
"I love you too, papa, but I am left so
much with Ruth, and I don't love her
at all. " Mrs. Sydney pressed her to her
bosom, and exclaimed--u Oh that it was
in my power to bid you stay! " "The
power shall be yours," replied Mr. Bland-
ford, " if you will indeed receive my child,
and an ample pecuniary compensation \
shall accompany the thanks of a grateful
F
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? 98
ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
heart; I would confide her wholly to you
for a few years; educate her as you do
your own children, but let her not forget
her father. "' Emily sprang, into his arras,
begged him not to leave her long, but
said she should like to live with Mrs,
Sydney. . " This is not a hastily con-
ceived plan," continued Mr. Blandford;
"frequently have I thought upon the
advantages that would arise to Emily
from your instruction, and your chil-
drens' example; and I have only been.
withheld from mentioning the subject,
by the apprehension that your health
was unequal to the task of educating,
and," he added, with a sigh, " of reform-
ing my poor child; but since I find you
have already taken measures to com-
mence instruction upon different terms,
? I venture to propose mine; and, if the
welfare of the poor motherless Emily be
dear to you, I trust you will not oppose
what appears to be as much her wish as
my own. " "Indeed, Sir," replied Mrs.
Sydney, " you over-rate both my powers
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
*nd talents; they have hitherto been ex-
ercised in a very limited scale, and I fear
would fail to benefit any one who is de-
stined for a wider sphere. How can I,
who have so long been buried in the bo-
som of retirement, train up a child for the
world? I know not its fashion; even its
customs I may have forgotten, or they
may have varied their form since I lived
in it. " "Another time," said Mr. Bland-
ford, " I shall beg to renew the subject
and, hastily rising, desired Emily to wish
Mrs. Sydney good night; her eyes spark-
led with hope and affection, but she kiss-
ed her and her daughters in silence.
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? 100 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
CHAR VIII.
The next day Mrs. Sydney received the
following letter from Mr. Blandford:
"Madam,.
"The subject which was hastily start-
ed yesterdajr, was not the sudden wish
of the moment, but has long employed
my most serious meditations.
Since I
have had the happiness of knowing you,
with the frequent opportunities of obser-
ving the guileless manners, the retiring
virtues, the mental graces, of your eldest
daughter, and the endearing simplicity
and cheerful temper of your HttleRose, I
have secretly wished my Emily's disposi-
tion resembled theirs 5 and imagined, that
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
101
had she been blessed with the same ad-
vantages of admonition and example, she
might have been equally amiable.
"These reflections passing repeatedly
before my mind, acquired strength from
every review of them, and I consider it
a duty I owe my daughter to attempt ob-
taining for her the only means by which,
I believe, she will ever be rendered all
my heart desires. Oh! when I look at
her, memory recalls with added poig-
nancy of regret, the image of my lost
treasure, her sainted mother. Had she
lived, instead of deploring my poor Emi-
ly's faults, I should have exulted in her
virtues; exulted, madam, as you must
secretly do, in those of your daughters.
"Since I have known the Miss Syd-
neys, I have more clearly and painfully
distinguished the errors of my child,
which, I fear, some false mistaken ideas
of my own have increased,. if not occa-
sioned. I have sometimes thought her
nature incapable of attachment; sul-
F3
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? 102
ROSE AND EMILY; Oil,
len when reproved by me, and resentful
if chidden by others'; unmoved at times
by either threats or caresses, I have be-
lieved her entirely without that charm
of. a youthful character--affection; but
this opinion, which has embittered many
a moment of my life, is yielding to an
opposite conviction; and when I see the
ardency of her gratitude, and. the tender-
nes of her love towards you, the preser-
ver of her life, I think her possessed of
qualities, that, if properly brought into
action, may render her amiable and en-
gaging; you only have been able to awa-
ken these dormant feelings, and it is you
only whom I wish to direct and regulate
them. Might I but hope you would con-
sider this subject; might I but natter my-
self you would consent to become the
monitress of my Emily, I should no
longer despair of seeing her the pride
and blessing of my life.
My fortune is ample; its superfluity
has often been bestowed on unworthy
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTIfJ 103
? objects. Let me then, for once, have the
satisfaction of reflecting that a small part
of it ministers to the comfort of one whose
virtues and talents would dignify and
adorn any situation. In this praise I am
sincere; in the motive of it perhaps I am
selfish. In plain terms, my dear madam,
I once more intreat you to receive my
Emily. The parental feelings which per-
vade your own bosom will lead you to
judge of mine; anxious, to a degree of
agony, for the welfare of my child, yet I
have hitherto mistaken the means of pro-
moting it; and I view her, at present,
the victim of my ill judged opinions. I
despise the fantastical theories of modern
education, and would prefer her mind a
perfect blank, rather than have it impress-
ed with such ideas as I have too fre-
quently discovered in the school-trained
girls of fashion. To you only would I
dare to confide her, for you only can
transform her to what I wish. I am
aware how difficult will be the task I
would impose upon you, and that it can
f4
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? 104 ROSE AND EMIIiY; OR,
never be in my power to offer a sufficient
compensation; all I can do is to solicit
your acceptance of some pecuniary re-
turn, which, like my gratitude, shall be
for life; and, like the friendship of my
Emily, shall succeed to your daughters.
If you have the humanity to receive my
child, you must permit me to render
your establishment liberal and easy. I
am an unsettled being; my heart carries
in it the image of my lost Emily, and
cannot long attach itself to one spot;
change is my only relief; it is my inten-
tion soon to quit England for two years
or more; travelling does not permit of
instruction ; and unless you receive my
child, she. must be her father's com-
panion* In leaving her under your pro-
tection, my mind would derive a consola-
tion it has long in vain required. Let me
implore you to take this proposal into
serious consideration, and I shall wait
your reply with anxious impatience. "
This letter excited in Mrs. Sydney
a powerful interest both for the father
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 105
and child. She perceived the advan-
tages which would result to herself and
daughters in acceding to Mr. Blandford's
request, but self-interest did not for a mo-
ment influence her decision. The more
she considered the subject, the more con-
vinced was she of her own inability to
educate Emily for the sphere. of life in
which her fortune would, probably, re-
quire her to move; yet every re-
view represented her as a neglected
child, whose errors could only be eradi-
cated by an unremitted course of affec-
tionate attentions. . . She . knew Emily
was attached to her, and had frequently
observed that from her the most trivial
expression of encouragement, or a glance
of disapprobation, had decided her either
to pursue or desist from any thing that
might be in agitation- This influence
over her inclinations would enable her
the more easily to correct what was
wrong in her habits or. temper; but
though she might regulate the impulses
of her heart, and reform the predominant
F5
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? 106
ROSE AND EMILY; OH,
failings of her disposition, how could she
instruct her in those accomplishments
"which form often a principal, and she
thought, in some degree, really an essen-
tial part of . education for the rich and
noble? Sometimes, indeed, more valu-
able acquirements are sacrificed for the
attainment of these, yet to some extent
they are necessary. Her own daughters.
were educated for the confined rank in
which Providence had placed them; she
only wished they should possess in them-
selves those mental resources and inno-
cent amusements which might render
them companionable and domestic. Isa-
bel had been early instructed by her
father in French, and accustomed to
converse in k with her parents and bro-
ther; and. Rose was beginning the same
'language. Drawing had been a study
which the beautiful country they inha-
bited, rendered a source of pleasure tlw
most interesting, and this taste was cul-
tivated in Isabel till it had already attain-
ed excellence. Botany, in their rural
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
107
rambles, formed another part of their
amusements; they delighted to trace
the germ in the bud, to watch the bud
expanding into the flower, to trace the
hand of Providence in the formation and
- protection of the simplest objects in the
creation, and thus, "looking through
nature up to nature's God," to find new
causes of gratitude and adoration. With
music and dancing they were totally un-
acquainted, and these latter accomplish*
ments Mrs. Sydney believed absolutely
necessary, in educating Emily for that
world in. which she would one day ap-
pear. She scarcely suffered herself to
reflect on the advantages she and her
daughters would derive from her ac-
ceding to Mr. Blandford's proposal, or
on the tender and anxious affection she
felt for Emily; for so powerful was the
conviction, that were she to undertake
her education, she should be defective
in some of its material points, and he
therefore unjust to engage in it, that she
conscientiously resolved to decline it aU
f6
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? 108
ROSE AND EMILY f 0Hr
together, and resort to the humble task she
had previously determined upon,ofteach-
ingvillage children. She therefore request-
ed the favour of an hour's conversation
? with Mr. Blandford, and communicated
to him her reasons for refusing a trust
she was incompetent to discharge; at
the same time acknowledging, with every
sentiment of gratitude, the honour he
had conferred upon her in wishing to
consign his daughter to her care. Mr.
Blandford listened attentively, and when
she ceased said, "Are these all your ob-
jections All," answered Mrs. Syd-
ney. "We then differ materially in our
opinions," said Mr. Blandford; . " and^
pardon me if I say, that all the objections
you have advanced, only operate with
me as so many arguments in favour of
the plan of education which you would
adopt. It is for the cultivation of her
mind I am most solicitous; . I wish not
for any of those artificial graces, prac-
tised to allure the eye or charm the<<ear. .
I wish her to be an intellectual com-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 109
panion and a domestic friend; and
though it is probable she may move in
the highest ranks, it is not there I wish
my child to gain her only applause. To
the approbation or those whose observa-
tions extend no farther than the grace
with which a woman enters a draw-
ing-room ; the air of fashion which marks
her dress and manner, I attach no value;
but. I am ambitious she should be dis-
tinguished by the few who appreciate
superiority of mind.
"It is said a dancing. master is not
only essential to teach how to move with
ease, but also how to sit or stand still;
your daughters, I suppose, have not
had the advantages of such an instructor,
yet I have never perceived in them the
slightest awkwardness; on the contrary,
every movement of Isabel displays a
gracefulness that tuition could not give \
and little Rose, whether playful or in-
active, is elegant and unembarrassed.
Improve? the understanding, cultivate
the best feelings of the heart, and the
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? 110 ROSE AND EMILY J OR,
body moves in sympathy \ it may not be
strictly fashionable, but it will be ' a grace
beyond the reach of art. ' Whenever
Emily is required to mix in the world,
even though she. cannot dance a reel
in the newest Caledonian steps, or sing
with the science of a professor, yet I
shall introduce her with pride and con-
fidence, if. I receive her, after a few. years,,
from your: instruction. However exqui-
site my enjoyment of music, I have no
wish that she should learn it;. on this
subject, I do not argue from my feelings,
but from general observation, and the
peculiar situation of my child. She has,
I grieve to say, lost some years which
ought to have been directed to useful ap-
plication, and has no time to bestow on
this study. To acquire even a moderate
degree of execution on any instrument,
many hours of every day must be em-
ployed, which might be filled up more
advantageously; it is, in fact, one of
those accomplishments in which a per-
son can seldom arrive at excellence,
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH.
Ill
without the sacrifice of, what I consider,
more valuable attainments. Landscape-
drawing and botany will give her an in-
terest in nature; the French language
will open to her mind new sources of de-
light in reading, and afford new plea-
sures in conversation. ; geography will
enlarge her ideas of the habitable globe,
and history will impart some knowledge
of human nature; and, to become all
that is amiable, she has only to follow
the example you and your daughters
will constantly set before her. Isabel
has already been taught by you. " "Not
only by me," interrupted Mrs. Sydney;
"but by another, more competent to
teach her than I am. " "Be that as it
may," replied Mr. Jilandford, "to such
an education as you can give her, I should
think half my fortune well appropriated.
A father may instruct and guide a son,
but a daughter requires the endearments
and gentle admonitions of her own sex.
Pity, therefore, my poor Emily, bereft
as she is of a mother, and with a father
-
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? 112 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
unsettled in his present habits, uncertain
in his future projects. "
"I have no hesitation, Sir," replied
Mrs. Sydney, "in avowing my wish to
accede to yours, and if you can be satis-
fied with my humble exertions to render
Miss Blandfbrd like my own children,
I shall engage in her education with
pleasure ; but I fear" "Fear nothing
madam, I wish her only to be like them
consent to receive my child, and I am
happy. " "I will, Sir, for one twelve-.
month; but if, at the end of that period I.
you' are disappointed in your expecta-
tions, I shall request to relinquish the
charge. " "I consent to your stipula-
tions," replied Mr. Blandfbrd, "and bless
you for accepting the trust, even for that
time. O Emily 1" exclaimed he, "you
. in whom are centered all my hopes of
earthly happiness, ! jou will yet realize
them all. " "Do not " said Mrs. Sydney
calmly, " assure yourself too sanguinely
of my success. I think Emily naturally
amiable, and I hope I shall strengthen
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:36 GMT / http://hdl. handle.