As they returned home, their conver-
sation naturally dwelt upon Phoebe, as an
extraordinary instance of intellectual ca-.
sation naturally dwelt upon Phoebe, as an
extraordinary instance of intellectual ca-.
Childrens - Roses and Emily
" "Your Ossianic quo-
tations, my love, partook, I thought, of
as much vanity as fancy; but since they
were so good-humouredly listened to by
Mr. Falkland, and have produced this
specimen of his imagination, I will say
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? 198 BOSE AND EMILY; OR,
nothing more upon the subject. " Rose's
rapture, (which her mother had perceived
was . likely to exceed the bounds of reason*
and had therefore adopted this method of
suppressing it) was instantly checked;
and the fear of betraying vanity put? a.
guard upon her tongue, and gave a little
. reserve,to her manner, which Mrs. Syd-
ney wished; Mr. Falkland, who had de-
licately withdrawn the moment he saw
tears in the eyes, of Rose, and who had
been conversing with a gentleman at
another part of the room, now returned
to therri,. and enquired at what hour he
and his sister should have the pleasure of
accompanying them on their visit to
Phcehe. . This. being arranged, they sepa-
rated till. the time arrived. for their setting
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 19&
CHAP. XIV.
The cottage was situated opposite to one
of the most beautiful windings of the
Derwent, and divided from the road by
a narrow slip of garden, bounded by the
stonewall which Phcebe had been repairing
on the day of Mrs. Sydney's arrival. On
entering the house, they beheld the object
of their curiosity lying at length upon a
settle, or wooden . bench, placed on one
side of the room; a table was near her,
on which stood a small wooden bowl, with
the remains of the porridge which had
been her dinner. She did not rise from
her position. ; but, just lifting up her
head, nodded familiarly to Mr. and Mrs.
Falkland, whom she had frequently seefr
before; and made a motion to them with
her hand to be seated.
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? 200 $OSE AND EMILY; OR,
Her mother, whose silver locks gave
tokens of many winters' snow, but whose
form was still unbent, was sitting spinning
flax; she was dressed in the manner of
the country, in a man's woollen coat and
petticoat, several handkerchiefs tied roun d
her head and under her chin, and a large
man's hat over these. The most perfect
neatness prevailed in the house, as well
as in the persons of both the mother and
daughter,and both were equally unmoved
and unembarrassed by the entrance of the
party. On Phoebe's motioning with her
hand that they should sit, a deficiency of
chairs was observed ; and the old woman
left her seat to bring two Yrom another
apartment. The eye of Phoebe was di-
rected towards her new visitors, with a
side-long glance of the keenest scrutiny,
and she seemed reluctant to speak till
she had formed some opinion of them.
Mrs- Sydney was as minutely examining
her; and soon discovered that Phcebe,
though. in a cottage, was not a person to
fee treated with too mucji familiarity;
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 201
and readily gave her that sort of attention
which- she appeared to expect. Phoebe's
skill in physiognomy, or rather her intui-
tive penetration into character, soon led
her to decide favourably upon her guests;
and raising . . herself from her wooden seat,
began to account, n<<t . to apologize, for
lying . there so long: ? " She had but just
returned from the labours of the hay field;
had taken her dinner, and was resting after
it. " Then particularly addressing herself
to Mrs. Sydney, she? enquired how long
she had been atMatlock; and entered into
those light and general. topics which are
started i to avoid the awkwardness of
silence; but even on these she expressed
herself in a . manner. which denoted obser-
vation: and reflection* and m language
original and easy. She; asked them if they
meant to attend the balls, and bade them,
if they did, remark. the. conduct of some
of the. company, whom she accused of
pride and selfishness,in disdaining to give
their hands to those; who' were partaking
of the same. amusement, and contributing
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? 202' ROSE AND EMILY; Olty
to, theirs; she inveighed, with. a great.
deal of spleen and bitterness, against
some of the neighbouring gentry, (as she
sarcastically called*; them$) persons who
had, by one happy turn of fortune, at*
tained rank and wealth. . "Their gardens.
may be fine, and their houses grand,"*
continued Phoebe,," but look at their be-
haviour, and in that you may trace their
origin; haughty to their inferiors, and
servile to those above them, they prove.
that a little. wmdtiaincapable of elevation. .
Locke compares the human understand-
ing to a sheet of blank paper, which' wilt
receive any character you like to imprint;
upon it ;. but this theory was proved to be .
wrong by Lord Chesterfield, who endea-,
voured, both by precept and example, to. *
make his booby son a polite man 5. but it
was all in vain. White-wash a. red brick
as much as you will, it is a red brick
still, and at times will shew itself so; 4o-
do these people, notwithstanding their
fine dress^ shew themselves to be of coarse
materials by their conduct at the balls. "
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTlt. 20S
Mrs. Sydney was astonished to hear
her talk of Locke and Chesterfield;
she had, it is true, quoted two things
which are generally known ; but to apply
their principles, and adduce the conse-
quences, shewed a reflective mind, which
was extraordinary in her situation. Mr.
Falkland addressed her on the subject of
music. She immediately rose from her
seat, and going to a bason of water, hewn
out of the rock from which it gushed by
the side of the house, washed her hands,
and then desired him to go with her into
the next room to try a harpsichord which
a lady had sent her as a present. She did
not play upon it; but she said ladies fre-
quently Came from the hotel to play and
sing to her. She produced her violoncello
and flute, and spoke upon each as if to-
lerably well acquainted with the theory of
music; the former seemed her favourite
instrument, and which frequently intro-
duced her. . to. . quartette. parties' at the ho-
tel, though she did not consider herself
any mean proficient on the latter *, fotf
1. 6
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? ^04 ROSE AtfIX EMILY; OU,
after Mr; Falkland liad played a sweet
and plaintive air* she took it out of his
hand, saying, with a smile, she believed
she understood it the best; and gave a
specimen of her own skill in tones which
she imagined much superior, because
they were much stronger. Mrs. Sydney
asked how she acquired her knowledge
of music? She said, that several years
ago a Welch harper had attended at Mat-
lock, from him she learned her notes -y
but not being able to procure a harp, she
had recourse to any instrument she could
the most easily obtain. .
Mrs. Sydney entered. into conversation
with. the mother, whose cheerful-looking
countenance inyitednoti. ee. Sheeoquired
who had. instructed her daughter when a
child ? . " The clerk. of the parish," shxs
replied;; " but. she could soon have
taught him. '*' Kas she, read many
v books ? " said Mrs. Sydney*. "Not. many
but the few. she has. read have been good
ones. . In summer,. she is too much en^
$aged; in the fields, and with the com-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 205
pany, to read; but in winter, when the
evenings are long, she likes her books
and her music. " "How does she pror
cure books? " "Some are lent, and some
are given, for she is taken a deal of notice
of. "; . " What was your husband, my
friend? " "He was a builder,and built this
cottage; but Phoebe is an architect. " The
distinction between builder and architectt
from the lips of one in so very humble a
station, surprised Mrs. Sydney; and she
thought the mother almost as much of a
wonder as the daughter. Phoebe, she
found, had herself built the room in which
the harpsichord stood, and expressly for
its accommodation. She had also im-
proved the cottage, which probably made
the good woman imagine her more inge-
nious than her husband, and therefore. an
architect.
Phcebe was pleased with her new ac-
quaintances, and asked them to callagajn^
a request made to very few; for, the. least
degree of ridicule or haughtiness in those
who visited. her,. never failed . to excite
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? 206 ROSE AND EMILY J OR,
her warmest resentment; and it was said,
she once had carried a pi3tol about with
her,threateningto be revenged upon some
person of distinction, who, she thought*
had insulted her, by laughing at her ec-
centricities. "When Mrs. Sydney and her
paity took leave, she mentioned the fol-
lowing evening, as a time when all her.
work would be over, for their next. visit.
As they returned home, their conver-
sation naturally dwelt upon Phoebe, as an
extraordinary instance of intellectual ca-.
pacity rising above the oppression of po-
verty; seizing upon every casual advan- .
tage, and strengthening itself in the very;
depths of obscurity. She appeared about i
thirty (this was in the year 1804) j her
person was a little above the middle size,
andherlimbswere even delicately formed.
Her face, "brown with meridian toil,"
was more indicative of subtle penetration
than of candid intelligence; it had no
bad expression, and it had no good one;
she wore a stuff petticoat, and a man's
short coat of blue cotton plush } her mus-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 2Q7
lin handkerchief was tucked into her di-
mity stays, and both were as white as
neatness herself could, desire; her hair
was confined round her face and neck by
stiff rollers \ and, by their size, it must
have been long and thick ; a small round
beaver hat, which she bad worn, was
lying on the table when the party enter-
ed the room, and which completed her
dress out of doors. : '. > . ! ;
Mrs. Sydney and her family did not
feil . tq repeat their visit the following?
evening, but unaccompanied by Mr.
Falkland and his sister, who were en-
gaged. When they arrived at the cot-
tage* Phoebe was working in the little
garden. ; she received them with a very
gracious smile of welcome, and bade
them walk in: her plush coat was now.
exchanged for one of striped cotton, but
made exactly in the same fashion. The
old woman: soon after entered the room,
and going up to Mrs. Sydney, put two
fine plums into her lap; Mrsw Sydney
wished to excuse herself from accepting
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? 208 ROSE AND EMILY; OH,
them, having observed, as she came into
the garden, but one small plum tree
against the wall, and very little fruit
upon it; but the mother pressed her to
keep them, and Phoebe said drily, " Nay.
take them, take them; it is not often we>
see people we like well enough to give*
even a plum to; but you are from the-
south, and they are always more civil.
than our brutes of the north;" "Nov .
my good friend," replied Mrs. Sydney,. . .
"though I was born iiuthe. souih^ it is>>
long since I was there, and I am now
almost your neighbour. " ^1 am sorry
for it; for I thought you came from the? .
south, by your civility. " She then gave>
an account of a. journey which she once:. .
made to Liverpool, of her dissatisfaction
with the manners of the people, and the
want of information in the general so*
ciety. She termed them contemptuously^
"a. tribe> of. illiterate stocking-weavers,.
from. whom she did not gain a single
idear during ? the whole time she. was. ^
mongst them," She went, she said, on
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 20i>
horseback, but walked back, though in
the depth of winter.
Mr. Falkland had previously spoken of
tho circumstance to Mrs. Sydney, said
he happened to know the lady to whose
house she went, who, when at Matlock,
had given her an invitation in jest; and
which may serve as a warning to those
who indulge, for the amusement of the
moment, in badinage to their inferiors;
a. s its acceptance occasioned great em-
barrassment to the lady, who lived in a
very good style, and was perplexed how
to introduce so outre a being into her
parties; but as odaities gain admission
every where, and are not amenable to
the common rules of society, but, by a
sort of universal suffrage, have grants
and privileges peculiarly their own, she
introduced Phcebe as what she really was,
an original. Her singularity of dress and
manner soon attracted general notice;
Mr. Falkland himself saw her at a con-
cert in the same dress she was accustom-
ed to wear at Matlock, with her beaver
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? 210 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
hat on; and, standing up whilst others
sat, she rendered herself as conspicuous
as she could.
Every person who passed the cottage
bowed familiarly to Pha? be, and her re-
marks upon their persons, manner, or
characters, proved her an accurate ob-
server of human nature. She complain-
ed of the dulness of Matlock when the
season was over, and how heavy she
found the winter evenings without any
society. "There are but two rational
beings," she said, " in the place, a Welch ,
clergyman and his wife; and I shall lose
them soon: I think I shall go away my-
self for the winter. " "Where will you\
go, and what will become of your mother
in your absence ? ** "I shall go upon
the ocean," she replied: "when I was
at Liverpool, I thought I should like to ?
take a voyage somewhere. " "But your
mother? " said Rose. "O as to ray mo-
ther, some neighbour will look after her;
she won't want much attention, for ? she
goes to bed as soon as it is darki" "A
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? SKETCHES. OF Y'JUTH. . . 21I
neighbour will not a'tend her as you
would, and she is too oid to be left whole
nights by herself. " Phoebe however
seemed to have no high sense of the duty
of a child to her parents; but treated, as
trifles, all the dangers and inconve-
niences that might result to her mother
from her absence, and dwelt only upon
her own gratification in a change of
scene, the interests of" the ocean," and
the novelty of a voyage. She had re-
ceived from Mr. Falkland, the preceding
evening, some pecuniary present, and
Mrs. Sydney now begged her acceptance
of a few shillings, which she took without
any hesitation, as the price of her eccen-
tricity, and the amusement, she imagined,
she had afforded.
"Well my children," said Mrs. Syd-
ney, as they left the cottage, ** has
Phoebe answered the expectations you
formed of her, and gratified your curio-
sity? " "Perfectly so," replied Rose,
generally the first to speak; ** but though
I might like to possess extraordinary ta<<
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? 212 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
lents, and to be admired, and noticed
and talked of, I should not like to be paid,
as she is, for being a wonder. " "What
think you Emily? " "I think," answer-
ed Emily, "that it is unfortunate she
was not placed in a situation where her
peculiarities could have been corrected,
and her judgment guided; I should not
court such distinctions as her's; she
thinks, speaks, and acts so unlike others,
that she is more to be admired as a won-
der than liked as a woman. " "And you
my Isabel? " said Mrs. Sydney. "O
mamma, Phcebe is to me an absolute ob-
ject of compassion. In her class of
society, such habits and ideas, so little
assimilating with persons of her own
rank, must render her disagreeable to
them all; and only when she attracts
curiosity do they seem to contribute to
her own pleasure. Never have I seen
any one whom I think more to be pitied,
and less liked, than this woman. " "And
what is your opinion Phoebe? " "I,
madam, for once feel happy in my own
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? SKETCHES OF tOUTH. 21S
ignorance; and grateful that, though not
clever, I can be useful, and contented in
an humble situation. " "Now, my loves,
you have given your opinions, it is but
just you should have mine. I agree with
Emily and Isabel in thinking Phoebe
Bowne by no means to be envied for
that superiority which has raised her
above her equals; or for that singularity
which has rendered her conspicuous.
The opportunities she has had of acquir-
ing information must have beep so con-
fined, that instead of giving her liberal
ideas, they have inculcated a few fixed
and obstinate opinions; which, though
they may sometimes happen to be just,
if unfortnnately they are wrong, they will
not easily yield to reason. Conscious of
possessing greater powers'of understand-
ing than those about her, she disdains to
subscribe to the established rules of sex
or situation; but, like a comet, is eccen-
tric in her movements, and terrific in her
approximation. Superior talents are
only valuable as they contribute to our
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? 214 ROSE AND EMILY J OH,
own happiness, or promote the benefit of
society. Phoebe's seem to do neither}
and are to be estimated no more than an
animal discovered in a block of marble,
which has neither sense nor beauty, but
is only prized for the wonder of finding
it in such a situation. To her the lamp
of wisdom has been but a glimmering
light, leading her into bye-places and un-
frequented paths; it has served to shew
her the obscurity in which she is placed,
and to tempt her out of it; but has been
no guide to truth or happiness. The dif-
ference she discovers between herself
and those of her own class, has rendered
her vain; the notice she has excited has
fed that vanity, and made her confident;
but though she may occasionally be elated
by the flattering attentions she receives
from strangers, she will oftener accuse
fate of injustice in placing her in so
humble a situation, and thus find in
her superiority a source of discontent ?
and repining. A spirit of curiosity, a
wish for information, and probably arro-
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? SKETCHES. OP YOUTH. 215
gating to herself the proud distinction of
genius, might lead her to Liverpool; but
it was mortified vanity which made her
dissatisfied with her visit; for, contemptu-
ously as she speaks of the society she was
there thrown into? and of receiving from
it not one new idea, it must have been
greatly superior in intelligence, as well
as elegance, to any in which she had ever
mixed, and something new to her must
have arisen; but after the novelty of her
character had ceased to excite notice,
probably she was thought of no more, or
might disgust by her boldness, and offend
by her presumption. We may excuse,
in a woman, an unpolished manner, but
we cannot dispense with gentleness: it is'
a. quality which few situations, few cir-
cumstances can conceal or eradicate, ? if
it be inherent in the nature ; and is as es-
sensial to the female character as bravery
is to that of a man, and may be found as
frequently combined with dignity and
elevation as mercy is with true courage.
The money, at which, my Rose, your
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? 216 ROSE AND EMILY; Olt,
feelings of independence revolted, seem-
ed no way repugnant to her's; she re-
ceived it as a tribute to her talents, and
was probably vain of the offering; it was
a recompense for the amusement she had
afforded, and a tax on the curiosity of
her visitors, not the claim of poverty.
The cottage she and her mother live in,
with a few acres around it, are their own,
and must amply provide for all their ne-
cessities ; therefore, though discontented
with her situation, she does not possess
that noble spirit which, by aspiring above
it, would render pecuniary favours pain-
ful. She seems to have no aversion to
the toils of the field, and spoke with pride
of her veterinary knowledge; but when
the village is deserted by the summer -
company, and there is no one to "wonder
at her, she sinks to her own level, be-
comes dissatisfied, and desirous of change;
for filial duty appears to make no part of
her extraordinary character. "
Mrs. Sydney and her party were met
on the road by Mr. aiid Mrs. Falkland,
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? SKETCHES OE YOUTU.
and their niece, and they concluded the
evening together.
; A week had now elapsed since Mrs
Sydney and her family had left their peace*
ful abode; each succeeding day had In-
creased in interest and pleasure, and
strengthened the intimacy between them
and their neW friends. Isabel, Emily,
and'Rose, all found subjects for their
pencil, and were sometimes joined in this
amusement by Fanny Belmont j who,
though less of an artist than either^ dis-
played taste and feeling in all that she at-
tempted. In music she particularly ex-
celled, and possessed a fine voice, "which
had been carefuHy cultivated. Rose
would listen in silent extacy to the touch-
ing expression of her tones, sweet by na-
ture, and assisted by the graces of science;
but when accompanied by Mr. Falkland's
flute, the tear of rapture would steal
down her cheek, aiid she could only press
the hand she heldl Reading and walk-
ing engaged a part of every day; and
they would often climb some of the
heights around Matlock, to enjoy a favou-
L
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tations, my love, partook, I thought, of
as much vanity as fancy; but since they
were so good-humouredly listened to by
Mr. Falkland, and have produced this
specimen of his imagination, I will say
K3
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? 198 BOSE AND EMILY; OR,
nothing more upon the subject. " Rose's
rapture, (which her mother had perceived
was . likely to exceed the bounds of reason*
and had therefore adopted this method of
suppressing it) was instantly checked;
and the fear of betraying vanity put? a.
guard upon her tongue, and gave a little
. reserve,to her manner, which Mrs. Syd-
ney wished; Mr. Falkland, who had de-
licately withdrawn the moment he saw
tears in the eyes, of Rose, and who had
been conversing with a gentleman at
another part of the room, now returned
to therri,. and enquired at what hour he
and his sister should have the pleasure of
accompanying them on their visit to
Phcehe. . This. being arranged, they sepa-
rated till. the time arrived. for their setting
QUt- 1}. ? ? ? .
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 19&
CHAP. XIV.
The cottage was situated opposite to one
of the most beautiful windings of the
Derwent, and divided from the road by
a narrow slip of garden, bounded by the
stonewall which Phcebe had been repairing
on the day of Mrs. Sydney's arrival. On
entering the house, they beheld the object
of their curiosity lying at length upon a
settle, or wooden . bench, placed on one
side of the room; a table was near her,
on which stood a small wooden bowl, with
the remains of the porridge which had
been her dinner. She did not rise from
her position. ; but, just lifting up her
head, nodded familiarly to Mr. and Mrs.
Falkland, whom she had frequently seefr
before; and made a motion to them with
her hand to be seated.
k4
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? 200 $OSE AND EMILY; OR,
Her mother, whose silver locks gave
tokens of many winters' snow, but whose
form was still unbent, was sitting spinning
flax; she was dressed in the manner of
the country, in a man's woollen coat and
petticoat, several handkerchiefs tied roun d
her head and under her chin, and a large
man's hat over these. The most perfect
neatness prevailed in the house, as well
as in the persons of both the mother and
daughter,and both were equally unmoved
and unembarrassed by the entrance of the
party. On Phoebe's motioning with her
hand that they should sit, a deficiency of
chairs was observed ; and the old woman
left her seat to bring two Yrom another
apartment. The eye of Phoebe was di-
rected towards her new visitors, with a
side-long glance of the keenest scrutiny,
and she seemed reluctant to speak till
she had formed some opinion of them.
Mrs- Sydney was as minutely examining
her; and soon discovered that Phcebe,
though. in a cottage, was not a person to
fee treated with too mucji familiarity;
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 201
and readily gave her that sort of attention
which- she appeared to expect. Phoebe's
skill in physiognomy, or rather her intui-
tive penetration into character, soon led
her to decide favourably upon her guests;
and raising . . herself from her wooden seat,
began to account, n<<t . to apologize, for
lying . there so long: ? " She had but just
returned from the labours of the hay field;
had taken her dinner, and was resting after
it. " Then particularly addressing herself
to Mrs. Sydney, she? enquired how long
she had been atMatlock; and entered into
those light and general. topics which are
started i to avoid the awkwardness of
silence; but even on these she expressed
herself in a . manner. which denoted obser-
vation: and reflection* and m language
original and easy. She; asked them if they
meant to attend the balls, and bade them,
if they did, remark. the. conduct of some
of the. company, whom she accused of
pride and selfishness,in disdaining to give
their hands to those; who' were partaking
of the same. amusement, and contributing
K5
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? 202' ROSE AND EMILY; Olty
to, theirs; she inveighed, with. a great.
deal of spleen and bitterness, against
some of the neighbouring gentry, (as she
sarcastically called*; them$) persons who
had, by one happy turn of fortune, at*
tained rank and wealth. . "Their gardens.
may be fine, and their houses grand,"*
continued Phoebe,," but look at their be-
haviour, and in that you may trace their
origin; haughty to their inferiors, and
servile to those above them, they prove.
that a little. wmdtiaincapable of elevation. .
Locke compares the human understand-
ing to a sheet of blank paper, which' wilt
receive any character you like to imprint;
upon it ;. but this theory was proved to be .
wrong by Lord Chesterfield, who endea-,
voured, both by precept and example, to. *
make his booby son a polite man 5. but it
was all in vain. White-wash a. red brick
as much as you will, it is a red brick
still, and at times will shew itself so; 4o-
do these people, notwithstanding their
fine dress^ shew themselves to be of coarse
materials by their conduct at the balls. "
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTlt. 20S
Mrs. Sydney was astonished to hear
her talk of Locke and Chesterfield;
she had, it is true, quoted two things
which are generally known ; but to apply
their principles, and adduce the conse-
quences, shewed a reflective mind, which
was extraordinary in her situation. Mr.
Falkland addressed her on the subject of
music. She immediately rose from her
seat, and going to a bason of water, hewn
out of the rock from which it gushed by
the side of the house, washed her hands,
and then desired him to go with her into
the next room to try a harpsichord which
a lady had sent her as a present. She did
not play upon it; but she said ladies fre-
quently Came from the hotel to play and
sing to her. She produced her violoncello
and flute, and spoke upon each as if to-
lerably well acquainted with the theory of
music; the former seemed her favourite
instrument, and which frequently intro-
duced her. . to. . quartette. parties' at the ho-
tel, though she did not consider herself
any mean proficient on the latter *, fotf
1. 6
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? ^04 ROSE AtfIX EMILY; OU,
after Mr; Falkland liad played a sweet
and plaintive air* she took it out of his
hand, saying, with a smile, she believed
she understood it the best; and gave a
specimen of her own skill in tones which
she imagined much superior, because
they were much stronger. Mrs. Sydney
asked how she acquired her knowledge
of music? She said, that several years
ago a Welch harper had attended at Mat-
lock, from him she learned her notes -y
but not being able to procure a harp, she
had recourse to any instrument she could
the most easily obtain. .
Mrs. Sydney entered. into conversation
with. the mother, whose cheerful-looking
countenance inyitednoti. ee. Sheeoquired
who had. instructed her daughter when a
child ? . " The clerk. of the parish," shxs
replied;; " but. she could soon have
taught him. '*' Kas she, read many
v books ? " said Mrs. Sydney*. "Not. many
but the few. she has. read have been good
ones. . In summer,. she is too much en^
$aged; in the fields, and with the com-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 205
pany, to read; but in winter, when the
evenings are long, she likes her books
and her music. " "How does she pror
cure books? " "Some are lent, and some
are given, for she is taken a deal of notice
of. "; . " What was your husband, my
friend? " "He was a builder,and built this
cottage; but Phoebe is an architect. " The
distinction between builder and architectt
from the lips of one in so very humble a
station, surprised Mrs. Sydney; and she
thought the mother almost as much of a
wonder as the daughter. Phoebe, she
found, had herself built the room in which
the harpsichord stood, and expressly for
its accommodation. She had also im-
proved the cottage, which probably made
the good woman imagine her more inge-
nious than her husband, and therefore. an
architect.
Phcebe was pleased with her new ac-
quaintances, and asked them to callagajn^
a request made to very few; for, the. least
degree of ridicule or haughtiness in those
who visited. her,. never failed . to excite
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? 206 ROSE AND EMILY J OR,
her warmest resentment; and it was said,
she once had carried a pi3tol about with
her,threateningto be revenged upon some
person of distinction, who, she thought*
had insulted her, by laughing at her ec-
centricities. "When Mrs. Sydney and her
paity took leave, she mentioned the fol-
lowing evening, as a time when all her.
work would be over, for their next. visit.
As they returned home, their conver-
sation naturally dwelt upon Phoebe, as an
extraordinary instance of intellectual ca-.
pacity rising above the oppression of po-
verty; seizing upon every casual advan- .
tage, and strengthening itself in the very;
depths of obscurity. She appeared about i
thirty (this was in the year 1804) j her
person was a little above the middle size,
andherlimbswere even delicately formed.
Her face, "brown with meridian toil,"
was more indicative of subtle penetration
than of candid intelligence; it had no
bad expression, and it had no good one;
she wore a stuff petticoat, and a man's
short coat of blue cotton plush } her mus-
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 2Q7
lin handkerchief was tucked into her di-
mity stays, and both were as white as
neatness herself could, desire; her hair
was confined round her face and neck by
stiff rollers \ and, by their size, it must
have been long and thick ; a small round
beaver hat, which she bad worn, was
lying on the table when the party enter-
ed the room, and which completed her
dress out of doors. : '. > . ! ;
Mrs. Sydney and her family did not
feil . tq repeat their visit the following?
evening, but unaccompanied by Mr.
Falkland and his sister, who were en-
gaged. When they arrived at the cot-
tage* Phoebe was working in the little
garden. ; she received them with a very
gracious smile of welcome, and bade
them walk in: her plush coat was now.
exchanged for one of striped cotton, but
made exactly in the same fashion. The
old woman: soon after entered the room,
and going up to Mrs. Sydney, put two
fine plums into her lap; Mrsw Sydney
wished to excuse herself from accepting
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? 208 ROSE AND EMILY; OH,
them, having observed, as she came into
the garden, but one small plum tree
against the wall, and very little fruit
upon it; but the mother pressed her to
keep them, and Phoebe said drily, " Nay.
take them, take them; it is not often we>
see people we like well enough to give*
even a plum to; but you are from the-
south, and they are always more civil.
than our brutes of the north;" "Nov .
my good friend," replied Mrs. Sydney,. . .
"though I was born iiuthe. souih^ it is>>
long since I was there, and I am now
almost your neighbour. " ^1 am sorry
for it; for I thought you came from the? .
south, by your civility. " She then gave>
an account of a. journey which she once:. .
made to Liverpool, of her dissatisfaction
with the manners of the people, and the
want of information in the general so*
ciety. She termed them contemptuously^
"a. tribe> of. illiterate stocking-weavers,.
from. whom she did not gain a single
idear during ? the whole time she. was. ^
mongst them," She went, she said, on
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? SKETCHES OF YOUTH. 20i>
horseback, but walked back, though in
the depth of winter.
Mr. Falkland had previously spoken of
tho circumstance to Mrs. Sydney, said
he happened to know the lady to whose
house she went, who, when at Matlock,
had given her an invitation in jest; and
which may serve as a warning to those
who indulge, for the amusement of the
moment, in badinage to their inferiors;
a. s its acceptance occasioned great em-
barrassment to the lady, who lived in a
very good style, and was perplexed how
to introduce so outre a being into her
parties; but as odaities gain admission
every where, and are not amenable to
the common rules of society, but, by a
sort of universal suffrage, have grants
and privileges peculiarly their own, she
introduced Phcebe as what she really was,
an original. Her singularity of dress and
manner soon attracted general notice;
Mr. Falkland himself saw her at a con-
cert in the same dress she was accustom-
ed to wear at Matlock, with her beaver
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? 210 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
hat on; and, standing up whilst others
sat, she rendered herself as conspicuous
as she could.
Every person who passed the cottage
bowed familiarly to Pha? be, and her re-
marks upon their persons, manner, or
characters, proved her an accurate ob-
server of human nature. She complain-
ed of the dulness of Matlock when the
season was over, and how heavy she
found the winter evenings without any
society. "There are but two rational
beings," she said, " in the place, a Welch ,
clergyman and his wife; and I shall lose
them soon: I think I shall go away my-
self for the winter. " "Where will you\
go, and what will become of your mother
in your absence ? ** "I shall go upon
the ocean," she replied: "when I was
at Liverpool, I thought I should like to ?
take a voyage somewhere. " "But your
mother? " said Rose. "O as to ray mo-
ther, some neighbour will look after her;
she won't want much attention, for ? she
goes to bed as soon as it is darki" "A
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? SKETCHES. OF Y'JUTH. . . 21I
neighbour will not a'tend her as you
would, and she is too oid to be left whole
nights by herself. " Phoebe however
seemed to have no high sense of the duty
of a child to her parents; but treated, as
trifles, all the dangers and inconve-
niences that might result to her mother
from her absence, and dwelt only upon
her own gratification in a change of
scene, the interests of" the ocean," and
the novelty of a voyage. She had re-
ceived from Mr. Falkland, the preceding
evening, some pecuniary present, and
Mrs. Sydney now begged her acceptance
of a few shillings, which she took without
any hesitation, as the price of her eccen-
tricity, and the amusement, she imagined,
she had afforded.
"Well my children," said Mrs. Syd-
ney, as they left the cottage, ** has
Phoebe answered the expectations you
formed of her, and gratified your curio-
sity? " "Perfectly so," replied Rose,
generally the first to speak; ** but though
I might like to possess extraordinary ta<<
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? 212 ROSE AND EMILY; OR,
lents, and to be admired, and noticed
and talked of, I should not like to be paid,
as she is, for being a wonder. " "What
think you Emily? " "I think," answer-
ed Emily, "that it is unfortunate she
was not placed in a situation where her
peculiarities could have been corrected,
and her judgment guided; I should not
court such distinctions as her's; she
thinks, speaks, and acts so unlike others,
that she is more to be admired as a won-
der than liked as a woman. " "And you
my Isabel? " said Mrs. Sydney. "O
mamma, Phcebe is to me an absolute ob-
ject of compassion. In her class of
society, such habits and ideas, so little
assimilating with persons of her own
rank, must render her disagreeable to
them all; and only when she attracts
curiosity do they seem to contribute to
her own pleasure. Never have I seen
any one whom I think more to be pitied,
and less liked, than this woman. " "And
what is your opinion Phoebe? " "I,
madam, for once feel happy in my own
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? SKETCHES OF tOUTH. 21S
ignorance; and grateful that, though not
clever, I can be useful, and contented in
an humble situation. " "Now, my loves,
you have given your opinions, it is but
just you should have mine. I agree with
Emily and Isabel in thinking Phoebe
Bowne by no means to be envied for
that superiority which has raised her
above her equals; or for that singularity
which has rendered her conspicuous.
The opportunities she has had of acquir-
ing information must have beep so con-
fined, that instead of giving her liberal
ideas, they have inculcated a few fixed
and obstinate opinions; which, though
they may sometimes happen to be just,
if unfortnnately they are wrong, they will
not easily yield to reason. Conscious of
possessing greater powers'of understand-
ing than those about her, she disdains to
subscribe to the established rules of sex
or situation; but, like a comet, is eccen-
tric in her movements, and terrific in her
approximation. Superior talents are
only valuable as they contribute to our
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? 214 ROSE AND EMILY J OH,
own happiness, or promote the benefit of
society. Phoebe's seem to do neither}
and are to be estimated no more than an
animal discovered in a block of marble,
which has neither sense nor beauty, but
is only prized for the wonder of finding
it in such a situation. To her the lamp
of wisdom has been but a glimmering
light, leading her into bye-places and un-
frequented paths; it has served to shew
her the obscurity in which she is placed,
and to tempt her out of it; but has been
no guide to truth or happiness. The dif-
ference she discovers between herself
and those of her own class, has rendered
her vain; the notice she has excited has
fed that vanity, and made her confident;
but though she may occasionally be elated
by the flattering attentions she receives
from strangers, she will oftener accuse
fate of injustice in placing her in so
humble a situation, and thus find in
her superiority a source of discontent ?
and repining. A spirit of curiosity, a
wish for information, and probably arro-
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? SKETCHES. OP YOUTH. 215
gating to herself the proud distinction of
genius, might lead her to Liverpool; but
it was mortified vanity which made her
dissatisfied with her visit; for, contemptu-
ously as she speaks of the society she was
there thrown into? and of receiving from
it not one new idea, it must have been
greatly superior in intelligence, as well
as elegance, to any in which she had ever
mixed, and something new to her must
have arisen; but after the novelty of her
character had ceased to excite notice,
probably she was thought of no more, or
might disgust by her boldness, and offend
by her presumption. We may excuse,
in a woman, an unpolished manner, but
we cannot dispense with gentleness: it is'
a. quality which few situations, few cir-
cumstances can conceal or eradicate, ? if
it be inherent in the nature ; and is as es-
sensial to the female character as bravery
is to that of a man, and may be found as
frequently combined with dignity and
elevation as mercy is with true courage.
The money, at which, my Rose, your
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? 216 ROSE AND EMILY; Olt,
feelings of independence revolted, seem-
ed no way repugnant to her's; she re-
ceived it as a tribute to her talents, and
was probably vain of the offering; it was
a recompense for the amusement she had
afforded, and a tax on the curiosity of
her visitors, not the claim of poverty.
The cottage she and her mother live in,
with a few acres around it, are their own,
and must amply provide for all their ne-
cessities ; therefore, though discontented
with her situation, she does not possess
that noble spirit which, by aspiring above
it, would render pecuniary favours pain-
ful. She seems to have no aversion to
the toils of the field, and spoke with pride
of her veterinary knowledge; but when
the village is deserted by the summer -
company, and there is no one to "wonder
at her, she sinks to her own level, be-
comes dissatisfied, and desirous of change;
for filial duty appears to make no part of
her extraordinary character. "
Mrs. Sydney and her party were met
on the road by Mr. aiid Mrs. Falkland,
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? SKETCHES OE YOUTU.
and their niece, and they concluded the
evening together.
; A week had now elapsed since Mrs
Sydney and her family had left their peace*
ful abode; each succeeding day had In-
creased in interest and pleasure, and
strengthened the intimacy between them
and their neW friends. Isabel, Emily,
and'Rose, all found subjects for their
pencil, and were sometimes joined in this
amusement by Fanny Belmont j who,
though less of an artist than either^ dis-
played taste and feeling in all that she at-
tempted. In music she particularly ex-
celled, and possessed a fine voice, "which
had been carefuHy cultivated. Rose
would listen in silent extacy to the touch-
ing expression of her tones, sweet by na-
ture, and assisted by the graces of science;
but when accompanied by Mr. Falkland's
flute, the tear of rapture would steal
down her cheek, aiid she could only press
the hand she heldl Reading and walk-
ing engaged a part of every day; and
they would often climb some of the
heights around Matlock, to enjoy a favou-
L
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