Anonymous

“ In this instance, Eliza certainly suffered self-gratification to triumph over the dictates of native benevolence. The simplest sophistry has too often the power to lull the suggestions of virtue; and that very night our mossy bed was torn from the supporting branch by the hand of an unpitying rustic, and placed within a beautiful, brass-wired cage. ”

“ I really thought it had been a ghost.”
“My dear child,” returned Fitzallan, “have not I often warned you [Pg 83] against the folly of giving way to such weak fears? The possessor of a virtuous heart has no more to dread by night than by day; and though I was timid enough in the case I have related to suffer my fears to vanquish my reason, I must, in justice to myself, attribute my terror to the powerful force of early impressions. ”

“ Somers that supper was ready.
‘We must husband our pleasures, my children,’ said the farmer; ‘in the sports of to-day we must not forget the duties of to-morrow; the grass is already damp, and even in the midst of revelling, disease may punish us, if we neglect the admonitions of prudence. ”

“ While as infants you yet sported at my knee, I perceived that the mind of man, brought forth in sin, like the earth cursed by the Almighty, requires cultivation, and that the utmost vigilance and care are necessary to train it in the paths of virtue. ”

“ The young man then retired, leaving him to repose. As he took leave of him for the night, he said—‘Should you want any thing, Sir, please to ring the bell; there will be a person up all night.’
‘Not on my account, I hope,’ said Fitzallan.
‘No, Sir; my old master expired this day at two o’clock, and there is one of the domestics sitting up with the corpse, which is in the apartment below this.’
‘Very well,’ returned Theodore, and then wished the man a goodnight. ”

“ These accomplishments, though they may be amusing to an inconsiderate spectator, will, I am sure, afford but little pleasure to the feeling breast, when they know the tortures which are inflicted on a tender, unresisting animal, when they hear how our delicate limbs are twisted to agony, or goaded with red-hot knitting-needles. ”

“ I fear your humanity induces you to act without permission from the master of the house.’
‘Indeed I do not, Sir,’ replied the man; ‘our Peter has been sent up to my young master with an account of your misfortune; and though he has retired for the night, being much fatigued after a long journey, [Pg 78] he begs you will not refuse to accept the offer of accommodation, and has ordered us to pay you every attention which your situation requires.’
‘I am infinitely obliged to your master for his politeness and hospitality. ”

“ The hardships under which poor Barnaby had formerly laboured had been much ameliorated by the kind generosity of the amiable Theodore, who had taken care that he should be supplied with wholesome food, and a decent change of wearing apparel from his own cast wardrobe; and as the boy had learnt to read and write in the charity-school, and was now too old to be apprenticed to a trade, Theodore gave him a recommendation to an old friend and schoolfellow, who consented to receive [Pg 69] him as a servant, and took him with him to England. ”

“ She heard him with malignant satisfaction; for her terror was extreme, that the fond feelings of a father would restore his affections to his lady, and alienate them from herself.
‘How could you be foolish enough to imagine, Montgomery,’ said she, [Pg 100] ‘that a woman so plain as your wife could have handsome children? the little ugly thing is yours, and you must do the best you can with it. The world will be very charitable in surmises, no doubt.’
‘Distracted by these taunts, the Earl indignantly swore that he would perish rather than suffer such a hideous little being to call him father. ”

“ Somers, as worthy a man as ever lived, his wife, Francis and Fanny, their children, Miss Fitzallan and her brother, who were visitors, and who I found were shortly to be more closely connected by the union of Eliza with Francis Somers. Never was there presented a more perfect picture of domestic felicity than afforded by this amiable family. The [Pg 21] father was a man of good understanding and agreeable manners, industrious, sober, and assiduous in implanting principles of rectitude in the minds of his children, whose dispositions were truly amiable. ”

“ As soon as Lady Montgomery was able to travel, his Lordship hurried her to England, that she might never get knowledge of the transaction, leaving his base confederates to make the best of their bargain—for mistrust is ever the attendant of guilt, and those who instigate us to the commission of an improper action, [Pg 104] soon become objects of fear and disgust, even to the most abandoned. ”

“ Let it be considered, that besides as happiness is uncertain, misfortune is rarely without remedy. Time may console us, Fate may change; and he who fancies himself the most unfortunate of beings may yet become happy.
Genlis.
On the following evening, each of the young ones being anxious to hear the sequel of Rover’s adventures, Fitzallan, ever indulgent to their wishes, when bounded by propriety, resumed his narrative. ”

“ Every visitor was tormented by their impertinence, every domestic the slave of their caprices, [Pg 48] and every dumb animal the object of their mischievous pastime. To please these little wretches, I was taken from my cage, a string was fastened to my slender leg, to which Master Tommy attached a pasteboard toy, which he denominated a flying Harlequin, and the weight of which caused me extreme pain. ”

“ Unlike the austere parent, whose brows are ever contracted with a frown, and whose step, when heard, is sufficient to strike terror into the minds of his children, if their faults required correction, Mr. Somers possessed the happy art of reproving with such gentle arguments as proved [Pg 28] superior judgment without wounding affection, and entered with spirit into all their trifling pastimes.
“As the birthday of Fanny drew near, the indulgent Somers promised them a rural jubilee, and the farm soon became a scene of pleasing bustle. ”

“ The same thing happens to us with respect to moral things. With what ardour we pursue the goods of fortune, without examining if they are worth such anxiety, or can procure us the hoped-for happiness.’”
“I well remember this, papa,” said Caroline; “but pray tell us now how Rover came to be in that house?”
“I will to-morrow evening, my [Pg 85] love; but it grows late—you must retire; and let me again caution you to indulge no fears of darkness or hobgoblins. There is a good God watching over to protect virtue and innocence. Pray to him when you lay down to sleep ”

“ In fact, I look upon plausible reasoning to be officious, and seldom more than mere commonplace civility; our friendship is too sincere to require any such varnish. I know that if any thing can turn aside the tide of grief for a revered parent, it is the information that [Pg 112] him you have so long honoured with your regard, is on the eve of being made the happiest of men.
‘One particular circumstance in my life, I believe, I have till now omitted mentioning to you. It was this: I had once the good fortune to save from death the lovely daughter of Sir George Norbury. ”

“ Now if you would have the generosity to substitute this child in the place of him you mean to abandon, a decent sum would, I doubt not, induce the mother to give him up to you, and save her from want.’
‘It is an excellent thought, and shall be done,’ exclaimed Montgomery; [Pg 102] ‘at all events, this shall be put in execution.’
‘Thus did these wicked creatures plan the most detestable of actions—the one through a false shame and fear of the world’s ridicule, the other through motives of avarice and revenge ”

“ Each wondered that they had not guessed what was so very plain, and they retired to bed, highly entertained with what they had heard, Caroline protesting she would get a book of enigmas and charades with the very [Pg 25] first shilling she could obtain from her papa.
[Pg 26]
CHAP. II.
A mild and sweet-tempered old man or woman, whose mind is rather chaste than severe, and whose manners are discreet rather than grave, is the most graceful ornament which humanity can boast, and the most effectual agent which virtue can employ. ”

“ The whims and caprices of this old lady would afford ample diversion to those who take delight in ridiculing the infirmities of human nature. For my own part, I think no practice so truly despicable; besides [Pg 47] which, gratitude ought to restrain those who eat of the bread and drink of the cup of their superiors, especially (as was the case with my mistress) when a good heart makes ample compensation for a number of peculiarities. ”

“ Blush, oh ye children of vanity! at this simple truth; fly not to your looking-glasses for self-approval, nor henceforward deem ugliness incompatible with virtue.
“Barnaby retreated, casting many a longing, lingering look behind at poor Rover, who, secured by the silk handkerchief of Theodore, struggled to get free, and was reluctantly [Pg 67] forced into the house. A few days of close confinement ensued; and at last good fare, the comforts of a warm fireside, and kind treatment, reconciled him to his new master, and every inmate of the house, with whom he was soon on the most familiar terms. ”

“ At length the anxiously-desired event took place, and the hopes of the Earl were gratified by the birth of a male [Pg 98] child, which the impatient father eagerly waited to embrace. But who can speak his disgust and horror, when an infant the most deformed and hideous was put into his arms!
‘Excuse me, Sir,’ observed Mr. Melvin, ‘that I express myself in this unqualified manner; it is the only palliative that can be offered for the subsequent culpable conduct of Lord Montgomery. ”

“ That exquisitely sublime author makes [Pg 84] this judicious observation:—‘How much we torment ourselves by vain terrors, which have no foundation but in a disordered fancy! We might spare ourselves many fears, if we would take the trouble to examine the objects which frighten us, and seek for their natural causes. ”

“ The evening was far advanced when the vessel put into port; and Theodore, impatient to proceed as far as possible on his way to town, took a postchaise immediately. His whole mind was occupied with the pleasing idea of seeing Miss Norbury [Pg 72] in London; and he had proceeded two stages before it occurred to him that he had not got his faithful Rover in the chaise with him. To go forward was now impossible—for his life he would not leave the poor animal behind in a strange country ”

“ Miss Fitzallan was handsome, lively, and accomplished; her brother, a youth of spirit and prepossessing appearance; and their presence at the farm gave animation to industry, by the amusements they afforded in the hours of relaxation.
“Eliza had brought down a guitar, on which she played every evening, when Somers returned with his son from the fields. After a few pleasing tunes, forfeits, or some agreeable [Pg 22] pastime, were introduced, and the evening passed delightfully away. ”

“ CHAP. I.
“You have often promised, mamma, to give us the history of our pretty goldfinch; I wish you would indulge us, now that we are all together,” said Caroline Fitzallan one evening to her mother. “We have read all the books which papa brought [Pg 6] us down; and you assured us that you would get your story ready by that time.”
“Do pray, mamma,” cried Charlotte and Henry, with looks of eager expectation.
“I would most willingly oblige you, my children,” said Mrs. Fitzallan; “but we must first know whether it is agreeable to your father ”

“ He therefore rose before any but the menial domestics of the family were stirring, not recollecting that gratitude as well as politeness required that he should make his acknowledgments personally for the kindness he had experienced. Recollecting this in time, he sauntered listlessly from room to room, till he had the satisfaction to hear that Lord Montgomery was stirring, and requested the favour of Mr. Fitzallan to breakfast with him. [Pg 88] Theodore returned a polite answer, and was soon summoned to the Baron’s apartment. ”

“ It is this—“If you would have a thing well done, do it yourself.”
“In fact, the servant had a variety of business on her hands, and want of time, more than want of inclination, was the cause of my sufferings. I was frequently obliged to drink foul water; my seed was sometimes so low, that it was painful to me to reach it; and my cage was suffered to get so dirty, that I was much incommoded by the unwholesome smell of it ”