The Benefits arising from Devotion.—The History of the Village
School-mistress concluded.
As soon as the cloth was removed, Mrs. Mason concluded the narration; and
the girls forgot their fruit whilst they were listening to the sequel.
Anna endured this treatment some years, and had an opportunity of
acquiring a knowledge of the world and her own heart. She visited her
mother’s father, and would have remained with him; but she determined not
to lessen the small pittance which he had anxiously saved out of a scanty
income for two other grand-children. She thought continually of her
situation, and found, on examining her understanding, that the
fashionable circle in which she moved, could not at any rate have
afforded her much satisfaction, or even amusement; though the neglect and
contempt that she met with rendered her very uncomfortable. She had her
father’s spirit of independence, and determined to shake off the galling
yoke which she had long struggled with, and try to earn her own
subsistence. Her acquaintance expostulated with her, and represented the
miseries of poverty, and the mortifications and difficulties that she
would have to encounter. Let it be so, she replied, it is much
preferable to swelling the train of the proud or vicious great, and
despising myself for bearing their impertinence, for eating their bitter
bread;—better, indeed, is a dinner of herbs with contentment. My wants
are few. When I am my own mistress, the crust I earn will be sweet, and
the water that moistens it will not be mingled with tears of sorrow or
indignation.
To shorten my story; she came to me, after she had attempted several
plans, and requested my advice. She would not accept of any considerable
favour, and declared that the greatest would be, to put her in a way of
supporting herself, without forfeiting her highly valued independence. I
knew not what to advise; but whilst I was debating the matter with
myself, I happened to mention, that we were in want of a school-mistress.
She eagerly adopted the plan, and persevering in it these last ten years,
I find her a most valuable acquisition to our society.
She was formed to shine in the most brilliant circle—yet she relinquished
it, and patiently labours to improve the children consigned to her
management, and tranquillize her own mind. She succeeds in both.
She lives indeed alone, and has all day only the society of children; yet
she enjoys many true pleasures; dependence on God is her support, and
devotion her comfort. Her lively affections are therefore changed into a
love of virtue and truth: and these exalted speculations have given an
uncommon dignity to her manners; for she seems above the world, and its
trifling commotions. At her meals, gratitude to Heaven supplies the
place of society. She has a tender, social heart, and, as she cannot
sweeten her solitary draught, by expressing her good wishes to her
fellow-creatures, an ejaculation to Heaven for the welfare of her friends
is the substitute. This circumstance I heard her mention to her
grandfather, who sometimes visits her.
I will now make some alteration in my dress, for when I visit those who
have been reduced from their original place in society by misfortunes, I
always attend a little to ceremony; lest too much familiarity should
appear like disrespect.