I think them far from answering the name, in fact they agitate, rather
than relieve and repose. superior rivals eclipse; fancied friends are
inattentive, and the gaity of the scene has no connection with quiet
of the heart, the time money, and preparation they require, are a
serious consideration, and there frequency renders them a business
indeed of preserving health, they, undermined and destroy it. Late,
hours, hot rooms, and an agitated mind Are unfavorable to rest; and
the god of sleep will not long be defrauded of his rights without
retaliating the office. what we call pleasure, is but a splendid and a
voluntary service. if it had not the name of amusement we should
shrink from it, as an intolerable burden. who are so grate slaves as
the votaries of fashion; what requires more systematical diligence,
than the watching of every varying mode of dress, and; catching these
living manners as they rise; of all women they who call themselves
fashionable, are the most unhappy; ever idle busy: ever vainly
agitated; there peace depends on a whisper, on a look or a thousand
little emulations, too ridiculous to be mentioned; they Dread a
private moment more than an assassin and with very great reason; they
cannot look into eternity with hope; reason suggests that they were
born for something higher, and there are moments, when conscience will
be heard. how unheeded are the cries and prattle of there infants; how
unhappy must be the man, who has received from such women vows which
they will not perform of fidelity and of attachment. after all it is
only in the practice of virtue it is only in domestic life that lies
all the solid, because all the——untumultuous joy—
MY DEAR LUCY
Will you bear with my impertinence if I attempt to give you my
directions on a subject where your sex are allowed to posses,
infinitely more tact and judgment than our own, that of dress I offer
how ever my plain and undisguised sentiments only for your advantage;
and I am sure you will receive them with that candour and indulgence
to which my friendship for you has an indisputable claim—Neatness, you
cannot cultivate with too much attention, I would pres it on every
female as strongly if possible as lord Chester field did the graces on
his son. the want of it is unpardonable in a Man but in a woman it is
shocking. it disgusts all her friends and intimates; has enstrang the
affections of many an husband, and made him seek that satisfaction
abroad which he found not at home—Some ladys who where remarkable
attentive to there persons before marriage neglect them afterwards in
an egregious manner. they cannot pay a worse compliment to there own
delicacy or to there husbands. if they conceived some efforts
necessary to gain the prize, more I am sure, are required to preserve
it.—it is the opinion of I believe. Rochefoucault that nice observer
of life and manners. That the affection of woman increases after
marriage while that of man is apt to decline. Whatever be the cause a
prudent woman will at least use every method to guard against so
mortifying a change. Neatness however is easily practised and will
always have considerable weight. in the eyes of servants and domestics
indeed a woman loses her consequence and authority by a neglect of her
person, she will not be obeyed with cheerfulness and she will be come
an object of ridicule in all their private parties and conversation.
if inferiors must be subjects they will pay an unconstrained homage
only to a person who attracts by propriety, the estimation of the
World—Neatness is the natural garb of a well ordered mind and has a
near alliance with purity of heart. Laws has said of his Miranda that
she was always clean without because she was always pure within and
Richardson whose taste was as exquisite as his imagination glowing,
has painted his Clarissa as always dressed before she came down stairs
for any company that might break in upon her during the whole day.
finery is seldom graceful. the easy undress of a morning often pleases
more than the most elaborate and costly ornaments. I need not say of
how much time and money they rob us which are sacred to virtue and to
the poor nor how soon this very embellished body will be dust and
ashes the perfection of the one is conveyed in two words an elegant
simplicity. ladies are certainly injudicious in employing so many male
frisseurs about their person. the custom is indelicate it is contrary
to cleanliness and all their manœuveres cannot equal the beauty of
natural easy ringlets untortured and unadorned every paper one opens
is a violation of your delicacy and an insult to your understanding
powders perfumes artificial eyes teeth hair advertised for your
advantage would be a heavy stigma if some kind and well disposed
persons amongst our own sex were not willing to share with you a part
of the burden Blush my dear girl at such unseemly practice. be content
to be what god and nature intended you appear in your true colors
abhor any thing like deceit in your appearance as well as in your
character. What must all sensible men think of a woman who has a room
filled with a thousand preparations and mixtures to deceive him what
money what time must be given to this odious insufferable vanity—Under
such unnatural managements how different must be the female of the
morning and evening. what must we think of marriage dresing rooms and
toiletes what an opening for expostulation coldness aversion if an
elegant simplicity be the perfection of dress this is surely as far as
possible removed from perfection it is not simplicity it is not
elegant. It would be cruel to add anything to the punishment of the
men who can have recoursed to such effeminate artifices. they have
already the scorn and ridicule of the other they are poor amphibious
animals that the best naturalists know not under what class to
arrange. Painting is indecent offensive criminal it hastens the
approach of wrinkles it destroys constitutions and defaces the image
of our maker would you think of giving the last touch to the Pieces of
a poussin or a salvator Rosa Believe for a moment that the Almighty is
at least as great in his way as either of these artists—let the
martyrs of fashion luxury and dissipation who turn night into day have
recourse to this filthy and abominable practice. let them seek a
recourse from the rebukes of their conscience in gaity and noise. But
let the fairness of your complexion be only that of nature and let
your rouge be the crimson blush of health arising from temperance
regularity exercise and air such simplicity will recommend you to god
and if you retain any fears of ofending him how dare you deface his
image in your countenance by artificial decorations. such innocence
will charm when paint is dissolved—It will call up a bloom and cast a
fragrancy even on the latest winter of your age—
[_Poetry copied in her diary by Mary Bacon._]
Green Fields. Friendship. The Revilee. The Traveller. Fair Philis. The
beauties of friendship. Adams and Liberty.
Ye sons of Columbia who bravely have fought
For those rights which unstained from your Lives had descended
May you long taste the blessings your valor has bought
And your Sons reaps the soil which your fathers defended
Mid the reign of mild peace
May your nation increase
With the glory of Rome and the wisdom of greece
And ne’er may the sons of Columbia be slave
While the earth bears a plant or the sea rolls in waves.
* * * * *
Tallio. Winter. The absent lover. Friendship. The beauties of
friendship. The praise of archery. The sheep in the Cloisters. Plato’s
advice. The Bachelor’s Lamentation. The wandering lamb. General Wolf.
The Sailor’s Consolation. The Hermit. The Blue Bells of Scotland. Hail
Columbia. Within a mile of Edinburgh. The Sailor boy. Tally Ho. The
Happy Soldier. Affettuoso. Tom of Aberdeen.
THE WOMAN OF MERIT DESCRIBED.
Without affectation, gay youthful & pretty
Without pride or meanness familiar and witty
Without forms obliging good nature and free
Without art as lovely as lovely can be
She acts what she thinks and thinks what she says
Regardless alike of both censure and praise
Her thoughts and her words and her actions are such
That none can admire her or praise her too much.
* * * * *
The faithful soldier.
JEFFERSON AND LIBERTY
The gloomy night before us flies
The reign of terror now is o er
Its gags inquisitor and spies
Its hords of harpies are no more
Rejoice Columbia sons rejoice
To tyrants never bend the knee
But join with heart and soul and voice
For Jefferson and Liberty
O’er vast Columbia’s varied clime
Her lilies Forests Shores and dales
In rising majesty sublime
Immortal Liberty prevails
Rejoice Columbia’s Sons &c.
Hail long expected glorious day
Illustrious memorable Morn
That freedoms fabric from decay
Rebilds for millions yet unborn
Rejoice Columbias Sons &c.
His countrys glory Hope and stay
In virtue and in Talents tryd
Now rises to assume the sway
Oer freedoms temple to preside
Rejoice Columbias Sons &c.
Within its hallowed walls immense
No hireling bands shall eer arise
Arrayd in Tyrannys defence
To crush an injured peoples cries
Rejoice Columbias Sons &c.
No lordling here with gorging jaws
Shall wring from industy the food
Nor fiery Bigots holy Laws
Lay waste our fields and streets in blood
Rejoice Columbia’s Sons &c.
Here strangers from a thousand shores
Compelled by tyranny to roam
Shall find amidst abundant stres
A noble and a happier home
Rejoice &c.
Here art shall lift her laurel head
Wealth industry and peace divine
And where dark pathless forest spread
Rich fields and lofty Cities shine
Rejoice &c.
From Europes wants and woes remote
A dreary waste of wave between
Here plenty cheers the humble Cot
And smiles on every village green
Rejoice &c.
Here free as airs expanded space
To every soul and sex shall be
That sacred privilege of our race
The worship of the deity
Rejoice &c.
The gifts great Liberty are thine
Ten thousand more we owe to thee
Immortal may their memories shine
Who fought and dyd for Liberty
Rejoice &c.
What heart but hails a scene so bright
What soul but inspiration draws
Who would not guard so dear a right
Or die in such a glorious cause
Rejoice, &c.
Let foes to freedom dread the name
But should they touch the sacred tree
Twice fifty thousand swords shall flame
For Jefferson and Liberty
Rejoice
From Georgia to Lake Champlain
From seas to Mississippis shore
Ye sons of Freedom loud proclaim
The reign of terror is no more
Rejoice
[Illustration:
PL. XIV.—SUSAN MASTERS, OF NEW MILFORD, CONN. PUPIL ABOUT 1805
]
1805.
About 1805 Susan Masters came to school from New Milford and a copy of
her school bill is here given:
Miss Susan Masters schooling 21 weeks $7.
School expenses .33
Entrance 1.
————
8.33
Cre. by $5.25 Balance 3.8.
Received Payment
S. PIERCE.
1811–1820.
By this date the few and simple studies taught in the school in its
early stages had expanded so that we find proofs of higher branches and
better methods of study. There is a globe now in the possession of
Charles H. Woodruff, Esq., of New York, which was used in the school. It
was made and sold in London. It was afterwards used in a boy’s school in
Cornwall, Connecticut, which Mr. Woodruff attended.
The map of the world (Plate XLII) was drawn by Miss Lewis when at
school, and there is also a map of the United States drawn by Eliza Ann
Mulford, in possession of her son, both of which serve to prove careful
instruction in geography.
Miss Pierce thought highly of the knowledge to be gained from the study
of history, but could find no satisfactory textbook, so she wrote a
history herself, which she published and sold to subscribers. The names
and dates of publication are as follows.
Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s letter on the subject of the histories
explains itself.
HISTORIES[37]
“The general History which Miss Sarah Pierce wrote for her pupils”
Mrs. Asa Gray’s letter.
[Illustration:
PL. XV.—FACSIMILE OF BILL, ABOUT 1805
]
[Illustration: Handwritten inscription reading 'Received from mother'
followed by a cursive signature, 'S. Price.']
Sketches
of
Universal History
Compiled from Several Authors
For the use of Schools
Vol 1.
First Edition
New Haven
Printed by Joseph Barber
1811
* * * * *
Volume Second same title, date 1816, with list of subscribers.
* * * * *
Volume III same title. Printed by T. G. Woodward. 1817 New Haven No
list
* * * * *
Volume IV. same title. Printed by T. G. Woodward 1818 New Haven No
list
Preface from “Sketches of Universal History compiled from various
authors, for the use of Schools, by Miss Sarah Pierce. Second edition
printed by Starr & Niles, Middletown, (Conn.) 1823.” bound with Vol II
which was “printed by S. S. Smith, Litchfield 1827.”
“Having from long experience found that children and youth imbibe
ideas most easily, when placed in the form of question and answer, and
not finding any historical work of that kind, of sufficient length to
interest the mind, I have compiled these Sketches for the use of
Schools, endeavoring to intermix moral with historical instruction,
and to obviate those objections which arise in the minds of youth
against the justice of God, when they read the wars of the
Israelites.—I have attempted also to give them a general notion of the
government of God, and of the truth of the Scripture, by a partial
account of the fulfilment of prophecy. I am sensible that all this has
been done by many able writers; but as their works are too expensive
to be put into the hands of children, and of greater magnitude than
they have time or patience to study, I have compiled this abridgment
for their benefit. This history may also be useful in private
families; which are not able to purchase the larger works from which
it is selected.”
HARTFORD May 9
MY DEAR FRIEND
In undertaking the instruction of my children in History, I am often
reminded of the source from whence I drew my early historic knowledge
I do not find any where a compend as satisfactory to me as are my
recollections of your History all compends are generally so dry &
devoid of interest that children are disgusted by them & Rollin &
others are too minute and voluminous—yours as I recollect was a happy
medium between the two—I write to know whether I could procure two
copies from you for the use of my family—They can be sent to Hartford
to the care of T. C. Perkins Esq. with a note of the price which I
will cheerfully forward
As I live longer & see my children growing up around me I am often
reminded of my early obligations to you & take pleasure in having this
opportunity to express my sense of what I have gained from your early
care—May God bless you my dear friend & grant you in his good time a
joyful reunion with those friends of past years whose memory is
precious alike to us all
Yours affectionately
H. B. STOWE
In addition to these histories the pupils were taught to make elaborate
historical charts of which one of six feet in length is now in the
Litchfield Historical Society. It was made by Miss Lewis, and is neatly
and carefully drawn in ink and decorated with water-color. It begins
with the creation and ends with George III. See Plate XX. Another
historical chart was made by Eliza Ogden and is in the possession of her
daughter. The subject is English History and embraces the Wars of the
Roses, and here and there tiny pink and white roses are painted to
indicate the relative positions of the houses of York and Lancaster
(Plate XXIX).
Composition was made of great importance. The many copies of letters,
poems, and addresses prove they were considered valuable steps toward
good writing, and the high quality of the authors and quotations show
that Miss Pierce laid much stress upon style in composition as well as
exalted ideas.
The following list of prizes given about this time are interesting, as
they bear upon this study, and are examples of the stilted elegance of
style and the mournful subjects of that period:
PRIZE
Presented Miss Amelia Lewis for the first prize in her class.
Litchfield April 28 1812.
S. PIERCE.
God’s
Terrible Voice in the City.
Wherein are set forth the Sound of the voice, in a narration of the
two dreadful Judgements of Plague and Fire, inflicted upon the City of
London; in the Years 1665, and 1666.
By Thomas Vincent
Also a concise statement of the Origen of London with a Picture of its
present state, from a late authentic Work.
Bridgeport: printed and sold by Lockwood & Backus, 1811.
* * * * *
PRIZE
Presented to Miss Jane S. Lewis as the Prize in Arithmetic. April
25^{th} 1820.
A Sketch of my Friend’s Family,
Intended to suggest some Practical Hints on Religion and Domestic
Manners. By Mrs. Marshall, author of Henwick Tales.
Fourth Edition.
In every work, regard the Writer’s end.
Springfield
Printed by Ira Daniels. 1820.
The Hermit in London
or
Sketches of English Manners
Printed for Evert Duychinck
No. 68 Water Street
New York
1820
Present to Miss Jane H. Lewis as the first prize at school. October
31^{st} 1820.
That Miss Pierce was fairness itself in awarding the prizes to her
scholars is shown by the following report. She evidently invited some of
the prominent ladies of the community to give the prizes instead of
trusting to her own judgment.
REPORT OF JUDGES FOR PRIZE OF MERIT.
We, whose names are underwritten, having attended to the qualifications
of the candidates for the prize of merit, in Miss Pierce’s School, are
of opinion that Miss Clarissa Deming[38] is entitled thereto.
Litchfield, April 22^d 1811.
ELIZABETH REEVE.
NANCY LANDON.
HULDA SHELDON.
ROXANA BEECHER.
AMANDA SMITH.
MARY HUBBARD.
ANABELLA REEVE.
PLAYS BY MISS SARAH PIERCE.
The following are some of the plays Miss Pierce wrote for the amusement
and edification of her pupils. They were usually given at the end of the
school term, and the young men of the town were often invited to take
part.
RUTH.
[_From an unfinished manuscript in possession of the Litchfield
Historical Society._]
_Act 1st._ _Scene 1st._
NAOMI. RUTH. ORPHA.
(N) The circling year once [illegible]
The fatal day, which blasted all my joys
Which banish’d hope, the wretches latest compact
And black despair erect her empire here.
My loved daughters, well may ye remember
This fatal morn, black with impending woe
Which hid forever, the last ray of comfort.
Your hopes like mine fled like morning dew
Before the scorching blast of dire disease.
Then join with me once more, to weep this day
Fatal to love, a too maternal fondness.
(OR)
My dearest mother why indulge this grief
Can plaints unbar the gloomy caves of death?
[illegible] prevail on that grim tyrant?
[illegible] lives back, to realms of day
Then dry thy tears and taste what happiness,
Remains on earth, to soothe thy evening hours.
Soon will the shades of night close on thy eyes
Soon wilt thou meet those vows too long bemoan’d.
Think of those friends those joys which fate has left
And give thy sorrows to the oblivious gales
Which waft o’er Leethe the souls to Pluto’s realms.
(NA) On youthful hearts grief makes a slight impression
But buries deep, within the breast of age
Its barbed darts; yet sure thou hast not forgot
That eventful day, big with impending woe
When pestilence, sent by heaven [illegible]
Walking in darkness, strew’d the [illegible]
Then Mahlon fell, my first born son expir’d,
My might, my glory, my defense lay low.
His brother’s arms entwined the lifeless corse.
He breath’d one sigh, cast one sad parting glance
Then fled his spirit, forth to worlds unknown
Your lives my sons, were transcripts of true faith
Lovely in life, in death dissevered not.
(RUTH)
Too well dear mother mem’ry paints that day
In bleeding characters within our hearts
[illegible] woes we bless the God of mercy
Who left us thee, returned the lamp of life
When the last ray, seemed quiv’ring to expire.
(NA) Why was I spar’d, when my lov’d children fell;
Why is my life prolong’d, in life of woe
No husband’s tears will fall upon my grave:
No child will lodge me in the silent tomb:
No friend will weep for sad Naomi’s fate.
(OR)
O say not thus, are not we thy children
Shall we not weep, to see Naomi low.
When my ungrateful heart, forgets thy virtues
May tenfold vengeance blast its marble sinews!
(NA) Forgive the wrong, if aught escap’d I [illegible]
Which breath’d a thought reproachful of your love
The fondest heart could wish no kinder children
Children ye are all the proudest heart could wish
Nor could my sons, had Heaven seen fit to spare them
Nor could my sons had God preserved them to me
Have shewn more filial tenderness and love
’Tis not my loss alone, but yours, I grieve
’Tis for your fate as much as mine I grieve
That God’s avenging hand is raised against me
O! Israel happy land, why did I leave thee
Could not the hand which led our chosen ancestors
[ - - - illegible - - - ] of holy Sinai
[ - - illegible - - ] angel’s food the bread of Heaven
Which made their garments proof ’gainst time’s decay
Has given me food tho’ famine now around
I fear my heart distrustful of his power,
Relied too much on Moab’s fruitful plains.
(_enter a messenger_)
(MESS)
I bring good tidings to thee friend Naomi.
(NA) Tidings to me, Oh! what to me is good?
(MESS)
Our God hath visited our land in mercy
With lib’ral harvests crown’d our famish’d fields.
Our woes forgot we raise the song of praise,
And smiling peace and joy go hand in hand.
· · · · ·
(NA) O bless the Lord, who hears his peoples prayers,
And pours his mercies on his chosen race.
My soul shall magnify his holy name
And tho’ to me, the earth must be a [illegible]
I will rejoice, that others feel his [illegible]
Unmix’d with sorrow, unalloyed with pain [illegible]
I pray thee friend, dispose of all my goods
Thou know’st the art of traffic in this land,
I Will repay each act of heathen kindness
Lest any one should reproach our [illegible]
I’ll pay what I owe in Moab
[ - - illegible - - - - - -
- - - - - ] then seek my native land.
MESSENGER.
[illegible] my least request.
Most willingly I’ll undertake the office.
(_exit messenger_)
[ - - illegible - - ] able age of comfort
[ - - illegible - - ] those who roll in wealth
[ - - illegible - - ] thy broken fortune
[ - - illegible - - ] within the mighty ocean.
[ - illegible - ] admits their abounding treasures
[ - illegible - ] no luxury to their full board
[illegible] their persons in one sumptuous dress
[ - illegible - ] cancel not my obligation
[ - illegible - ] no plea against the laws of justice
[ - illegible - ] should ever guide our actions
[ - - illegible - - ] on its basis.
Press’d by a famine in my native land
Thou knows’t my husband sought thy fruitful country
But heaven which erst, had bless’d our house,
Withdrew its smiles, misfortunes blighting touch,
Wither’d our store of wealth; by sickness press’d
Woe follow’d woe, with quick and dreadful speed
The stroke of death, first fell on my lov’d lord
My children next fill’d an untimely tomb.
Sorrow and pain hung heavy on my soul
And weigh’d me down even to the gates of death,
recal the long the painful hours ye watch’d
O’er my sick couch, the many tears ye shed.
And all the kindness of thy heathen brethren.
Then number o’er the many
· · · · ·
RUTH.
_Continued from a second manuscript._
ORPHA.
Why would you strip yourself of all convenience, to pay demands of those
already rich. The remnant of thy fortune would not add one hour of
luxury to their full board or deck their persons in one sumptuous dress.
(_Exit._)
NAOMI.
Perhaps it will not. But does their wealth excuse, or form plea to evade
the laws of justice? The sacred laws which ought to guide our actions,
as every virtue rests upon its basis.
Pressed by a famine in my native land, thou knowest my husband sought
thy fruitful country, but Heaven who liberally had crowned our stores,
withdrew its smiles with’red our fortunes, blighted all our hopes. By
sickness pressed; by woe on woe assailed; first my loved husband felt
the stroke of death! My children next, sunk in the untimely tomb. the
long, the painful hours thou hast watched o’er my sick couch, the many
tears thou hast shed, and number o’er the many causes which destroyed
our fortune:—and say,—has one unthinking or unjust expense brought on
our poverty?
[illegible]
I know there has not. Then why deprive thy self of every comfort to pay
demands, which stern necessity and sickness caused?
NAOMI.
The very reasons which you name would urge it. Did they not trust my
honor? a stranger’s honor? and should I fail in justice, then every
wretch suffering like me, might justly blame Naomi, who taught to
foreigners that Israel’s faith, was slight regarded among heathen
friends.
No. It shall ne’er be said Naomi lives, in ease and plenty on the wealth
of others. I’ll rather spend my latest farthing,—beg my passage to
Israel’s faithful land—then to my brethren become a servant, and earn an
honest pittance with these hands; than any tongue should say “Naomi
wrong’d me.”
RUTH.
I pray thee take these ornaments useless to me, they will serve to
[illegible] thy comforts.
NAOMI.
No. I’ll not take thy bridal gifts away. I part with mine, for that our
law demands; but keep thou thine for future times of sadness, or perhaps
to deck a happier bridal day.
[Illustration:
PL. XVI.—LUCRETIA DEMING, PUPIL, 1816
From a miniature painted by Dickinson
]
RUTH.
No. I entreat thee take them. Did I not help to spend upon thy fortunes?
has not my sustenance procured by thee in rich abundance; lowered thy
little stock? Or dost thou think so meanly of my love, that these prized
jewels, given by my dearest Mahlon, can e’er be worn to deck a rival’s
bride?—Take them I entreat thee! dearest mother!
NAOMI.
I will not; cannot take them.
RUTH.