Retired from the busy scenes of the world, in a village near H----,
lives Lucretia, with her daughters, Emma and Maria. Emma is in her
eighteenth year; her person is elegant, and her mind enriched with every
accomplishment that can adorn or endear the female character: Maria, who
has only completed fourteen, to a beautiful countenance, joins the more
fascinating charms of a well-improved understanding. Lucretia is an
affectionate mother, who uses every endeavour to inspire her daughters
with such sentiments of religion and virtue as will be conducive to
their present and future happiness. She has once moved in the higher
circles of life; but, though misfortunes have eclipsed her former
grandeur, they have brought that felicity which _fashionable Folly_
never knows. It gave me infinite pleasure to hear her address her
daughters--“My dear children” said she, “never reflect that your family
was once great in the esteem of the world; it will only create ambitious
thoughts, and destroy inward peace, which is an inestimable blessing.
I can assure you, that happiness is no attendant on the great, nor could
I ever find real pleasure in high life. Never did I experience that
simple, but substantial felicity, which is always easily obtained, till
Providence humbled my fortunes. May you ever submit to its
dispensations! Heaven is best able to judge what is proper for us. It is
one of my chief comforts, to believe that things are not governed by
chance; but are under the direction of an All-wise Being. Never forget,
that virtue is the greatest happiness, and innocence the highest
accomplishment!--To witness the sweet content that smiles on every face,
the noble disgust they manifest against the follies and amusements of
the _Little_ Great, and the dissipated manners of the age, is truly
admirable!” A tender esteem unites the two sisters; and Lucretia, who is
a sensible and accomplished woman, contributes all in her power to
increase harmony and love. The frivolous conversation that disgraces our
_well bred_ companies, never engages them. The tale of virtuous distress
excites the tear of sympathy; at the recital of any magnanimous action,
a kindred emulation fires the bosom; but, at the deed of infamy, the
abhorrence they feel is sufficiently marked in each expressive
countenance. If the happy fire-side is any where enjoyed, surely it must
be in such a family as this; where social converse, enlivened by female
sweetness, cheers the wintry night! Where the art of disguising
sentiments, and feigning what they never feel, is utterly unknown; where
fastidious compliments never approach; and none are entertained at the
expence of another’s feelings.--Ye, who glitter in Fashion’s splendid
sphere, enjoying all that luxurious Wealth can give; whose days are one
continued round of diversions, and for whom invention is wearied to
contrive new pleasures; say, do you ever experience the happiness of
such a family as I have thus faintly endeavoured to describe?