-------------------------------------------
I had lain so long in my dismal confinement, that I began to despair of
ever presenting the world with any second part of my adventures. And
yet, thought I, it is very hard that a _Pincushion_ so new, so clean,
and so beautiful, that might have a thousand opportunities of seeing the
different manners of mankind, should be thus secluded from company, and
condemned by the playful freaks of an insignificant kitten thus to pass
away its best days in obscurity. And here let me take this opportunity
to suggest a useful hint to my young readers, which, as my inactive
situation allowed me sufficient time for reflection, I had frequently
reason to feel the force of: namely, That although I fretted and fumed
every day at my unfortunate condition, I never found it was at all
improved by it, or that my ill-humour in the least degree made me
happier or assisted my escape.
[Illustration]
When I determined to submit quietly, I was as happy as any _Pincushion_
in such a state of retirement could be. But when in a cross fit I tried
to roll myself from under the bookcase, I found the attempt was
impossible to accomplish, and I hurt my sides against the foot of it.
The space was so small between the bottom of my prison and the floor,
that I had no hopes of escape, as it was impossible for any broom to
find its way under: or otherwise the cleanliness of Mrs. _Stanley_’s
maid would certainly have effected my deliverance. But, alas! of this I
had no prospect; and though my endeavours were fruitless, it taught me
such a lesson of contentment, as I wish every little reader of my
memoirs may remember, and copy in their own conduct. For if they are
tired of working, reading, music, drawing, or any other employment at
home; or what is frequently the case, are impatient of the confinement
of being at school, I would have them take my advice, and try to amuse
themselves when they have opportunity, and wait with patience till they
are of a proper age, either to leave the place they dislike, or have
overcome the difficulty of learning those accomplishments which are
necessary to be acquired. For they may depend upon it, that fretfulness
and ill-humour will make every condition unhappy: while a resolution to
be pleased, and make the best of every thing, is the only method to be
agreeable to others, or comfortable themselves. The foot of the
bookcase, will press the closer, when we petulantly try to escape: and
though _children_ are not _Pincushions_, yet they will find, that
whenever they are fretful and dissatisfied, they will be unhappy, and
never succeed in any thing they undertake. I hope I shall be pardoned
for this digression, but as the event of my escape was so strong in my
mind, I could not pass it by without a pause of observation.
[Illustration]
Let me now, however, proceed to inform my readers, that one fine day,
when I had determined to make myself contented, and when from the
quietness in which I had been for some days, I had reason to believe the
family were absent, and had therefore little hope for release, on a
sudden I felt the bookcase move, and heard the sound of men’s voices,
who, after much pushing and hoisting, took away what had so long covered
me from the eye of every beholder. In short, I found that Mrs. _Stanley_
had taken another house, as her lease was expired; and in consequence of
the removal of her furniture, I regained my liberty. One of the porters
took me up, and blew off the flew with which so long a confinement had
covered me, and taking me down stairs, presented me to a chair woman,
who was hired to clean the house. “There, mother _Trusty_,” said he, “is
a present for you, which, if you please, you may give to little _Jenny_:
it will make her as fine as a lady.” “Thank you,” returned she, “I will
keep it safe for my girl, and if you have a bit of paper, I will wrap it
up, for my hands are wet and dirty, and when I take any thing out of my
pocket I may spoil it, you know. But as to making her fine, _Jacob_,
indeed I do not desire it; and were you to present any thing to wear,
she could not have it; for I think finery is not suitable for us. She is
a _good child_, _Jacob_, and that is better than being a lady.” “Well,
mother _Trusty_, do as you please,” replied _Jacob_; “I do not know who
the _Pincushion_ belonged to, so if you like _Jane_ should have it, why
I am glad I found it.” So saying, he complained that the weather was
very hot, and after wiping his face with a coarse apron, which was tied
round him, he drank Mrs. _Trusty_’s health; and took a good draught of
porter, which stood on the table. He then sat down to eat some bread and
cheese, and calling a great dog which lay in one corner of the kitchen,
made him sit up on his hind legs to beg for some victuals, and
afterwards bring him his knot, which he very dexterously did, by taking
the buckle of it in his mouth, and dragging it after him to his master.
Another trick which this animal had been taught, was to shut the door at
the word of command; and his last performance to the entertainment of my
new Mistress and Mr. _Jacob_, was to pick up his master’s wig and bring
it upon his head, which made indeed a very droll figure to the
spectators. At the conclusion or his meal, _Jacob_ bade adieu to mother
_Trusty_, and they each separated to pursue their different employments.
I was in the mean time laid on one of the shelves, curiously wrapped up
in a bit of paper, which had fallen from the back of that very bookcase
under which I had so long resided: it was torn in two by _Jacob_, who
took one half to put up some bits of cheese rinds for his dog; and I
found it was a fragment of poetry, which I suppose had been sent to Miss
_Saxby_, as her name was _Martha_. I amused myself with the perusal of
the lines, which were as follow:
[Illustration]