_Harriot_ to _Myra._
_Rhodeisland._
WHATEVER may be the other causes (if there were any besides
her seduction) which drove the unhappy _Ophelia_, temerariously to end
her existence, it certainly becomes us, my dear friend, to attend to
them—and to draw such morals and lessons of instruction from each side
of the question, as will be a mirrour by which we may regulate our
conduct and amend our lives. A prudent pilot will shun those rocks upon
which others have been dashed to pieces, and take example from the
conduct of others less fortunate than himself: It is the duty of the
moralist, then to deduce his observations from preceding facts in such a
manner as may directly improve the mind and promote the economy of human
life.
THIS may be an apology for sending you the arguments of _Martin_ in
answer to _Shepherd_, who in his rage and grief had called him the
murderer of his child.
HE reminded _Shepherd_ of his obstinacy in persisting in an explanatory
meeting, and refusing to grant _Ophelia’s_ request in suffering the
affair to subside—“Your proud spirit,” said he, “would not harken to the
gentle remonstrances of your daughter—your heart was closed to every
conciliatory proposition. Though she expressed a propensity to fly from
the eye of the world, she had hitherto appeared lulled in a kind of
happy insensibility; yet the approaching time of explanation was
terrible, it renewed the story and torture of all her misfortunes, and
the idea filled her with grief and dismay. Had you been as willing to
receive her, as she to return to you, happy would it have been for both;
but your pride was the cause of additional calamities—when the time
arrived—But why shall we harrow upon souls with the reiteration of her
sorrowful exit?—
“FROM these circumstances,” said _Martin_, “you cannot accuse me as the
_immediate_ cause of _Ophelia’s_ death; the facts are as I have stated
them—and thus was a straying, but penitent child, driven to despair and
suicide by a severe use of parental power, and a vain attempt to resent
an injury, for which it was impossible the accused party could make
compensation.”
NOTWITHSTANDING the plausibility of _Martin’s_ plea, I have little
hesitation in my mind to charge him with the _remote cause_ of the
miserable end of _Ophelia_.
HOW far parental authority may be extended, is a question which I shall
not determine; I must, however, think it depends upon the combination of
circumstances. The duty of a child to her parents will be in proportion
to the attention paid to her education. If, instead of the usual pains
bestowed by many partial parents, upon the vain parade of forming the
manners of a child, and burthening the mind with the _necessity_ of
douceurs and graces, would it not often be happier for both, to take a
small share of thought to kindle _one spark of grace_ in the heart?
HAPPY the parents, who have bestowed upon their children such an
education, as will enable them, by a principle of mediocrity, to govern
them without extorting obedience, and to reclaim them without exercising
severity.
Farewel!