offer of her chair to either of the combatants; but they were both so
much displeased, that they paid no attention to her good-natured
proposal; and, at length, Miss Ellen, to secure her situation, set her
foot against the table, and, struggling with all her force, overset it,
with every thing that was upon it, on the ground. Scissors, work bags,
doll's clothes, gauze ribbons, and various other things, fell in
confusion on the floor; among which number were a phial of physic and a
China cup, in which Mrs. Placid was going to take a medicine which had
been ordered for her, and which being broken in the fall, the draught
was spilled among the before-mentioned articles. But the worst part of
the accident remains still to be mentioned: poor Jemima's doll, which
had lain before her to fit on the things she was making for it, was, in
the disastrous fall, broken to pieces. She endeavoured in vain to catch
it, but the overthrow of the table was too sudden for her to prevent it,
and the noise of the affray brought Mrs. Placid, who had been up stairs
to fetch some thread, into the room.
[Illustration]
Miss Placid, with a tear starting to her eye, ran to her mamma, and
pointing to the broken pieces, without speaking, picked them up, and put
them into her hand.
Mrs. Placid inquired into the cause which had produced such unfortunate
effects; and Sally, who imagined she was the party injured, related the
whole occasion.
Her aunt, who perceived they were too angry to attend to her admonitions
at that time, told Miss Piner to go up stairs, and desire the maid to
come and pick up the broken glass, and sent Sally for a little while
into the garden. Then taking Jemima by the hand, and affectionately
kissing her, she thus addressed her beloved daughter on the loss of her
doll:--I am extremely sorry, my dear, that, by your cousins' foolish
contention, you are deprived of what has afforded you so much pleasure;
but as I see you are so good a child as to bear the accident with
composure, and do not fret about it, which, you well know, would never
be able to repair your loss, when I write to your aunt, which, I
believe, I shall do to-morrow, I will desire her to send you another
immediately; and as you have long wished for one that is made with its
eyes to open, you shall have one of that sort now. You see, my love, how
very naughty your cousins are, to be so passionate, and so frequently to
disagree with each other; as by this conduct they interrupt their own
happiness, and discompose every body who is connected with them. And
surely it is very easy for brothers and sisters to live in harmony and
affection, if they will but resolve to be good-natured and obliging; and
how much more comfortably do you pass your time, who never quarrel with
your brothers, than do those silly girls.
Jemima thanked her mamma for her indulgent promise, and taking up her
faceless child, carried it with her up stairs, where she met her
brothers; and with a sad countenance held it up to their view. They
immediately desired to be informed what she had done with the face, and
were much grieved at the relation of its misfortune.
[Illustration]
She there undressed it, and put the clothes very carefully away; and so
great was her affection for its remains, that she laid the body in the
same drawer; nor could prevail with herself to part with it, although so
much disfigured as to renew her regret for its loss every time she
beheld it.
Just as she finished this employment, her papa entered the apartment;
and calling her to him, commended the placid manner in which she had
supported an accident, which many little girls would have fretted about
for a long time.--You see, my dear, said he, that, young as you are,
numberless occasions arise, which are proper to exercise your
fortitude, and call forth your patience into action. Older people, my
Jemima, meet with greater trials; but there is as much merit in your
submitting calmly to such accidents as tend to discompose your temper,
and provoke your indignation, as in your elders bearing with the real
troubles of life. These mortifications, to which every child must
submit, should be always received with composure; and I hope you will
never suffer them to ruffle your temper, or make you forget, that to be
_good-natured_, is one of the first duties you can exercise in social
intercourse. I dare say, you are very sorry for the loss of your doll,
and I am grieved that it has so happened; for, I know, that a trial is
greater or less, in proportion to the value which the person affixed to
the object they are deprived of; that is, though I should not mind the
breaking of a dozen wax dolls on my own account, yet to you, who liked
to play with it, it is a great loss indeed.
During this consolatory discourse, Mrs. Placid talked very seriously to
her two nieces. She began by telling Miss Piner, that she had on many
occasions observed her to behave very ill-naturedly to her sister;--and
as you are the eldest, my dear, said she, I think you ought to endeavour
to assist her, and set a good example; and how can you expect she should
be obliging to you, when she never sees any instances of kindness in
your behaviour? Why would you not make room for her this morning, when
she desired you? The window was large enough for both of you; and, I am
sure, your denial must have rendered you very uncomfortable. It is very
wicked, Ellen, to act in such a manner, and allow your passions to
become so violent that you are quite regardless of their
consequence.--But I had the window first, Madam, said Miss Piner, and
therefore she had no right to it; and I never heard that there was any
wickedness in keeping one's own place, when one had gotten
possession!--There is great wickedness, replied her aunt, in being so
tenacious of every trifle, as to disagree about it with those with whom
we live, especially between brothers and sisters, who ought always to be
united in affection and love; and if you now indulge your passions, so
that you will submit to no opposition, it will make you hated and
despised by every body, and constantly unhappy in your own mind. It is
impossible, my dear, to have every circumstance happen as we wish it to
do; but if a disappointment could at any time justify ill-nature and
petulance, it would certainly be adding greatly to the unhappiness of
life. And do you think, my dear, that to fight on every occasion with
those who oppose you, is at all consistent with the delicacy of a young
lady? I dare say, when you give yourself time to reflect on the subject,
you will perceive that you have been much to blame; and that, whenever
you have suffered yourself to be ill-natured and quarrelsome, you have
always been proportionably uneasy and wretched. Nothing can so much
contribute to your present felicity, or future peace, as a good
understanding, and cordial affection for your sister. You will most
probably be more in her company than in any other person's; and how
comfortable would it be, by every little office of kindness, to assist
each other! I am sure, if you will try the experiment, you will find it
much better than such churlish resistance, and provoking contentions. It
is by good-humour, and an attention to please in trifles, that love is
cherished and improved. If your sister want any thing, be assiduous to
fetch it. If she cannot untie a knot, do it for her. If she wish for a
place in the window, make room immediately. Share with her all that is
given to you; conceal her faults, as you dislike your own to be
observed; commend her good qualities, and never envy, but endeavour to
emulate her perfections. By this method you will ensure her regard, and
make yourself happy at the same time; that will give the highest
pleasure to your parents, and obtain the esteem of all your
acquaintance. Think of these motives, my dear girl, and resolve to exert
yourself; and when you feel inclined to be angry and cross, recollect
whether it will be worth while, because you have first gotten
possession, to engage in a contest which will forfeit all these
advantages. Think, with yourself, Shall I lose my sister's love, or
abate her regard, for an orange, a play-thing, or a seat? Do I not
prefer making her contented, and keeping my own mind serene and placid,
before the pleasure of enjoying a toy, or any other thing equally
trifling? Will it tire me to fetch down her cloke, or her doll, if she
be in want of them? And shall I not do it in less time than it will take
to dispute whose business it is to go? In short, my dear niece, you will
find so much ease and pleasure result from the resolution to oblige,
that I dare say, if you once attempt it, you will be inclined to
persevere.
But indeed, Madam, returned Miss Ellen, my sister is as cross to me, as
I am to her; and therefore it is out of my power to do what you advise;
for I cannot bear to do every thing for her, when she will do nothing
for me!--You are both much to blame, said Mrs. Placid; but as you are
the elder, it is your place to set a good example; and you do not know,
Ellen, how far that incitement will prevail. When you have refused her
one request, she is naturally, by way of retaliation, induced to deny
you another; this increases your mutual dissatisfaction, and commences
new quarrels; by which means your anger is continued, so that neither is
inclined to oblige or condescend. But if she finds you continue to be
good-natured, she will catch the kind impression, as she used to imbibe
the ill-habits of malevolence and rage. In every case you should
consider, that the errors of another person are no excuse for the
indulgence of evil in yourself.
[Illustration]
The conversation was here concluded by the entrance of Mr. Wagstaff and
his son; and as they stayed the rest of the day, there was no farther
opportunity to resume it. While the young folk were all at play in the
evening in the summer house, Ellen ran away with Sam's hat, and he
pursued her for some time without overtaking her; but at last a scuffle
ensued, as she held it fast, and sometimes put it under one arm,
sometimes under the other; then knelt upon it; and afterwards sat down
upon it. In this last attitude, as Master Wagstaff was struggling, she
endeavoured to rise, but his foot being upon her frock, she tore a sad
rent in it; and one of his buttons having caught in her ribbon, did as
much damage to that likewise.
This accident put an end to the contest, and her good-humour at the same
time. She got up immediately, tossed away the subject of contention,
with the illiberal epithet of--"Take your nasty hat! I wish I had never
touched it!"--And the more he endeavoured to sooth her, the more vexed
she appeared; calling him a careless, mischievous monkey, and asking,
how he thought the rent was to be mended?
[Illustration]
Jemima likewise tried every method in her power to moderate her
resentment; representing, that it was no fault of Master Wagstaff's, and
advising her to be more composed, and to join in their play again; but
all in vain, she would only fret, grumble, and interrupt their
entertainment. So Sam retired to a bench in the alcove, and sitting
down with the Master Placids, left her to her ill-humour, while he
wrote the following verses:--
Nay, Ellen dear! now do not cry,
And wet that pretty sparkling eye;
What though, by chance, I tore your lace,
Don't make that horrible grimace!
Do put that ugly frown away,
And join again in social play!
For, after all, what can you do?
Will pouting thus the rent renew?
Why, Ellen, what a brawl you keep!
I vow the chickens cannot sleep.
Do pray observe, that cackling hen
Is coming from her roost again.
The evening flies, that swarm before us,
For you have stopp'd their buzzing chorus;
The horses, that were grazing there,
Have left their food at you to stare.
Your noise disturbs all nature's peace,
The grasshoppers their chirping cease;
And from those plants a frog's leap'd out,
To know the cause of all this rout.
Then stop, I prithee, or you'll find
A worse disaster still behind.--
A needle, with assiduous care,
May the torn frock again repair;
But petulance, and passion's strife,
Will rend the future bliss of life;
Tear the fine edge of joy away,
And leave the heart to grief a prey.
This remonstrance enraged Miss Piner more than before; and she flounced
out of the garden, declaring she would no longer stay to be so insulted.
* * * * *
But, my dear Eliza, if I should continue a minute relation of the events
which occurred, during my stay in Mr. Placid's family, the perusal would
take up too much of your time, and I have already, in the incidents
which I have selected, run to a much greater length than I at first
designed.--The amiable Jemima is now sixteen; and for the sweetness of
her manners, and the even and unruffled serenity of her temper, is
justly admired by all who are so happy as to know her. If you would wish
to deserve equal esteem, the means are entirely in your own power, since
a determined resolution to please others, will make you happy in
yourself, and render the occurrences of life more supportable. The only
use of reading is, to acquire instruction; and if you seek not to
resemble the good, and avoid the bad examples with which you are
presented, your studies will tend to little purpose. If the characters
you meet with in any degree resemble your own, and if the foibles of
those characters disgust and offend you, instead of throwing the book
aside with resentment, you should endeavour to improve the failings of
which you are conscious, and then you will no longer meet your own
portrait, in that which the Author has described. Besides that, there is
another reason to incline you to this reformation, since if you so much
dislike those errors in an imaginary character, think how extremely
irksome such faults must be to your friends. If the representations of
Miss Piner's fretfulness are displeasing to contemplate, how much more
vexatious must it be, when your parents find the same disposition
prevail in their own child. In this period of your life, be persuaded to
form such habits as may be continued in a more advanced age; and,
believe me, the habit of good-humour will conduce most essentially to
your happiness. The accident which gave occasion to the account which I
now transmit to you, was in no degree remedied by the captious petulance
with which you bemoaned it; and the time which you wasted in
unprofitable lamentations, would have nearly repaired the damage.
Unavoidable disasters are beyond remedy, and are only aggravated by
complaints. By submitting with a good grace to the disappointments of
life, half its vexations may be escaped. I cannot, I think, better
conclude the subject and my epistle, than with a few lines which were
written by Miss Placid in answer to Miss Piner, who reproached her with
not showing a proper degree of concern, when they were disappointed
going with a party upon the water, by a violent shower of rain, which
they had, for a long time, been desirous of doing.
Say, why should I fretful my fate so lament,
Since pleasure still waits on the smile of content?
Will the clouds soon disperse, if indignant I frown?
And the rain cease in torrents the village to drown?
Will the thunder's loud peal be then hush'd into peace?
And the storm, at my bidding, its violence cease?
Will the sun for my anger discover its ray,
And at once all the beauties of nature display?
Then Ellen, pray tell me, what joy should I find,
In the discord of passion, the storm of the mind?
Though the elements will not resign to my sway,
My temper, I trust, reason's voice shall obey;
Let me make to my fate my desires resign,
And the joys of contentment will ever be mine.
THE END.
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| TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES: |
| |
| |
| Words surrounded by _ are italicized. |
| |
| Obvious punctuation errors repaired. |
| |
| Due to the restriction of the ascii font, the ae ligature is |
| represented as the letters "ae" (Julius Caesar). |
| |
| On page 14, "attenive" corrected to be "attentive" |
| (as attentive as). |
| |
| Other variable spellings within the text retained, including: |
| - "awkward" and "aukward" |
| - "fire-place" and "fireplace" |
| - "half-bound," "half-bd," and "half bd" |
| - "scissors" and "scissars" |
| |
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