she had lately undergone, and on their arrival at ---- it was found
necessary to remain there a few days in order to recruit her exhausted
strength.
As soon as Madame de Joinville was sufficiently recovered, they
hastened to London, where, by the assistance of some friends, a small
house was hired for their reception. The expences of a long journey had
much diminished the sum Madame de Joinville had collected before her
departure from France, and the most rigid economy was necessary to
prevent them from becoming burthensome to others. In these
circumstances, Frederic could not bear the idea of leading an idle life;
he greatly wished to follow the profession of his father, but the
anxious fears of his grandmother and sister long opposed his
inclinations: however, he at length prevailed, and entered a regiment
that was ordered on foreign service. The parting between Elizabeth and
Frederic was a melancholy scene: she was long inconsolable for his loss,
but religion, which she had always been taught to consider as the best
comforter of the afflicted, came to her aid, and feeling the necessity
of submission, she determined by active exertions to divert her mind
from past calamities.
It was now that Elizabeth felt the inestimable advantages of _a good
education_; she perfectly understood the English language; her industry
and punctuality procured her many friends, who, young as she was,
entrusted her with the translation of papers of consequence, and the
reward she received for her labour, greatly contributed to the support
of the family. Every instant she could spare from her employment and the
care of their domestic affairs, was devoted to her grandmother. She
nursed her when sick, read aloud for her amusement, and by every kind
attention endeavoured to lessen her regret for the blessings she had
lost. Madame de Joinville has often been heard to declare, that without
the filial affection of her granddaughter she could hardly have
supported her afflictions. The infirmities of age must sometimes render
those advanced in years petulant and capricious: Elizabeth never
murmured when her endeavours to please failed of success; much less did
she irritate her grandmother by contradiction; she patiently submitted
to these trials of her temper, and when evening came, and Madame de
Joinville retired to rest, Elizabeth thought herself amply repaid for
any little disappointments she had encountered during the day, by
receiving her blessing and the assurance of her tenderest love.
Frederic remained two years abroad; whatever he could spare from his own
actual wants he constantly remitted to his sister; but without her
industry they would often have been greatly distressed. At length
Elizabeth's noble and pious conduct was made known to a lady who had
formerly been an intimate acquaintance of Madame de Joinville's family.
Her visits to the old lady gave her constant opportunities of witnessing
the amiable disposition of her granddaughter; and anxious to reward her
virtues, she interested herself so warmly in their concerns, that at
length, through the intercession of some powerful friends, a restitution
of part of M. de Melcour's property was procured for his children.
Elizabeth when in happier circumstances preserved the same humility of
mind, and her never failing attention to her grandmother was rewarded by
the pleasure of seeing the comforts of her last days make amends for the
sorrows that had embittered so many of her former ones.
Frederic arrived in England soon after this happy change in their
circumstances; he would have wished his sister to return to their
native country, but the inconvenience of removing her grandmother, and
the still unquiet state of the continent, induced her to prefer a
residence in that land where she was secured from the horrors she had
once witnessed. Frederic yielded to her reasons; and when their affairs
obliged him to leave her, a constant correspondence maintained the
affection that had always subsisted from their earliest years.
* * * * *
"Dear mamma," said Anne, "I think I like Elizabeth better than any of
the young people I have yet read about, but do you really believe there
ever was so good a character?"
_Mrs. Harley._ Certainly, my dear; and I have no doubt but many such are
to be found. They must be depraved indeed, who can be wanting in
affection to their parents. But I fear we must not comment a great deal
on this story at present, or there will not be time to give you some
account of _Geography_, which I intend for your study this morning.
_Anne._ I will then, mamma, after dinner, ask you to explain to me a few
of the words I did not quite understand.
_Mrs. Harley._ Do, my dear, I shall be happy to give you all the
information you desire.
FOURTH LESSON.
_Mrs. Harley._ You know, my dear, what is meant by Geography?
_Anne._ O yes, mamma, Geography is a description of the earth we
inhabit.
_Mrs. Harley._ And the earth (which the globe before us represents,) is
divided into four parts, viz. Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. The
three first are contained in the eastern hemisphere, and are called the
old world. America is situated in the western hemisphere, and is called
the new world, because discovered in modern times.
_Anne._ Pray, mamma, is not a continent one of the divisions of the
land?
_Mrs. Harley._ Yes, my dear; for after we have divided the whole globe
into land and water, we again subdivide the land into Continents,
Islands, Peninsulas, Isthmusses, and Promontories,--the water into
Oceans, Seas, Straits, Gulfs, Bays, Lakes, Rivers, and Creeks.
A Continent is a large tract of land containing several countries which
are not separated by seas; as Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.
An Island, is a tract of land entirely surrounded by water, as Britain,
Ireland, Sicily, &c.
A Peninsula, is a tract of land almost surrounded by water, and is
joined to the main land by an isthmus, as the Morea.
An Isthmus, is a narrow neck of land that joins a peninsula to the
continent, as the Isthmus of Corinth.
A Cape or Promontory, is that high part of land which shoots into the
sea, and appears to terminate in a point, as the Cape of Good Hope in
Africa, Cape Finistere in Spain, &c.
A Shore or Coast, is that land which borders upon the sea.
The Ocean, is that general collection of water which surrounds the whole
earth. It is distinguished by the names of the four cardinal points of
the world; viz. the northern or icy ocean, which environs the north
pole; the western or Atlantic Ocean, which lies between Europe and
America, extending to the Equator; the southern or Ethiopic Ocean, which
extends from the Equator between Africa and America; and the Eastern or
Indian Ocean, which washes the eastern coast of Africa, and the southern
coast of Asia. To these have been added by later discoveries the Pacific
Ocean, commonly called the Great South Sea, between America and Asia;
and the Antarctic Icy Ocean which surrounds the South Pole.
A Sea, is a part of the Ocean, into which we must enter by some strait,
and it is almost surrounded by land, as the Mediterranean and Baltic
Seas.
A Strait, is a narrow passage opening a way into some sea, as the
Straits of Gibraltar, the Hellespont.
A Gulf is a part of an ocean or sea, which runs up considerably into the
land, as the Gulf of Venice, the Gulf of Mexico, &c.
A Bay is a smaller kind of gulf, (and is frequently much smaller at the
entrance than in the middle) as the Bay of Naples.
A Lake is a collection of water entirely surrounded by land, as the Lake
of Geneva, and the Lake of Constance: when no stream flows in or out of
it, it is called a pool.
A River is a current or stream, which rises in some elevated land, and
flows into the sea, another river, or lake, as the River Thames, the
Medway, and the River St. Lawrence.
A Creek, is a small part of the sea or of a river which runs but a
little way into the land.
That part of the sea which flows between the shores of an Island and a
Continent, is called a Channel, as the English Channel.
This description of the divisions of land and water, I wish you to
commit to memory; and I will shew you all the names I have mentioned on
the globe, which will give you a more perfect idea of them, than you can
acquire by reading only.
_Anne._ Thank you, mamma; but I hope you will tell me a little more of
the earth.
_Mrs. Harley._ Willingly, my dear. You have read that after the flood,
the world was peopled by Noah's children: Shem and his descendants
spread over Asia, Ham over Africa, and Japhet over Europe. It is
uncertain who were the original inhabitants of America. Europe, though
the smallest of the four parts of the world, is much the most populous;
and here the arts and sciences are brought to the greatest perfection:
it is divided into different countries, of which the following are the
principal, though many of them, have undergone great changes during the
last few years.
ON THE NORTH.
_Countries._ _Capitals._
1 Norway Bergen
2 Sweden Stockholm
3 Denmark Copenhagen
4 Russia St. Petersburgh
IN THE MIDDLE.
British {England London
Dominions 1 {Scotland Edinburgh
{Ireland Dublin
2 France Paris
3 Swisserland Bern
4 Netherlands Brussels
5 United Provinces Amsterdam
6 Germany Vienna
7 Bohemia Prague
8 Hungary Presburgh
9 Poland Cracow
10 Prussia Koningsburgh
Note. Berlin, in Germany, was the capital of the king of Prussia's
Dominions.
IN THE SOUTH.
1 Spain Madrid
2 Portugal Lisbon
3 Italy Rome
4 Turkey Constantinople
The most considerable Islands of Europe are
Great Britain and Ireland in the Atlantic Ocean,
Iceland in the Northern Ocean,
Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Majorca, Minorca, Candia, all in the
Mediterranean sea, and the Islands in the Archipelago.
It is now so late my dear, that I must finish my account of Europe
to-morrow; good bye, and try to remember what I have already told you.
_CHAPTER VI._
TUESDAY.
_Anne._ You see me earlier than usual this morning, dear mamma; but as I
know all the geography you desired me to learn quite perfectly, I hope
you will give me leave to read another story.
_Mrs. Harley._ Certainly, my dear: but remember to read very distinctly;
make proper pauses; fall your voice at a period, and begin the next
sentence in rather a higher tone; aspirate the _H_, excepting in such
words as _hour_, _honour_, _heiress_, and a few others where it is
silent: and above all, avoid a monotonous manner of reading, for nothing
can be more unpleasant to those who are listening to you, than to hear a
tale, however interesting in itself, read on in one continued tone:
instead of affording any amusement, it only induces the persons you are
reading to, to wish for a cessation of the unpleasant murmuring noise
which offends their ears.
_Anne._ I will attend to what you say, mamma, while I am reading the
following story, which is called
_The Advantages of Truth._
George Elliot the son of a respectable gentleman, had been paying a
visit to his uncle, and on his return home, was accompanied by one of
his cousins, who was to spend a few months with him at Hartley,
Mr. Elliot's country residence.
George was a boy of a frank and generous disposition, and good
abilities; these being cultivated by a careful education, made him at
the age of eleven years, a well-informed and agreeable boy. Charles
Morden his cousin, was much his inferior in every respect. Accustomed to
excessive indulgence, he became fretful and idle, and often entered into
mischief, for the sake of having _something to do_; his parents so
plentifully supplied him with play-things, that he was consequently
tired of every thing he possessed, and only desirous of what was in
expectation; nay, worse, for to obtain any particular gratification, he
would not scruple making use of falshood. Such was the boy, now
unfortunately the constant companion of George Elliot.
Mr. Elliot indulged his son in every innocent amusement proper for his
age, but loved him too well to suffer his faults to pass unnoticed.
George had been long anxious for a poney, and as soon as a proper one
could be purchased, his father presented it to him, and often allowed
him to ride out, either accompanied by himself or a servant, but
particularly forbade him from ever mounting any other horse in the
stables, telling him at the same time, the many fatal accidents that
had occurred, owing to boys attempting to ride horses they were unable
to manage. George promised obedience, and had strictly adhered to his
word.
It was settled that Charles was to share the studies, as well as the
amusements of his cousin, and the gentleman to whose care George's
education was confided, paid equal attention to both, though he soon
perceived that Charles had little delight in useful occupations: and he
was always glad of some excuse that might save him the trouble of
attending Mr. Darford, and laughed at George for being always _fagging_
as he called it.
About two months after his son's return, Mr. Elliot was obliged by some
business of importance, to take a journey that he thought might detain
him about a fortnight from home. He embraced the children at parting,
desired them to behave well, and at his return they should be rewarded.
For the first week after Mr. Elliot's departure, the boys were so good,
and their tutor so well pleased with their conduct, that one fine day he
gave them a holiday, telling them, that provided they avoided all
mischievous amusements they were at liberty to spend the day in any
manner most agreeable to themselves.--During several hours, they were
employed in catching their balls, flying their kites, working in the
garden, &c. At length, Charles seeing a little boy going by on
horseback, said he should like nothing so well as a nice ride before
dinner. "Nor I neither," answered George, "but you know it is
impossible, my father having expressly forbidden us to ride out alone
during his absence. Mr. Darford is not at home, and I know that all the
men are busy." "What does that signify?" returned Charles, "we are
surely old enough to take care of ourselves, and as to my uncle, he will
never know any thing of the matter."
George was at first quite shocked at the idea of disobeying his father,
but he at last suffered himself to be persuaded by the artful entreaties
of his cousin, to do what he knew to be wrong. They went to the
stables, where George took out his own little poney, and Charles one of
his uncle's large horses, assuring his cousin that he could manage it
very well. At their first setting out, they agreed not to go far from
home, only just to ride round the paddock; the pleasantness of the
weather, however, soon tempted them to alter their resolution, and they
ventured into the high road. They went on very well for some time, and
were just thinking of returning, when Charles's horse took fright at
some object on the side of the road, and by a sudden start threw his
rider; he was not much hurt by the fall, but the horse galloped away,
and they soon lost all trace of the way he took: after wasting some
time in fruitless endeavours to follow him, they were obliged to return
home.
George was very uneasy, and bitterly repented the fault he had
committed. "O Charles," cried he, "why did you ask me to disobey my
father! Alas! I fear he will never forgive me."
"Don't cry so, pray," answered his cousin, "come, follow my advice, and
this affair will never be discovered."--"How can that be? you surely
forget the horse is lost, and besides, I would not upon any account tell
an untruth." "You are very foolish then, let me tell you; for as nobody
saw us go out, if we deny knowing any thing about the horse, we shall
never be suspected."
"No, Charles, that I will never do; I had rather suffer the severest
punishment that could be inflicted upon me, than tell a _lie_. Nothing
shall induce me to add to the fault I have already committed. When my
father comes home, I will confess what I have done, and rely upon his
indulgence for pardoning a disobedience I so sincerely repent."
"Well then," said Charles, "if you will not follow my advice, at least
you have no occasion to say it was I who persuaded you to take out the
horses."--"I shall not even mention your name: but come, let us waste no
more time, in regretting an action that cannot be recalled, we had
better try by our future conduct, to make some reparation for the
past."--So saying, he took his cousin by the arm, and they were together
leaving the room, when Mr. Elliot entered. The young lads drew back in
dismay; Mr. Elliot ran to embrace his son. "You see me here, my dear
boy, sooner than you expected; but fortunately the business that called
me hence, was concluded much earlier than I could have imagined." Some
few minutes had elapsed, before George could gain courage to answer his
father, at length he said, "you are convinced, my dear sir, that your
company has always given me pleasure, but to day it causes me pain, for
I have just been guilty of a fault that will I fear deprive me of your
confidence." George here related to his father, all that had passed,
except carefully concealing the part his cousin had acted; when he had
finished, Mr. Elliot thus addressed him, "I am charmed with your noble
conduct, my dear boy, and most willingly forgive the error you have
committed, because I believe your repentance to be sincere, and am
convinced you have told me the exact truth. Listen, now, to the
consequences that would have ensued, had you concealed it: I was in the
adjoining apartment, and heard the whole conversation that passed
between yourself and Charles; so, had you, as he wickedly advised, had
recourse to a falsehood, it would not have deceived _me_, but only have
proved that _you_ were unworthy my care and affection: whereas, I now
rejoice in the virtuous resolution of a son thus rendered dearer to me
than ever. Always speak the _truth_, and be assured it is the easiest
and surest way of extricating yourself from every difficulty.--As for
you, Sir," continued Mr. Elliot turning to Charles, "I shall not take
the trouble of punishing the meanness and depravity of your conduct,
because I fear that any punishment I could inflict, would have little
effect on a _liar_: I shall immediately send you back to your parents,
with an account of this day's transactions, at the same time advising
them to find some place far distant from all who belong to you, and
where, under a severe discipline, you may be made to repent of your
wickedness, and I hope in time recalled to that virtuous conduct from
which you have now so miserably erred."
Mr. Elliot then taking his son by the hand led him out of the parlour,
and left Charles at leisure to reflect on the sad consequences of a
habit of lying.
* * * * *
This story being finished, Mrs. Harley said, it is not necessary my dear
Anne, that I should comment on the subject of which you have been
reading; the advantages arising from a strict adherence to truth are too
obvious not to be immediately perceived, and I trust, from the
principles I have always endeavoured to instil into your young mind,
that you will ever prefer the fair and open path she points out, to the
intricate labyrinths of despicable falshood.
_Anne._ Indeed, mamma, if ever I should be tempted to tell an untruth, I
will think of this story, and then, I am sure I shall reject it, even
though I were certain it would remain undiscovered.
_Mrs. Harley._ Do not imagine _that_ would ever be the case, as it is
impossible for children, however artful, long to dissemble their actions
or even thoughts from persons interested about them.
I will now conclude my account of Europe.
FIFTH LESSON.
_Mrs. Harley._ I ended yesterday, I think, with the European islands.--I
will now tell you the principal seas which surround Europe--the sea of
Asoph, the Euxine or Black Sea, the Archipelago or Grecian Sea, are
between Europe and Asia--the Mediterranean between Europe and
Africa--the Atlantic Ocean between Europe and America--the German Ocean
or North Sea between Britain and Germany--the Icy Ocean on the North,
and the White Sea in Russia.
The principal straits are, the Straits of Caffa between the Sea of Asoph
and the Black Sea--the Bosphorus, or Straits of Constantinople between
the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmora--the Hellespont between the Sea of
Marmora and the Archipelago--the Faro of Messina between Italy and
Sicily--the Straits of Bonifacio between Corsica and Sardinia--the
Straits of Gibraltar between Barbary and Spain--the Straits of Dover
between England and France--the Sound in the Baltic between Denmark and
Sweden.
The principal gulfs and bays are, the Gulf of Bothnia in Sweden--the
Gulf of Finland between Sweden and Russia--the Bay of Biscay between
France and Spain--the Gulf of Venice between Italy and Turkey.
The principal rivers are, the Wolga--the Don or Tanais--and the
Boristhenes or Dnieper in Russia--the Thames and the Severn in
England--the Danube, the Rhine, and the Elbe in Germany--the Vistula or
Wesil in Poland--the Loire, the Seine, the Rhine, and the Garonne in
France--the Ebro, the Tagus, and the Douro in Spain--the Po in Italy.
The chief lakes are Ladoga and Onega in Russia--Windermere in England,
Lough Neagh in Ireland, and Loch Lomond in Scotland--Lake of Geneva
between Swisserland and Italy--Lake of Constance between Swisserland and
Germany--Lakes of Como and Maggiore in Italy.
The chief mountains are, the Dofre-field between Norway and Sweden--the
Cheviot Hills in Scotland--Plinlimmon in Wales--the Peak in Derbyshire
in England--the Carpathian mountains between Poland and Hungary--the
Pyrenean mountains between France and Spain--the Alps which divide
France and Germany from Italy--the Apennines which run through Italy
from North to South.
Besides these, there are several volcanos in Europe, Vesuvius in
Naples--Stromboli one of the Lipari isles--Etna in Sicily, and Hecla in
Iceland.
_Anne._ Thank you, mamma, I will look for all of them in the map; but
pray before you leave Europe tell me something more of our own country.
_Mrs. Harley._ England, my dear, is bounded on the north by Scotland,
on the east by the German Ocean, on the south by the British Channel,
and on the west by the Irish sea, and St. George's Channel. It is
divided into 52 counties, 40 in England and 12 in Wales. The 40 English
counties are
6 IN THE NORTH.
_Counties._ _Chief Towns._
Northumberland Newcastle.
Cumberland Carlisle
Durham Durham
Westmoreland Kendal
Yorkshire York
Lancashire Lancaster.
6 IN THE EAST.
Norfolk Norwich
Suffolk Ipswich
Essex Chelmsford
Middlesex London
Hertfordshire Hertford
Cambridgeshire Cambridge.
6 IN THE SOUTH.
Kent Canterbury
Sussex Chichester
Surry Guildford
Hampshire Winchester
Berkshire Reading
Wiltshire Salisbury.
4 IN THE WEST.
Dorsetshire Dorchester
Somersetshire Bristol
Devonshire Exeter
Cornwall Launceston.
18 IN THE MIDDLE.
Gloucestershire Gloucester
Monmouthshire Monmouth
Herefordshire Hereford
Shropshire Shrewsbury
Cheshire Chester
Derbyshire Derby
Nottinghamshire Nottingham
Lincolnshire Lincoln
Huntingdonshire Huntingdon
Bedfordshire Bedford
Buckinghamshire Buckingham
Oxfordshire Oxford
Worcestershire Worcester
Staffordshire Stafford
Leicestershire Leicester
Rutlandshire Oakham
Northamptonshire Northampton
Warwickshire Warwick.
The 12 Welsh counties are,
6 IN NORTH WALES.
_Counties._ _Chief Towns._
Anglesea Beaumaris
Caernarvonshire Caernarvon
Denbighshire Denbigh
Flintshire St. Asaph
Merionethshire Harlech
Montgomeryshire Montgomery
6 IN SOUTH WALES.
Cardiganshire Cardigan
Radnorshire Radnor
Pembrokeshire Pembroke
Caermarthenshire Caermarthen
Brecknockshire Brecknock
Glamorganshire Cardiff.
You will learn these counties, my dear, and trace them on the map at
your first leisure opportunity. We have been so long in Europe, that I
fear I must give you a very short description of the other parts of the
world.