Sir Charles and Lady Seymour were the amiable possessors of a
delightful mansion. They had, I found, seven children, five daughters
and two sons: three only of the former were in the school-room, the
other two, with their infant brother, occupied an adjoining room,
called the nursery, and the eldest boy was at school. My chief
acquaintance was with the elder girls, whom I shall consequently
mention most frequently in the course of my narrative, and therefore
shall now more particularly describe them.
Caroline, the eldest, was in her twelfth year, very tall, and rather
pretty; but her good, sensible mother had taught her, how little
personal advantages are to be esteemed at any time; and that they
should be considered rather as a misfortune, when not accompanied
by corresponding charms in the heart and mind. The precepts of her
mamma were always dear to Caroline; nor were they ever counteracted
by any extraordinary anxiety in the former, respecting her own or
her daughter’s appearance. Her example always showed the possibility
of obeying her precepts, and, consequently, they were never wilfully
disobeyed. Few children, however, are faultless; nor was Caroline
always exempt from blame. She was naturally proud, and though her
excellent parents had, by reason and religion, in some degree repressed
this unamiable quality, yet, in unguarded moments, it would sometimes
display itself. She could not bear reproof, though, from a degree of
heedlessness in her manners, she more frequently required it than
many children who are not half so amiable; for she was gentle,
affectionate, and very attentive to her studies, in which she had made
considerable progress. She did not like to be reminded to hold up
her head, though she scarcely ever did so without being told; and I
frequently observed, that, when told, her heedlessness made her almost
immediately forget, and her head resumed its usual position.
Anna was the name of the second. She having less good sense than
her sister, possessed a small portion of personal vanity, with some
disinclination for study: yet she was good-humoured, obliging, and
compassionate; always seeking some opportunity to assist or relieve her
fellow-creatures.
Julia, the youngest, was nine years old, and, had she not been
sometimes rather idle, would have been a charming little girl, for
she united all the good qualities of her sisters, with few of their
defects. In short, the failings of my young friends were such as time,
and some attention on their part, with a great deal on that of their
governess, would doubtless eradicate; while their virtues were such as,
matured and confirmed by their own exertions, and the example of their
dear mother, could not fail to render them an ornament to society, and
a source of happiness and comfort to their parents.
It is not difficult to imagine, that in this charming family I enjoyed
every comfort that could be procured for me. At first I slept during a
great part of the day, often in my mistress’ hand, in her lap, or on
her shoulder. She was delighted with me for being so tame, and made
me her little companion, when her pupils, having finished their daily
lessons, left the school-room to spend the evening with their parents.
It was then my chief delight began; for my mistress being very fond of
music, generally amused herself with it for some time every evening.
On these occasions I usually lay on her knee till I fell asleep; but
one night, being more merry than usual, I hopped on her music-book,
where, finding a safe and comfortable roosting place, I remained, and
ever after chose to go to sleep there. When my mistress retired to her
room, she always took me with her, in a little warm basket, lined with
flannel and feathers.
I was not, however, always confined to the house: my dear mistress
frequently took me out, and I found that the pretty garden where I
was hatched, belonged to her; for as Lady Seymour esteemed her very
much, she spared no proof of kindness, and this garden had been, by
her desire, enclosed for my mistress, who, taking great pleasure in
flowers, here cultivated them herself. When thus employed, she let
me hop about the flower-beds, and I generally made a good use of my
time, by catching such small insects as I could manage. This practice
continued during several weeks, till one day (my wings being full
grown) I took a longer flight than usual: this alarmed my mistress,
and induced her to keep me at home much more than before.
Having by this time become familiar to the language of the school-room,
I began to feel an interest in whatever passed there. I observed, one
day, that the children were in higher spirits than usual, and soon
learned, from their discourse, that they were expecting the arrival
of their papa, with their brother from school, where he had been six
months; and as he had never before been so long absent, his return
was now joyfully anticipated by his affectionate sisters. But who can
express their disappointment and grief, when, instead of their brother,
came a letter from their papa, informing them that the former was
extremely ill, and unable to proceed, though he had already come more
than half way. Poor little girls! how distressed they appeared: yet no
impatient expressions escaped them on this severe disappointment. They
had learned, from their dear mamma, the duty of resignation, and now
seemed to partake of her fortitude in practising it.
“Disappointments,” said she, after having read the letter, “are
extremely beneficial to young persons, and I trust that my dear girls
will prove, by their behaviour on this occasion, that all my lessons
of patience and submission have not been disregarded. Your brother’s
return is doubtless retarded, but I trust that is all. When he recovers
and arrives, you will meet him with greater pleasure from this
transient affliction, particularly if you bear it properly.”
“But are you really going to leave us?” mamma, said little Julia: “papa
says he wishes for you.”
“I have no doubt, my love, that your papa will procure Charles every
thing that is requisite, and I could do no more; however, I shall wait
till after the post comes in to-morrow, before I decide that point.”
“Your absence would be doubly painful to us now,” said Anna, “for we
want you to comfort us.”
“That is true,” observed the amiable Caroline, “but our poor sick
brother stands more in need of comfort than we: besides, it is so long
since he saw mamma.”
“Well, my dears, it will be time enough to-morrow to discuss that
subject,” said Lady S. “now I must go and write an answer to this
letter, and you had better continue your studies.”
The dear girls dried their tears, and, resuming their occupations,
seemed to feel their grief alleviated, though the anxious expressions
that at intervals escaped them, showed that it was not forgotten.
At length the next day arrived, and the post brought the pleasing
intelligence that Charles was better; however, not being yet allowed to
leave his room, he would not be with them till the following week.
At last the happy day arrived, and towards evening, just as the
children had finished their supper, a post-chaise stopped at the
door. “Papa and Charles!” exclaimed they all at once, and flew to
meet and embrace their beloved relatives. I remained quietly with my
mistress, and, in about a quarter of an hour, Charles, accompanied by
his sisters, came to pay his respects to her. He was a fine little boy,
about the size of Julia, though somewhat younger. I observed, with
pleasure, that he seemed very fond of his sisters; answering their
numerous questions with affectionate attention, though it certainly
required some judgment to do so; for they scarcely gave him time to
reply to one, before they asked another, so eager were they to know
whatever concerned him.
“Oh! Charles,” said Julia, “do you know, Miss Sedley has the prettiest,
tamest Robin you can imagine. But do you know whether papa has brought
me a cage? I asked him for one in my letter.”
“A cage? Oh yes,” said Charles, “and I have brought you a goldfinch in
it.”
“For me?—a goldfinch!—where is it?” said she, and ran out of the room,
to fetch this newly-acquired treasure.
“But where is this Robin?” asked the little boy: “may I see it?”
“Yonder on the music-book,” replied Anna; “Miss Sedley will show him to
you.”
“That I will,” said my mistress, and taking me in her hand, she
introduced me to my new friend, who admired me so much, that, if Robins
were susceptible of vanity, I should have been one of the vainest.
Little Julia now returned, bringing in a large cage, in which I saw a
pretty-looking bird, apparently much older than myself; but as it was
getting rather dark, I was too sleepy to make any further observation,
so putting my head under my wing, I settled myself to sleep in my
mistress’s hand.