The next day I had an opportunity of observing my new friend, and
the companion he had brought me, more leisurely, and I conceived no
unfavourable opinion of either. As I was not at all timid, I jumped
about on the outside of the goldfinch’s cage, which my mistress
perceiving, she opened the door and allowed me to go in. I was by no
means displeased at finding myself thus shut up, as I found such little
pieces of food as I could manage, and this greatly amused me; for I had
hitherto been unable to feed myself at all, except when out of doors.
The goldfinch, too, seemed by no means averse to my company, though
I observed that she did not like me to come too near her: much less
would she allow any of the children to touch her, for she fluttered
violently if they only approached her cage. I thought this timidity
very silly, and one day ventured to tell her so; representing, at the
same time, that I got no harm by my familiarity, and, therefore, why
should she apprehend any.
“Ah, I perceive you are a novice,” said she; “you would cease to wonder
at my fears, if you knew my history.”
As I had never known any other birds than my father and mother, and
them only a short time, I felt my curiosity very strongly excited, and
requested her to gratify it by relating her adventures, which she did,
in nearly the following terms.
“I, with four others, first saw the light in the delightful month of
June. We were hatched in an apple-tree, which stood in the midst of a
good kitchen-garden. I need not describe to you the affectionate cares
of our beloved parents: you have too recently experienced the tender
solicitude of yours, to have lost the remembrance of it; and as it is a
sentiment which pervades the whole of the feathered race, it is nearly
the same in all the species. Let it suffice then, that their cares were
more than repaid by our health and safety. We became very fine little
birds, and were just fledged: our parents began to talk of teaching us
to use our little wings, which as yet we had not so much as expanded,
and one evening I heard my mother telling my father that it was high
time we should decamp, as she had great reason to suspect that the nest
had been closely observed by the gardener. My father, on hearing this
suspicion, immediately concluded that it would be expedient to remove
on the following day; and we, who were sufficiently awake to hear the
conversation, promised ourselves much pleasure from the projected
excursion of the morrow. But, alas! how often have I experienced that
we deceive ourselves with the hopes of happiness we are destined never
to enjoy! These, my first hopes, were the more sanguine, as I had never
known disappointment, and, consequently, I suffered more acutely from
their not being realized.
“We were all asleep, my mother in the nest with us, my father on an
adjoining branch, when suddenly we were aroused by a rustling noise
immediately over our heads, and I felt myself, with one of my brothers,
in the grasp of some unknown being. Our parents fled, they knew not
whither, (for it was a dark night,) and we were conveyed by the
stranger to a room which overlooked the garden, and placed in a basket,
where, after having remained some time very comfortless and chilly, we
at length fell asleep.
“Our clamours aroused the gardener (for he, it appeared, was the
disturber of our peace) by day-break; he arose and endeavoured to feed
us, but so awkwardly, that we were more fatigued than refreshed by
his kindness, for such I am sure he intended it. Finding, therefore,
his efforts were of little use, he put us into a small cage, which he
carried into the garden, and hung up in the tree where we were hatched.
It was then I saw our once comfortable little nest entirely forsaken. I
looked around, in the hope of seeing our parents, but neither of them
appeared: however, in a fork of the tree, I discovered my little sister
lying very still, as if she had not yet recovered the panic into which
we had all been thrown the preceding evening. I pointed her out to my
brother, and we both called to her; but she either did not hear, or was
afraid to answer us.
“The noise we made, however, had one good effect, for it brought our
parents, who were just then hovering over their late peaceful abode,
in order, if possible, to regain their lost family. They were much
distressed at finding us in captivity; but as our present wants were
on that account the more urgent, they tried to comfort us with the
assurance that they would speedily return with food, and then left us,
not forgetting to take our little sister with them.
“They soon returned, and when the calls of hunger were satisfied,
we made some enquiries about our two brothers, whom we had neither
seen nor heard. They informed us, that they had conveyed them to a
place of safety soon after day-break, and had then returned, in the
hope of finding our sister and us. I will not detail the whole of our
conversation, nor weary you with the relation of our complaints, and
the consolations offered by our parents; but proceed to inform you,
that their visits were constant, and our wants always supplied. At
length, however, the weather became very hot, and we began to suffer
much from thirst; for though the food our parents brought us was
generally moist, it was by no means sufficiently so to supply the
want of water, which, had we been at liberty, we could have procured
abundantly for ourselves. Our friend the gardener did not perceive our
uneasiness, though he took us in every night, till one morning he found
my poor brother just expiring, and me apparently very ill. He then
tried to recover us by giving us water. With me his efforts succeeded,
but my poor brother was too far gone, and, though he revived for a
short time, died that day.
“I now felt my condition so forlorn, that confinement was doubly
painful to me, and grief for the loss of my beloved companion was
nearly effecting what pain had not accomplished, when the gardener
observing that I did not thrive, resolved to set me free. Accordingly,
he one day opened my prison door, and I, who did not want much
persuasion to depart, immediately flew out. My first sensation was
exquisite delight at finding myself at liberty. I hopped from bough to
bough, on the first tree I came to, and exerted the little voice I
then had, in strains of rapture.
“When my ecstasy had somewhat subsided, I remembered my parents, and
anticipated the pleasure I should have in ranging at large with them;
but it being about noon, and not expecting them till the evening, I
purposed hovering near the spot till the interval (which never before
appeared so long) should elapse. The gardener, however, was again
destined to be the destroyer of my hopes, for some time after he
came into the garden, and though I thought myself quite secure from
observation, he soon perceived me. He called to me, and I, seized with
terror, lest, repenting his late precious gift, he had come to reclaim
it and convey me back to my prison, immediately flew away.
“So fast and so far did my fright carry me, that I could not find my
way back again, when the thought of my parents recurred to me; so
that, with extreme anguish, I now found myself obliged to relinquish
the hope of ever seeing them again. This, as you may suppose, was a
severe stroke to me; and I began to discover that there are other evils
besides captivity, scarcely less insupportable.
“Having no one now to provide food for me, and being hungry, I sought
it for myself, and soon found abundance; but even in this particular I
experienced fresh mortification, for whether, having been brought up
in a cage, I had imbibed habits different from those of my species who
were at large, or whether my being a stranger was the cause, I know
not; but all the goldfinches I approached treated me with contempt and
derision, and when I once attempted to expostulate with them, they
proceeded to further violence, and attacking me with their beaks, drove
me from their society.
“My days were now passed in solitude, but my nights were not the less
peaceful; for though my situation was somewhat forlorn, I was not
conscious of having done any thing disgraceful; and surely, thought I,
misfortune is no crime; nay, so far from it, that I am persuaded, were
my persecutors to hear my sad adventures, they would pity and console
me.
“In my rambles to seek food and amusement, I often approached a
village, by which you are to understand several houses near each other.
One day, being near this place, I saw a very large bird just above me,
with his eyes intently fixed on me. I flew from the spot where I was,
but found, to my great astonishment, that he followed me. Not knowing
his intention, I continued my flight, and he his pursuit, till we came
near one of the houses in the village. I had often seen the little
birds pursue each other in sport, and at first imagined that to be his
object; but as I was now nearly exhausted, and unable to fly so fast as
before, my pursuer gained upon me; and, as he came nearer, I perceived
that his feet were large, strong, and armed with immense claws; his
eyes fierce and piercing, and his whole appearance terrific.
“My fears had now nearly overcome me, and I was on the point of sinking
to the ground, an easy prey to this destroyer, when one effort saved
me. I perceived an open window in the habitation nearest to us, and
collecting the little strength I had left, made towards it, entered,
and sunk breathless on the bosom of a young lady who was sitting near
it. She immediately rose, and taking me gently in her hand, shut the
window. ‘Poor little bird,’ said she, ‘something must have alarmed you;
but here you are safe and sure of protection. I will take care of you.’
“She then gave me some water, which I found very refreshing, and
presently after, one of her sisters coming into the room, I learnt
her intentions respecting myself. ‘See, Lucy,’ said she, ‘what a
treasure I have.’ ‘A goldfinch! Where did you get it?’ ‘In a manner so
extraordinary, that I shall not easily be prevailed on to part with
it. Though I am much averse to slavery, and should not like to keep it
entirely a prisoner, yet, as it came to me for protection, I should be
unwilling to expose it again to the danger it so lately escaped.’
“She then related the manner of my coming to her, and observed, that
she supposed some bird of prey had pursued me. ‘Well,’ said Lucy, ‘and
what do you intend to do with it?’ ‘I shall keep it in a cage till it
becomes familiar; I shall accustom it to eat out of my hand, and when
I have tamed it a little, I shall frequently let it out.’ ‘I like your
plan, my dear Sophy, and trust that it will be the means of assisting
our endeavours to restore your health. How we shall all love the little
bird, if it adds to your happiness!’ ‘Oh! do not think of my health,’
returned Sophy, ‘you know I mean to get quite well soon.’ ‘Do so, my
beloved sister,’ said Lucy, with a faint smile; but her countenance
expressed no hope that her sister’s prediction would be verified. I
even observed a tear trembling in her eye: to conceal it she hastily
left the room, saying she would look for a cage.
“You, perhaps, think that the prospect of a cage terrified me, but I
was now less satisfied with my liberty than at first, since I found
that there were dangers and misfortunes attending it, of which I had
not dreamt when in captivity: besides, I was shunned by my own species,
and led a solitary life, which was extremely irksome to me; so that,
upon the whole, I was not dissatisfied at becoming the companion of the
interesting Sophia, of whom I shall now give you some account.
“Her father was an honest, intelligent tradesman, who had, by his
reputation and diligence, obtained a very good business, by which he
maintained his family, consisting of his wife, three daughters, and
a son. The latter was very useful to his father, for, being a good
accomptant, he kept the books, and otherwise assisted him in business,
though scarcely fourteen. Sophia, my mistress, was fifteen, but in such
a delicate state of health, that she had few opportunities of being
useful to her family, though her disposition was so amiable, that,
had she possessed the power, I am sure she would not have wanted the
inclination. Lucy and Mary were twins, nearly two years older than
Sophia, and so active and industrious, that they not only superintended
the domestic concerns of the family, and did all the needle-work,
but also found time for recreations, the chief of which was making
clothes for their poor distressed neighbours. When Sophia was confined
to her room, one of them always contrived to be with her; and Arthur
generally joined them in the evening, to amuse his sister by playing on
the flute; for she was very fond of music, and he had applied himself
to it so earnestly, in order to afford her a new gratification, that
he had made some progress in that delightful science. Sometimes the
elder girls accompanied him with their voices, which were sweet and
unaffected. My mistress took great pleasure in these little concerts;
indeed, she frequently appeared as if beguiled of all her pain by them,
and tears of delight would fill her eyes. I was no less enraptured
on these occasions, and could not forbear joining my little notes in
chorus, for which I was greatly admired.
“My sensible, kind-hearted protectress, as you may imagine, soon gained
my affection. How, indeed, could it have been possible to know any one
of this amiable family, without sentiments of esteem; but Sophia was
constantly near me, and I was continually discovering something new to
admire in her. The patience she displayed in suffering; the restraints
she imposed on herself, in the presence of her dear relatives, lest any
expression of pain should escape her, and add to the grief they already
felt on her account; and, above all, the kind attention she bestowed
on me, made me not only admire, but love her so much, that, had she
opened the window and offered me liberty, I should have preferred
staying with her. Indeed, my ideas of liberty were now very different
to those I had formerly entertained: my enlargement had been attended
with so many misfortunes, that I considered my present confinement much
more tolerable.
“I was not always kept in a cage, but often allowed the full range of
Sophia’s apartment. Besides, she taught me several diverting tricks;
such as eating out of her hand, flying up to her mouth for a hemp-seed,
and drawing up a little pasteboard box, which was suspended by a string
to my cage, and into which she put something nice, as an inducement to
my exertions. I found that these performances pleased and amused her
very much, and I was, consequently, very docile and obedient.
“The amiable traits I discovered in each member of this family, led
me to imagine that all human beings were equally well disposed, and I
even pitied the timidity of our race, which made them mistrustful of
such benevolent creatures; but I was soon undeceived, by a circumstance
which is even now painful to my remembrance.
“Poor dear Sophia had with difficulty passed through the winter, but
spring, which revives all nature, seemed to promise the restoration
of her health. She was frequently able to quit her room, and on these
occasions she sat in a neat little parlour which overlooked the
garden. I, her constant companion, and more her favourite than ever,
was always brought down in my cage, and placed near the window. The
garden was separated on one side by a very close hedge, from that of
a neighbouring gentleman, whose children often walked there. In this
hedge a sparrow had constructed her little nest, and had been sitting
some time, when it was discovered by Arthur, who pointed it out to his
sisters. Sophia, from the window, observed the sparrow and her mate
alternately relieving each other from the confinement of the nest, and
frequently fed them. By this means they became very tame, and generally
sought their food at the accustomed time and place, chirping, as if to
thank their benefactress, whose gentle heart rejoiced at the idea of
affording pleasure or assistance to the minutest living creature.
“At length Arthur informed her that the young ones were hatched, and
she pleased herself with the hope, that they would soon come to feed
with their parents at the window. But three days only had elapsed, when
William Stanton, son of the gentleman before mentioned, came, attended
by a servant, to walk in his father’s garden, and as they approached
the hedge, we heard them conversing very familiarly together. ‘Master
W.,’ said the footman, ‘had you any bird-nesting at school?’ ‘Very
little,’ said the young gentleman, ‘for one of the boys met with an
accident, which made our master prohibit it, and we were too closely
watched to disobey. But you know, John, that will not prevent my having
some sport in that way now I am at home. You shall help me.’
“I was much surprised, as you may suppose, to hear a young gentleman
acknowledge, that he was obedient only when he was watched; for I had
always thought, that, as greater praise is due to those who perform
their duty voluntarily, the inducement to do so must be stronger where
confidence is reposed, at least to a generous mind. Master William,
however, could not, I imagined, possess any generous sentiments, since
he was so cruel as to deprive little, inoffensive animals of their
beloved offspring, and that too for sport.
“He and his servant were now approaching that part of the hedge where
Sophia’s poor little birds had built. She was at the window during
the above conversation, and was, doubtless, greatly alarmed for the
helpless nestlings. After a short pause, Master William suddenly
exclaimed, ‘I do think there are young birds in this hedge, for I heard
some chirp.’ ‘Like enough,’ said John, and immediately they began to
search.
“Poor Sophia, on hearing the last words, left the room, in order to
request her mother’s interposition in behalf of _her_ nest, as she
called it. Her mother, therefore, went down into the garden, where she
found Master William actually in possession of the nest, the little
ones chirping with terror, and the parent birds fluttering about the
hedge in visible distress. ‘Dear Master Stanton,’ said she, ‘I am sure
you cannot be sensible of the pain you are inflicting on those poor
little birds, by disturbing their nest, for I am persuaded that you do
not intend depriving them of it.’ ‘Yes, but I do, though,’ said he.
‘And what do you propose to do with them?’ ‘Oh, I shall play with them,
and give them to my little sisters to amuse them.’ ‘But can you find
amusement while giving pain to any animal?’ ‘Why, as to that, I shall
not hurt them; and then, you know, they will not feel any pain.’ ‘But
is hunger no pain?’ ‘Oh, I shall feed them.’ ‘That I am not sure you
will be able to do; and even if you were, do you think the old birds
will suffer nothing from the loss of them? See how distressed they now
appear.’ ‘Oh, the boys at school say that is all nonsense; they will
soon forget their grief.’ ‘Well, I see you are not to be prevailed
on, for the sake of the poor little birds, perhaps you will replace
them when I tell you, that they have been for some time a source of
amusement to one of my daughters, who is deprived of many comforts by
an illness which confines her entirely to the house, and from which we
have indeed every thing to apprehend.’
On this account, Master William seemed somewhat inclined to yield his
prize, but as he was entirely guided by his servant, he sought in his
countenance the approbation of his half-formed resolve. But alas! for
the poor little ones, John had once taken offence at some trifling
circumstance relating to this excellent family, and now, glad of an
opportunity of showing his consequence, he smiled sarcastically at
Master William. The latter seemingly understood that this smile taxed
him with weakness, for he immediately said, ‘Excuse me, Ma’am, I cannot
give up this nest, so good morning to you. John,’ continued he, ‘do not
you see a carriage going up the avenue? Let us make haste; there are
certainly some visitors going to mamma.’
“I heard no more of this bad boy’s conversation, for he was soon at a
distance. When poor Sophia learned from her mother the failure of her
mission, she was very much grieved; the latter, however, endeavoured
to console her by all the arguments she could adduce. ‘My dear mother,’
said the amiable girl, ‘how kind you are to console me! How can I
grieve at any trifling loss, while you are so good to me! Yet I feel
that I shall not easily forget this occurrence. The poor little ones
will doubtless all perish! The old birds, too, what they will suffer!
All their fond hopes destroyed in one moment, by the cruelty of that
naughty boy! But, indeed, I ought rather to pity than condemn him,
for it appears that false indulgence and improper company are leading
him from the only path in which true happiness can be found—that of
rectitude and humanity.’
“Here the entrance of Arthur and his father put an end to the
conversation. The family shortly after sat down to dinner, and the sad
fate of the nestlings seemed to be forgotten by all but Sophia, whose
accustomed cheerfulness was somewhat abated during the rest of the
day. I partook of her sensations at this time, for the event of the
morning had greatly distressed me, and I was by no means sorry when the
close of day invited me to repose.
“A few days after this memorable occurrence, one of a more serious
nature happened. My dear young mistress, whose flattering appearance
had lately induced her parents to hope that she would recover, suddenly
became so ill, that their too sanguine expectations were converted
into the most distressing apprehensions. She could not even bear my
presence, as I unconsciously disturbed her by my artless song, which
had always hitherto diverted her. I was, in consequence, removed from
her chamber, and I now passed my time very sorrowfully. Little notice
was taken of me, for all the family were too much occupied with my
dear mistress. They did not, however, neglect to feed me and clean my
cage, to which I was constantly confined. I should have suffered from
this restraint, had not the thoughts of my dear mistress rendered me
melancholy, and consequently, unfit for any amusement. The place I was
removed to, was the little parlour I mentioned to you before. Here the
doctors who attended poor Sophia frequently came, to inform her anxious
parents how they found her. One day the benevolent physician, who had
been most constant in his attendance, came in, and seeing Sophia’s
mother, he appeared greatly agitated. She fearfully enquired after her
daughter, when the good man, with tears in his eyes, begged her to be
composed and prepare for the worst. ‘Your child, dear madam,’ said
he, ‘has but a short time to suffer; she will then be as happy as she
deserves to be!’ He could add no more, and abruptly quitted the room,
leaving the unhappy mother in such distress, as can hardly be imagined,
much less described.
“I will pass over the mournful scenes that ensued, and briefly inform
you, that poor Sophia died that night! I was, as you may imagine,
deeply impressed by this sad event, and being still closely confined,
and deprived of my accustomed indulgences, I sat mournfully in my
cage, without uttering a note. At last, however, the fine weather and
my natural cheerfulness prevailed, and I ventured to sing a little;
but the sound of my voice seemed to revive the grief of this afflicted
family. The mother, in particular, was so much affected, that her
children proposed conveying me to some place where I might be more
welcome. They consulted together in my presence, (little thinking that
I understood them,) and decided that I should be presented to Miss
Stanton, the eldest sister of that cruel boy I told you of. I was
struck with terror at the name; but as some alleviation of my sorrow
and dread, I afterwards heard them expatiate on the amiable qualities
of the young lady to whose care they meant to consign me.
“The same evening the sisters sent a polite note to Miss Stanton,
(to whom they were not entirely unknown,) explaining their motive for
requesting her acceptance of the ‘little favourite,’ as they called me.
Arthur was the messenger on this occasion. He soon returned with an
answer, in which Miss Stanton, after condoling with them on the loss
they had sustained, expressed her willingness to receive me; at the
same time promising that every attention should be paid to my comfort;
for she justly imagined that they had some regard for me, and well knew
how to appreciate the motive which induced them to part with an object
that had been so dear to their lamented sister.
“On the following morning, Arthur was again deputed to convey me to
my new residence. The distance was very trifling, and on our arrival
a woman-servant ushered us into a little room, where there was a neat
book-case, a piano-forte, and other things which gave it the appearance
of a study. Here Miss Stanton soon joined us, and receiving me kindly
from Arthur, heard, with apparent delight, the catalogue of my various
accomplishments. She then dismissed my young conductor, with a present
of some handsomely bound books for himself and his sisters, requesting,
that whenever they read them they would remember their goldfinch, and
feel assured that it would be carefully attended, for their sake as
well as its own.
“I was greatly pleased with my reception, and the agreeable manners
of my new mistress; but still I could not divest myself of the grief
I felt for my beloved Sophia, nor of a degree of apprehension on
the score of Master William; and I was, in consequence, a prey to
melancholy reflections, which rendered me almost insensible to the
caresses Miss Stanton lavished on me. My spirits were still more
depressed by an event which occurred on the following day. Master
William, it seems, had heard of my arrival, and he now sent a little
girl to request that his sister would bring me to the drawing-room,
as he was not allowed to stir from the sofa. She complied, and was
ascending the staircase with me in my cage, when I beheld from a window
a sight that made me shudder: it was nothing less than the whole brood
of little sparrows, lying dead on the top of a portico. I afterwards
learned, that Master William, in his haste to get home, had slipped
down and sprained his ancle. The pain this accident caused him, and
the bustle it occasioned in the family, united in banishing from
his remembrance, and that of his attendant, the wants of his little
captives: they were found dead on the following morning, and John
carelessly tossed them out of the window.
“You may judge then what was my terror, when I found myself in the
actual presence of the obdurate boy, who had so wantonly exposed
these little innocents to a painful death, by taking them from their
parents. Happily for me, my mistress did not quit the room, or allow
him to touch me. I really think I should have expired through fear, if
he had.
“After this unpleasant visit, I remained some time without any material
interruption to my comfort. My new protectress was very fond of me,
and treated me with the greatest kindness. The room I inhabited was,
as I had supposed, her study; and as she was there occupied several
hours in the day, I was not without company, nor often shut up in my
cage. I had, indeed, abundant reason to be satisfied, as far as she was
concerned; yet I was not without apprehension on account of the younger
children of the family, who were all spoiled by indulgence. You,
perhaps, wonder how it happened that Miss Stanton was so amiable; but I
have yet to inform you, that the present Mrs. Stanton was not her own
mother. She was so unfortunate as to lose the latter, when about seven
years old, and her father had shortly after married a good-hearted but
weak woman, who rendered her children miserable, by the very means she
employed in order to promote their happiness. They were incessantly
wishing for something they had not, and never satisfied with what
they had; and their mother, instead of endeavouring to repress this
unreasonable propensity, encouraged it, by attending, with the utmost
anxiety, to their most trivial or capricious wishes, which were no
sooner gratified, than new desires arose in endless succession. I could
here enumerate several instances of their whims and humours, which fell
under my notice, but such details of folly would rather fatigue than
amuse you. I must, however, observe, that Miss Stanton was so amiable,
that she conciliated the affection of the children (though she never
indulged their caprices) and that of her mother-in-law, to whom she
always behaved with the greatest tenderness and respect.
“You must now prepare for a more eventful period of my history, for I
am about to enter on a new mode of life. I had not been two months with
Miss Stanton, when she and Mrs. Stanton were invited to spend a few
weeks, with a friend who lived at a considerable distance. On hearing
of this, I was extremely anxious to learn how I was to be disposed
of during their absence, and finding that I was to be entrusted to
the servants, all of whom were entirely controlled by the children, I
thought it high time to provide for my safety by flight: determining to
risk any thing, rather than remain exposed to the malice and mischief
of these spoiled children, or, at least, to continual apprehension from
them.
“I found no difficulty in effecting my escape, for I was considered so
tame, that I was sometimes allowed to be about the room when the door
was open. On one of these occasions (Miss Stanton being busily occupied
in finishing a drawing, which she intended as a present to the lady
she was going to visit) I dexterously slipped out.
“I now found myself in the hall by which I at first entered. My heart
palpitated with terror, lest I should be perceived by any one, and I
anxiously sought for some opening by which I might get into the garden;
fortunately, I perceived that the staircase-window was open. My joy on
this discovery is indescribable. It almost deprived me of the power of
flight: but making, at last, one vigorous effort, I darted into the
garden, where I remained no longer than was absolutely necessary to
recover myself, lest I should be pursued, and conveyed back to a place
which I now considered as a prison.
“My freedom at this time was less irksome to me than formerly, for I
felt a degree of courage to which I was before a stranger; and that,
I imagine, preserved me from the attacks of the other birds, for
they now treated me very courteously. One of them in particular, by
his kindness, so engaged my affection and gratitude, that we became
inseparable companions, and shortly after the commencement of our
friendship, we mutually agreed to build a nest together. Ah! then it
was that I first knew the delights of liberty and society. Our labours,
sweetened by affection, were converted into pleasures; while hope,
displaying to our imagination the little brood nourished by our mutual
toils, and reared by our mutual cares, imparted a new relish to every
enjoyment.
“Time thus happily spent passed quickly, and the blissful period at
length arrived, when our little ones, bursting their brittle enclosure,
greeted our delighted ears with their chirping, sweeter to us than
the most melodious warblings. Oh, what were my feelings then! To you
they must be inconceivable, for it is not in the power of language
to describe them. Of the cares and anxieties of a mother, you may
form some idea, by recurring to the solicitude of your own; but the
sensations of delight she experiences, can be appreciated only by one
in a similar situation. For some time we tended our offspring with
unremitted care: they throve amazingly, and becoming strong enough to
sustain a longer absence on our part, my mate and I ventured to fly
abroad together. Our first excursion was short, for I was all anxiety;
but finding our little ones safe and well on our return, we were, by
degrees, emboldened to quit them during a longer period.
“One delightful morning, after having supplied the wants of our family,
we set out together. We were allured by the charms of the weather,
further than we intended. I being the soonest tired, wished to rest on
an adjacent hedge: my mate followed, and had nearly overtaken me, when
my cries warned him not to approach he fatal spot; for, to my utter
astonishment and dismay, I found myself held, as it were by magic,
and unable to raise my feet. When my first surprise was abated, I
discovered that it was owing to a glutinous substance which was spread
on the branch I had sought to rest upon, and from which I vainly strove
to disengage myself. My poor mate, finding that he could not effect my
release from this cruel snare, (for such in reality it was,) wished
to remain with me and share my fate; but I besought him, in the most
earnest and pathetic terms, to consider our helpless little ones, who
must certainly perish, if he, their only protector, abandoned them.
My entreaties had the desired effect; for, after some hesitation, he
consented to go and feed them, promising to fly back quickly, in order,
if possible, to ascertain my fate.
“Ah! what a dreadful moment was that of our separation. It seemed as
if we were never to meet again; and the event but too well justified
the forebodings of my despair, for, shortly after, two boys came to
the hedge, and gently extricated me from the spray, rejoicing at the
success of their plan, and reckoning the amount of what they expected
to gain by disposing of me. I was a little consoled at finding they did
not intend keeping me themselves; for what could I have expected from
such cruel boys, or how could I have borne the sight of those, who, in
a single moment, had destroyed all my happiness.
“They walked on together till we came to a large town, where entering
a shop, in which were birds of various kinds in cages, they offered
me for sale. The dealer’s proposals, however, came very far short
of their expectations; for being a hen bird, my song was held in
little estimation. The boys were almost inclined to keep me, but the
shopkeeper making a trifling advance in his offer, the bargain was
closed, and I established in a situation entirely new to me, but which
proved more tolerable than I had imagined it could have done. Comforts
I had none but food and cleanliness. Indeed, such was my dejection
when I remembered my late happiness, that I should not have been
susceptible of any enjoyment short of restoration to my family.
“I remained a long time with the bird-fancier, for, though frequently
offered for sale, I was as often refused, for the reason I before
mentioned. At length, that Providence which deigns to watch over the
meanest of our species, conducted Master Charles to deliver me from my
prison. He purchased me for his little sister, and, from his attention
to me during our journey, and from the apparent kindness of the whole
family towards our species, I have some hopes of comfort here. Yet,
such is my aversion to confinement, under any circumstances, that I
shall certainly seize the first opportunity to regain my liberty.”