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THE
BARBADOES GIRL.
A Tale for Young People.
BY MRS. HOFLAND.
AUTHOR OF
THE CLERGYMAN'S WIDOW; THE SISTERS; BLIND FARMER;
AFFECTIONATE BROTHERS; ELLEN THE TEACHER;
GOOD GRANDMOTHER; MERCHANT'S WIDOW;
ETC., ETC., ETC.
* * *
The indulgence of passion makes bitter work for repentance, and produces a
feeble old age. BACON.
As violent contrary winds endanger a ship, so it is with turbulent emotions
in the mind; whereas such as are favourable awaken the understanding, keep
in motion the will, and make the whole man more vigorous. ADDISON.
* * *
_A NEW EDITION, REVISED._
BOSTON:
CHASE AND NICHOLS,
43 WASHINGTON STREET.
1863.
* * * * *
THE BARBADOES GIRL.
CHAPTER I.
As Mr. Harewood was one evening sitting with his wife and children, he told
them that he expected soon to receive among them the daughter of a friend,
who had lately died in the West Indies.
Mr. Harewood's family consisted of his wife, two sons, and a daughter: the
eldest, named Edmund, was about twelve years of age; Charles, the second,
was scarcely ten; and Ellen, the daughter, had just passed her eighth
birthday: they were all sensible, affectionate children, but a little
different in disposition, the eldest being grave and studious, the second
lively and active, and as he was nearer to Ellen's age, she was often
inclined to romp with him, when she should have minded her book; but she
was so fond of her mamma, and was educated with such a proper sense of the
duty and obedience she owed her, that a word or a look never failed to
restrain the exuberance of her spirits.
Children are alike naturally curious and fond of society; the moment,
therefore, Mr. Harewood mentioned their expected guest, every one had
some question to ask respecting her; but as Ellen's was uttered with most
mildness and modesty, she was first answered; and her brother Charles,
taking this hint, listened quietly to the following conversation, not
joining in it, till he felt that he had a right to do so, from having
practised a forbearance that cost him some effort.
_Ellen._--Pray, papa, what is this little girl's name, and how old is she?
_Father._--She is called Matilda Sophia Hanson: her father was a man of
good fortune, and she is an only child; I believe, however, his affairs are
in an unsettled state, as her mother is under the necessity of remaining
some time in the country, in order to settle them. It is at her earnest
request that I have been prevailed upon to accept the charge of her
daughter. I believe she is about a year younger than you; but as the growth
of people in warm countries is more rapid than in this, I expect to see her
quite as tall and forward as you, Ellen.
_Ellen._--But, dear papa, how will she get here from a place on the other
side of the globe? I mean, who will bring her? for I know, of course, that
she must come in a ship.
_Father._--She will be attended by a negro servant, who has always waited
upon her; and who will return after she is safely landed, I suppose.
_Ellen._--Poor thing! how she will cry when she leaves her own dear mamma,
when she is to cross the wide sea! and then again, when she parts with her
good nurse; I dare say she will kiss her very fondly, though she is a
black.
_Charles._--Oh, she will forget her sorrow when she sees so many things
that are quite new to her. I'm afraid she'll think Ellen, and us boys, very
silly, ignorant creatures, compared to her, who has seen so much of the
world: upon my word, we must be all upon our good behaviour.
_Father._--I hope you will behave well, not merely from conscious
inferiority, but because you would be both impolite and unkind, if you
omitted any thing in your power that could render a stranger happy, who is
so entirely thrown upon our protection--one, too, who has lost a fond
father, and is parted from a tender mother.
_Edmund._--But, papa, as Miss Hanson is coming to England for education,
and is yet very young, surely Charles must be wrong in supposing that she
is wiser, or, I ought to say, better informed, than we are, since it is
utterly improbable that she should have had the benefit of such
instructions as we have enjoyed.
_Father._--True, my dear; but yet she will, of course, be acquainted with
many things to which you are necessarily entire strangers, although I must
remark that Charles's expression, "she has seen much of the world," is not
proper; for it is only applied to people who have mixed much with
society--not to those whose travels have shown them only land and water.
However, coming from a distant country, a society very different from ours,
and people to whom you are strangers, she cannot fail to possess many ideas
and much knowledge which are unknown to you; I therefore hope her residence
with us for a time will prove mutually advantageous; but if the advantage
should prove to be on your side, I trust you will never abuse it by
laughing, or in any way insulting and teazing your visitant; such conduct
would ensure most serious displeasure.
_Mother._--It would prove them not only very ignorant, and deficient in the
education which even savages give their children, but prove that they were
devoid of that spirit of courtesy which is recommended in the Scriptures,
and which every Christian child will nourish in his heart and display in
his manners: the same holy apostle, who inculcated the highest doctrines of
his Divine Master, says also--"Be affable, be courteous, bearing one with
another."
The children for a few moments looked very serious, and each appeared to be
inwardly making some kind of promise or resolution to themselves respecting
the expected stranger: at length, Ellen, looking up, said to her mamma,
with great earnestness--"Indeed, mamma, I will love Miss Hanson as much as
if she were my sister, if she will permit me to do it."
"You had better say, Ellen, that you will be as kind to her as if she were
your sister; for until we know more of her, it is not possible for us to
promise so much; nor is it advisable to give our hearts at first sight,
even to those who have yet stronger claims upon our good will and friendly
services."
Mr. Harewood added his approbation of this sentiment, for he knew it was
one that could not be repeated too often to young people, who are ever apt
to take up either partialities or prejudices too strongly, and whose
judgment has ever occasion for the attempering lessons of experience.