That Miss Jenny’s meeting with her companions in the morning, after
school, she asked them how they liked the history of the giants? They
all declared they thought it a very pretty diverting story. Miss Jenny
replied, though she was glad they were pleased, yet she would have them
look farther than the present amusement: ‘for,’ continued she, ‘my mamma
always taught me to understand what I read; otherwise, she said, it was
to no manner of purpose to read ever so many books, which would only
stuff my brain, without being any improvement to my mind.’
The misses all agreed, that certainly it was of no use to read, without
understanding what they read; and began to talk of the story of the
giants, to prove they could make just remarks on it.
Miss Sukey Jennett said, ‘I am most pleased with that part of the story
where the good Benefico cuts off the monster’s head, and puts an end
to his cruelty, especially as he was so sullen he would not confess his
wickedness; because, you know, Miss Jenny, if he had had sense enough to
have owned his error, and have followed the example of the good giant,
he might have been happy.’
Miss Lucy Sly delivered the following opinion: ‘My greatest joy was
whilst Mignon was tying the magic fillet round the monster’s neck, and
conquering him.’
‘Now I (said Miss Dolly Friendly) am most pleased with that part of the
story, were Fidus and Amata meet the reward of their constancy and love,
when they find each other after all their sufferings.’
Miss Polly Suckling said, with some eagerness, ‘My greatest joy was in
the description of Mignon; and to think that it should be in the power
of that little creature to conquer such a great monster.’
Miss Patty Lockit, Miss Nanny Spruce, Miss Betty Ford, and Miss Henny
Fret, advanced no new opinions; but agreed some to one, and some to
another, of those that were already advanced. And as every one was eager
to maintain her own opinion, an argument followed, the particulars of
which I could never learn: only thus much I know, that it was concluded
by Miss Lucy Sly, saying, with an air and tone of voice that implied
more anger than had been heard since the reconciliation, that she was
sure Miss Polly Suckling only liked that part about Mignon, because she
was the least in the school; and Mignon being such a little creature,
put her in mind of herself.
Miss Jenny Peace now began to be frighted, lest this contention should
raise another quarrel; and therefore begged to be heard before they went
any farther. They were not yet angry enough to refuse hearing what she
had to say: and then Miss Jenny desired them to consider the moral of
the story, and what use they might make of it, instead of contending
which was the prettiest part: ‘For otherwise,’ continued she, ‘I have
lost my breath in reading to you; and you will be worse, rather than
better, for what you have heard. Pray observe, that Benefico’s happiness
arose entirely from his goodness: he had less strength, and less riches,
than the cruel monster; and yet, by the good use he made of what he
possessed, you see how he turned all things to his advantage. But
particularly remember, that the good little Mignon, in the moment
that he was patiently submitting to his sufferings, found a method of
relieving himself from them, and of overcoming a barbarous monster, who
had so cruelly abused him.
‘Our good governess last night not only instructed me in this moral I
am now communicating to you, but likewise bid me warn you by no means
to let the notion of giants or magic to dwell upon your minds; for by a
giant is meant no more than a man of great power; and the magic fillet
round the head of the statue was only intended to teach you, that by the
assistance of patience you may overcome all difficulties.
‘In order therefore to make what you read of any use to you, you must
not only think of it thus in general, but make the application to
yourselves. For when (as now) instead of improving yourselves by
reading, you make what you read a subject to quarrel about, what is this
less than being like the monster Barbarico, who turned his very riches
to a curse? I am sure it is not following the example of Benefico, who
made everything a blessing to him. Remember, if you pinch and abuse a
dog or cat, because it is in your power, you are like the cruel Monster,
when he abused the little Mignon, and said,
I am a giant, and I can eat thee;
Thou art a dwarf, and thou canst not eat me.
‘In short, if you will reap any benefit from this story towards
rendering you happy, whenever you have any power, you must follow the
example of the giant Benefico, and do good with it: and when you are
under any sufferings, like Mignon, you must patiently endure them till
you can find a remedy: then, in one case, like Benefico, you will enjoy
what you possess; and, in the other, you will in time, like Mignon,
overcome your sufferings: for the natural consequence of indulging
cruelty and revenge in the mind, even where there is the highest power
to gratify it, is misery.’
Here Miss Sukey Jennet interrupted Miss Jenny, saying, that she herself
had experienced the truth of that observation in the former part of her
life: for she never had known either peace or pleasure, till she had
conquered in her mind the desire of hurting and being revenged on those
who she thought did not by their behaviour show the same regard for her,
that her own good opinion of herself made her think she deserved. Miss
Jenny then asked her, if she was willing to lead the way to the rest of
her companions, by telling her past life? She answered, she would do it
with all her heart; and, by having so many and great faults to confess,
she hoped she should, by her true confessions, set them an example of
honesty and ingenuity.