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PINCUSHION. 


2kfifjf  Martha  twhintf  litr  //«•// inj  friends  A'  Dans 
}',tl>lt.*li£<l  l't>  JI'SJbknsonfiPStMartmsbme.Cftartny&vfi 


ADVENTURES 


PINCUSHION: 


DESIGNED  CHIEFLY  FOR  THE 


USE  OF  YOUNG  LADIES. 


Imagination  here  supplies 
What  Nature's  sparing  hand  denies  ; 
And  by  her  magic  powers  dispense, 
To  meanest  objects,  thought  and  sense. 


Eontron : 

J.  FAIRBURN,  Featherstone  Street,  City  Road. 


TUB 

ADVENTURES 

OF  A 

PINCUSHION. 


IT  happened  one  very  fine  afternoon  in  the 
latter  end  of  May,  that  Mrs.  Airy  had  been 
collecting  together  a  great  number  of  different 
pieces  of  silk,  in  order  to  make  a  work-bag ; 
which  she  intended  as  a  present  to  one  of  her 
nieces.  Miss  Martha  Airy,  her  eldest  daugh- 
ter, was  about  ten  years  old,  and  had  been  for 
some  time  indolently  lolling  with  both  her 
elbows  on  the  table,  looking  at  her  mamma 
while  she  was  choosing  the  prettiest  pattern 
for  the  purpose  I  just  mentioned.  Her  chin 
rested  on  her  two  hands,  which  were  crossed 
over  eacli  other,  and  she  was  seated  on  the 
the  back  of  her  brother's  chair,  which  he  had 
B  3 


6  THB  ADVENTUREi  OF 

turned  down  in  that  manner  for  the  purpose 
of  serving  him  as  a  horse.  At  last,  however, 
her  weight  proving  too  great  for  the  seat  she 
had  chosen,  as  she  did  not  keep  still,  the 
upper-part  of  the  chair-back  came  to  the 
ground,  while  the  other  end  mounted  up  like 
a  piece  of  board  for  a  see-saw ;  and  in  her  fall 
tumbling  down  backwards,  proved  the  occasion 
of  a  great  deal  of  mischief,  by  over- setting  a 
curious  set  of  tea-china,  which  her  sister 
Charlotte  was  playing  with;  and  which  she 
had  received  as  a  present  the  day  before  horn 
her  grand-papa.  Charlotte  was  so  enraged 
at  the  loss  of  her  play-things,  that,  without 
offering  to  help  her  sister,  she  gave  her  a 
slap  on  the  face,  and  told  her,  she  was  very 
naughty  to  spoil  things  in  such  a  manner  by 
her  carelessness ;  and  that  she  would  break 
her  plates  whenever  they  came  in  her  way. 
She  was  proceeding  in  this  manner,  when 
Mrs.  Airy  thought  it  time  to  interfere,  am 
was  extremely  angry  with  Charlotte  for  he 
warmth.  "  Martha  was  not  to  blame,"  adde« 
die,  "  as  she  had  no  intention  of  doing  tht 


A  PINCUSHION.  7 

least  mischief  to  your  cups  and  saucers.  I 
thick,  as  I  told  her  once  before,  she  was  not 
sitting  in  disgraceful  attitude,  and  had  she 
moved  at  the  time  I  spoke  to  her,  it  would 
have  prevented  her  fall ;  but  that  is  no  jus 
tification  of  your  behaviour  to  your  sister. 
She  has  not  deserved  your  reproaches,  and  I 
did  not  think  you  could  have  behaved  so 
improperly,  as  well  as  unkindly,  as  to  strike 
any  one,  especially  your  elder  sister.  Indeed, 
I  am  much  displeased  with  you ;  and  the 
threat  you  made  of  breaking  her  plates  in 
return,  is  so  very  naughty  and  wicked,  that  I 
think  you  deserve  to  be  punished ;  and  1 
desire  you  will  ask  Martha's  pardon  for  the 
blow  you  have  given  her."  Charlotte  colour- 
ed with  indignation  and  anger,  at  the  thoughts 
of  submitting  in  such  a  manner  to  humble 
herself.  She  had  heard  some  silly  girls  declare, 
they  would  never  own  their  being  in  the  wrong, 
and  was  withheld  from  acting  in  the  noblest 
manner,  by  the  false  shame  of  confessing  an 
error.  At  length,  however,  upon  her  mamma 
coming  towards  her  with  an  avowed  intention 


8  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

of  inflicting  some  further  punishment,  she 
mumbled  out,  in  a  low  voice,  which  was  very 
difficult  to  be  understood,  "  That  she  was 
sorry  she  had  struck  her  sister/'  Martha, 
who  was  extremely  generous,  and  uncommonly 
good-natured,  very  affectionately  kissed  her 
sister,  and  told  her,  she  was  much  concerned 
at  the  mischief  she  had  occasioned ;  though 
she  could  not  have  helped  it,  as  she  fell 
down  before  she  was  aware  of  it,  and  did 
not  see  that  her  tea-things  were  near  her. 
Charlotte  grew  reconciled  by  degrees ;  but  it 
was  a  long  time  before  she  regained  her  usual 
cheerfulness.  After  some  time,  however,  the 
sisters  seated  themselves  in  a  window  by  the 
table,  and  soliciting  their  mamma  for  a  bit  of 
silk  to  make  a  Pincushion.  Mrs.  Airy  gave 
them  several  pieces  to  choose  which  they  liked 
best;  and  after  they  had  taken  them  up  a 
dozen  times,  or  perhaps  as  many  more,  had 
they  been  reckoned,  Martha  made  choice  of  a 
square  piece  of  pink  satin,  which  she  neatly 
sewed  and  stuffed  with  bran,  and  which, 
gentle  reader,  when  it  was  finished,  was  the 


A  PINCUSHION.  9 

identical  Pincushion  whose  adventures  form 
the  subject  of  this  little  volume.  Assuming, 
therefore,  the  title  of  an  Historian,  or  Bio- 
grapher,  which  is  generally  understood  to 
mean  a  person,  who  is  writing  an  account  of 
his  own,  or  another's  actions,  I  shall  take  the 
liberty  to  speak  for  myself,  and  tell  you  what 
I  saw  and  heard  in  the  character  of  a  Pin- 
cushion. Perhaps  you  never  thought  that 
such  things  as  are  inanimate  could  be  sensible 
of  any  thing  which  happens,  as  they  can  nei- 
ther hear,  see,  nor  understand ;  and  as  I  would 
not  willingly  mislead  your  judgment,  I  would 
previous  to  your  reading  this  work,  inform 
you,  that  it  is  to  be  understood  as  an  imaginary 
tale ;  in  the  same  manner  as  when  you  are 
at  play,  ygu  sometimes  call  yourselves  gen- 
tlemen and  ladies,  though  you  know  you  are 
only  -little  boys  and  girls.  So,  when  you  read 
of  birds  and  beasts  speaking  and  thinking,  you 
know  it  is  not  so  in  reality,  any  more  than  your 
amusements,  which  you  frequently  call  making 
believe.  To  use  your  own  style,  and  adopt 
your  own  manner  of  speaking,  therefore,  you 


4 

10  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

must  imagine,  that  a  Pincushion  is  now  making 
believe  to  address  jptf,  and  to  recite  a  number 
of  little  events,  some  of  which  really  have 
happened,  and  others  might  do  so  with  great 
probability :  and  if  any  of  the  characters  here 
represented  should  appeal:  to  be  disagreeable, 
the  author  hopes  you  will  endeavour  to  avoid 
their  failings,  and  to  practise  those  virtues  or 
accomplishments,  which  render  the  contrary 
examples  more  worthy  of  imitation.  And 
now,  if  you  please,  we  will  return  to  the  ac- 
count of  what  further  befel  me  in  the  family 
of  Mrs.  Airy. 

After  the  young  ladies  had  amused  them- 
selves a  great  while  with  the  pieces  of  silk  I 
have  so  often  had  occasion  to  mention,  and 
Miss  Martha  had  completed  me  to  her  entire 
satisfaction;  she  took  all  the  pins  out  of  an 
old  green  one,  which  was  originally  in  the 
shape  of  a  heart,  but  had  by  losing  a  great 
part  of  its  inside,  through  various  little  holes, 
quite  lost  its  form :  and  which,  that  she 
might  find  those  pins  which  had  gone  through 
the  silk,  she  cut  open  an  old  newspaper, 


A  PINCUSHION.  II 

and  then  stuck  all  she  could  find  ut/on  my 
sides  in  the  shape  of  letters,  which  she  after- 
wards changed  to  flowers,  and  a  third  time 
altered  to  stars  and  circles;  which  afforded 
her  full  amusement  till  bed-time.  Miss  Char- 
lotte, though  her  mamma  had  given  her  as 
much  silk  as  her  sister,  had  only  cut  it  into 
waste ;  while  Martha,  after  she  had  furnished 
me,  had  saved  the  rest  towards  making  a 
housewife  for  her  doll.  I  could  not  help 
reflecting  when  I  saw  all  Charlotte's  little 
shreds  and  slips  littering  the  room,  what  a 
•imple  method  many  little  girls  are  apt  to  get 
into,  of  wasting  every  thing  which  their  friends 
are  so  kind  as  to  give  them,  and  which  pro- 
perly employed,  might  make  them  many 
useful  ornaments  for  their  dolls,  and  sometimes 
pretty  trifles  for  themselves.  Charlotte  Airy, 
as  such  children  usually  are,  was  desirous  of 
having  every  thing  she  saw  ;  so  that  her 
drawers  were  always  filled  with  bits  of  ribbon, 
pieces  of  silk,  cuttings  of  gauze,  catgut,  and 
muslin :  aud  if  she  wanted  to  find  her  gloves, 
tippet,  tuckers,  or  any  part  of  her  dress,  she 


12  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

was  obliged  to  search  for  them  in  twenty 
different  places,  and  frequently  to  go  with- 
out what  she  was  looking  for.  Martha,  on 
the  contrary,  by  taking  care  of  what  might 
be  of  use,  and  laying  it  by  in  a  proper 
place,  always  knew  where  to  find  what  she 
had  occasion  for  directly.  So  that  it  fre- 
quently happened  that  she  went  out  with  her 
mamma,  when  her  sister  was  forced  to  stay 
at  home ;  because  she  had  lost  something 
which  had  delayed  her  so  long  to  look  for, 
that  she  could  not  get  ready  in  time.  This 
very  circumstance  happened  the  day  after 
I  became  acquainted  with  her,  to  her  no 
small  mortification.  Mrs.  Airy  was  going 
to  see  the  exhibition  of  pictures  at  the  Royal 
Academy,  and  told  her  daughters  if  they 
behaved  well  they  should  accompany  her;  as 
Mrs.  Gardner  and  her  niece  Miss  Lounge 
would  call  at  one  o'clock.  After  breakfast, 
Charlotte,  who  had  found  the  mould  of 
an  old  button  in  one  of  her  papa's  waist- 
coat pockets  which  she  had  been  rummag- 
ing, had  cut  to  pieces  an  axle-tree  of  a 


A  PINCUSHION.  13 

little  cart,  which  belonged  to  her  brother,  to 
make  a  spindle,  in  order  to  convert  it  into  a 
tee-totum ;  with  which  she  was  so  much 
entertained  that  she  was  very  unwilling  to 
leave  it  to  go  to  work,  though  her  mamma 
repeatedly  told  her  she  would  not  be  ready 
against  Mr.  Gardner's  coach  came.  "  Yes  I 
shall,  madam !"  said  she,  and  played  on. 
"  Do  pray  go  to  work,  Charlotte  !"  "  Pre- 
sently, madam."  But  still  she  thought  she 
would  give  it  another  twirl.  "  You,  shall 
not  go  if  you  have  not  finished  your  morning 
business !"  "  In  a  minute  I  will !"  And  so 
she  simply  idled  away  her  time,  without 
heeding  her  mamma's  admonition,  till  near 
an  hour  beyond  her  usual  time  of  beginning.- 
This  put  her  into  such  a  hurry  to  finish^ 
when  she  found  it  was  so  late,  that  she  stitchea 
some  wristbands  she  was  about,  and  which 
were  intended  for  her  grand-papa,  so  very 
badly,  they  were  obliged  to  be  undone  ; 
which  made  her  so  cross,  that  in  pulling 
out  the  work,  she  broke  the  threads  of  the 
cloth,  and  entirely  spoiled  it.  Charlotte  was 


14  THE  ADVENTURES  OP 

a  very  fair  complexioned  pretty  girl ;  but  you 
cannot  imagine  how  ugly  her  ill-humour  made 
her  appear;  nor  how  much  more  agreeable 
her  sister  looked,  who  was  much  browner, 
was  pitted  with  the  small-pox,  and  a  much 
plainer  child.  I  surveyed  them  both  as  I 
lay  on  the  table,  where  my  mistress  had  placed 
me  to  stick  her  pins  as  she  took  out  of  the 
shirt  collar  which  she  was  putting  on ;  Martha 
looked  so  placid  and  cheerful,  and  seemed  to 
speak  so  kindly  when  she  asked  a  question, 
that  it  made  her  really  charming ;  while  Char- 
lotte, who  had  a  very  pretty  mouth,  and  very 
regular  features,  stuck  out  her  lips  in  a  man- 
ner so  unbecoming,  and  tossed  about  her  head 
with  such  very  illiberal  jerks  that  she  lost  all 
natural  advantages  in  her  wilful  ill-humour. 

A  person  happening  to  call  on  Mrs.  Airyr 
to  speak  about  some  particular  business,  she 
left  the  children  to  attend  him;  and  Martha, 
who  pitied  her  sister's  distress,  and  saw  the 
impossibility  of  her  finishing  the  task  she  was 
ordered  to  do,  very  kindly  offered  to  assist  her, 
without  which  she  never  could  have  accom- 


A  PFNCUSH10N.  15 

plished  it.  But  their  mamma,  at  her  return, 
immediately  suspected  the  case  to  be  as  I  have 
told  you,  and  inquired  what  help  Charlotte 
had  received  in  her  absence?  They  were 
both  girls  of  too  much  honour  to  deny  the 
truth,  and  in  consequence  of  her  frankly 
owning  her  sister's  kindness,  Mrs.  Airy  per- 
mitted her  to  retire,  in  order  to  prepare  for 
the  intended  expedition ;  but,  alas  !  poor 
Charlotte,  who  indeed  was  not  always  so  good 
as  she  ought  to  have  been,  was  not  to  go  that 
morning,  although  her  mamma  had  consented 
to  it,  Betty,  who  came  to  put  on  her  frock, 
was  not  very  fond  of  her,  for  she  was  sometimes 
apt,  when  her  mamma  was  not  in  the  way, 
to  speak  very  haughtily,  and  in  a  manner 
quite  becoming  a  young  lady.  Unfortunately 
she  forget  herself  on  the  present  occasion,  and 
very  rudely  said,  "  You  must  come  and 
dress  me,  and  you  must  make  haste,  or  I  shall 
not  be  ready."  "  Must  I  ?"  replied  Betty, 
"  That  is  if  I  please,  Miss  Charlotte,  though 
you  forgot  to  put  that  in ;  and  unless  you 
speak  in  a  prettier  way,  I  will  not  help  you  at 


16  THB  ADVENTURES  OF 

all."  "  Then  you  may  let  it  alone,  foi 
I  will  not  ask  you  any  otherwise,"  and  awaj 
she  went,  banging  the  door  after  her,  to  caL 
her  sister,  who  was  ready  and  waiting  for 
the  coach  in  her  mamma's  room.  Martha 
ran  directly,  and  began  to  pin  her  frock  as 
she  desired.  But  a  new  distress  arose;  for 
as  she  was  too  careless  ever  to  retain  any  of  my 
fellow-servants  (commonly  called  a  Pincushion) 
in  her  service,  so  she  had  not  one  pin  to  pro- 
ceed with  after  three,  which  had  stuck  at 
one  end  of  me,  had  been  employed.  Neither 
of  them  chose  to  apply  to  Betty,  because 
they  were  sure,  from  Charlotte's  ill-behaviour 
to  be  denied :  and  she  would  not  permit 
her  sister  to  ask  her  mamma,  for  fear  of  ang^ 
inquiry  which  might  not  turn  out  to  herH 
credit.  So,  in  short,  they  both  traversed  the 
room  backwards  and  forwards,  and  were 
quite  overjoyed  when  they  found  two  (one  ot 
which  proved  to  be  crooked)  between  the 
joining  of  the  floor.  Then  they  each  return 
ed  and  took  me  up  repeatedly,  and  examined 
me  over  and  over,  though  they  were  con- 


A  PINCUSHION.  17 

vinced  I  had  been  empty  long  ago.  At  last 
a  loud  rap  at  the  door  announced  Mrs. 
Gardner's  arrival.  The  ladies  were  called, 
and  Martha  obeyed,  though  with  reluctance 
to  leave  her  sister  :  and  Charlotte,  with  con- 
scious shame  and  remorse  for  her  past  conduct, 
and  heart -heaving  sobs  of  dissappointment, 
saw  them  drive  away  without  her.  I  was  left 
upon  the  table  in  the  hurry  of  my  mistress's 
departure.  Charlotte  took  me  up,  and  earnest- 
ly wished  she  had  a  Pincushion  of  her  own ; 
and  so  I  should  think  would  any  one,  who 
had  experienced  the  want  of  such  an  useful 
companion ;  though,  unless  well  furnished 
with  -pins,  it  is  in  itself  but  of  little  assistance, 
as  she  had  but  too  unfortunately  found.  The 
slatternly  appearance,  and  real  inconvenience, 
which  many  ladies  suffer  from  neglecting  to 
provide  themselves  with,  and  retaining  a  few 
such  necessary  implements  of  female  oeconomy 
about  them  is  really  inconceivable  by  any 
person  accustomed  to  a  proper  degree  of  at- 
tention. Trifles  are  frequently  regarded  by 
the  giddy  and  thoughtless  as  of  no  moment, 
c3  - 


18  THE  ADVENTURES  Ot 

when  essentials  are  taken  care  of:  but  it  is 
the  repetition  of  trifles  which  constitutes  the 
chief  business  of  our  existence.  In  other 
words,  people  form  their  opinion  of  a  young 
lady  from  her  personal  appearance;  and  if, 
because  she  is  at  work,  and  in  want  of  pins, 
and  destitute  of  a  Pincushion,  she  has  quite 
undressed  herself,  and  her  clothes  are  dropping 
off,  she  will  be  thought  a  negligent  slattern  ; 
which  I  suppose,  is  what  no  one  would  choose 
to  be  esteemed :  so,  when  children  accustom 
themselves  to  loll  their  elbows,  stoop  their 
heads,  stand  upon  one  foot,  bite  their  nails,  or 
any  other  ungraceful  actions,  it  makes  them 
disagreeable,  and  the  object  of  dislike  to  all 
their  friends,  and  every  one  who  is  acquainted 
with  them.  And  it  is  very  foolish  to  imagine, 
that  because  they  are  not  in  company  with 
strangers  it  does  not  signify ;  for  ill  habits, 
when  once  they  are  acquired,  are  very  difficult 
to  leave  off;  and  by  being  used  to  do  an  un- 
polite  action  frequently,  they  will  do  it  without 
recollecting  the  impropriety ;  when,  if  they 
thought,  perhaps,  they  would  on  no  account 
tiave  been  guilty  ot  it. 


A  PINCUSHION  19 

Miss  Lounge,  the  young  lady  who  accom  - 
panied  Mrs.  Airy  to  the  exhibition  was  a  stri- 
king example  of  what  I  mention  above.  She 
was  about  sixteen,  and  very  tall  of  her  age ;  so 
that  she  appeared  quite  womanly  in  person, 
though  her  manners  were  to  the  highest  degree 
remarkable  and  unpleasing ;  she  had  a  strange 
way  of  tossing  her  legs  round  at  every  step, 
as  if  she  was  making  circles,  and  her  arms 
were  crossed  over  each  other  in  so  awkward  a 
manner,  and  unfashionably  low,  that  it  made 
her  still  more  ungraceful  in  her  appearance  : 
besides  this,  she  had  acquired  a  drawling  tone 
in  conversation,  which  made  her  completely 
an  object  of  disgust ;  as  it  was  entirely  the 
consequence  of  her  own  neglect,  and  therefore 
was  by  no  means  deserving  of  that  pity  which 
is  due  to  every  natural  defect  or  accidental 
deformity.  She  returned  with  her  aunt  to 
dinner. 

Miss  Charlotte  was  quite  ashamed  of  enter- 
ing the  drawing  room,  though  she  was  now 
dressed,  and  had  promised  Mrs.  Betty  she 
would  behave  with  more  civility  for  the  future. 


20  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

But  the  fear  of  mamma's  exposing  her  folly 
to  Mrs.  Gardner,  had  made  her  dislike  to 
show  herself  in  company  ;  and  the  conscious- 
ness of  having  deserved  reproof,  made  her 
justly  apprehensive  of  receiving  it.  She  did 
not  venture  down  stairs,  therefore,  till  dinner 
was  on  the  table;  and  then,  with  her  neck 
and  face  as  red  as  blushes  could  make  them, 
she  paid  her  compliments  to  the  company, 
without  daring  to  look  at  her  mamma.  So 
cowardly  and  uncomfortable  does  the  thought 
of  a  wrong  action  make  those  who  have  com- 
mitted it,  even  when  they  are  not  certain  it 
will  be  publicly  known.  And  this  reminds 
me  of  a  few  stanzas  I  found  in  Miss  Martha's 
work-bag  one  day,  when  she  put  me  into  it 
with  the  scissars,  (by  mistake,  I  suppose)  as 
my  proper  place  was  certainly  in  her  pocket. 
But  as  they  are  so  very  a-propos  to  my 
present  subject,  I  will  present  my  readers  with 
them :  and  as  the  author  is  quite  unknown,  if 
they  should  not  be  thought  deserving  of  a 
favourable  reception  they  will  not  at  least, 
subject  the  writer  to  any  mortification. 


A  PINCUSHION.  21 

'TIS  innocence  only  true  courage  can  give, 
Or  secure  from  the  fear  of  disdain  ; 

To  be  conscious  of  guilt  all  affiance  destroys, 
And  the  hope  of  enjoyment  is  vain. 

If  to  error  betrayed,  then  delay  no  to  own 
The  crime  which  has  robb'd  you  of  peace  ; 

As  penitence  only  can  wash  out  the  stain, 
Or  cause  your  vexation  to  cease. 

When  the  ermine  of  conscience  is  spotted  by 
guilt, 

Most  severe  are  the  pangs  of  the  mind ; 
'Tis  a  woe  which  no  sympathy  e'er  can  relieve, 

Nay,  is  hurt  by  a  treatment  too  kind. 

To  feel  undeserving  of  friendly  esteem, 

Is  the  worst  of  all  evils  below  : 
We  may  suffer  from  pain,  but  the  sting  of  re- 
morse 

Is  the  heaviest  gnef  we  can  know. 

Then  caretul  your  innocence  ever  maintain, 
Be  assured  it  is  worthy  your  care ; 

Since  no  other  distress  so  deprives  us  of  hope, 
Or  so  soon  sinks  the  soul  in  despair. 

There  was  another  short  piece  by  the  same 
hand,  which  my  mistress  had  transcribed,  to 
give  her  sister  on  occasion  of  a  little  quarrel 


22  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

which  had  happened  between  them  :  Miss 
Martha  having  mentioned  to  her  the  impro- 
priety of  speaking  rudely  to  servants,  and 
behaving  in  a  different  manner  when  her 
mamma  was  absent,  to  what  she  could  dare 
to  do  in  her  presence ;  which  reproof  Char 
lotte  highly  resented,  and  was  very  angry 
that  her  sister  shou  Id  find  fault  with  her :  as 
the  following  verses  were  applicable  to  the 
circumstance,  she  adopted  them  as  her  own  on 
the  occasion. 

Nay,  Charlotte,  why  so  much  displeased  to  be 
told, 

That  your  friends  have  discernment  to  see  ? 
If  you  could  descend  to  deserve  my  reproach 

The  error  lies  sure  not  in  me. 

I  mentioned  the  fault,  that  in  future  your  care 
Might  secure  from  unguarded  surprise  ; 

I  thought  you  had  sense  to  rely  on  my  love  ; 
To  resent  it  I  deemed  you  too  wise. 

The  freedom  of  friendship  should  never  displease, 
Tho'  harsh  its  reproofs  may  appear; 

Since  often  in  public  who  flatter  us  most, 
Are  the  first  at  our  weakness  to  sneer. 


4    PINCUSHION.  23 

Then  should  you  not  g.adly  with  candour  receive 
The  advice  >\hich  affection  bestows ; 

For  sincerity  rarely  we  meet  with  in  life, 
Few  will  aid  us,  but  numbers  oppose. 

As  to  you,  I  am  bound  by  the  dearest  of  ties, 

My  sister,  as  well  as  my  friend  ; 
No  undue  command  did  I  mean  to  usurp, 

Nor  ever  design  to  offend. 

Then  let  us  united  in  harmony  live, 
For  sisters  should  ne'er  disagree  ; 

And  when  I  am  wrong,  equal  freedom  exert, 
To  complain  of  these  errors  to  me. 

Mrs.  Airy  was  so  generous  as  not  to  ex- 
pose her  daughter's  folly  before  Mrs.  Gard- 
ner ;  and  as  she  had  met  with  a  severe  punish- 
ment in  consequence  of  her  fault,  and  had 
promised  amendment  for  the  future,  after  a 
gentle  reprimand,  when  she  came  down  the 
next  morning,  nothing  further  passed  on  the 
subject. 

Charlotte  was  so  conscious  of  her  late  mis- 
behaviour, that  she  had  scarce  courage  to  en- 
quire what  entertainment  they  had  received 
from  a  sight  of  pictures  at  the  exhibition; 


9A  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

and  Martha,  who  tfas  extremely  delicate  and 
attentive,  very  cautiously  avoided  the  subject, 
from  fear  of  appearing  to  insult  her  sister,  or 
to  remind  her  mamma  of  the  reason  which 
had  occasioned  her  absence  from  the  party 
Mrs.  Airy  inquiring  whether  Martha  had  not 
particularly  taken  notice  of  a  large  picture, 
which  represented  the  death  of  Earl  Good- 
win;  she  replied  that  Mrs.  Gardner  had 
pointed  it  out  to  her  observation;  but  that 
she  had  not  remarked  any  particulars,  except 
the  figure  of  a  king,  and  a  large  company  at 
dinner.  I  will  tell  you  the  story  then,  my 
dear,  to  which  this  picture  refers,  said  Mrs, 
Airy. 

In  the  reign  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  in 
the  year  1042,  Earl  Goodwin,  who  had  been 
accessary  to  the  murder  of  Prince  Alfred, 
was  at  dinner  with  the  King  at  Windsor;  and 
taking  a  piece  of  bread,  called  God  to  witness 
his  innocence,  and  wished,  if  he  uttered  any 
but  the  truth,  that  the"  next  mouthful  he  ate 
might  choak  him :  which  accordingly  hap- 


A  PINCUSHION.  26 

pened,  and  the  bread  stuck  in  his  throat,  and 
he  died  immediately  at  the  table.  Do  not 
you  think,  my  dear,  added  Mrs.  Airy,  it  was 
a  just  punishment  for  his  untruth,  and  an 
awful  judgment  for  calling  God  to  witness  a 
falsehood  ?  Indeed,  Madam,  I  think  it  was 
quite  dreadful ;  but  are  you  sure  that  this  ac- 
count is  true  ?  for  though  it  is  certainly  very 
wicked  to  teJl  a  lie  on  any  occasion,  yet,  as 
sometimes  many  people  are  thus  guilty,  I 
wonder  that  such  events  do  not  more  fre- 
quently happen  !  You  know  that  Miss  Riby 
said  she  had  not  been  writing  last  week,  al- 
though you  saw  that  her  fingers  were  inked  : 
and  Charlotte  had  seen  her  doing  it;  why 
then  did  not  the  same  accident  happen  to 
her?  6<  Because,  my  love,  the  punishment  of 
such  crimes  does  not  always  immediately  fol- 
low the  commission  of  them ;  but  you  may 
be  sure  that  the  remorse  of  conscience,  and 
the  secret  uneasiness  of  mind  which  the  guil- 
ty suffer,  is  a  very  great  unhappiness ;  and 
the  apprehension  and  the  fear  of  a  future  ac- 
count after  death,  besides  the  idea  of  present 

D 


26  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

detection,  is  such  a  degree  of  misery  as  no 
other  punishment  can  equal.  As  to  your 
question,  whether  I  believe  this  account  to  be 
true  ?  I  certainly  do  !  It  was  an  extraordi- 
nary event  which  was  recorded  at  the  time  it 
happened,  and  which  every  history  has  men- 
tioned since,  and  faithfully  transmitted  to  us. 
This  is  the  best  authority  we  can  have  for  any 
fact  which  happened  before  our  own  time, 
and  is  therefore  entitled  to  our  belief.  But 
why  such  examples  are  so  rare,  is  not  to  be 
wondered  at ;  because  you  know  that  wicked 
people  will  be  punished  hereafter ;  and  though 
such  instances  sometimes  happen,  to  teach 
others  to  be  good,  and  to  make  them  afraid 
of  doing  what  might  make  them  liable  to 
such  terrible  vengeance,  yet,  in  general,  a 
crime  of  this  kind  does  not  meet  with  imme- 
diate chastisement;  because,  after  death,  as 
I  have  before  told  you,  those  who  have  been 
wicked,  will  suffer  such  misery  as  their  sins 
deserved.  Besides  which,  the  liar  is  at  pre- 
sent detested  by  every  one,  and  loses  all  the 
advantage  of  confidence,  and  the  pleasure  of 


A  PINCUSHION  £7 

being  believed  :  even  when  he  does  speak 
truth,  he  is  liable  to  be  suspected,  and  In* 
word  is  doubted  on  all  occasions."  The  con- 
versation was  here  interrupted  by  the  arrival 
of  two  young  ladies  and  their  mamma,  who 
came  to  pay  a  morning  visit  to  Mrs.  Airy. 
v  But  as  they  did  not  say  any  thing  worth  the 
attention  of  my  readers,  I  shall  not  trouble 
myself  to  repeat  more  of  what  passed  than 
may  be  imagined,  from  the  comments  of  my 
mistress  and  her  sister,  with  which  I  shall 
present  them. 

Martha,  before  the  room  door  was  well 
shut  after  them,  began  to  observe  that  the 
eldest  Miss  Chantillon  was  very  ugly,  and 
very  stupid ;  and  the  youngest  a  good  pretty 
girl,  and  talked  a  great  deal  indeed.  I  wish, 
added  she,  I  could  speak  as  fast  as  she  does. 
To  talk  so  fast,  my  love,  said  her  mamma, 
is  by  no  means  any  accomplishment ;  and  I 
am  far  from  your  opinion,  in  so  highly  ad- 
miring the  merits  of  Miss  Lucy.  She  chat- 
ters so  fast,  as  frequently  not  to  be  under- 
stood ;  and  has  a  very  silly  trick  of  beginning 


28  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

every  sentence  with  a  laugh,  than  which  noth- 
ing can  be  more  ill-bred.  The  person  who  is 
speaking,  should  never  laugh,  if  she  can  help 
it,  at  her  own  wit,  if  she  design  to  excite 
mirth,  or  to  meet  with  approbation  from 
others.  But  without  any  such  intention, 
Lucy  assumes  an  affected  giggle  whenever 
she  attempts  to  speak.  She  has  likewise  a 
very  unbecoming  pertness  in  her  manner, 
and,  by  frequent  interruptions,  when  her  el- 
ders are  otherwise  engaged,  renders  herself 
extremely  disagreeable.  I  would  have  you, 
my  good  girls,  possess  that  desirable  degree 
of  proper  courage,  as  never  to  feel  ashamed 
of  speaking  when  it  is  necessary ;  but  I  think 
it  is  an  unpleasing  sight  to  perceive  a  young 
woman,  or  child  I  should  say,  for  Lucy  is 
young  enough  for  that  epithet,  affecting  to 
understand  every  thing,  and  giving  her  opi- 
nion unasked,  upon  subjects  which  frequently 
expose  her  ignorance  and  presumption.  This 
is  aiming  at  a  character  to  which  she  has 
no  pretensions;  and  by  wishing  to  rise  into 
a  woman,  before  she  has  reached  the  age 


A.  PINCUSHION  29 

of  understanding,  she  is  despised  for  her  va- 
nity, and  loses  that  esteem  she  might  have 
attained  by  a  proper  degree  of  humility,  and 
her  better  knowledge  of  her  station.  This 
observation,  my  dear  Martha,  I  would  par- 
ticularly address  to  you ;  as  you  are  gene- 
rally thought  uncommonly  tall,  and  are 
usually  imagined  to  be  much  older  than  you 
are.  This  I  know  you  fancy  to  be  a  com- 
pliment which  always  appears  to  give  you 
pleasure ;  but  remember,  that,  if  you  assume 
airs  of  womanhood,  and  affect  to  be  thought 
further  advanced  in  age,  you  will  have  the 
less  allowance  made  for  any  errors  you  may 
commit,  and  consequently  meet  with  contempt 
where  you  might  otherwise  have  escaped  cen- 
sure. Youth,  and  inexperience,  are  justly 
allowed  to  excuse  any  slight  inadvertence  in 
manners,  or  want  of  grace  in  appearance; 
but  if  you  choose  to  be  thought  of  more  con- 
sequence, you  must  likewise  expect,  that  the 
notice  you  may  attract  will  not  always  be  fa- 
vourable  to  your  vanity.  I  assure  you,  I 
think  Miss  Jenny  Chantillon  is  much  more 


3P  TUB  ADVENTURES  O* 

agreeable  than  her  sister,  as  she  has  courage 
sufficient  to  reply  to  any  question,  and  to 
speak  distinctly  when  she  is  particularly  ad- 
dressed, without  enquiring,  in  Lucy's  man- 
ner, into  the  reason  of  every  word  which  is 
uttered,  and  deciding  every  argument  accord- 
ing to  her  own  fancy;  and,  I  dare  say,  if 
you  will  be  careful  to  observe,  you  will  find 
that  Jenny  always  meets  with  attention  from 
the  company,  while  Lucy  is  frequently  in- 
sulted, by  being  enjoined  to  silence,  and  by 
her  hearers  turning  from  her  with  disdain. 
In  short,  my  dear,  it  requires  a  great  deal  of 
thought  and  propriety,  to  behave  in  an  agree- 
able manner  at  your  age.  It  is  best  not  to 
be  anxious  to  be  taken  notice  of,  since  that 
eagerness  always  defeats  its  aim.  Girls  have 
not  had  the  advantage  of  experience  to  teach 
them  wisdom;  and  when  once  they  are  en- 
gaged in  conversation,  and  find  themselves 
attended  to,  their  volatile  spirits  hurry  them 
on,  with  the  desire  of  obtaining  applause  for 
their  wit,  to  say  things  which  are  sometimes 
neither  delicate  nor  prudent;  and  which  they 


A  PINCUSHION.  31 

may,  when  they  have  time  to  reflect,  long 
have  reason  to  repent  having  imprudently  ut- 
tered. Any  restraint  at  such  a  time,  is,  I 
know,  always  esteemed  an  ill-natured  inter- 
ruption, and  is  apt  to  damp  their  harmony, 
and  lower  their  spirits.  I  would  therefore 
warn  you  of  the  danger  before-hand,  that 
your  own  prudence  may  be  a  check  to  that 
unlimited  indulgence,  which  at  such  a  period 
is  liable  to  excess:  and,  I  dare  say,  that  your 
good  sense  will  teach  you,  that  my  admoni- 
tions are  always  intended  for  your  advantage. 
To  impress  this  deeper  upon  your  mind,  I 
will  repeat  to  you  a  few  lines  which  were 
written  to  me,  when  I  was  young,  by  my 
aunt,  and  which,  as  they  frequently  occurred 
to  my  memory,  I  found  to  be  singularly 
useful. 

RECOLLECT,  my  sweet  girl,  'ere  you  mix  with 
the  world, 

There  is  need  for  some  caution  to  guide ; 
Then  wisely  remember  to  govern  your  tongue, 

As  silence  much  folly  may  hide. 


32  THE  ADVENTURES   OF 

Most  useful,  f  think,  you  this  maxim  will  find, 

And  never  its  precepts  neglect; 
That  who  giddy  and  thoughtless  will  chatter  away, 

Shall  ne'er  gain  applause  or  respect. 

Like  the  Parrot,awhile  they  may  please  and  an1  use; 

But  no  real  esteem  will  acquire  ; 
And  I  trust  that  your  wish  when  in  converse  3011 
join, 

Is  a  nobler  regard  to  inspire. 

Remember  that  memory  long  may  record 

The  folly  you. uttered  in  jest ; 
And  a  secret  unmark'd.  when  escaped  from  your 
lips. 

May  long  rob  your  bosom  of  rest. 

Then  conscious  of  error  'tis  vain  to  repent, 

As  the  mischief  admits  no  relief; 
And  surely  'tis  simple  so  thoughtless  to  lay 

The  dismal  foundation  of  grief. 

The  ladies  now  all  retired  to  dinner:  but  I 
am  ignorant  of  what  passed  there,  as  I  was 
Jeft  upon  a  piece  of  embroidery,  which  my 
misstress  was  covering  with  some  white  paper 
to  keep  it  clean  :  and  she  did  not  fetch  me  till 
pfter  tea;  when  she  carried  me  in  her  hand 


A  PINCUSHION.  33 

down  stairs  with  her  work,  to  show  some 
ladies  who  were  assembled  in  the  drawing- 
-oom.  I  then  accompained  her  into  what  was 
usually  called  the  green  parlour,  as  the  fur- 
niture was  all  of  that  colour ;  whither  she 
went  to  play  with  her  young  visitors,  whose 
names  were  Eliza  Meekley  and  Julia  Norris. 

They  amused  themselves  with  playing  on 
the  harpsichord,  while  Miss  Martha  person- 
ated the  music-master,  and  Charlotte  chose 
to  teach  them  dancing.  Some  part  of  the 
evening  they  played  at  going  to  the  exhibition ; 
and  just  as  they  determined  to  visit  the  pic- 
tures, the  footman  came  to  acquaint  the  young 
ladies,  that  their  coach  was  ready.  Miss 
Meekley's  bib  was  unpinned,  and  Martha 
gave  me  into  her  hand  in  a  hurry  while  she 
was  looking  for  her  cloak.  So  without  recol- 
lecting that  I  was  another's  property,  Eliza 
put  me  into  her  pocket,  made  a  very  elegant 
curtsey,  and  stepped  into  the  carriage.  I  felt 
really  very  sorry  to  part  with  a  family  with 
which  I  had  been  some  time  connected,  and 
to  one  of  whom  I  owed  my  being  as  a  Pin- 


34  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

cushion.  But  my  new  mistress  was  so  veiy 
engaging,  that  I  was  in  hopes  she  would  take 
care  of  me,  and  not  leave  me  about  to  the 
mercy  of  a  little  kitten,  who  jumped  into  her 
lap  the  moment  she  got  home;  and  who 
afterwards  frisked  away  with  a  little  tassel 
which  dropped  off  from  one  corner  of  a  work- 
bag  which  lay  on  the  table.  But  before  I 
proceed  with  my  history,  it  will  be  necessary 
to  introduce  my  readers  to  Miss  Meekley  and 
her  companions,  and  to  make  them  better 
acquainted  with  this  new  family,  who  are  all 
of  them  deserving  their  notice. 

Mrs.  Stanley,  to  whom  the  house  belonged , 
was  the  widow  of  a  clergyman,  who  had  at 
his  death  left  her  in  rather  indigent  circum- 
stances ;  and  she  had  been  advised  (to  support 
herself  and  two  younger  sisters  who  lived  with 
her)  to  take  a  small  number  of  young  ladies 
to  board.  Her  number  was  confined  to  six ; 
two  of  whom  were  those  I  have  before  men- 
tioned. The  others  were  three  sisters,  whose 
names  were  Saxby,  and  a  Miss  Una,  who  for 
her  sweetness  of  temper,  and  excellence  in 


A  PINCUSHION.  35 

every  accomplishment,  was  esteemed  superior 
to  all  the  rest  of  her  companions.  Harriet 
Una  was  cousin  to  Miss  Meekley,  and  they 
usually  slept  together.  She  was  just  turned 
of  thirteen,  was  tall  and  large ;  had  light 
brown  hair,  blue  eyes,  and  a  fine  conplexion  : 
but  her  good-nature  and  willingness  to  oblige 
every  one,  made  her  the  general  favourite, 
and  recommended  her  to  universal  esteem. 

When  the  young  ladies  retired  to  bed» 
Eliza  found  me  in  her  pocket,  and  told  Har- 
riet she  was  afraid  Miss  Airy  would  want 
her  Pincushion;  and  she  was  the  more  con- 
cerned, as  the  family  were  to  go  into  the 
country  very  early  the  next  morning,  and 
she  should  have  no  opportunity  to  return  it. 
However,  continued  she,  I  will  make  a  new 
one  to  present  to  Miss  Airy  when  I  see  her ; 
and  I  will  keep  this,  as  I  have  not  one  a; 
present,  my  kitten  having  pulled  mine  to 
pieces  this  morning  :  but  I  will  take  care  this 
shall  not  come  to  the  same  mischance.  I 
was  glad  to  hear  that  was  her  intention,  as  I 
should  by  no  means  have  liked  the  thought 


36  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

of  sharing  the  fate  of  my  predecessor.  A 
this  time  Mrs.  Stanley  entered  the  room  to 
wish  them  a  good  night,  and  to  see  whethei 
they  were  properly  taken  care  of.  I  am  very 
unhappy  to-night,  said  Eliza,  as  soon  as  she 
was  gone;  and  I  feel  ashamed  of  receiving 
Mrs.  Stanley's  kisses,  because  I  behaved  in  a 
manner  I  am  sure  she  would  not  approve. 
What  have  you  done,  my  dear  cousin,  replied 
Harriet,  to  make  you  so  uneasy  ?  I  will  tell 
you,  answered  Miss  Meekley,  though  I  do  not 
like  to  confess  my  weakness.  Just  before 
dinner,  Miss  Charlotte  Airy  asked  me  to  eat 
some  preserved  plums,  which  she  said  had 
been  made  a  present  of  to  her  mamma,  and 
which  came  from  Portugal.  They  were  very 
sweet  and  luscious ;  and  as  I  am  not  allowed 
to  have  any  thing  of  that  kind,  I  refused  her 
offer.  But  when  we  had  dined,  she  pressed 
me  again,  and  laughed  at  me  very  much  for 
being  so  foolish,  as  to  imagine  any  thing  so 
innocent  could  hurt  me ;  but  supposed,  as  I 
went  to  school,  my  mistress,  for  so  she  sneer- 
ingly  called  Mrs.  Stanley,  would  whip  me  if  I 


A  PINCUSHION.  3? 

did.  At  last,  overcome  with  her  persecutions, 
and  vexed  to  be  treated  so  much  like  a  baby,  and 
as  if  I  was  afraid  of  punishment,  I  took  the 
plum,  and  have  not  been  easy  since.  And  now, 
my  dear  Harriet,  what  shall  I  do  ?  Suppose  Mrs. 
Stanley  should  ask  me  whether  I  have  eaten  any 
thing  lately  which  I  ought  not:  and  if  she  doe* 
not  put  that  question,  I  feel  so  undeserving 
of  her  caresses,  that  she  will  see  by  my  looks 
I  have  behaved  improperly.  I  am  very  sorry, 
replied  Miss  Una  ;  but  as  you  are  so  sonsible 
it  was  wrong,  I  may  spare  my  recriminations. 
However,  I  think  the  noblest  reparation  you 
can  now  make,  would  be  honestly  to  inform 
Mrs.  Stanley  of  the  crime,  and  the  sincerity 
of  your  regret  for  having  been  guilty  of  it : 
should  it  be  discovered  by  any  other  means, 
you  will  forfeit  her  esteem,  and  lose  that  con- 
fidence with  which  you  are  at  present  favoured ; 
by  such  an  unsolicited  confession,  you  will 
restore  satisfaction  to  your  own  conscience, 
and  be  certain  of  her  approbation. 

Eliza  was  convinced  of  the  propriety  and 
justice  of  her  friend's  advice,  and  promised  to 


38  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

comply  with  it  the  next  morning.  But 
her  excessive  timidity  prevented  her  making 
use  of  several  opportunities  which  presented, 
though  the  subject  occupied  all  her  attention, 
and  she  could  scarce  think  of  any  thing  else. 
She  again  applied,  therefore,  to  Harriet,  and 
told  her  it  was  impossible  for  her  to  summon  up 
courage  to  do  as  she  had  desired  ;  and  begged 
she  would,  from  her,  acquaint  Mrs.  Stanley 
with  what  had  happened.  Miss  Una,  in  the 
mildest  terms,  complied  with  her  request ;  at 
Jie  same  time  very  generously  commended 
her  honour  on  every  occasion,  and  urging  hei 
present  uneasiness  to  engage  Mrs.  Stanley  s 
compassion.  Miss  Meekly,  when  she  was 
acquainted  with  her  cousin's  having  revealed 
this  secret,  which  had  oppressed  her  mind, 
was  very  unwilling  to  attend  her  to  the  lady 
above-mentioned  Mrs.  Stanley  received  her 
with  the  greatest  affection  and  tenderness; 
and  after  expressing  in  the  warmest  terms,  her 
approbation  of  such  a  generous  confession, 
added,  u  You  need  never,  my  dear  girl,  be 
afraid  either  of  anger  or  punishment,  when 


A  PINCUSHION.  39 

with  such  a  degree  of  frankness  you  acknow- 
ledge any  fault  you  have  committed.  Be 
assured  your  friends  will  be  always  willing  to 
pardon  those  errors  which  you  promise  to 
amend :  but  let  the  present  instance  warn  you, 
my  Eliza,  never  to  be  led  into  actions  which 
you  know  are  improper,  because  the  company 
you  are  with  may  ridicule  your  refusal.  Miss 
Charlotte  Airy  is,  in  my  opinion,  a  very 
naughty  girl,  to  endeavour  to  persuade  you  to 
do  any  thing  which  you  have  been  forbidden. 
And  I  hope,  from  the  remorse  you  have  suffer- 
ed, you  will  reflect  on  the  folly  of  complying 
with  any  proposals  which  your  conscience 
suggests  to  you  is  wrong.  Do  not  be  afraid 
of  being  laughed  at  for  being  good.  Every 
person  of  real  sense  will  esteem  you  for  your 
resolution  :  and  because  a  silly  girl  may  sneer 
at  your  apprehension  of  punishment,  it  will  be 
much  more  ridiculous,  and  wicked  at  the  same 
time,  to  be  guilty  of  what  you  are  conscious  is  a 
crime,  for  which  you  will  deserve,  and  perhaps 
receive,  correction.  Besides  one  bad  action 
is  but  too  often  the  cause  of  the  commission 


40  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

of  others  ;  and  when  once  we  have  deviated 
from  what  is  right  in  a  small  instance,  it  is 
frequently  the  occasion  of  accumulated  guilt. 
I  will  tell  you  an  instance  of  this  kind  that 
may  illustrate  my  meaning,  and  which,  as  I 
was  acquainted  with  the  person  who  is  the 
subject  of  it,  will,  perhaps,  make  a  deeper 
impression  on  your  mind. 

A  young  lady,  whose  real  name  I  shall  (for 
the  sake  of  charity)  conceal  under  that  of 
Lloyd,  and  who  was,  my  dear  Eliza,  nearly 
of  the  same  age  with  yourself,  was  educated 
with  the  utmost  attention ;  and  as  she  was  an 
only  child,  was  the  darling  of  her  parents, 
and  the  centre  of  all  their  future  expectations. 
Betsy,  which  was  the  usual  appellation,  went 
one  day  to  visit  a  companion,  with  whom  she 
was  extremely  intimate ;  but  who,  unfortu- 
nately for  her,  was  not  possessed  of  that  strict 
honour  which  should  be  the  basis  and  foun- 
Jution  of  friendship.  When  they  had  been 
for  some  time  at  play  in  the  garden,  she  pro- 
posed to  go  back  to  a  little  shop  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood to  make  a  purchase  of  some  ginger- 
bread; and  though  Miss  Lloyd  for  a  time 


A  PINCUSHION.  41 

objected  to  the  proposal  without  leave,  against 
her  mamma's  repeated  command;  yet,  her 
companion,  laughing  at  her  squeamishness  (as 
she  wickedly  called  an  adherence  to  her  duty) 
prevailed  over  her  better  resolutions,  and  she 
accompanied  her  to  the  place  I  mentioned. 
As  it  was  the  only  shop  of  the  kind  which 
the  village  afforded,  the  boys  of  an  adjacent 
school  very  frequently  went  there  for  the 
same  purpose  as  the  two  young  ladies  who 
now  entered ;  and  two  of  the  most  unlucky 
of  their  number  happened  at  that  time  to  be 
bargaining  for  some  balls.  They  staid  very 
soberly  till  Miss  Lloyd  had  taken  out  her 
purse  to  pay  for  the  cakes  she  had  purchased ; 
but  as  the  lock  of  her  pocket-book  was  en. 
tangled  in  it,  it  came  out  of  her  pocket  at  the 
same  time,  when  one  of  the  boys  snatched  it 
from  her  hand,  and  rudely  declared  he  would 
see  its  contents,  and  know  all  the  girl's  se- 
crets This  vexer1  her  extremely,  and  she 
thoughtlessly  pursued  him,  as  he  ran  away 
with  the  prize,  till  she  was  a  good  way  from 
nome.  He  was  joined  by  several  of  his 

E3 


8  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

school- fellows,  \vho  took  part  with  him,  ana 
behaved  in  so  wild  a  manner  as  to  terrify  her 
greatly.  At  length,  however,  she  got  away 
from  them,  and  ran  back  with  all  the  speed 
in  her  power :  but  as  it  was  later  than  her 
usual  time  of  returning,  her  parents  were 
uneasy,  and  questioned  her  with  great  ten- 
derness and  anxiety,  as  to  the  reason  of  her 
stay.  She  told  them,  she  had  been  out  with 
Miss  Hannah  (the  companion  she  Iiad  really 
visited)  and  her  maid,  and  that  a  horse  had 
oeen  near  running  over  her,  which  had 
frightened  her  so  much,  as  to  prevent  her  re-f 
turn 

This  story  was  believed  by  Mr.  and  Mrs, 
Lloyd  for  some  time,  and  Betsy,  who  had  at 
first  been  very  unhappy  at  the  thoughts  of 
such  a  wicked  deceit,  at  length  grew  recon- 
ciled as  she  found  herself  undetected.  She 
therefore  ventured  upon  a  second  transgres-? 
sion,  from  the  encouragement  which  she  fool- 
ishly imagined  the  secrecy  of  her  first  fault 
had  given  her ;  and  with  her  intimate  Miss 
Hannah,  touk  another  walk,  without  any 


A  PINCUSHION.  43 

person  to  have  the  care  of  them.  But  dur- 
ing their  absence  from  home,  an  unexpected 
accident  punished  the  imprudent  Miss  Lloyd 
for  her  disobedience  and  untruth,  in  a  man- 
ner which  will  give  her  cause  for  repentance 
to  the  latest  period  of  her  life ;  for  as  she  was 
crossing  a  road  in  her  return,  a  horse,  which 
had  been  tied  to  the  rails  of  a  house  at  a  lit- 
tle distance,  broke  the  bridle  which  confined 
him,  and  galloped  away  full  speed,  unre- 
strained by  any  opposition,  till  in  his  passage 
the  unfortunate  Miss  Lloyd,  who  did  not 
perceive  his  approach,  was  thrown  down,  and 
broke  her  leg  in  such  a  terrible  manner,  as  to 
occasion  her  being  a  cripple  ever  after.  She 
has  since  confessed,  the  consciousness  of  her 
falsehood  was  such  a  conviction  to  her  mind 
of  the  wickedness  of  her  conduct  (when  she 
was  made  sensible  that  the  accident  was  the 
consequence  of  her  disobedience  to  her  pa- 
rents) that  it  was  more  difficult  to  support 
than  any  bodily  uneasiness  she  had  suffered, 
and  the  reflection  that  they  would  never  be 
able  to  confide  in  her  for  the  future,  was  the 


44  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

occasion  of  so  much  self-reproach,  as  to  de- 
prive her  of  every  enjoyment.  This  instance 
may  serve  to  convince  you,  that  a  slight  error 
s  very  frequently,  without  any  previous  in- 
tention, and  when  least  expected,  the  occa- 
sion of  such  crimes,  as  in  the  cooler  moments 
of  thought  (that  is,  when  you  have  time  to 
reflect  on  the  wickedness  of  the  action)  you 
would  never  be  capable  of  committing ;  and 
as  none  can  be  sure  they  would  be  able  to 
resist  temptation,  it  is  best  never  to  do  any 
thing  which  you  know  to  be  wrong,  though 
it  may  appear  to  be  in  the  smallest  instance, 
since  the  desire  of  concealing  a  trifling  fault, 
may  lead  you  to  hide  it  by  a  falsehood,  which 
is  one  of  the  greatest  you  can  be  guilty  of. 

Miss  Meekly  was  convinced  of  the  truth 
and  propriety  of  this  argument,  and  promised 
to  be  more  attentive  in  her  future  conduct. 
She  then  joined  her  companions  with  that 
cheerful  good  humour,  which  distinguished 
her  character,  and  attended  them  into  the 
great  parlour,  where  they  usually  spent  the 
morning.  When  they  had  concluded  their 


A  PINCUSHION.  45 

work,  writing,  &c.  Mrs.  Stanley  always  made 
them  read  to  her,  and  encouraged  them  to 
ask  any  question  which  occurred  to  them ;  to 
make  their  own  observations  upon  those  pas- 
sages in  history  which  struck  their  imagina- 
tions ;  or  to  propose  to  her  any  objection 
which  arose  in  their  minds.  She  desired 
them  to  ask  the  meaning  and  origin  of  those 
customs  they  did  not  comprehend,  and  by  so 
doing  had  frequent  opportunities  of  impro- 
ving their  understandings.  Instances  of  this 
kind  very  frequently  occurred,  and  supplied 
them  with  subjects  of  conversation.  Miss 
Una  was  working  a  map  of  England,  and  in- 
quired one  day  how  long  the  island  had  been 
divided  into  shires  and  counties.  Mrs. 
Stanley  applied  to  the  young  ladies  to  know 
if  any  of  them  could  resolve  the  question,  but 
as  they  were  all  silent,  "  you  should  endea- 
vour, my  dears,"  said  she,  "  to  remember 
what  you  [read,  or  it  will  be  of  very  little 
advantage.  I  believe,  Harriet,  you  read  an 
account  of  this  division,  a  few  months  ago, 
when  you  were  going  through  the  reigns  of 


46  A.  PINCUSHION. 

the  Saxon  Monarchs.  Do  not  you  remember 
that  the  great  King  Alfred,  in  the  year  886, 
repaired  the  city  of  London,  which  had  been 
burnt  by  the  Danes  in  839,  and  that  he  after- 
wards divided  the  kingdom  into  shires,  hun- 
dreds, and  tithings  ?"  "  J  did  not  recollect 
it,"  said  Miss  Una.  "  But  pray,"  added 
Miss  Saxby,  "  did  the  same  king  set  up  all 
the  crosses  ?  for  I  remember  something  about 
their  being  erected,  though  I  have  forgotten 
when  it  happened."  "  Your  memory  is  very 
short,  I  am  afraid,"  replies  Mrs.  Stanley; 
u  but  if  you  were  to  write  down  such  parti- 
culars, you  would  find  it  of  great  assistance ; 
as  it  appears  very  illiterate  to  be  unacquaint- 
ed with  those  facts  which  have  occurred  in  the 
history  of  your  native  country."  All  the 
crosses  you  mention,  were  erected  by  King 
Edward  the  First,  in  every  place  where  the 
funeral  procession  of  his  Queen  stopped,  from 
Lincolnshire  (where  she  died)  to  Westmin- 
ster. There  v/ere  in  all  ten,  I  think.  One  at 
Lincoln,  Granthara,  Stamford,  Geddington, 
Northampton,  Stoney  Stratford,  Dunstable, 


A  FIX  CUSHION.  47 

St.  Albarfs,  Waltham,  and  Westminster, 
called  Charing  Cross.  You  should  always 
endeavour  to  observe  what  you  read;  but 
those  things  which  relate  to  the  island  in 
which  you  live,  have  a  particular  claim  to 
your  remembrance.  For  this  purpose  I  think 
your  preseut  work  is  singularly  useful,  as  it 
will  so  strongly  impress  the  geography  of  your 
country  upon  your  mind,  that  I  hope,  my 
dear  Harriet,  you  will  never  forget  it."  As 
nothing  material  happened  to  my  mistress, 
and  very  little  variation  occurred  in  her 
manner  of  living,  I  shall  pass  over  the  usual 
events  of  every  day,  which  my  readers  can 
easily  imagine ;  such  as  her  taking  me  out  of 
her  pocket  during  the  time  of  dressing  and 
restoring  me  to  that  place  of  confinement 
when  she  had  concluded,  and  proceed  to  re- 
late an  accident  in  which  I  was  very  nearly 
concerned. 

The  kitten  I  have  before  mentioned,  who 
was  a  great  favourite  with  Miss  Meekly,  was 
never  allowed  to  enter  into  her  bed-chamber ; 
but  one  day,  the  weather  being  extremely 


48  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

warm,  and  the  door  Jeft  open,  it  walked  in, 
and  laid  itself  down  at  a  little  distance  from 
the  window,  in  a  spot  where  the  sun  shone ; 
the  shutters  being  half  closed  to  exclude 
the  heat.  Eliza  was  employed  in  putting 
a  pair  of  ruffles  into  her  jacket,  and  I  lay 
in  her  lap  securely,  as  I  imagined,  till  a  car- 
riage stopping  at  the  gate,  she  precipitately 
jumped  up  to  look  out  at  the  visitors,  and  in 
her  haste  let  me  fall  upon  the  floor.  Her 
motion  was  so  sudden  and  unexpected  that  I 
could  not  save  myself,  or  check  the  velocity 
with  which  Iwas  impelled.  So  that  I  unfor- 
tunately rolled  on,  till  I  touched  the  edge 
of  a  book-case,  and  discovered  myself  to 
Mrs.  Puss,  who  hooked  me  with  her  claws, 
and  twisted  me  round  several  times  with 
as  much  dexterity  as  if  I  had  been  spinning  ; 
or,  to  use  a  more  proper  simile,  as  if  I  had 
represented  a  mouse.  I  offered  her  great 
entertainment  for  some  time,  till  at  last  1 
found  myself  a  second  time  under  one  of  the 
feet  of  the  book-case,  and  so  fast  wedged  in, 
that  it  was  beyond  the  art  of  even  a  kitten's 


A  PINCUSHION.  49 

invention  to  extricate  me  from  my  situation. 
Mrs.  Stanley  coming  up  stairs,  Miss  Meekly 
turned  out  my  antagonist,  and  with  unavailing 
care  searched  for  me  in  every  drawer,  on 
every  table,  and  upon  the  bed. 

Long  have  I  remained  in  this  dull  state  of 
obscurity  and  confinement,  unable  to  make 
known  my  distress,  as  I  want  the  power  of 
articulation ;  at  least  my  language  can  be  only 
understood  to  things  inanimate  as  myself. 
A  pen,  however,  which  fell  down  near  me, 
engaged  to  present  these  memoirs  to  the 
world,  if  ever  it  should  be  employed  by  the 
hand  of  kindness,  to  rescue  my  name  from 
oblivion.  Should  the  eye  of  youth  read 
this  account  with  any  pleasure,  it  is  hoped  the 
candour  of  generosity  will  overlook  its  imper- 
fections :  and  should  fate,  in  some  fortunate 
moment  of  futurity,  again  restore  me  to  the 
possession  of  Miss  Meekly,  or  any  of  her 
companions,  my  gratitude  will  engage  me  to 
tnanK  the  public  for  its  indulgence,  and  to 
continue  the  account  of  my  adventures 
F 


50  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

If  I  am  not  so  happy  as  to  meet  with  ap- 
probation, I  shall  at  least  have  the  consola- 
tion to  reflect  that  these  pages  have  suggest- 
ed no  wrong  ideas  to  the  youthful  mind; 
have  given  no  encouragement  to  vanity,  nor 
exhibited  any  improper  example  with  com- 
mendation ;  which  is  what  better  authors  and 
works  of  higher  genius  cannot  always  be  hap- 
py enough  to  boast.  Such  as  it  is,  I  submit 
this  account  of  myself  to  the  world,  and  only 
desire  them  to  remember,  in  the  words  of  the 
admired  Gay,  that, 

"  From  objects  most  minute  and  mean, 
"  A  virtuous  mind  may  morals  glean. 

I  had  lain  so  long  in  my  dismal  confine- 
ment, that  I  began  to  despair  of  ever  pre- 
senting the  world  with  any  second  part  of  my 
adventures.  And  yet,  thought  I,  it  is  very 
hard  that  a  Pincushion  so  new,  so  clean,  and 
so  beautiful,  that  might  have  a  thousand  op- 
portunities of  seeing  the  different  manners  of 
mankind,  should  be  thus  secluded  from  com- 
pany, and  condemned,  by  the  playful  freaks 


A  PINCUSHION.  51 

Df  an  insignificant  kitten,  thus  to  pass  away 
its  best  days  in  obscurity.  And  here  let  me 
take  this  opportunity  to  suggest  a  useful  hint 
to  my  young  readers,  which,  as  my  inactive 
situation  allowed  me  sufficient  time  for  reflec- 
tion, I  had  frequently  reason  to  feel  the  force 
of;  namely,  That  although  I  fretted  and 
fumed  every  day  at  my  unfortunate  condi- 
tion, I  never  found  it  was  at  all  improved  by 
it,  or  that  my  ill- humour  in  the  least  degree 
made  me  happier,  or  assisted  my  escape. 

When  I  determined  to  submit  quietly,  I 
was  as  happy  as  any  Pincushion  in  such  a 
state  of  retirement  could  be.  But  when  in  a 
cross  fit  I  tried  to  roll  myself  from  under  the 
book-case,  I  found  the  attempt  was  impossible 
to  accomplish,  and  I  hurt  my  sides  against 
the  foot  of  it.  The  space  was  so  small  be- 
tween the  bottom  of  my  prison  and  the  floor, 
that  I  had  no  hopes  uf  escape,  as  it  was  im- 
possible for  any  broom  to  find  its  way  under ; 
or  otherwise  the  cleanliness  of  Mrs.  Stanley's 
maid  would  certainly  have  effected  my  deli- 
verance. But,  alas !  of  this  I  had  no  pros- 

F2 


52  THE  ADVENT  URES'OF 

pect ;  and  though  my  endeavours  were  fruit- 
less, it  taught  me  such  a  lesson  of  content- 
ment, as  I  wish  every  little  reader  of  my  me- 
moirs may  remember,  and  copy  in  their  own 
conduct.  For  if  they  are  tired  of  working 
reading,  music,  drawing,  or  any  other  em- 
ployment at  home ;  or,  what  is  frequently  the 
case,  are  impatient  of  the  confinement  of  be- 
ing at  school ;  I  would  have  them  take  my 
advice,  and  try  to  amuse  themselves  when 
they  have  opportunity,  and  wait  with  pati- 
ence till  they  are  of  a  proper  age,  either  to 
leave  the  place  they  dislike,  or  have  overcome 
the  difficulty  of  learning  those  accomplish- 
ments which  are  necessary  to  be  acquired. 
For  they  may  depend  upon  it,  that  fretful- 
ness  and  ill-humour  will  make  every  condi- 
tion unhappy ;  while  a  resolution  to  be  pleased, 
and  make  the  best  of  every  thing,  is  the  only 
method  to  be  agreeable  to  others,  or  comfort- 
able themselves.  The  foot  of  the  book-case 
will  press  closer,  when  we  petulantly  try  to 
escape:  and  though  children  are  not  Pin- 
cushions, yet  they  will  find,  that  whenever 


A  PINCUSHION.  53 

they  arc  fretful  and  dissatisfied,  they  will  be 
unhappy,  and  never  succeed  in  any  thing 
they  undertake.  I  hope  I  shall  be  pardoned 
for  this  digression ;  but  as  the  event  of  my 
escape  was  so  strong  in  my  mind,  I  could  not 
pass  it  by  without  a  pause  of  observation. 

Let  me  now,  however,  proceed  to  inform 
my  readers,  that  one  fine  day,  when  1  had 
determined  to  make  myself  contented,  and 
when,  from  the  quietness  in  which  I  had  been 
for  some  days,  I  had  reason  to  believe  the 
family  were  absent,  and  had  therefore  little 
hope  for  release,  on  a  sudden  I  felt  the  book- 
case move,  and  heard  the  sound  of  men's 
voices,  who,  after  much  pushing  and  hoisting, 
took  away  what  had  so  long  covered  me  from 
tne  eye  of  every  beholder.  In  short,  I  found 
that  Mrs.  Stanley  had  taken  another  house, 
.  her  lease  was  expired  :  and,  in  consequence 
of  the  removal  of  her  furniture,  I  regained 
my  liberty.  One  of  the  porters  took  me  up, 
and  blew  off  the  flue  with  which  so  long  a 
confinement  had  covered  me;  and,  taking  me 
down  stairs,  presented  me  to  a  chair- woman, 


54  THE  ADVENTURES   Ok 

who  was  hired  to  clean  the  house.  "  There, 
mother  Trusty,"  said  he,  "  is  a  present  for 
you,  which,  if  you  please,  you  may  give  to 
little  Jenny:  it  will  make  her  as  fine  as  a 
lady."  "  Thank  you,"  returned  she,  "  I 
will  keep  it  safe  for  my  girl ;  and  if  you  have 
a  bit  of  paper,  I  will  wrap  it  up,  for  my  hands 
are  wet  and  dirty,  and  when  1  take  any  thing 
out  of  my  pocket  I  may  spoil  it,  you  know, 
But  as  to  making  her  fine,  Jacob,  indeed  I 
do  not  desire  it ;  and  were  you  to  present  any 
thing  to  wear,  she  could  not  have  it,  for  I 
think  finery  is  not  suitable  for  us.  She  is  a 
good  child,  Jacob,  and  that  is  better  than  be. 
ing  a  lady."  "  Well,  mother  Trusty,  do  as 
you  please,  replied  Jacob;  I  do  not  know 
who  the  Pincushion  belonged  to;  so  if  you 
lika  Jane  should  have  it,  why  I  am  glad  I 
found  it."  So  saying,  he  complained  that  the 
weather  was  very  hot,  and,  after  wiping  his 
face  with  a  coarse  apron,  which  was  tied  round 
him,  he  drank  Mrs.  Trusty's  health;  and 
took  a  good  draught  of  porter,  which  stood 
on  the  table.  He  then  sat  down  to  eat  some 


A  PINCUSHION.  55 

bread  and  cheese,  and,  calling  a  great  dog 
which  lay  in  one  corner  of  the  kitchen,  made 
him  sit  up  on  his  hind  legs  to  beg  for  some 
victuals,  and  afterwards  bring  him  his  knot, 
which  he  very  dexterously  did,  by  taking  the 
buckle  of  it  in  his  mouth,  and  dragging  it  af- 
ter him  to  his  master.  Another  trick  which 
this  animal  had  been  taught,  was  to  shut  the 
door  at  word  of  command  ;  and  his  last  per- 
formance to  the  entertainment  of  my  new 
•Mistress  and  Mr.  Jacob,  was  to  pick  up  his 
master's  wig  and  bring  it  upon  his  head, 
which  made  indeed  a  very  droll  figure  to  the 
spectators.  At  the  conclusion  of  his  meal, 
Jacob  bade  adieu  to  mother  Trusty,  and  they 
each  separated  to  pursue  their  different  em- 
ployments. I  was  in  the  mean  time  laid  on 
one  of  the  shelves,  curiously  wrapped  up  in 
a  bit  of  paper,  which  had  fallen  from  the  back 
of  that  very  book-case  under  which  I  had  so 
long  resided ;  it  was  torn  in  two  by  Jacob, 
who  took  one  half  to  put  up  some  bits  of 
cheese  rinds  for  his  dog ;  and  I  found  it  was 
a  fragment  of  poetry,  which  I  suppose  had 


56  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

been  sent  to  Miss  Saxby ,  as  her  name  was 
Martha.  I  amused  myself  with  the  perusal 
of  the  lines,  which  were  as  follow  : 

FRAGMENT. 

Tis  a  folly,  my  friend,  thus  to  envy  the  great, 
Since  content  may  be  found  in  the  lowest  estate  ; 
Tho'  Miss***»  exults  that  she's  splendidly  drest, 
Of  true  happiness,  Martha,  she  ne'er  was  pos- 
sess'd. 

I  have  seen  her,  my  friend,  when  no  art  could 

assuage 

Her  anger,  vexation,  and  petulant  rage ; 
Because  an  inferior  had  treated  with  scorn 
Those  trinkets  and  gauze  which  her  person  adorn. 

But,  believe  me,  esteem  from  true  merit  must  rise, 
Or  the  world  will  the  pageants  of  fortune  despise ; 
'Tis  ridiculous  surely,  for  pride  to  expect 
Any  better  return  than  disdain  and  neglect. 

Let  us,  then,  my  Martha,  more  prudent  and  wise, 

Endeavour  with  nobler  ambition  to  rise : 

Let  kind  emulation  our  bosoms  expand, 

The  foolish  suggestions  of  pride  to  withstand. 


A  PINCUSHION.  57 

Let  us  trust  that  perfection  each  effort  shall  bless 
As  industry  e'er  is  crown'd  with  success  : 
Tho*  hard  is  the  task,  yet  'tis  great  to  aspire, 
And  the  deep-buried  embers  of  genius  to  fire. 

Tis  a  laudable  aim,  when  we  seek  to  excel, 
And  conquer  that  sloth  which  is  apt  to  rebel : 
Then  let  us  attentive  each  precept  obey, 
And  snatch  the  proud  laurels  of  glory  away. 

The  business  of  the  day  being  concluded 
the  good  mother  Trusty  shut  up  the  house ; 
and  taking  me  down  from  the  shelf,  put  me 
carefully  in  her  pocket.  We  were  not  long 
before  we  arrived  at  her  habitation,  which 
consisted  of  two  neat  little  rooms  in  a  small 
house,  about  the  middle  of  a  very  pleasant 
lane.  A  clean-looking  boy  and  girl  were 
sitting  at  the  door,  with  a  coloured  apron  full 
of  peas,  which  they  weie  very  busily  shelling. 
They  expressed  great  pleasure  at  the  sight  of 
Mrs.  Trusty,  whcm  I  found  to  be  their 
grandmother,  and  with  much  good  humour 
told  her  they  had  each  earned  a  halfpenny; 
for  that  Mrs.  Traffic  at  the  chandler's  shop, 
had  given  them  one  penny,  and  promised 


58  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

them  a  farthings  worth  of  gingerbread,  or  a 
stale  roll,  for  getting  her  peas  ready  for 
supper.  *'  Well,  and  I  have  brought  you 
home  something,"  replied  Mrs.  Trusty,  un- 
folding me  to  the  child,  who  eagerly  getting 
up  to  receive  her  present,  had  nearly  overset 
the  apron  and  its  contents ;  but  her  brother 
luckily  caught  it,  so  as  to  prevent  the  peas 
from  falling  into  the  dirt.  "  But  pray, 
Jenny,  stay  till  you  have  done,  and  have 
washed  your  hands,  said  her  grandmother: 
for  it  would  be  a  pity  to  spoil  this  nice  satin 
pincushion ;"  ((  And  what  have  you  brought 
for  me  ?"  cried  rosy  Dick,  as  he  emptied  a 
handful  of  peas  into  the  bason.  "  Why, 
nothing  at  all,  my  good  boy,  replied  Mrs. 
Trusty,  but  a  piece  of  bread  and  cheese :  but 
I  hope  you  are  not  jealous  that  your  sister 
should  have  any  thing,  when  you  cannot 
partake  of  it  ?"  '•'  Jealous !"  said  he :  "  No,  1 
would  go  without  any  thing  in  the  world  for 
the  sake  of  my  Jenny ;  and  I  will  give  her 
my  half-penny  with  all  my  heart,  though  I 
have  staid  away  from  a  nice  game  at  cricket 


A  PINCUSHION.  59 

on  tlie  green  to  earn  it.  When  I  am  a  man, 
yon  shall  see  how  hard  I  will  work,  and  take 
care  of  all  the  money  I  get,  and  give  it  to 
you,  grandmother,  to  buy  us  victuals  and 
drink,  and  clothes;  and  you  shall  stay  at 
home  and  knit ;  but  never,  while  I  have  any 
health,  shall  you  go  out  to  such  hard  labour 
as  you  now  do."  "  Blessings  on  my  gen- 
erous boy,"  exclaimed  the  tender-hearted 
Mother  Trusty,  while  the  tears  of  affection 
rolled  down  her  aged  cheeks.  "  Just  such  a 
man  was  thy  father,  Dick.  While  he  was 
alive,  we  never  wanted  for  any  thing.  He  was 
a  good  man,  indeed  he  was  ;  and  1  hope  that 
you  will  resemble  him.  But  go,  my  boy ; 
carry  home  your  work,  and  bring  the  stale 
roll  which  you  was  promised  ;  it  will  be  mucl. 
better  for  you  than  gingerbread." 

Jenny  kissed  her  brother,  and  thanked  him 
for  his  kind  attention  ;  c<  But  we  will  give  the 
penny  to  our  grandmother,  said  she ;  you  know 
she  has  got  five-pence  three-farthings  which 
we  have  had  given  us  already ;  and  when 
there  is  enough,  we  will  ask  her  to  buy  you  a 


60  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

pair  of  new  shoes ;  because  those  are  too  bad  to 
walk  with."  Away  ran  Richard  with  the  peas, 
and  returned  in  triumph  with  the  roll,  when 
the  little  party  sat  down  to  supper,  with  that 
smiling  good-humour  and  cheerful  content- 
ment, which  is  not  always  an  attendant  on  the 
meals  of  the  rich  and  great.  But  when  I  saw 
how  very  little  was  sufficient  (or  was  obliged 
to  be  so)  for  a  woman  who  had  been  hard  at 
labour  all  day,  and  two  little  hungry  children, 
I  could  not  help  reflecting,  how  wicked  it  is  in 
those  who  are  blessed  with  plenty,  to  be  dis- 
satisfied with  their  food,  and  idly  waste,  when 
they  are  not  disposed  to  eat  it,  that  which 
would  keep  the  poor  from  starving,  and  which 
many  an  unhappy  child  would  be  be  highly 
thankful  to  receive.  When  they  had  concluded 
the  meal  which  their  grandmother  had  brough. 
them,  Dick  ran  to  a  neighbouring  pump,  to  re 
plenish  a  broken  red  pitcher  which  had  lost  its 
handle  and  a  piece  out  of  the  top :  and  after 
they  had  each  of  them  drank  with  thirsty 
eagerness,  he  kissed  his  grandmother  and  sister, 
and  wishing  them  a  good  night,  went  quietly  to 


A  PINCUSHION.  61 

bed.  Little  Jenny  followed  her  brother's 
example,  as  soon  as  she  had  laid  me  in  a 
drawer  with  great  care,  where  all  her  treasures 
were  deposited.  Among  that  number,  was  a 
little  paper,  which  was  nearly  worn  out  with 
frequent  perusal,  and  with  which  I  shall  beg 
leave  to  present  my  readers. 

DICK  TO  HIS  SISTER. 

THOUGH  I  am  but  a  boy,  yet  I'll  do  the  best  I  can, 
And  I'll  try  to  earn  something,  although  I'm  not  a 

man; 

But  when  I  am  older,  nay,  Jenny,  do  not  cry, 
For  the  loss  of  thy  father  and  mother  I'll  supply. 

I'll  go  to  yon  farm-house,  and  beg  a  bit  of  bread; 
And  if  I  get  a  morsel,  my  Jenny  shall  be  fed  ; 
Then  do  not  weep  so  sore,  for  I  hope  we  know  the 

worst, 
And  to  see  you  look  so  dismal,  my  heart  it  will  burst 

Old  grannam  she  will  help  us,  and  work  for  to 

maintain ; 

And  when  I  am  bigger,  I  will  pay  it  all  again. 
Tho'  as  yet  I  cannot  dig,  yet  a  gleaning  I  may  go » 
Then  stop  your  tears,  my  Jenny,  for  I  cannot  see 

them  flow. 

G 


62  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

When  1  pass  tnro  the  church-yard,  where  Dadd) 

is  at  rest ; 
.""  cannot  help  sobbing,"  and  a  sigh  will  heave  my 

breast ; 

Mid  I  think  to  myself,  if  my  Jenny  too  should  die 
Ah!  who  would  her  place  to»  her  Richard  e'e, 

supply? 

Then  my  sister  cheer  thine  heart,  and  do  not  look 

so  sad : 
If  we  can  live  together,  matters  will  not  be  sj 

bad, 
Now  the  blackberries  are  ripe,  and  I'll  gather  some 

for  thee ; 
And  well  eat  them,  my  Jenny,  beneath  yon  hollow 

tree. 

I  know  too,  my  love,  where  some  honey  may  be 

found ; 
For  I  have  often  mark'd  the  place,  which  the  bees 

do  surround ; 
And  I'll  take  som  e  for  thee,  for  young  Robin  taught 

me  how, 
One  day  when  he  followed  in  the  field  with  his 

plough. 

Then,  my  J  enny,  be  but  happy,  and  cheer  us  with 

a  smile; 

For  I  fain  would  make  thee  blest,  and  thy  sorrows 
all  beguile 


A  PINCUSHION.  63 

Tho'  poor  Daddy  is  no  more,  yet  Richard  loves 

his  Jane, 
And  all  thy  tears,  my  sister,  can't  bring  him  back 

again. 

Perhaps  it  may  be  thought  an  uncommon 
effort  for  little  Dick  to  turn  poet  at  so  early 
an  age,  and  with  so  few  advantages  from  edu- 
cation. But  there  is  no  answering  for  the 
powers  of  natural  genius,  and  many  a  one 
may -regard  the  attempt  as  impossible,  merely 
because  they  are  too  indolent  to  exert  their 
faculties.  Richard  had  been  taught  to  read 
and  write  at  the  charity  school  of  the  parish 
where  he  lived ;  and  as  no  application  had 
been  wanting  on  his  part,  the  progress  he 
made  did  equal  credit  to  his  own  abilities  and 
the  attention  of  his  master,  with  whom  his 
merit  made  him  a  great  favourite. 

Jenny  was  likewise  put  to  a  small  school 
at  a  little  distance,  by  the  benevolence  of  the 
vicar's  wife  (with  whom  such  instances  were 
verv  frequent),  and  by  her  assiduity  recom- 
mended herself  to  her  mistress,  who  would  • 


64  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

often  propose  her  example  as  a  pattern  to  tht 
rest  of  her  scholars. 

The  next  morning,  when  mother  Trusty 
got  up  to  her  daily  labour,  she  kissed  her 
grand-children,  and  told  them  to  go  to  school 
early,  and  not  stay  and  play  afterwards;  but 
to  return  back  again,  for  she  would  probably 
come  home  to  dinner.  This  they  promised 
to  do ;  and  after  they  had  learned  their  les- 
sons, they  affectionately  hugged  each  other, 
and  diligently  set  forward  with  their  books  in 
their  hands.  But  Jenny  in  a  few  minutes  re- 
turned to  fetch  me,  in  order  to  exhibit  her 
new  present  to  her  school-fellows.  We  soon 
arrived  at  a  cottage,  the  apartments  of  which 
were  neither  large  nor  numerous;  but  the 
exquisite  cleanliness  of  it  was  truly  admira- 
ble. The  mistress,  whose  name  was  Mark  all, 
was  dressed  in  a  blue  and  white  striped  gown, 
which  was  rather  of  the  coarsest  materials; 
but  was  put  on  with  the  neatness  of  a  Quaker, 
as  was  a  plain  bordered  mob,  with  a  white 
•cloth  binder,  and  a  coloured  silk  handker- 
chief; which,  >vith  the  addition  of  a  checked 


A  PINCUSHION.  65 

apron,  and  a  black  petticoat,  will  give  a  pretty 
good  idea  of  her  appearance.  She  commend- 
ed Jenny  for  coming  early,  and  having  in- 
quired after  her  grandmother  and  brother, 
heard  her  read,  and  repeat  the  lesson  she  had 
the  day  before  given  her  to  learn.  Soon  after 
which,  Betsy  Field,  Nanny  Hay,  and  the  rest 
of  the  scholars  arrived ;  among  which  num^ 
ber  were  likewise  several  boys.  As  the  room 
door  (which  indeed  was  the  door  of  the  house 
too)  was  left  open  for  the  benefit  of  the  air, 
and  as  one  of  the  forms  where  the  girls  were 
at  work  was  placed  on  that  side,  they  were 
many  of  them  better  disposed  to  watch  the 
passing  of  a  cart  or  a  wheel-barrow,  or  to  at- 
tend the  flight  of  birds  and  butterflies,  than 
to  mind  their  works:  and  Mrs.  Markall 
punished  several  of  them  with  a  few  strokes 
of  a  little  cane,  which  lay  on  her  table  for 
that  purpose. 

After  she  had  heard  them  read,  they  stood 
round  her  in  a  circle  to  spejl ;  and  those  who 
were  so  negligent  as  to  mistake,  lost  their 
place  in  the  set,  and  exchanged  with  their 


66  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

more  attentive  companions.  A  precedency  in 
the  ring  was  coveted  with  great  ardour,  and 
encouraged  a  spirit  of  emulation  among  them, 
as  to  stand  first  (which  was  my  mistress's 
distinction)  was  regarded  as  an  acknowledg- 
ment of  superior  excellence.  When  they  had 
finished  their  business,  and  the  wished  for 
hour  of  twelve  struck  from  the  church  clock, 
which  was  very  near  Mrs.  MarkalPs  house, 
they  all  made  their  rustic  curtsies  and  bows 
to  the  Dame,  and  poured  like  a  swarm  of 
summer  flies  into  the  lane.  The  whole  body 
of  them  stood  Tor  a  few  moments  to  inter- 
change their  mutual  salutations:  when  some 
divided  to  the  right  hand,  and  the  other  party 
to  the  left,  which  led  to  the  church  porch, 
where  they  seated  themselves  to  be  sheltered 
from  the  intense  heat  of  the  sun ;  and  Jenny, 
with  a  smile  of  conscious  satisfaction,  pro- 
duced me  to  her  companions.  Though  she 
was  anxious  to  display  what  she  was  so  well 
pleased  with  herself,  yet  she  began  to  be  ap- 
prehensive for  my  safety,  when  the  girls,  with 
unpolished  rudeness,  all  scrambled  for  a  sigl 


A  PINCUSHION.  67 

of  her  present  at  the  same  time.  At  last  the 
two  whose  names  are  above  mentioned,  pur- 
sued Polly  Chaunt,  who  was  in  possession  of 
me,  and  after  scuffling  on  the  grass,  till 
Nanny  Hay  knocked  her  head  with  great  vio- 
lence against  one  of  the  tomb-stones,  and 
Betsy  sprained  her  wrist  in  trying  to  wrench 
me  from  Polly,  she  ran  home  with  the  prize 
with  so  much  swiftness,  as  to  outstrip  all  her 
competitors.  What  became  of  poor  Jenny  I 
cannot  tell,  nor  how  she  bore  the  loss  of  me ; 
but  I  could  not  help  reflecting  how  much 
better  it  would  have  been,  had  these  girls 
been  sufficiently  polite,  to  have  each  satisfied 
their  own  curiosity  and  then  have  resigned 
me  to  the  inspection  of  others.  Whereas,  by 
all  eagerly  snatching  me  at  once,  they  dirtied 
my  outside,  and  pulled  me  quite  out  of  shape; 
together  with  making  them  all  very  angry, 
and  foolishly  commencing  a  quarrel,  of  which 
the  first  consequences  were  the  wounds  I  have 
mentioned.  Polly  Chaunt,  whose  property 
I  so  unjustly  became,  was  the  daughter  of 
the  parish  clerk.  He  was  by  trade  a  shoe- 


DO  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

maker,  and  had  three  children,  two  girls  and 
a  boy.  His  wife  was  a  notable  little  woman, 
who  took  care  of  some  poultry,  pigs,  and 
asses,  which  were  allowed  to  feed  upon  a 
green  before  the  house. 

As  soon  as  niy  new  mistress  arrived  at 
home,  her  mother  ordered  her  to  prepare 
what  was  wanted  for  dinner,  at  the  same  time 
telling  her,  she  was  much  displeased  that  she 
did  not  return  from  school  sooner.  Polly  an- 
swered in  a  manner  which  convinced  me,  she 
was  more  pert  than  prudent ;  and  ran  into  a 
little  back  wash-house  to  her  sister,  who  was 
taking  a  piece  of  bacon  out  of  the  saucepan, 
and  who  likewise  chid  her  delay;  adding, 
that  dinner  was  ready,  and  she  had  been 
wanted  to  lay  the  table-cloth.  In  reply  to 
this,  she  told  the  history  I  have  just  related, 
and  produced  me  to  her  sister,  who,  wiping 
her  hands  on  a  bit  of  rag  which  hung  upon 
a  nail  in  the  window,  took  me  up  to  examine ; 
when  lo!  Polly,  who  was  at  all  times  too 
hasty  to  attend  to  reason,  not  chusing  that 
Sukey  should  touch  me  for  fear  of  spoiling 


A  PINCUSHION.  69 

my  beauty,  hastily  snatched  me  from  her, 
aifd  dropped  me,  not  into  the  saucepan, 
which  I  escaped,  but  into  a  bason  of  soap  and 
water  which  stood  near  it,  and  in  which  Mrs. 
Chaunt  had  just  been  washing  her  hands. 
Upon  this  arose  a  quarrel  between  the  sisters, 
which  was  terminated  by  the  entrance  of  their 
father,  who  insisted  on  their  bringing  his  din- 
ner immediately;  and  Polly,  after  having 
carefully  wiped,  laid  me  on  a  clean  handker- 
chief to  dry.  I  staid  with  this  family  some 
days,  and  was  witness  to  many  disagreements 
between  the  different  parties  which  composed 
it ;  but  as  I  do  not  think  the  recital  of  illibe- 
ral abuse  could  afford  any  entertainment  to 
my  readers,  I  shall  not  trouble  myself  to  re- 
peat it.  But  the  folly  of  such  behaviour 
must  be  evident  to  every  reflecting  mind, 
when  it  is  considered  that  although  the  scenes 
I  have  mentioned  passed  in  the  low  life  of 
poverty,  yet  the  same  ill-humour  would  occa- 
sion equal  animosity  in  the  most  affluent  cir- 
cumstances. And  though  no  situation  can 
justify  fretful  petulance,  yet  it  was  certainly 


70  THE  ADVENTURES   OF 

more  excusable  in  girls  who  were  untaugtit 
by  education,  and  unpolished  by  politeness 
than  in  those  with  whom  the  utmost  care  has 
been  exerted,  and  who  have  had  all  the  ad- 
vantages of  reading  and  instruction  to  contri- 
bute to  their  improvement.  That  it  is  pos- 
sible for  good-humour,  and  a  determined  en- 
deavour to  please,  in  a  great  measure  to  sup- 
ply the  deficiency  of  acquired  graces,  may  be 
seen  in  the  characters  of  Richard  and  Jenny  > 
whose  affection  to  each  other  must  interest 
every  one  in  their  favour :  and  the  same 
sweetness  of  temper  will  likewise  recommend 
to  my  readers'  esteem  the  agreeable  Hannah 
Mindful,  to  whom  I  was  given  one  Sunday 
afternoon  by  Polly  Chaunt,  in  a  walk  which 
they  took  together  after  church.  And  sin- 
cerely glad  was  I  to  exchange  mistresses,  as 
my  last  had  been  so  ill-tempered  and  quarrel- 
some, and  had  taken  me  in  so  unjustifiable  a 
manner  from  the  good-natured  little  Jenny. 
Hannah  was  near  fourteen  years  old,  and  the 
eldest  of  six  children.  Her  mother  was  a 
very  worthy  woman,  but  was  afflicted  with 


A  PINCUSHION.  71 

such  bad  health,  that  she  was  seldom  able  to 
leave  her  bed.  Her  father  had  a  small  farm, 
and  was  very  industrious  in  his  business,  and 
very  careful  of  his  family ;  and  I  was  quite 
astonished  to  think  of  how  much  service 
Hannah's  attention  proved  to  her  brothers 
and  sisters ;  and  what  a  comfort  it  was  to  her 
sick  mother  to  have  such  a  good  girl,  in 
whom  she  could  confide,  and  to  whose  care 
she  could  intrust  them. 

After  she  had  parted  from  my  late  owner, 
she  was  met  in  her  way  home  by  the  vicar, 
whose  lady  was  mentioned  as  the  benefactress 
of  my  favourite  Jenny,  and  who,  with  her 
husband,  was  returning  to  his  house.  He 
stopped  at  the  gate,  and  desired  Hannah  to 
wait  there,  or  amuse  herself  in  the  garden, 
while  he  went  to  fetch  a  medicine  which  he 
had  promised  to  send  to  her  mother ;  and  at 
Lis  return  presented  her  with  a  couple  of  fine 
teaches,  which  he  told  her  to  eat,  as  she  was 
a  good  girl.  She  thanked  him  very  civilly, 
and,  after  wishing  him  good  night,  ran  home 
as  fast  as  possible,  for  fear  her  mother  should 


72  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

want  her ;  to  whom  she  immediately  presented 
her  present,  without  offering  to  taste  them 
herself.  A  neice  of  Mr.  MindfuPs  lived  at 
this  time  in  his  house,  whose  name  was  Sally 
Flaunt ;  and  who  had  been  a  half-boarder  at 
a  great  school  near  London,  where  she  was 
put  by  a  relation,  whose  death  left  her  no 
friend  but  her  uncle.  She  was  entirely  un- 
provided for  ;  yet  was  so  inconsiderately 
proud,  as  to  make  herself  a  burden  to  the 
family^  instead  of  trying  to  be  of  any  service ; 
which  she  might  have  had  a  sufficient  oppor- 
tunity of  being,  as  she  was  near  fifteen,  and 
very  tall  of  her  age.  When  Hannah  rose  in 
the  morning  to  assist  in  getting  breakfast, 
dressing  her  sisters,  and  making  the  beds. 
Sally  would  disdainfully  turn  round  to  sleep, 
because  it  was,  in  her  silly  opinion,  unlike 
a  lady  to  get  up  early.  Without  any  for- 
tune, or  the  slightest  recommendation  but  her 
industry,  she  was  ever  foolishly  aiming  at 
a  rank  in  life  to  which  she  had  no  preten- 
sions ;  and  without  sense  to  distinguish,  that 
it  is  gracefulness  of  manners  and  superior 


A    PINCUSHION.  73 

(earning  that  form  the  essential  difference 
between  high  life  and  poverty,  and  that  merit 
is  as  much  entitled  to  respect  in  the  lowest 
circumstances  of  indigence,  as  in  the  most 
exalted  station,  she  was  so  weak  as  toimagine^ 
that  by  imitating  some  of  those  foibles  she 
had  seen  in  girls  who  had  more  fortune  than 
understanding,  she  should  be  thought  to 
resemble  them,  and  meet  with  that  regard 
which  is  not  bestowed  on  riches,  but  on  the 
supposed  worth  of  those  who  possess  them. 
While  Hannah  went  up  stairs  to  carry  some 
tfater-gruel  to  her  mother,  she  dispatched 
one  of  her  little  sisters  to  tell  Sally  that 
breakfast  was  ready  ;  but  as  she  had  slept  so 
long,  it  was  some  time  before  she  could  make 
her  appearance ;  and  Mr.  Mindful,  who  was 
justly  displeased  with  her  indolence,  told  one 
of  his  children  to  carry  her  milk  away ;  for 
that  those  who  were  too  lazy  to  provide  for  them- 
selves, and  to  be  ready  at  the  proper  time, 
might  go  without  food.  When  Sally  there- 
fore came  down,  she  was  much  disappointed 
to  hear  that  a  fast  was  for  the  present  enjoin- 


74  ADVENTURES  OF 

ed  as  her  portion  ;  and  looking  very  much 
out  of  humour,  she  walked  into  the  garden. 
He  followed  her  out ;  and  as  he  was  turning 
round  a  little  yew  hedge  which  fronted  a 
field,  he  took  hold  of  her  hand,  and  pulling 
her  into  the  kitchen,  told  her  he  was  displeased 
at  her  behaviour.  "  You  are  foolish,  Sally, 
taid  he,  because  you  have  been  to  school  to  ima- 
gine that  you  have  nothing  further  to  do  than 
sit  with  your  hands  before  you,  and  play  the 
fine  lady.  You  have  no  money  to  provide  for 
yourself,  and  there  is  no  person  will  take 
care  of  you  if  you  do  not  work  hard  to  get 
your  bread.  Behave  as  you  should,  and  I 
will  treat  you  as  my  own  child ;  but  if  you 
have  two  much  pride  to  know  your  duty 
and  will  not  mind  my  advice,  I  will  turn  yori 
out  to  try  where  you  can  live  better  than 
with  me."  Sally  knew  she  durst  not  reply  to 
this  positive  speech;  and  fearing  her  uncle 
should  become  more  angry,  she  promised 
to  behave  better,  and  walked  up  stairs  to 
Hannah,  who  was  dusting  the  furniture  in 
her  own  room. 


A  PINCUSHION.  75 

To  her  she  related  the  above  particulars, 
with  the  tears  running  down  her  cheeks,  and 
with  the  most  dismal  sobs  of  distress  and  pas- 
sion. My  good  natured  mistress  compas- 
sionately kissed  her,  and  wept  to  see  her  dis- 
turbance ;  "  but  indeed,  my  dear  Sally," 
said  she,  *'  I  wish  you  would  try  to  exert 
yourself,  and  as  you  cannot  be  a  lady,  you 
had  better  endeavour  to  please  my  father. 
You  see  we  all  live  very  happily,  and  I  am 
sure  I  would  do  all  in  my  power  to  make  you 
do  so  too ;  so  cheer  up  your  spirits,  and  do 
net  weep  so  sadly." — "  1  cannot,"  replied 
Sally,  very  crossly :  "  indeed  you  may,  who 
have  never  seen  any  higher  life ;  but  where  I 
was  at  school  do  you  think  any  of  the  ladies 
scoured  the  rooms,  or  milked  the  cow,  or  went 
to  such  work  as  washing  and  ironing  ?  O ! 
Hannah,  had  you  seen  the  caps,  and  feathers, 
and  muslin  and  gauze  frocks,  which  they 
used  to  wear  on  a  dancing-day,  and  how  smart 
they  looked  in  their  silk  shoes,  or  else  red 
morocco  ones,  you  would  not  wonder  that  I 
do  not  like  these  great  black  leather  things, 
8? 


76  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

(and  she  scornfully  tossed  out  her  foot  as  she 
spoke).  Indeed,  Hannah,  I  could  cry  when- 
ver  I  see  you  and  your  sisters  clothed  in 
such  coarse  gowns,  with  your  black  worsted 
stockings,  and  with  that  check  handkerchief 
on  your  neck,  and  your  round  cloth  caps, 
with  that  piece  of  linen  for  a  ribbon.  I  can- 
not bear  it !  and  I  wish  I  was  any  thing  but 
what  I  am." — "  O  fie,  Sally  !"  said  Hannah, 
"  that  is  quite  ungrateful  for  the  good  things 
which  you  are  blessed  with,  to  talk  in  such  i 
manner  as  that." — "  What  good  things  ?"  re- 
torted the  haughty  girl,  raising  her  voice, 
and  growing  more  angry.  "  Do  you  call 
this  dowlas  shift,  this  coarse  apron,  this  lin- 
sey-woolsey gown,  good  things  ?  Or  do  you 
call  the  brown  bread  we  eat,  or  the  hard  dump- 
lings you  were  making  just  now,  good  things  ? 
And  pray,  this  old  worm-eaten  bed,  without 
any  curtains  to  it,  and  this  little  window, 
which  is  too  small  to  admit  one's  head  out, 
and  what  little  hole  there  is,  is  quite  crammed 
full  of  honey-suckles;  or  this  propped-up 
chest  of  drawers,  or  that  good-for-nothing 


A  PINCUSHION.  77 

chair  with  a  great  hole  in  the  bottom,  which 
you  know  Bet  nearly  fell  through  yesterday, 
when  she  got  upon  it  to  reach  the  box  which 
holds  her  Sunday  straw-hat;  do  you  call 
these  good  things  ?  because,  if  you  do,  I  am 
sorry  you  know  no  better." — ".  I  should  be 
sorry  indeed,"  rejoined  Hannah,  with  rather 
more  displeasure  than  was  usual  to  her,  "  if 
I  knew  so  much  of  high  life  as  to  be  disor- 
iented with  what  my  father  and  mothei  ran 
afford.  I  think  our  bread  is  as  good  as  any 
body  need  wish  for  ;  and  I  am  sure  the  dump- 
lings you  so  scornfully  mention,  will  be  very 
well  tasted  and  wholesome.  As  to  the  furni- 
ture, if  it  is  old,  I  will  answer  for  its  being 
clean,  Sally;  and  my  father  says,  he  can 
nail  on  a  piece  of  board  over  that  chair,  which 
will  last  as  many  years  as  the  bafk  Iocs.  And 
as  to  our  clothes,  I  am  sure  tney  are  whole 
and  tight;  for  I  would  work  my  fingers  u> 
the  bone  before  I  would  see  them  otherwise. 
They  are  coarse  to  be  sure ;  but  they  are  as 
good  as  our  neighbours',  and  many  a  one 
would  be  thankful  to  have  such  to  put  on: 


78  THE  ADVENTURE?.  OF 

and  though  you  speak  so  proudly  of  the 
house  and  every  thing  in  it,  I  have  seen  the 
ladies  at  Oakly  Hall,  who  are  worth  as  muco 
money  as  would  buy  all  the  villages  for  twen- 
ty miles  round,  come  as  kindly  and  sit  down 
in  my  mother's  room,  and  take  hold  of  my 
hand,  and  my  sister's,  and  speak  as  prettily 
as  if  I  had  been  a  lady  too;  without  looking 
at  the  chairs,  or  finding  fault  with  the  bed. 
And  Miss  Goodall,  although  she  is  dressed  so 
handsomely,  never  seems  to  think  about  it ; 
and  the  last  time  she  stopped  here,  took  the 
loaf  out  of  my  father's  hand,  and  said,  let  me 
cut  Mrs.  Mindful  a  piece  of  bread  and  but-p 
ter !  I  can  do  it  very  well ;  and  it  shall  be 
thin,  such  as  I  know  she  can  eat.  And  she 
brought  with  her  a  cannister  of  sago,  and 
went  herself  to  the  fire,  and  poured  the  water 
to  mix  it,  and  put  some  wine  into  it,  which 
she  brought  with  her ;  and  showed  me  the 
way  to  do  it,  with  so  much  good-natute,  that 
J  do  not  think  you  need  be  so  very  proud, 
SaJly,  and  look  so  unhappy  about  your  situa- 
tion. And  I  assure  you  she  has  sometimes 


A  PINCUSHION. 


79 


eaten  our  bread,  and  always  said  it  was  very 
good."  Hannah  was  here  interrupted  by  one 
of*  her  sisters,  who  came  to  call  her  to  assist 
her  mother,  who  was  going  to  get  up.  She 
attended  her  immediately,  and  taking  me  out 
of  her  pocket,  into  which  she  hastily  put  me 
at  the  conclusion  of  the  above  conversation, 
she  placed  me  on  the  table,  while  she  assisted 
Mrs,  Mindful  in  putting  on  a  clean  cap  and 
bed-gown;  and  after  she  had  helped  her  to 
an  old  elbow  chair,  she  made  the  bed  ;  which. 
4s  soon  as  she  had  finished,  she  went  into  the 
garden,  and,  returning  with  a  nice  nosegay 
of  flowers,  placed  them  in  a  little  white  stone 
mug,  upon  the  table,  in  order,  by  their  sweet- 
ness, to  refresh  and  please  her  mother,  as  she 
was  very  fond  of  them.  She  then  kissed  her 
with  great  tenderness,  and  begged  her  to  take 
an  egg  beat  up  with  some  milk,  which  she  im- 
mediately got  ready.  These  little  services 
were  all  performed  with  so  much  alacrity  and 
good  nature,  and  such  visible  pleasure  in  her 
countenance,  as  doubled  the  merit  of  all  her 
fictions.  It  was  impossible  indeed  to  sec  her. 


80  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

without  thinking  how  very  agreeable  it  is  in 
the  power  of  good-nature  and  industry  to 
make  those  who  have  no  other  advantages  to 
recommend  them. 

Hannah  Mindful  was  a  healthy-looking 
country  girl ;  her  complexion  was  burnt  by 
the  sun,  and  her  hands  hardened  by  labo- 
rious toil ;  she  was  not  ornamented  by  dress, 
though  her  person  was  at  all  times  made 
agreeable  by  neatness:  she  had  never  been 
taught  those  graces  which  so  forcibly  re- 
commend the  possessor  to  general  observation ; 
but  a  constant  cheerfulness,  and  a  desire 
of  obliging,  which  was  never  interrupted 
by  petulence,  made  her  beloved  by  every 
one  who  knew  her.  To  be  as  good-natured 
as  Hannah  Mindful,  was  the  highest  praise 
of  every  girl  in  the  village ;  and  every 
mother  was  ready  to  propose  her  conduct 
as  an  example  to  her  own  children.  If 
there  was  a  piece  of  bread  which  her  sisters 
liked  better  than  the  rest  of  the  loaf,  she 
would  save  it  for  them  by  turns,  whenever 
she  had  opportunity.  If  any  of  them  went 


A  PINCUSHION.  81 

to  play,  and  forgot  the  business  which  feJl  to 
their  share,  or  which  their  mother  had  ordered 
Jieni  to  do,  she  would  either  fetch  them  home 
again,  or  (if  in  her  power)  do  it  for  them 
herself.  By  this  she  often  saved  them  from 
punishment.  One  day  when  her  father  had 
brought  two  ribbons  from  a  fair,  for  her  sister 
Molly  and  herself,  he  gave  Hannah  the  liberty 
of  choosing  first.  She  directly  took  a  pink, 
which  was  her  favourite  colour,  and  left  a 
dark  green,  which  was  what  she  most  disliked ; 
but  afterwards  finding  her  sister  wished  for 
the  one  she  had  chosen,  she  gave  it  to  her 
immediately,  with  as  much*  readiness  as  if  she 
had  approved  of  the  exchange  from  the  pre- 
ference to  the  colour  she  disliked.  Sally  told 
her  she  thought  it  was  foolish  to  give  up 
what  she  had  in  her  possession  ;  but  Hannah, 
with  a  generosity  which  did  great  credit  to 
the  goodness  of  her  disposition,  replied,  that 
she  should  never  have  worn  with  comfort 
what  she  evidently  saw  her  sister  was  desi- 
rous to  obtain :"  "  and  I  declare,"  added 
she,  "  I  feel  a  much  higher  gratification  in 


82  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

the  idea  of  giving  pleasure  to  my  dear  Molly, 
than  I  should  receive  from  any  difference  of 
colour,  or  from  a  present  of  much  greater 
value."  Sally  was  not  of  that  opinion;  for 
the  indulgence  of  pride  is  the  occasion  of 
selfishness,  and  the  cause  of  the  most  des- 
picable meanness.  By  wishing  for  great 
riches,  and  despising  that  way  of  life  to  which 
she  was  destined,  her  heart  was  constantly 
agitated  by  anxious  vexation.  Whereas, 
Hannah  was  always  cheerful,  good-humoured, 
and  contented:  and  the  same  incidents,  which 
to  the  one  were  the  occasion  of  dissatisfaction 
and  complaint,  the  other  submitted  to  without 
repining,  and  rejoiced  with  gratitude  at  tfie 
felicity  of  her  lot.  And  thus,  my  young 
readers,  will  it  be  with  persons  of  higher  rank 
than  those  of  whom  I  am  now  writing.  If 
you  make  yourself  unhappy  because  some  of 
your  companions  have  more  elegant  clothes, 
or  a  greater  variety  than  yourself;  or  because 
it  may  suit  the  fortune  of  their  parents  to 
make  more  splendid  entertainments  than  the 
choice  or  circumstances  of  yours  will  admit 


A  PINCUSHION.  83 

if  they  ride  in  their  father's  carriage,  while  you 
walk  on  foot  and  unattended,  remember,  that 
is  no  rational  cause  of  uneasiness.  It  is  not 
the  station,  but  the  propriety  with  which  it  is 
sustained,  that  is  the  real  matter  of  concern. 
A  beggar  may  be  more  respectable  than 
a  prince,  if  he  is  sunk  to  indigence  by  mis- 
fortune ;  and  exerts  his  utmost  powers  to  act 
with  industry,  and  maintain  the  proper  con- 
'luct  which  his  situation  requires.  Let  me 
advise  you,  then,  not  to  wish  for  that  finery, 
which  would  be  unsuitable  to  your  circum- 
stances ;  but  to  submit  to  the  discretion  of 
your  parents,  because  they  must  know  best 
what  is  proper  for  you.  Sally  Flaunt  had 
not  the  power  to  make  her  uncle's  brown 
bread  in  the  least  degree  whiter,  although 
she  was  too  fretful  to  eat  it  with  satisfaction. 
She  could  not  enlarge  the  rooms,  or  repair 
the  furniture,  by  her  discontent;  but  she 
might  have  been  as  happy  as  her  cousin,  had 
she  been  disposed  to  be  good-humoured. 
When  any  business  is  necessary  to  be  per- 
formed, if  it  is  done  with  sullcnness  and  ill- 


84  THE  ADVENTURES    OF 

will,  it  becomes  the  most  laborious  toil  and 
most  irksome  employment ;  but  if  it  is  exe- 
cuted with  cheerfulness,  it  is  much  saoner 
dispatched,  and  the  fatigue  is  considerably 
abated.  It  is  time,  however,  to  return  to  my 
own  adventures,  without  trespassing  longar 
on  your  patience  by  my  advice. 

I  had  continued  so  112  time  with  my  mis- 
tress, when  Mr.  Goodall  (whose  daughter,  I 
believe,  I  have  before  mentioned,)  gave  an 
entertainment  to  his  tenants,  on  account  of 
her  attaining  her  eighteenth  year.  Mr. 
Mindful,  out  of  kindness  to  his  family, 
detej  mined  to  stay  at  home  himself,  and 
..ake  care  of  his  wife,  while  he  dispatched  all 
the  young  ones  who  were  of  a  proper  age,  to 
enjoy  an  amusement  which  would  afford  them 
so  much  pleasure.  Hannah  dressed  herself 
and  two  sisters,  as  neat  as  rustic  simplicity 
could  adorn  them.  They  had  each  of  them 
light  brown  stuff  gowns,  white  aprons  and 
handkerchiefs,  with  straw  hats  ;  her  own 
with  green,  and  her  sisters  with  pink  ribbons. 
They  had  all  a  nosegay  of  flowers  in  their 


A  PINCUSHION.  85 

bosoms,  and  with  the  freshness  of  innocence 
and  health  glowing  in  their  cheeks,  prepared 
to  set  out  for  Oakly  Hall.  Hannah  did  not 
forget  to  get  ready  every  thing  she  thought 
her  mother  might  want  in  her  absence;  and, 
with  a  kiss  of  filial  affection,  bade  her  adieu. 
Jack  Mindful,  her  brother,  was  a  lad  of 
about  thirteen,  very  active  and  sprightly, 
and  sometimes  apt  to  be  extremely  mischie- 
vous. I  have  had  no  opportunity  before  this 
to  introduce  him  to  the  notice  of  my  readers ; 
but  the  part  he  took  in  dressing  his  cousin 
for  the  intended  sport,  will  make  it  necessary 
to  exhibit  him  on  the  present  occasion.  Sally, 
whose  attention  was  wholly  engrossed  by  the 
pride  of  excelling  her  companions  in  the 
finery  of  clothes,  had  been  for  some  days  bu- 
sily employed  in  mending  an  old  silk  coat, 
which  had  been  given  her  during  her  stay  at 
school.  It  had  originally  been  ornamented 
with  gauze  cuffs,  which  were  grown  dirty  and 
yellow  with  keeping:  the  rest  of  the  trim- 
ming was  sufficiently  decayed,  to  make  it  a 
rather  despicable  garb;  and  Mrs.  Mindful, 


86  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

who  justly  thought  such  shabby  finery  very 
improper  for  her  niece's  situation,  insisted 
upon  her  going  in  a  new  garnet-coloured  stuff, 
which  she  had  lately  bought  her.  This  Sally 
was  much  distressed  at,  and  communicated 
her  intention  to  her  cousin  Jack,  who  pro- 
mised to  assist  her  in  her  design  ;  which  was, 
after  she  had  taken  leave  of  Mrs.  Mindful,  to 
carry  her  clothes  to  a  barn  at  some  distance, 
and  there  put  on  the  silk  coat  which  she  ima- 
gined would  make  her  so  much  better  re- 
spected by  the  family  at  Oakly  Hall.  To 
this  place  she  then  repaired,  her  heart  beat- 
ing with  expectation,  and  flattered  with  the 
imagination  of  outshining  all  her  companions. 
She  had  made  up  a  new  cap  for  the  occasion ; 
and  as  she  was  very  tall  and  womanly  in  her 
appearance,  thought  if  she  could  form  any 
substitute  for  a  cushion,  it  would  much  im- 
prove her  fashionable  appearance.  On  this 
great  occasion,  she  borrowed  me  of  Hannah, 
who  went  before  her  cousin;  as  she  did  not 
chuse  to  have  any  witness  but  Jack,  who  was 
the  only  person  entrusted  with  this  important 


A  PINCUSHION.  87 

secret.  At  the  barn  then  we  soon  arrived, 
and  her  stuff  gown  was  thrown  off  with  dis- 
dain, while  she  prepared,  with  the  assistance 
of  an  old  triangular  bit  of  a  broken  looking 
glass,  to  equip  for  the  desirable  expedition. 
After  placing  the  cushion,  which  she  had 
taken  great  pains  to  complete,  and  pinning 
her  hair  over  it  with  a  piece  of  black  ribbon, 
she  put  on  the  cap ;  which  exhibited  the  most 
tawdry  collection  of  old  gauze,  bits  of  ribbon, 
and  slatternly  tassels,  that  can  well  be  ima- 
gined. At  last  came  the  trial  of  the  coat, 
which  as  it  had  been  made  very  long  behind, 
was  in  that  respect  tolerable ;  but  its  appear- 
ance in  front  was  so  short  as  to  be  really  ridi- 
culous. During  the  time  she  was  looking  at 
her  head  in  the  glass,  Jack,  in  turning  round 
hastily  threw  it  down  a  hole,  which  he  had 
purposely  contrived,  and  where  it  was  impos- 
sible to  regain  it,  as  it  was  so  instantly  out  of 
sight,  that  Sally  had  not  an  idea  where  it  had 
vanished.  Her  search  was  totally  in  vain, 
and  she  could  only  finish  her  dress  by  Jack's 
direction.  He  pretended  to  admirp  her  •»!>• 


88  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

pearance  extremely  ;  and,  to  make  it  the  more 
complete,  he  had  before  tied  a  couple  of 
gheep^s  feet  to  a  piece  of  ribbon,  which  he 
now  pinned  to  her  shoulders,  fastening  them 
close  to  her  back  with  another  string  which 
he  likewise  pinned  down ;  and  by  way  of  ad- 
dition to  the  streamers  in  her  cap,  he  sus- 
pended a  number  of  bits  of  straw,  which  he 
had  tied  together  with  a  piece  of  packthread. 
With  these  burlesque  ornaments  she  hurried 
with  him  to  the  Hall ;  and  as  she  was  enter- 
ing the  door  which  led  to  the  house,  under 
pretence  of  fastening  a  piece  of  the  trimming 
which  he  said  he  could  improve,  he  undid 
the  lower  pins,  and  let  the  sheep's  feet  dance 
about  upon  her  back,  to  the  unspeakable  en- 
tertainment of  every  beholder.  The  laugh 
which  her  appearance  occasioned  covered  her 
with  confusion :  and  her  pride  was  mortified 
in  the  highest  degree,  to  find  her  finery  treat- 
ed with  such  a  degree  of  contemptuous  mirth, 
instead  of  that  admiration,  with  which  she 
had  flattered  herself.  The  boys  were  eager 
to  dissect  her  head-dress ;  and  Polly  Chaunt, 


A   PINCUSHTON.  89 

who  was  of  the  party,  very  maliciously  pin- 
ned one  of  her  cuffs  to  the  table-cloth,  as  she 
was  lolling  her  head  on  her  hand,  to  hide 
those  tears  of  vexation  which  she  could  not 
forbear.  Unfortunately  she  rose  in  some 
haste,  upon  the  appearance  of  Mr.  Goodall, 
who  entered  the  room  to  welcome  his  guests, 
and  dragged  down  the  saltseller,  and  several 
plates,  knives,  forks,  and  spoons ;  which  had 
they  been  brittle  materials  would  have  been 
certainly  demolished ;  but  as  the  whole  ser- 
vice was  of  pewter,  they  escaped  unhurt. 
The  bustle  which  this  accident  occasioned, 
still  more  disconcerted  the  unfortunate  Sally 
Flaunt ;  who,  bursting  into  tears,  very  hasti- 
ly left  the  room.  In  the  angry  jerk,  with 
which  she  walked  away  from  the  company, 
her  two  shoulders  were  saluted  with  the 
sheep's  feet,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  make  her 
imagine  she  had  received  a  blow,  which  she 
turned  round  very  quickly  in  order  to  resent; 
but  the  agility  of  her  motions,  only  served  to 
rc'peat  the  imagined  offence,  the  author  of 
which,  however,  she  found  it  impossible  to 
i  3 


90  ADVENTURES  OF 

discern.  But,  as  she  was  going  through  an 
apartment  which  led  to  the  garden,  she  dis- 
covered her  own  figure  in  a  large  pier-glass; 
the  sight  of  which  so  fully  completed  her 
vexation,  that  she  determined  to  hurry  home 
immediately ;  and  snatching  her  handker- 
chief from  her  pocket  to  wipe  her  eyes,  she 
whirled  me  out  with  it  to  a  considerable  dis- 
tance, and  without  perceiving  her  loss,  left 
me  to  enjoy  my  own  reflections.  -The  thought 
of  Sally's  ridiculous  vanity  entirely  took  up 
my  attention.  How  happily  might  she  have 
passed  the  day,  had  she  been  contented  to  do 
so  in  her  proper  character!  But,  by  assuming 
a  superiority  to  her  companions,  she  excited 
the  contempt  of  Jack  Mindful,  who  was  de- 
termined to  mortify  her  pride,  by  making  her 
an  object  of  ridicule;  and  though  his  mis- 
chievous intention  was  certainly  extremely 
blameable,  yet  it  was  her  own  folly  which 
put  the  execution  of  it  into  his  power.  Had 
she  not  determined  so  meanly  to  deceive,  and 
disobey  her  aunt,  by  pretending  to  comply 
with  her  advice  at  the  very  moment  she  was 


A  PINCUSHION.  91 

prepared  to  act  in  opposition  to  it,  she  would 
have  escaped  that  mortification,  which  was 
undoubtedly  deserved. 

I  lay  unperceived  by  the  door  of  a  little 
closet  till  the  next  morning;  when  Mrs. 
Betty,  who  came  to  sweep  the  room,  picked 
me  up,  and  laid  me  some  time  on  a  marble 
slab;  after  she  had  finished  her  business,  I 
accompanied  her  to  breakfast.  My  new 
mistress  was  a  pleasing  young  woman,  who 
was  a  housemaid  in  Mr.  GoodalPs  family. 
She  sat  down  with  the  laundry-maid,  whose 
name  was  Joice,  and  who  complained  very 
much  of  the  heat  of  the  weather.  "  I  have 
been  so  ill  for  some  days  past,"  said  she, 
"  that  I  can  with  difficulty  stand  to  wash  ;** 
and  the  heat  of  the  fire  when  I  am  ironing, 
makes  me  much  worse  than  I  should  other- 
wise be:  and  then  Miss  Sophy  is  so  careless, 
she  never  considers  what  will  dirt  her  clothes, 
nor  how  much  work  she  occasions.  I  am 
sure  her  sister  at  her  age  was  always  neat 
and  nice,  with  half  the  number  of  frocks  and 
petticoats  which  she  requires  I  wonder  that 


92  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

a  young  lady  should  not  have  more  com- 
passion for  a  poor  servant." — "  That  is 
because  they  do  not  know  the  trouble  it  is," 
replied  Betty :  "  but  indeed,  Joice,  Miss 
Sophy  is  the  same  in  every  thing.  If  she  is 
cutting  a  piece  of  gauze,  or  paper,  she  is  sure 
to  make  a  litter  all  over  the  room ;  and  I 
have  often  seen  her  cut  a  card  into  a  thousand 
bits  on  the  carpet,  without  making  any  use  of 
it  at  all :  and  if  she  is  undoing  her  work,  or 
picking  her  doll's  clothes  to  pieces,  she  will 
strew  the  threads  on  the  floor,  without  think- 
ing how  much  trouble  it  gives  me  to  take 
them  up  again.  But  if  she  would  but  put 
the  bits  of  rubbish  into  a  piece  of  paper,  it 
might  be  taken  away  without  any  difficulty .* 
"  She  will  never  be  beloved  like  her  sister," 
said  Joice.  *'  And  then  she  does  not  look 
so  much  like  a  lady ;  for  Jerry  says,  that 
when  he  is  waiting  at  dinner,  he  cannot  help 
looking  at  her,  to  see  how  she  leans  against 
the  table  (that  is  one  way  in  which  she  makes 
her  frock  so  dirty,)  and  takes  such  great 
mouthfuls,  and  eaU  so  exceeding  fast,  as  if 

t 


S.-n-ante  at  Tta   m    the 


A  PINCUSHION.  93 

she  were  starving,  and  thought  she  should 
lose  her  dinner ;  and  sometimes  she  drinks 
without  wiping  her  mouth,  and  very  frequent- 
ly when  it  is  not  empty." — "  O  !  I  have  seen 
her  myself,"  interrupted  Betty  ;  "  I  have  seen 
her,  when  I  have  been  waiting  at  breakfast, 
grasp  the  spoon  in  her  hand  quite  down  to 
the  bowl  of  it,  and  my  mistress  has  told  her  it 
looked  very  unmannerly  ;  and  then  she 
altered  it  for  a  minute,  but  as  soon  held  it  as 
awkwardly  as  ever.  But  what  I  am  most 
angry  with  her  for,  is  slopping  her  milk,  or 
tea,  on  the  tables,  just  afterl  have  rubbed  them 
till  they  are  as  bright  as  looking-glasses; 
and  then  she  smears  her  hands  across,  and 
all  my  labour  goes  for  nothing.  I  wonder 
how  she  would  like  this  hot  day  to  have  such 
violent  exercise.  But  ladies  have  often  little 
consideration  for  their  servants'  feelings." — 
"  To  be  sure,"  said  Mrs.  Joice,  "  my  mastei 
and  mistress  and  Miss  Goodall  are  very  good- 
natured,  Betty  ;  and  Miss  Sophy  will,  I  hope, 
think  more  of  the  consequence  of  her  actions 
when  she  is  older.  I  would  do  any  thing  in 


94  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

the  world  for  my  mistress,  she  speaks  so 
kindly;  and  when  I  am  ill,  she  says,  'Take 
your  time,  Joice,  and  do  not  fatigue  yourself 
to  day;  I  hope  you  will  be  hetter  to-morrow.' 
I  do  not  care  how  I  slave  when  people  are 
considerate,  and  seem  to  think  I  do  my 
duty."  During  the  latter  part  of  this  con- 
versation, Mrs.  Betty  had  laid  me  on  the 
table,  and  was  pinning  her  gown  close,  which 
had  before  hung  loose,  only  fastened  with 
one  pin  at  the  top,  and  the  two  sides  turned 
behind :  and,  at  the  conclusion  of  it,  Mrs. 
Joice,  who  had  been  clearing  away  the  break- 
fast things,  folded  me  up  in  the  table-cloth, 
and  carrying  me  under  her  arm  to  the 
poultry  yard,  shook  me  out  with  the  crumbs. 
She  turned  round  at  the  same  time  to  speak 
to  a  gardener,  who  was  emptying  some  weeds 
out  of  his  apron  upon  the  dunghill,  and  did 
not  see  my  fall.  After  her  departure,  I  was 
pecked  at  alternately  by  almost  all  the  fowls* 
till  at  last  I  was  tossed  by  a  bantam  hen 
under  the  little  water-tub,  where  I  had  lain 
ever  since.  My  last  unfortunate  adventure 


A  PINCUSHION.  9J> 

has  so  dirtied  my  outside,  that  I  should  not 
now  be  known.  But  if  the  recital  of  what 
has  hitherto  befallen  me  has  at  all  engaged 
the  reader's  regard  I  hope  I  shall  not  lose 
their  approbation,  from  a  change  of  situation 
or  appearance. 

The  catastrophe  which  had  thus  reduced 
me,  was  entirely  unexpected ;  and  should 
teach  them,  that  no  seeming  security  can 
guard  from  those  accidents,  which  may  in  a 
moment  reduce  the  prospect  of  affluence  to  a 
state  of  poverty  and  distress  ;  and  therefore 
it  is  a  mark  of  folly,  as  well  as  meanness,  to 
be  proud  of  those  distinctions,  which  are  at 
all  times  precarious  in  enjoyment,  and  uncer- 
tain in  possession. 


BASKET-MAKER, 

A   PERUVIAN   TALE. 


Worth  makes  the  man,  and  want  of  it  the  fellow, 
The  rest  is  all  but  leather  and  prunello.         POPE. 


IN  the  midst  of  the  vast  ocean  commonly 
called  the  South  Sea,  lie  the  Islands  of  Solo- 
mon. In  the  centre  of  these  lies  one,  not 
only  distant  from  the  rest,  which  are  imme- 
diately scattered  round  it,  but  also  larger 
beyond  proportion.  An  ancestor  of  the 
prince  who  now  reigns  absolute  in  the  cen- 
tral island,  has,  through  a  long  descent  of 
ages,  entailed  the  name  of  Solomon's  Islands 
on  the  whole,  by  the  effect  of  that  wisdom 


•A  BASKET-MAKER.  97 

wherewith  he  polished  the  manners   of  the 
people. 

A  descendant  of  one  of  the  great  men  of 
these  happy  islands,  becoming  a  gentleman 
to  so  improved  a  degree,  as  to  despise  the 
good  qualities  which  originally  ennobled  his 
family,  thought  of  nothing  but  how  to  support 
and  distinguish  his  dignity  by  the  pride  of 
an  ignorant  mind,  and  a  disposition  aban- 
doned to  pleasure.  He  had  a  house  on  the 
sea-side,  where  he  spent  great  part  of  his 
time  in  hunting  and  fishing  :  but  he  found 
himself  at  a  loss  in  pursuit  of  those  important 
diversions,  by  means  of  a  long  slip  of  marsh 
land,  over-grown  with  high  reeds  that  lay 
between  his  house  and  the  sea.  Resolving,  at 
length,  that  it  became  not  a  man  of  his  quality 
to  submit  to  restraint  in  his  pleasures  for  the 
ease  and  convenience  of  an  obstinate  me- 
chanic; and  having  often  endeavoured  in  vain 
to  buy  out  the  owner,  who  was  an  honest 
poor  basket-maker,  and  whose  livelihood  de- 
pended on  working  up  the  flags  of  those 
re^ds  in  a  manner  peculiar  to  himself,  the 

7. 


98  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

gentletnati  took  advantage  of  a  very  high 
wind,  and  commanded  his  servants  to  burn 
down  the  barrier. 

The  basket-maker,  who  saw  himself  un- 
f'pne,  complained  of  the  oppression  in  terms 
more  suited  to  his  sense  of  the  injury,  than 
the  respect  due  to  the  rank  of  the  offender : 
and  the '  reward  this  imprudence  procured 
him,  was  the  additional  injustice  of  blows 
and  reproaches,  and  all  kinds  of  insult  and 
indignity. 

There  was  but  one  way  to  remedy,  and 
he  took  it;  for  going  to  the  capital  with 
the  marks  01  his  hard  usage  upon  him, 
he  threw  himself  at  the  feet  of  the  king,  and 
procured  a  citation  for  his  oppressor's  ap- 
pearance, who,  confessing  the  charge,  pro- 
ceeded to  justify  his  behaviour  by  the  poor 
man's  unmindfulness  on  the  submission  due 
from  the  vulgar  to  a  gentleman  of  rank  and 
distinction. 

But  pray,  replied  the  king,  what  dis- 
tinction of  rank  had  the  grandfather  of  your 
father,  when,  being  a  cleaver  of  wood  in  the 


A  BASKET-MAKER.  99 

palace  of  my  ancestors,  he  was  raised  from 
among  those  vulgar  you  speak  of  with  such 
contempt,  in  reward  for  an  instance  he  gave 
of  his  courage  and  loyalty  in  defence  of  his 
master  !  Yet  his  distinction  was  nobler  than 
yours ;  it  was  the  distinction  of  soul,  not  of 
birth ;  the  superiority  of  worth,  not  of  for- 
tune !  I  am  sorry  I  have  a  gentleman  in  my 
kingdom,  who  is  base  enough  to  be  ignorant, 
that  ease  and  distinction  of  fortune  were 
bestowed  on  him  but  to  this  end,  that,  being 
at  rest  from  all  cares  of  providing  for  himself, 
he  might  apply  his  heart,  head,  and  hand 
for  the  public  advantage  of  others. 

Here  the  king,  discontinued  his  speech, 
fixed  an  eye  of  indignation  on  a  sullen  resent- 
ment of  mien  which  he  observed  in  the 
haughty  offender,  who  muttered  out  his  dis- 
like of  the  encouragement  this  way  of  think- 
ing  must  give  to  the  commonalty,  who  he 
Baid,  were  to  be  considered  as  persons  of  no 
consequence,  in  comparison  of  men  who  were 
born  to  be  honoured.  Where  reflection  is 
wanting,  replied  the  king,  with  a  ^mile  of 


100  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

disdain,  men  must  find  their  defects  in  the 
pain  of  their  sufferings.  Yanhuma,  added  he, 
turning  to  a  captain  of  his  galleys,  strip  the 
injured  and  the  injurer ;  and  convey  them  to 
one  of  the  most  barbarous  and  remote  of  the 
islands,  set  them  ashore  in  the  night,  and  leave 
them  both  to  their  fortune. 

The  place  in  which  they  were  landed  was 
a  marsh ;  under  cover  of  whose  flags  the 
gentlemen  was  in  hopes  to  conceal  himself, 
and  give  the  slip  to  his  companion,  whom  he 
thought  it  a  disgrace  to  be  found  with ;  but 
the  lights  in  the  galley  having  given  an  alarm 
to  the  savages,  a  considerable  body  of  them 
came  down,  and  discovered,  in  the  morning, 
the  two  strangers  in  their  hiding-place.  Set- 
ting up  a  dismal  yell,  they  surrounded  them ; 
and  advancing  nearer  and  nearer  with  a  kind 
of  clubs,  seemed  determined  to  dispatch  them, 
without  sense  of  hospitality  or  mercy. 

Here  the  gentleman  began  to  discover  that 
the  superiority  of  his  blood  was  imaginary: 
for  between  the  consciousness  of  shame  and 
cold,  under  the  nakedness  he  had  never  been 


A  BASKET-MAKER.  lOl 

used  to  ;  a  fear  of  the  event  from  the 
fierceness  of  the  savages*  approach,  and 
the  want  of  an  idea  whereby  to  soften  or 
divert  their  asperity,  he  fell  behind  the  poor 
sharer  of  his  calamity,  and  with  an  unsin- 
ewed  apprehensive  unmanly  sneakingness  of 
niuin,  gave  up  the  post  of  honour,  and  made 
a  leader  of  the  very  man  whom  he  had 
thought  it  a  disgrace  to  consider  as  a  com- 
panion. 

The  basket- maker,  on  the  contrary,  to 
whom  the  poverty  of  his  condition  had  made 
nakedness  habitual;  to  whom  a  life  of  pain 
and  mortification  represented  death  as  not 
dreadful ;  and  whose  remembrance  of  his 
skill  in  arts,  of  which  these  savages  were 
ignorant,  gave  him  hopes  of  becoming  safe, 
from  demonstrating  that  he  could  be  useful, 
moved  with  bolder  and  more  open  freedom ; 
and,  having  plucked  a  handful  of  the  flags, 
sat  down  without  emotion,  and  making 
signs  that  he  would  show  them  something 
worthy  of  their  attention,  fell  to  work  with 
tmilcs  and  noddings  ;  while  the  savages 


102  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

drew  near,  and  gazed  with  expectation  of  the 
consequence. 

It  was  not  long  before  he  had  wreathed  a 
kind  of  coronet,  of  pretty  workmanship;  and 
rising  with  respect  and  fearfulness,  approached 
the  savage  who  appeared  the  chief,  and  placed 
it  gently  on  his  head;  whose  figure  under 
this  new  ornament,  so  charmed  and  struck 
his  followers,  that  they  all  threw  down  their 
clubs,  and  formed  a  dance  of  welcome  and 
congratulation  round  the  author  of  so  prized 
a  favour. 

There  was  not  one  but  showed  the  marks 
of  his  impatience  to  be  made  as  fine  as  the 
captain:  so  the  poor  basket-maker  had  his 
hands  full  of  employment :  and  the  savages 
observing  one  quite  idle,  while  the  other  was 
so  busy  in  their  service,  took  up  arms  in  be- 
half of  natural  justice,  and  began  to  lay  on 
arguments  in  favour  of  their  purpose. 

The  basket-maker's  pity  now  effaced  the 
remembrance  of  his  sufferings:  so  he  arose 
and  rescued  his  oppressor,  by  making  signs 
that  he  was  ignorant  of  the  art ;  but  might, 


A  BASKET-MAKER.  103 

if  they  thought  fit,  be  usefuJly  employed  in 
waiting  on  the  work,  and  fetching  flags  to  his 
supply,  as  fast  he  should  want  them. 

This  proposition  luckily  fell  in  with  a 
desire  the  savages  expressed  to  keep  them- 
selves at  leisure,  that  they  might  crowd 
round,  and  mark  the  progress  of  a  work 
they  took  such  pleasure  in.  They  left  the 
gentleman,  therefore,  to  his  duty  in  the 
basket-maker's  service;  and  considered  him, 
from  that  time  forward,  as  one  who  was, 
and  ought  to  be  treated  as  inferior  to  their 
benefactor. 

Men,  women,  and  children,  from  all  corners 
of  the  island,  came  in  droves  for  coronets; 
and  setting  the  gentleman  to  work  to  gather 
boughs  and  poles,  made  a  fine  hut  to  lodge 
the  basket-maker ;  and  brought  down  daily 
from  the  country  such  provisions  as  they 
lived  upon  themselves ;  taking  care  to  offer 
the  imagined  servant  nothing  till  his  master 
had  done  eating. 

Three  months'  reflection,  in  this  mortified 


104  THE  ADVENTURES  OF 

condition,  gave  a  new  and  just  turn  to  our 
gentleman's  improved  idea;  insomuch,  that 
lying  weeping  and  awake,  one  night,  he 
thus  confessed  Jus  sentiments  in  favour  of 
the  basket-maker:  I  have  been  to  blame, 
and  wanted  judgment  to  distinguish  between 
accident  and  excellence.  When  I  should 
have  measured  nature,  I  but  looked  to  va- 
nity. The  preference  which  fortune  gives  is 
empty  and  imaginary :  and  I  perceive,  too 
late*  that  only  things  of  use  are  naturally 
Honourable.  I  am  ashamed,  when  I  com 
pare  my  malice,  to  remember  your  humanity : 
but  if  the  gods  should  please  to  call  me  to 
repossession  of  my  rank  and  happiness,  I 
would  divide  all  with  you  in  atonement  for 
my  justly  punished  arrogance. 

He  promised,  and  performed  his  promise : 
for  the  king,  soon  after,  sent  the  captain  who 
had  landed  them,  with  presents  to  the  savages ; 
and  ordered  him  to  bring  both  back  again. 
And  it  continues  to  this  day  a  custom  in  that 
island,  to  degrade  all  gentlemen  who  cannot 


A  BASKET- MAKER.  105 

give  a  better  reason  for  their  pride,  than 
that  they  were  born  to  do  nothing :  and 
the  word  for  this  due  punishment,  is,  Send 
him  back  to  the  basket-maker. 


ON  CHARITY 


The  soul  that  feels  for  others'owe, 
From  heav'n  its  origin  doth  show. 


ZACCHOR  and  Esreff,  two  youths,  beg- 
ged  the  dervise  Morat,  their  tutor,  who 
was  a  Seer,  and  blessed  by  Mahomet  with 
vhe  knowledge  of  future  events,  to  permit 
them  to  visit  the  curiosities  of  Aleppo,  to 
which  place  they  were  but  lately  come  for 
the  advantage  of  the  wise  and  holy  man's 
instructions,  and  who  had  undertaken  thei»* 
education  :  he  gave  each  of  them  a  few  aspei 
on  going  forth,  to  expend  on  whatever  the  ' 


ON    CHARITY.  107 

racli nations  prompted  to  ;  and  on  their  return, 
he  inquired  how  they  had  disposed  of  the 
money  ?  I,  said  Zacchor,  cast  my  eyes  on 
some  of  the  finest  dates  Syria  ever  produced, 
I  laid  out  my  aspers,  and  indulged  in  what 
perhaps  I  shall  never  meet  the  like  again. 
And  I,  said  Esreff,  met  a  poor  helpless 
wretch  with  an  infant  at  her  breast,  whose 
cries  pierced  my  soul ;  she  was  reduced  to 
the  very  utmost  extremity;  the  angel  of 
death  seemed  to  glare  forth  at  her  eyes,  and 
she  had  scarce  strength  left  to  beg  the  Assis- 
tance my  heart  yearned  to  give  her,  and 
which  our  prophet  commands  all  Mussul- 
men  to  bestow  on  misery  like  her's.  She  had 
my  aspers,  and  I  grieved  I  had  not  more  to 
Bestow.  The  money,  said  Morat  to  Zaccho*. 
which  you  exchange^^br  the  dates,  will  in  a 
few  hours  be  converted  into  the  most  odious 
of  substances,  mere  excrements :  but  Esreff, 
said  he,  turning  to  the  other,  besides  the 
pleasure  you  must  enjoy,  whenever  you 
leflect  on  what  you  have  done,  know  that  your 
well  bestowed  aspers  will  produce  a  never 


108  ON    CHARITY. 

fading  fruit,  and  contribute  to  your  happiness, 
both  in  this  world  and  the  world  to  come :  and 
moreover  know,  that  the  infant  whose  life  you 
have  saved,  and  who,  without  your  assistance 
must,  with  its  mother,  have  perished,  will, 
(so  heaven  has  decreed  it)  live  to  repay  your 
goodnese,  by  saving  your  life  many  years 
hence,  and  rescuing  you  from  the  most  immi- 
nent of  dangers. 


THE  KKD. 


UCLA  LIBRARY