She found, that in acquiring knowledge, her mind grew tranquil, and thenoble desire of acting conformably to the will of God succeeded, anddrove out the immoderate vanity which before actuated her, when herequals were the objects she thought most of, and whose approbation shesought with such eagerness. And what had she sought? To be stared atand called handsome. Her beauty, the mere sight of it, did not makeothers good, or comfort the afflicted; but after she had lost it, she wascomfortable herself, and set her friends the most useful example.
The money that she had formerly appropriated to ornament her person, nowclothed the naked; yet she really appeared better dressed, as she hadacquired the habit of employing her time to the best advantage, and couldmake many things herself. Besides, she did not implicitly follow thereigning fashion, for she had learned to distinguish, and in the mosttrivial matters acted according to the dictates of good sense.
The children made some comments on this story, but the entrance of avisitor interrupted the conversation, and they ran about the garden,comparing the roses and tulips.
CHAPTER VIII
Summer Evening’s Amusement.—The Arrival of a Family ofHaymakers.—Ridicule of personal Defects censured.—A Storm.—The Fear ofDeath.—The Cottage of honest Jack, the shipwrecked Sailor.—The History ofJack, and his faithful Dog Pompey.
The evening was pleasant; Mrs. Mason and the children walked out; andmany rustic noises struck their ears. Some bells in a neighbouringvillage, softened by the distance, sounded pleasingly; the beetleshummed, and the children pursued them, not to destroy them; but toobserve their form, and ask questions concerning their mode of living.Sheep were bleating and cattle lowing, the rivulet near them babbledalong, while the sound of the distant ocean died away on the ear—or theyforgot it, listening to the whistling of the hay-makers, who werereturning from the field. They met a whole family who came every yearfrom another county where they could not find constant employment, andMrs. Mason allowed them to sleep in her barn. The little ones knew theirbenefactress, and tried to catch a smile; and she was ever ready to smileon those whom she obliged; for she loved all her fellow creatures, andlove lightens obligations. Besides, she thought that the poor who arewilling to work, had a right to the comforts of life.
A few moments after, they met a deformed woman; the children stared heralmost out of countenance; but Mrs. Mason turned her head another way,and when the poor object was out of hearing, said to Mary, I intended toreprove you this morning for a fault which I have frequently seen youcommit; and this moment and the other evening it was particularlyconspicuous. When that deformed woman passed us, I involuntarily lookedat something else, and would not let her perceive that she was adisgusting figure, and attracted notice on that account. I say I did itinvoluntarily, for I have accustomed myself to think of others, and whatthey will suffer on all occasions: and this lothness to offend, or evento hurt the feelings of another, is an instantaneous spring whichactuates my conduct, and makes me kindly affected to every thing thatbreathes. If I then am so careful not to wound a stranger, what shall Ithink of your behaviour, Mary? when you laughed at a respectable oldwoman, who beside her virtues and her age, had been particularly civil toyou. I have always seen persons of the weakest understandings, and whosehearts benevolence seldom touched, ridicule bodily infirmities, andaccidental defects. They could only relish the inferiour kind of beauty,which I described this morning, and a silly joy has elated their emptysouls, on finding, by comparison, that they were superiour to others inthat respect, though the conclusion was erroneous, for merit, mentalacquirements, can only give a just claim to superiority. Had youpossessed the smallest portion of discernment, you would soon haveforgotten the tones, loss of teeth made drawling, in listening to thechearful good sense which that worthy woman’s words conveyed. Youlaughed, because you were ignorant, and I now excuse you; but some yearshence, if I were to see you in company, with such a propensity, I shouldstill think you a child, an overgrown one, whose mind did not expand asthe body grew.
The sky began to thicken, and the lowing of the cattle to have amelancholy cadence; the nightingale forgot her song, and fled to hernest; and the sea roared and lashed the rocks. During the calm whichportended an approaching storm, every creature was running forshelter.—We must, if possible, said Mrs. Mason, reach yon cottage on thecliff, for we shall soon have a violent thunder-storm. They quickenedtheir pace, but the hurricane overtook them. The hail-stones fell, theclouds seemed to open and disclose the lightning, while loud peals ofthunder shook the ground; the wind also in violent gusts rushed among thetrees, tore off the slender branches and loosened the roots.
The children were terrified; but Mrs. Mason gave them each a hand, andchatted with them to dispel their fears. She informed them that stormswere necessary to dissipate noxious vapours, and to answer many otherpurposes, which were not, perhaps, obvious to our weak understandings.But are you not afraid? cried the trembling Caroline. No, certainly, Iam not afraid.—I walk with the same security as when the sun enlivenedthe prospect—God is still present, and we are safe. Should the flashthat passes by us, strike me dead, it cannot hurt me, I fear not death!—Ionly fear that Being who can render death terrible, on whose providence Icalmly rest; and my confidence earthly sorrows cannot destroy. A mind isnever truly great, till the love of virtue overcomes the fear of death.
By this time they had mounted the cliff, and saw the tumultuous deep.The angry billows rose, and dashed against the shore; and the loud noiseof the raging sea resounded from rock to rock.
They ran into the cottage; the poor woman who lived in it, sent herchildren for wood, and soon made a good fire to dry them.
The father of the family soon after came in, leaning on crutches; andover one eye there was a large patch. I am glad to see you honest Jack,said Mrs. Mason, come and take your seat by the fire, and tell thechildren the story of your shipwreck.
He instantly complied. I was very young, my dear ladies, said Jack, whenI went to sea, and endured many hardships,—however I made a shift toweather them all; and whether the wind was fair or foul, I ran up theshrouds and sung at the helm. I had always a good heart, no lad fore oraft had a better; when we were at sea, I never was the first to flinch;and on shore I was as merry as the best of them. I married she you seeyonder, (lifting his crutch to point to his wife) and her work and mywages did together, till I was shipwrecked on these rocks. Oh! it was adreadful night; this is nothing to it; but I am getting to the end of mystory before I begin it.
During the war, I went once or twice to New York. The last was a goodvoyage, and we were all returning with joy to dear England, when thestorm rose; the vessel was like a bird, it flew up and down, and severalof our best hands were washed clean overboard—My poor captain! a betternever plowed the ocean, he fell overboard too, and it was some timebefore we missed him; for it was quite dark, except that flashes oflightning, now and then, gave us light. I was at the helm, lashing it tothe side of the ship—a dreadful flash came across me, and I lost one ofmy precious eyes.—But thank God I have one left.
The weather cleared up next day, and, though we had been finely mauled, Ibegan to hope, for I hate to be faint-hearted, and certainly we shouldhave got into the channel very soon, if we had not fell in with a Frenchman of war, which took us; for we could not make any resistance.
I had a dog, poor Pompey! with me. Pompey would not leave me, he was asfond of me as if he had been a christian. I had lost one eye by thelightning, the other had been sore, so that I could hardly call it apeep-hole. Somehow I fell down the hatchway, and bruised one of my legs;but I did not mind it, do ye see, till we arrived at Brest and werethrown into a French Prison.
There I was worse off than ever; the room we were all stowed in, was fullof vermin, and our food very bad; mouldy biscuits, and salt fish. Theprison was choke full, and many a morning did we find some honest fellowwith his chops fallen—he was not to be waked any more!—he was gone to theother country, do ye see.
Yet the French have not such hard hearts as people say they have!Several women brought us broth, and wine; and one gave me some rags towrap round my leg, it was very painful, I could not clean it, nor had Iany plaister. One day I was looking sorrowfully at it, thinking forcertain I should lose my precious limb; when, would you believe it?Pompey saw what I was thinking about, and began to lick it.—And, I neverknew such a surprizing thing, it grew better and better every day, and atlast was healed without any plaister.
[Picture: Indeed we are very happy!]
After that I was very sick, and the same tender-hearted creature who gaveme the rags, took me to her house; and fresh air soon recovered me. Ifor certain ought to speak well of the French; but for their kindness Ishould have been in another port by this time. Mayhap I might have gonewith a fair wind, yet I should have been sorry to have left my poor wifeand her children. But I am letting all my line run out! Well,by-and-by, there was an exchange of prisoners, and we were once more inan English vessel, and I made sure of seeing my family again; but theweather was still foul. Three days and nights we were in the greatestdistress; and the fourth the ship was dashed against these rocks. Oh! ifyou had heard the crash! The water rushed in—the men screamed, Lord havemercy on us! There was a woman in the ship, and, as I could swim, Itried to save her, and Pompey followed me; but I lost him—poor fellow! Ideclare I cried like a child when I saw his dead body. However I broughtthe woman to shore; and assisted some more of my mess-mates; but,standing in the water so long, I lost the use of my limbs—yet Heaven wasgood to me; Madam, there, sent a cart for us all, and took care of us;but I never recovered the use of my limbs. So she asked me all about mymisfortunes, and sent for wife, who came directly, and we have lived hereever since. We catch fish for Madam, and watch for a storm, hoping sometime or other to be as kind to a poor perishing soul as she has been tome. Indeed we are very happy—I might now have been begging about thestreets, but for Madam, God bless her.
A tear strayed down Mrs. Mason’s cheek, while a smile of benevolencelighted up her countenance—the little girls caught each hand—They wereall silent a few minutes when she, willing to turn the discourse,enquired whether they had any fish in the house? Some were produced,they were quickly dressed, and they all eat together. They had achearful meal, and honest Jack sung some of his seafaring songs, and didall he could to divert them and express his gratitude. Getting up toreach the brown loaf, he limped very awkwardly, Mary was just beginningto laugh, when she restrained herself; for she recollected that hisawkwardness made him truly respectable, because he had lost the use ofhis limbs when he was doing good, saving the lives of hisfellow-creatures.
The weather cleared up, and they returned home. The children conversedgaily with each other all the way home, talking of the poor sailor, andhis faithful dog.
CHAPTER IX
The Inconveniences of immoderate Indulgence.
The children were allowed to help themselves to fruit, when it made apart of their meal; and Caroline always took care to pick out the best,or swallow what she took in a hurry, lest she should not get as much asshe wished for. Indeed she generally eat more than her share. She hadseveral times eaten more than a person ought to eat at one time, withoutfeeling any ill effects; but one afternoon she complained of a pain inher stomach in consequence of it, and her pale face, and languid eyes,plainly shewed her indisposition. Mrs. Mason gave her an emetic, andafter the operation she was obliged to go to bed, though she had promisedherself a pleasant walk that evening. She was left alone, for Mary wasnot permitted to stay at home with her, as she offered to do. Had hersickness been accidental, we would both have tried to amuse her, saidMrs. Mason; but her greediness now receiving its natural and justpunishment, she must endure it without the alleviation which pityaffords; only tell her from me, that the pleasure was but momentary,while the pain and confinement it produced, has already lasted somehours.
The next morning, though scarcely recovered, she got up, as usual, tohave a walk before breakfast. During these walks, Mrs. Mason told themstories, pointed out the wisdom of God in the creation, and took them tovisit her poor tenants. These visits not only enabled her to form ajudgment of their wants, but made them very industrious; for they wereall anxious that she might find their houses and persons clean. Andreturning through the farmyard, Mrs. Mason stopped according to custom,to see whether the poor animals were taken care of—this she calledearning her breakfast. The servant was just feeding the pigs, and thoughshe poured a great quantity into the trough, the greedy creatures triedto gobble it up from one another. Caroline blushed, she saw this sightwas meant for her, and she felt ashamed of her gluttony. But Mrs. Mason,willing to impress her still more strongly, thus addressed her.
Providence, my child, has given us passions and appetites for variouspurposes—two are generally obvious, I will point them out to you. Firstto render our present life more comfortable, and then to prepare us foranother, by making us sociable beings; as in society virtue is acquired,and self-denial practised. A moderate quantity of proper food recruitsour exhausted spirits, and invigorates the animal functions; but, if weexceed moderation, the mind will be oppressed, and soon become the slaveof the body, or both grow listless and inactive. Employed various ways,families meet at meals, and there giving up to each other, learn in themost easy, pleasant way to govern their appetites. Pigs, you see, devourwhat they can get; but men, if they have any affections, love theirfellow-creatures, and wish for a return; nor will they, for the sake of abrutish gratification, lose the esteem of those they value. Besides, noone can be reckoned virtuous who has not learned to bear poverty: yetthose who think much of gratifying their appetites, will at last actmeanly in order to indulge them. But when any employment of theunderstanding, or strong affection occupies the mind, eating is seldomthought a matter of greater importance than it ought to be. Let the idle_think_ of their meals; but do you employ the intermediate time in adifferent manner, and only enjoy them when you join the social circle. Ilike to see children, and even men, eat chearfully, and gratefullyreceive the blessings sent by Heaven; yet I would not have them abusethose blessings, or ever let the care necessary to support the body,injure the immortal spirit: many think of the sustenance the formercraves, and entirely neglect the latter.
I remarked to you before, that in the most apparently trivial concerns,we are to do as we would be done by. This duty must be practisedconstantly; at meals there are frequent opportunities, and I hope,Caroline, I shall never again see you eager to secure dainties foryourself. If such a disposition were to grow up with you, you ought tolive alone, for no one should enjoy the advantages and pleasures whicharise from social intercourse, who is unwilling to give way to theinclinations of others, and allow each their share of the good things ofthis life.
You experienced yesterday, that pain follows immoderate indulgence; it isalways the case, though sometimes not felt so immediately; but theconstitution is insensibly destroyed, and old age will come on, loadedwith infirmities. You also lost a very pleasant walk, and some finefruit. We visited Mrs. Goodwin’s garden, and as Mary had beforeconvinced me that she could regulate her appetites, I gave her leave topluck as much fruit as she wished; and she did not abuse my indulgence.On the contrary, she spent most part of the time in gathering some forme, and her attention made it taste sweeter.
Coming home I called her my friend, and she deserved the name, for shewas no longer a child; a reasonable affection had conquered an appetite;her understanding took the lead, and she had practised a virtue.
The subject was now dropped; but, Caroline determined to copy in futureher sister’s temperance and self-denial.
CHAPTER X.
The Danger of Delay.—Description of a Mansion-house in Ruins.—The Historyof Charles Townley.
Mrs. Mason who always regulated her own time, and never loitered herhours irresolutely away, had very frequently to wait for the children,when she wished to walk, though she had desire
d them to be ready at aprecise time. Mary in particular had a trick of putting everything offtill the last moment, and then she did but half do it, or left it undone.This indolent way of delaying made her miss many opportunities ofobliging and doing good; and whole hours were lost in thoughtlessidleness, which she afterwards wished had been better employed.
This was the case one day, when she had a letter to write to her father;and though it was mentioned to her early in the morning, the finest partof the evening slipped away whilst she was finishing it; and her hastemade her forget the principal thing which she intended to have said.
Out of breath she joined them; and after they had crossed several fields,Mrs. Mason turning down a long avenue, bade them look at a large oldmansion-house. It was now in ruins. Ivy grew over the substantialwalls, that still resisted the depredations of time, and almost concealeda noble arch, on which maimed lions couched; and vultures and eagles, whohad lost their wings, seemed to rest for ever there. Near it was arookery, and the rooks lived safe in the high trees, whose trunks wereall covered with ivy or moss, and a number of fungusses grew about theirlarge roots. The grass was long, and remaining undisturbed, save whenthe wind swept across it, was of course pathless. Here the mower neverwhet his scythe, nor did the haymakers mix their songs with the hoarsecroaking of the rooks. A spacious basin, on the margin of which waterplants grew with wild luxuriance, was overspread with slime; and affordeda shelter for toads and adders. In many places were heaped the ruins ofornamental buildings, whilst sun-dials rested in the shade;—and pedestalsthat had crushed the figures they before supported. Making their waythrough the grass, they would frequently stumble over a headless statue,or the head would impede their progress. When they spoke, the soundseemed to return again, as if unable to penetrate the thick stagnatedair. The sun could not dart its purifying rays through the thick gloom,and the fallen leaves contributed to choke up the way, and render the airmore noxious.