CHAP. II.
Sir Charlesand Lady Seymour were the amiable possessors of a delightful mansion. They had, I found, seven children, five daughters and two sons: three only of the former were in the school-room, the other two, with their infant brother, occupied an adjoining room, called the nursery, and the eldest boy was at school. My chief acquaintance was with the elder girls, whom I shall consequently mention most frequently in the course of my narrative, and therefore shall now more particularly describe them.
Caroline, the eldest, was in her twelfth year, very tall, and rather pretty; but her good, sensible mother had taught her, how little personal advantages are to beesteemed at any time; and that they should be considered rather as a misfortune, when not accompanied by corresponding charms in the heart and mind. The precepts of her mamma were always dear to Caroline; nor were they ever counteracted by any extraordinary anxiety in the former, respecting her own or her daughter’s appearance. Her example always showed the possibility of obeying her precepts, and, consequently, they were never wilfully disobeyed. Few children, however, are faultless; nor was Caroline always exempt from blame. She was naturally proud, and though her excellent parents had, by reason and religion, in some degree repressed this unamiable quality, yet, in unguarded moments, it would sometimes display itself. She could not bear reproof, though, from a degree of heedlessness in her manners, she more frequently required it than many children who are not half so amiable; for she wasgentle, affectionate, and very attentive to her studies, in which she had made considerable progress. She did not like to be reminded to hold up her head, though she scarcely ever did so without being told; and I frequently observed, that, when told, her heedlessness made her almost immediately forget, and her head resumed its usual position.
Anna was the name of the second. She having less good sense than her sister, possessed a small portion of personal vanity, with some disinclination for study: yet she was good-humoured, obliging, and compassionate; always seeking some opportunity to assist or relieve her fellow-creatures.
Julia, the youngest, was nine years old, and, had she not been sometimes rather idle, would have been a charming little girl, for she united all the good qualities of her sisters, with few of their defects. In short, the failings of my young friends were such as time, and some attention ontheir part, with a great deal on that of their governess, would doubtless eradicate; while their virtues were such as, matured and confirmed by their own exertions, and the example of their dear mother, could not fail to render them an ornament to society, and a source of happiness and comfort to their parents.
It is not difficult to imagine, that in this charming family I enjoyed every comfort that could be procured for me. At first I slept during a great part of the day, often in my mistress’ hand, in her lap, or on her shoulder. She was delighted with me for being so tame, and made me her little companion, when her pupils, having finished their daily lessons, left the school-room to spend the evening with their parents. It was then my chief delight began; for my mistress being very fond of music, generally amused herself with it for some time every evening. On these occasions I usually lay on her knee till I fell asleep; but one night, beingmore merry than usual, I hopped on her music-book, where, finding a safe and comfortable roosting place, I remained, and ever after chose to go to sleep there. When my mistress retired to her room, she always took me with her, in a little warm basket, lined with flannel and feathers.
I was not, however, always confined to the house: my dear mistress frequently took me out, and I found that the pretty garden where I was hatched, belonged to her; for as Lady Seymour esteemed her very much, she spared no proof of kindness, and this garden had been, by her desire, enclosed for my mistress, who, taking great pleasure in flowers, here cultivated them herself. When thus employed, she let me hop about the flower-beds, and I generally made a good use of my time, by catching such small insects as I could manage. This practice continued during several weeks, till one day (my wings being full grown) I took a longer flight than usual: this alarmed my mistress,and induced her to keep me at home much more than before.
Having by this time become familiar to the language of the school-room, I began to feel an interest in whatever passed there. I observed, one day, that the children were in higher spirits than usual, and soon learned, from their discourse, that they were expecting the arrival of their papa, with their brother from school, where he had been six months; and as he had never before been so long absent, his return was now joyfully anticipated by his affectionate sisters. But who can express their disappointment and grief, when, instead of their brother, came a letter from their papa, informing them that the former was extremely ill, and unable to proceed, though he had already come more than half way. Poor little girls! how distressed they appeared: yet no impatient expressions escaped them on this severe disappointment. They had learned, from their dear mamma, the duty of resignation,and now seemed to partake of her fortitude in practising it.
“Disappointments,” said she, after having read the letter, “are extremely beneficial to young persons, and I trust that my dear girls will prove, by their behaviour on this occasion, that all my lessons of patience and submission have not been disregarded. Your brother’s return is doubtless retarded, but I trust that is all. When he recovers and arrives, you will meet him with greater pleasure from this transient affliction, particularly if you bear it properly.”
“But are you really going to leave us?” mamma, said little Julia: “papa says he wishes for you.”
“I have no doubt, my love, that your papa will procure Charles every thing that is requisite, and I could do no more; however, I shall wait till after the post comes in to-morrow, before I decide that point.”
“Your absence would be doubly painfulto us now,” said Anna, “for we want you to comfort us.”
“That is true,” observed the amiable Caroline, “but our poor sick brother stands more in need of comfort than we: besides, it is so long since he saw mamma.”
“Well, my dears, it will be time enough to-morrow to discuss that subject,” said Lady S. “now I must go and write an answer to this letter, and you had better continue your studies.”
The dear girls dried their tears, and, resuming their occupations, seemed to feel their grief alleviated, though the anxious expressions that at intervals escaped them, showed that it was not forgotten.
At length the next day arrived, and the post brought the pleasing intelligence that Charles was better; however, not being yet allowed to leave his room, he would not be with them till the following week.
At last the happy day arrived, and towards evening, just as the children hadfinished their supper, a post-chaise stopped at the door. “Papa and Charles!” exclaimed they all at once, and flew to meet and embrace their beloved relatives. I remained quietly with my mistress, and, in about a quarter of an hour, Charles, accompanied by his sisters, came to pay his respects to her. He was a fine little boy, about the size of Julia, though somewhat younger. I observed, with pleasure, that he seemed very fond of his sisters; answering their numerous questions with affectionate attention, though it certainly required some judgment to do so; for they scarcely gave him time to reply to one, before they asked another, so eager were they to know whatever concerned him.
“Oh! Charles,” said Julia, “do you know, Miss Sedley has the prettiest, tamest Robin you can imagine. But do you know whether papa has brought me a cage? I asked him for one in my letter.”
“A cage? Oh yes,” said Charles, “and I have brought you a goldfinch in it.”
“For me?—a goldfinch!—where is it?” said she, and ran out of the room, to fetch this newly-acquired treasure.
“But where is this Robin?” asked the little boy: “may I see it?”
“Yonder on the music-book,” replied Anna; “Miss Sedley will show him to you.”
“That I will,” said my mistress, and taking me in her hand, she introduced me to my new friend, who admired me so much, that, if Robins were susceptible of vanity, I should have been one of the vainest.
Little Julia now returned, bringing in a large cage, in which I saw a pretty-looking bird, apparently much older than myself; but as it was getting rather dark, I was too sleepy to make any further observation, so putting my head under my wing, I settled myself to sleep in my mistress’s hand.