Amusement, knowledge, wisdom, thou may’st gain:
If I one soul improve, I have not lived in vain.”
BEATTIE.
It is not so easy to do good as those who have never attempted it may imagine; and they who without consideration follow the mere2 instinct of pity, often by their imprudent generosity3 create evils more pernicious to society than any which they partially4 remedy. “Warm Charity, the general friend,” may become the general enemy, unless she consults her head as well as her heart. Whilst she pleases herself with the idea that she daily feeds hundreds of the poor, she is perhaps preparing want and famine for thousands. Whilst she delights herself with the anticipation5 of gratitude6 for her bounties7, she is often exciting only unreasonable8 expectations, inducing habits of dependence9, and submission10 to slavery.
Those who wish to do good should attend to experience, from whom they may receive lessons upon the largest scale that time and numbers can afford.
Mad. de Fleury was aware that neither a benevolent11 disposition12 nor a large fortune were sufficient to enable her to be of real service, without the constant exercise of her judgment13. She had therefore listened with deference14 to the conversation of well-informed men upon those subjects on which ladies have not always the means or the wish to acquire extensive and accurate knowledge. Though a Parisian belle15, she had read with attention some of those books which are generally thought too dry or too deep for her sex. Consequently her benevolence16 was neither wild in theory, nor precipitate17 nor ostentatious in practice.
Touched with compassion18 for a little girl, whose arm had been accidentally broken, and shocked by the discovery of the confinement19 and the dangers to which numbers of children in Paris were doomed20, she did not make a parade of her sensibility. She did not talk of her feelings in fine sentences to a circle of opulent admirers, nor did she project for the relief of the little sufferers some magnificent establishment, which she could not execute or superintend. She was contented21 with attempting only what she had reasonable hopes of accomplishing.
The gift of education she believed to be more advantageous22 than the gift of money to the poor; as it ensures the means both of future subsistence and happiness. But the application even of this incontrovertible principle requires caution and judgment. To crowd numbers of children into a place called a school, to abandon them to the management of any person called a schoolmaster or a schoolmistress, is not sufficient to secure the blessings23 of a good education. Mad. de Fleury was sensible that the greatest care is necessary in the choice of the person to whom young children are to be intrusted: she knew that only a certain number can be properly directed by one superintendent24; and that by attempting to do too much, she might do nothing, or worse than nothing. Her school was formed, therefore, on a small scale, which she could enlarge to any extent, if it should be found to succeed. From some of the families of poor people, who in earning their bread are obliged to spend most of the day from home, she selected twelve little girls, of whom Victoire was the eldest25, and she was between six and seven.
The person under whose care Mad. de Fleury wished to place these children was a nun26 of the Soeurs de la Charité, with whose simplicity27 of character, benevolence, and mild, steady temper, she was thoroughly28 acquainted. Sister Frances was delighted with the plan. Any scheme that promised to be of service to her fellow-creatures was sure of meeting with her approbation29; but this suited her taste peculiarly, because she was extremely fond of children. No young person had ever boarded six months at her convent without becoming attached to good Sister Frances.
The period of which we are writing was some years before convents were abolished; but the strictness of their rules had in many instances been considerably30 relaxed. Without much difficulty, permission was obtained from the abbess for our nun to devote her time during the day to the care of these poor children, upon condition that she should regularly return to her convent every night before evening prayers. The house which Mad. de Fleury chose for her little school was in an airy part of the town; it did not face the street, but was separated from other buildings at the back of a court, retired31 from noise and bustle32. The two rooms intended for the occupation of the children were neat and clean, but perfectly33 simple, with whitewashed34 walls, furnished only with wooden stools and benches, and plain deal tables. The kitchen was well lighted (for light is essential to cleanliness), and it was provided with utensils35; and for these appropriate places were allotted36, to give the habit and the taste of order. The school-room opened into a garden larger than is usually seen in towns. The nun, who had been accustomed to purchase provisions for her convent, undertook to prepare daily for the children breakfast and dinner; they were to sup and sleep at their respective homes. Their parents were to take them to Sister Frances every morning, when they went out to work, and to call for them upon their return home every evening. By this arrangement, the natural ties of affection and intimacy37 between the children and their parents would not be loosened; they would be separate only at the time when their absence must be inevitable38. Mad. de Fleury thought that any education which estranges39 children entirely40 from their parents must be fundamentally erroneous; that such a separation must tend to destroy that sense of filial affection and duty, and those principles of domestic subordination, on which so many of the interests, and much of the virtue41 and happiness, of society depend. The parents of these poor children were eager to trust them to her care, and they strenuously42 endeavoured to promote what they perceived to be entirely to their advantage. They promised to take their daughters to school punctually every morning — a promise which was likely to be kept, as a good breakfast was to be ready at a certain hour, and not to wait for any body. The parents looked forward with pleasure also to the idea of calling for their little girls at the end of their day’s labour, and of taking them home to their family supper. During the intermediate hours, the children were constantly to be employed, or in exercise. It was difficult to provide suitable employments for their early age; but even the youngest of those admitted could be taught to wind balls of cotton, thread, and silk, for haberdashers; or they could shell peas and beans, &c. for a neighbouring traiteur; or they could weed in a garden. The next in age could learn knitting and plain-work, reading, writing, and arithmetic. As the girls should grow up, they were to be made useful in the care of the house. Sister Frances said she could teach them to wash and iron, and that she would make them as skilful43 in cookery as she was herself. This last was doubtless a rash promise; for in most of the mysteries of the culinary art, especially in the medical branches of it, in making savoury messes palatable44 to the sick, few could hope to equal the neat-handed Sister Frances. She had a variety of other accomplishments45; but her humility46 and good sense forbade her, upon the present occasion, to mention these. She said nothing of embroidery47, or of painting, or of cutting out paper, or of carving48 in ivory, though in all these she excelled: her cuttings-out in paper were exquisite49 as the finest lace; her embroidered50 housewives, and her painted boxes, and her fan-mounts, and her curiously51 wrought52 ivory toys, had obtained for her the highest reputation in the convent, amongst the best judges in the world. Those only who have philosophically53 studied and thoroughly understand the nature of fame and vanity can justly appreciate the self-denial, or magnanimity, of Sister Frances, in forbearing to enumerate54 or boast of these things. She alluded55 to them but once, and in the slightest and most humble56 manner.
“These little creatures are too young for us to think of teaching them any thing but plain-work at present; but if hereafter any of them should show a superior genius, we can cultivate it properly! Heaven has been pleased to endow me with the means — at least our convent says so.”
The actions of Sister Frances showed as much moderation as her words; for though she was strongly tempted1 to adorn57 her new dwelling58 with those specimens59 of her skill, which had long been the glory of her apartment in the convent, yet she resisted the impulse, and contented herself with hanging over the chimney-piece of her school-room a Madonna of her own painting.
The day arrived when she was to receive her pupils in their new habitation. When the children entered the room for the first time, they paid the Madonna the homage60 of their unfeigned admiration61. Involuntarily the little crowd stopped short at the sight of the picture. Some dormant62 emotions of human vanity were now awakened63 — played for a moment about the heart of Sister Frances — and may be forgiven. Her vanity was innocent and transient, her benevolence permanent and useful. Repressing the vain-glory of an artist, as she fixed64 her eyes upon the Madonna, her thoughts rose to higher objects, and she seized this happy moment to impress upon the minds of her young pupils their first religious ideas and feelings. There was such unaffected piety65 in her manner, such goodness in her countenance66, such persuasion67 in her voice, and simplicity in her words, that the impression she made was at once serious, pleasing, and not to be effaced68. Much depends upon the moment and the manner in which the first notions of religion are communicated to children: if these ideas be connected with terror, and produced when the mind is sullen69 or in a state of dejection, the future religious feelings are sometimes of a gloomy, dispiriting sort; but if the first impression be made when the heart is expanded by hope or touched by affection, these emotions are happily and permanently70 associated with religion. This should be particularly attended to by those who undertake the instruction of the children of the poor, who must lead a life of labour, and can seldom have leisure or inclination71 when arrived at years of discretion72, to re-examine the principles early infused into their minds. They cannot in their riper age conquer by reason those superstitious73 terrors, or bigoted74 prejudices, which render their victims miserable75 or perhaps criminal. To attempt to rectify76 any errors in the foundation after an edifice77 has been constructed, is dangerous: the foundation, therefore, should be laid with care. The religious opinions of Sister Frances were strictly78 united with just rules of morality, strongly enforcing, as the essential means of obtaining present and future happiness, the practice of the social virtues79; so that no good or wise persons, however they might differ from her in modes of faith, could doubt the beneficial influence of her general principles, or disapprove80 of the manner in which they were inculcated.
Detached from every other worldly interest, this benevolent nun devoted81 all her earthly thoughts to the children of whom she had undertaken the charge. She watched over them with unceasing vigilance, whilst diffidence of her own abilities was happily supported by her high opinion of Mad. de Fleury’s judgment. This lady constantly visited her pupils every week; not in the hasty, negligent82 manner in which fine ladies sometimes visit charitable institutions, imagining that the honour of their presence is to work miracles, and that every thing will go on rightly when they have said, “Let it be so,” or, “I must have it so.” Mad. de Fleury’s visits were not of this dictatorial83 or cursory84 nature. Not minutes, but hours, she devoted to these children — she who could charm by the grace of her manners, and delight by the elegance85 of her conversation, the most polished circles14 and the best-informed societies of Paris, preferred to the glory of being admired the pleasure of being useful —
“Her life, as lovely as her face,
Each duty mark’d with every grace;
Her native sense improved by reading,
Her native sweetness by good-breeding.”
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1
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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2
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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3
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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5
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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6
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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7
bounties
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| （由政府提供的）奖金( bounty的名词复数 )； 赏金； 慷慨； 大方 | |
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8
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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9
dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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10
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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11
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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12
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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13
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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15
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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16
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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17
precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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18
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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19
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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20
doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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21
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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22
advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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23
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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24
superintendent
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| n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长 | |
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25
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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nun
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| n.修女，尼姑 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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28
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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29
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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30
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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31
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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32
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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34
whitewashed
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| 粉饰，美化，掩饰( whitewash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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38
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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39
estranges
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| v.使疏远（尤指家庭成员之间）( estrange的第三人称单数 ) | |
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40
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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41
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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42
strenuously
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| adv.奋发地，费力地 | |
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43
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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44
palatable
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| adj.可口的，美味的；惬意的 | |
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45
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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46
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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47
embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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48
carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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49
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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50
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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51
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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52
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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53
philosophically
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| adv.哲学上；富有哲理性地；贤明地；冷静地 | |
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54
enumerate
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| v.列举，计算，枚举，数 | |
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55
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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57
adorn
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| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
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58
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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59
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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60
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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61
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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62
dormant
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| adj.暂停活动的；休眠的；潜伏的 | |
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63
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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64
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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65
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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66
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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67
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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68
effaced
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| v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；超越；使黯然失色 | |
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69
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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70
permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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71
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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72
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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73
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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74
bigoted
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| adj.固执己见的，心胸狭窄的 | |
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75
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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76
rectify
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| v.订正，矫正，改正 | |
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77
edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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78
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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79
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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80
disapprove
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| v.不赞成，不同意，不批准 | |
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81
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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82
negligent
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| adj.疏忽的；玩忽的；粗心大意的 | |
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83
dictatorial
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| adj. 独裁的，专断的 | |
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84
cursory
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| adj.粗略的；草率的；匆促的 | |
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85
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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