The countenances1 of the guilty were easily distinguished2. Gladly would they have avoided the eye of their parents on these occasions, but that was not allowed; they were obliged to appear. Indeed, their attendance constituted part of their punishment.
Mr. and Mrs. Pemberton always invited company to be present when they had received an intimation from Miss Lambert that no faults were registered in the journal, which frequently happened, as they were children of docile3 dispositions4, though sometimes they acted without consideration. Several ladies in the neighbourhood took[Pg 173] particular pleasure in bringing their sons and daughters to be spectators of those joyful6 evenings.
After the journal was read, rewards were bestowed7 on those who had deserved them. Supper was then served up, which generally consisted of dried fruits, milk, with blanc-mange, jellies, etc., placed with great taste by Miss Pemberton, who was always required to set out the table on those nights.
The repast being over, the time was spent pleasantly, either in cheerful conversation, or some amusement suitable to the festivity of the occasion.
Charlotte Somenors, one of their intimate companions, was frequently invited to partake of their pleasure on a happy Saturday, for so they termed those days when none of them had reason to be oppressed by the fear of punishment.
The last time she attended one of those meetings I requested her to give me an account of the transactions of the evening, with which I was so much pleased that I committed it to writing, lest the circumstances should escape my memory; and as I suppose it is likely to amuse my young readers, and at the same time to furnish them with instructive examples, I transcribe8 it for their use. The company being met, Miss Lambert introduced her pupils—Caroline, Emma, Lucy, and George—after which she sat down and began to read as follows:
'It is with great pleasure I recall the events of the last few days. Although they will not present a perfect model of virtue9 and obedience10, they at least prove that the dear children entrusted11 to my care are willing to repair the faults which they have inadvertently committed. I trust that the errors which this journal records will be considered as wholly effaced12 by the repentance13 and confessions14 they have occasioned.[Pg 174]
'Monday.—Morning lessons particularly well attended. George learned a hymn15 of Mrs. Barbauld's at his own request. A dispute arose between the two young ladies in the afternoon on the subject of choosing a walk.
'Miss Pemberton was desirous of winding16 along the banks of the river, as far as the church, that she might see the fine new monument raised to the memory of Lady Modish17. Her sisters insisted on going to the next village, as they wanted to buy muslin for a doll's frock. After some little altercation18 on each side Caroline, with affectionate condescension19, gave way to her sisters' inclination20, though, as eldest21, she had the right of choice, saying she could see the monument another time. I thought her conduct deserved a reward; therefore, after purchasing the articles her sisters wanted, I indulged her by extending our walk to the church.
'Tuesday.—George came running in out of breath to show me a birds'-nest he had just taken. It belonged to the blackbirds that used to amuse us with their song in the grove22. "Alas23! George, you have robbed my favourite birds of their eggs. We shall no longer be charmed with their warbling; they will droop24, and perhaps die of grief."
'"The gardener told me where to find the nest. He lifted me up to take it, and I thought there was no harm in it, as the young ones were not hatched, and intended to make my sisters a present of the eggs."
'The young ladies cried out with one voice that they never could accept a gift procured25 by such cruelty, and desired him to make haste and replace it where he found it.
'At first he was reluctant to comply with this proposal, but after I had convinced him of the affection of the old ones, even towards their eggs, and the pains it had cost them to build the nest, he repented26 that he had taken it, and was as desirous as any of us that it should be[Pg 175] returned to its former situation. He has now the satisfaction of daily watching the solicitude27 and tenderness of the hen, which sits close, and we hope will hatch in a few days.
'Wednesday.—I was surprised on entering Lucy's apartment to hear her command Betty in a very imperious tone to wash out all her doll's linen28 immediately.
'The poor girl remonstrated29 that she had a great deal of business to do, and should have no time; but that she would wash it the first opportunity with pleasure. Lucy repeated her commands, and would receive no excuse. When she saw me she blushed, conscious that her behaviour would not meet my approbation30. I sent Betty downstairs, and explained to Lucy the impropriety of such conduct. "Gentleness to inferiors," said I, "is the mark of a good understanding, as well as of a sweet disposition5. Servants are our fellow-creatures. Though situated31 less fortunately than ourselves, are we to increase the unhappiness of their lot by the tyranny of our treatment towards them? Circumstances may change. Your father may become poor, and you may be reduced to the conditions of a servant. Consider how unkind harsh words would appear to you, and never say that to a domestic which would wound you in their situation. Merit is confined to no rank. Betty is a worthy32 young woman, and entitled to your respect as well as tenderness, for the many kind offices she performs for you. What a helpless being would you be without her assistance! She makes your clothes, and aids you to put them on; she nurses you when you are sick, and attends you on all occasions. Can you forget the obligations you owe her, and command her with haughtiness33? There is but one way to repair your fault. You have insulted her; ask her forgiveness."[Pg 176]
'"That I will do most willingly," replied Lucy. "I love Betty, and should be very sorry to have said anything to vex34 her. I spoke35 without reflection."
'She ran downstairs directly and made a proper apology to Betty, and I have the pleasure to add has since bought a pretty ribbon with her pocket-money, which she has given her as a token of her regards.
'Thursday.—Emma is extremely fond of keeping animals of different kinds in a domestic state, and I laid no restraint upon this inclination whilst I observed her attentive36 to supply the daily wants of each. On Thursday morning I had the mortification37 to find her bird-cages dirty, and the glasses for food and water almost empty. I made no remark, but proceeded to the room where she keeps her silk-worms. The trays were filled with dead leaves, which the poor insects crawled over, vainly endeavouring to find a piece sufficiently38 moist to satisfy their craving39 appetite. From thence I went to the rabbits, and found them without victuals40, and so hungry that they had begun to gnaw41 the belts of the hutches. I inquired for Emma, but was some time before I could discover where she was. At length I found her very busy in making a garden with her brother George, so much taken up with her new employment that she had totally forgotten to clean or feed her poor prisoners. When I told her the situation they were in she shed tears and reproached herself with great neglect. She did not lose a moment in making all the reparation in her power, but immediately left the garden that had so much engrossed42 her thoughts and supplied her dumb family with suitable food and attendance. This circumstance afforded me an opportunity of expressing my sentiments on depriving birds of their liberty, and confining them in cages, a custom I cannot approve, as it not only subjects them to suffer much when they are first caught, but frequently exposes them to a cruel death from the negligence43 of those who have the care of them.[Pg 177]
George was despatched to desire one of the servants to bring a basket, in which we carried the poor sufferer.—Page 179. George was despatched to desire one of the servants to bring a basket, in which we carried the poor sufferer.—Page 179.
[Pg 179]
'Cowper has written some pleasing lines on a goldfinch starved to death in a cage, which Emma has learned by heart, and will repeat when I have finished reading. Her concern was so great for her carelessness that she offered to let her birds fly, and turn the rabbits out on the common. Pleased with her intention to do right, I gave her high commendations; but informed her that they were rendered unable to provide for themselves by being kept in a state of confinement44, and therefore even liberty would be a barbarous gift to them now. Punctuality in supplying them with everything necessary was the only kindness that can be shown to them, since they have forgotten the habits of their state of Nature. She has been very exact since this conversation in feeding and cleaning them, and does everything in her power to make amends45 for their loss of freedom.
'Friday.—As we were walking through the meadows Caroline observed something white lying near a hedge. Curiosity tempted46 us to approach it. As we drew near we found it was a young lamb almost dead, by some accident abandoned by its dam. Its helpless condition called forth47 our pity, and we consulted how we should contrive48 to carry it home. After much deliberation George was despatched to desire one of the servants to bring a basket, in which we carried the poor sufferer. Cold and hunger were its principal disorders49, which were soon relieved by the assiduity of my humane50 companions. We chafed51 it by the fire, whilst another prepared bread and milk, that it might suck through a quill52. Caroline could not sleep, lest the lamb should suffer for want of food, but rose several times in the night to give it nourishment53.[Pg 180] Such kind treatment soon restored it to health. It is decorated with a blue ribbon about its neck, and is already become a general favourite.
'Saturday.—George has been so much taken up in playing with the lamb this morning that he has suffered himself to be called three times to attend Mr. Spicer, his writing-master, before he made any reply, and when he did come, I am sorry to say that the blots54 in his copy-book showed that his attention was not fixed55 upon his employment. After some reproof56 he acknowledged his fault, and wrote another copy in his very best manner.
'I have now finished the account of the most remarkable57 transactions of this week, and though I am sensible that it exposes the levity58 and thoughtlessness of my pupils, I flatter myself that there are some marks in the disposition of each which promise improvement and more caution for the time to come.'
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1
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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2
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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3
docile
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| adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的 | |
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4
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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5
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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6
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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7
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8
transcribe
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| v.抄写，誉写；改编(乐曲)；复制，转录 | |
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9
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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10
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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11
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
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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13
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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14
confessions
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| n.承认( confession的名词复数 )；自首；声明；（向神父的）忏悔 | |
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15
hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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16
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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modish
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| adj.流行的，时髦的 | |
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18
altercation
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| n.争吵，争论 | |
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19
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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20
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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21
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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22
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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23
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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24
droop
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| v.低垂，下垂；凋萎，萎靡 | |
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25
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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26
repented
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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28
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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29
remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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30
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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31
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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32
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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33
haughtiness
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| n.傲慢；傲气 | |
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34
vex
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| vt.使烦恼，使苦恼 | |
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35
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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36
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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38
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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39
craving
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| n.渴望,热望 | |
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40
victuals
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| n.食物；食品 | |
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41
gnaw
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| v.不断地啃、咬；使苦恼，折磨 | |
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42
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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43
negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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44
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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45
amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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46
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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47
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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48
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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49
disorders
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| n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调 | |
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50
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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51
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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52
quill
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| n.羽毛管；v.给（织物或衣服）作皱褶 | |
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53
nourishment
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| n.食物，营养品；营养情况 | |
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54
blots
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| 污渍( blot的名词复数 )； 墨水渍； 错事； 污点 | |
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55
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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56
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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57
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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58
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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