As soon as they were properly settled in their rural retirement5, Mr. Wilson thus addressed his lady: "I flatter myself, my dear, that you will now leave me at liberty to manage our two children, in the manner that shall appear to me most proper; for I wish to eradicate6 those seeds of pride, obstinacy7, and perversity8, which the little circle of their acquaintance in London has sown in their minds, and to which the corrupted9 manners of the city have given deep root."
Mrs. Wilson seemed a little angry at this introduction, and wished to know what were those defects he imagined to have discovered in the minds of her two little ones: she entreated10 him not to conceal11 them from her, as it was equally her duty to assist in every thing where the happiness of their children was concerned.
"I do not wish, my dear," replied Mr. Wilson, "to complain of your conduct as a wife; but I think you are too fond and indulgent as a mother, you encourage them too much in the pride of dress, and fill their minds with the love of those things, which, so far from being of any use to them, may in time be productive of the worst of evils. Children, who are taught to value themselves only on their dress, or in proportion as they expect a superiority of fortune to others, will with difficulty consent to be governed by the rigid12 rules of prudence13, or submit with cheerfulness to those laborious14 studies, from which alone true greatness is derived15."
Mrs. Wilson laughed at the oddities of her husband, as she called them, and represented him21 as one born in the beginning of the last century. She considered it as an indispensable duty to educate her children in conformity16 to the manners of the times, and the modes of education almost universally adopted in the fashionable world.
Mr. Wilson, however, was of a very different opinion, and considered nothing so dangerous to the morals of his children, as to suffer them to be brought up in the modern school of extravagance and pride. He owned it was a privilege which most wives claimed, of being permitted to spoil their daughters in their own way; and if, out of complaisance17, he gave up that point, he hoped he should be permitted to educate his son as he thought proper.
The first thing he should endeavour to break him of, he said, should be his pride, which induced him to despise every one who was not dressed like himself, or whom he otherwise thought beneath him. Mr. Wilson considered it as very pernicious, to suffer children to value themselves merely on account of their dress or fortune.
Mrs. Wilson, however, could not be convinced of the truth of these arguments. "I suppose," said she, "you would have him brought up like a ploughman, or as if he were born to nothing greater than little Jackson, the son of the gardener, who lives at the bottom of your grounds."
The conversation now began to grow serious,22 and the gentleman could not help saying, he most heartily18 wished that his son, born as he was to an ample fortune, possessed19 all the good qualities which were conspicuous20 in that poor boy. He very judiciously21 observed, that what the world generally calls a polite education, often falls short of producing those happy effects, which Nature sometimes bestows22 on uncultivated minds. Children of humble23 birth are often despised, merely on account of their poverty, without considering, whether Nature may not have done more for them than for the children of Fortune. "Happy should I think myself," said he, "if my son and heir possessed half the civility and condescension24 which are so much taken notice of and admired in that little fellow you seem inconsiderately to despise."
Mrs. Wilson, though a little disconcerted by these observations, seemed by no means inclined to give up the argument. "Did I not know otherwise," said the lady, "I should suspect you of being prejudiced against every thing the world considers as polite, in favour of poverty and rusticity25. With all your boasted qualifications of this little Jackson, what would you say, should I clearly prove to you, that he possesses secret faults, such as may be hurtful to your son; that he is guilty of robbing yours and every orchard26 in the neighbourhood? that he gluttonizes on the fruits of his robberies in private? and that, though he is so very complaisant27 with the children of Fortune in the presence of their parents, he is a tyrant28 over the little ones in private?"
Mr. Wilson observed, that if his lady could prove little Jackson to be guilty of one half of the crimes she had laid to his charge, he would instantly order, that he should never more be suffered to enter his house.
The lady then proposed to make a fair and candid29 experiment of this matter. "I will," said she, "order a little feast for our son and daughter, and young Jackson shall be one of the party. We will find an opportunity to conceal ourselves, when we shall hear every thing that passes. From thence we shall have an opportunity of judging whether you or I be right."
The proposal was so just and reasonable, that both parties instantly agreed to it. Some fruit and other things were immediately ordered to be brought into the parlour, and Miss and Master Wilson were sent for, as well as little Jackson. As soon as the latter entered, the little lady and her brother complained of the strong smell of dung he brought with him; and, though he was very clean and decent, they were afraid of his coming too near them, lest he should spoil their fine clothes.
Though Mr. Wilson did not approve of this kind of behaviour in his children, he took no notice of it at present, but desired that they would be all happy together, while he and his lady took a walk into the garden. They then left the room, but softly entered it at another door, before which a screen was designedly placed, by which means they plainly overheard every thing that passed among the young folks.
The first thing they heard, was their little daughter calling to her brother to come and sit by her; at the same time telling young Jackson he must stand, and think himself happy that he was, at any rate, permitted to remain in their company. The little fellow seemed no ways displeased30 at this treatment, but told them he was not at all tired, and was very happy to be with them in any situation.
Master Wilson and his sister then divided the fruit into three parcels, as though they intended one of them for young Jackson; but, as soon as they had eat up their own shares, they began upon that intended for him, and eat it all up without giving him a taste, and even made ridicule31 of him all the time. They told him they would give him the parings of the apples, which were as much as such a poor creature as he could expect, and that he ought to think himself happy he could be indulged with them.
Young Jackson told them he was not hungry, and he hoped they would not deny themselves any thing on his account. They promised him they would not, and then set up a loud laugh; all25 which Jackson bore without uttering the least word of complaint.
At last, Miss Wilson and her brother having eaten up all the fruit, without permitting poor Jackson to taste a bit of it, they ordered him to go into the garden, and steal them some apples, promising32, if he behaved well, to give him one for his obedience33.
"I cannot think of doing any such thing," replied Jackson. "You indeed forced me twice to do so, and then went and told the gardener that I stole them for myself, though you very well know I did not eat a morsel34 of them."
"Poor thing!" said the young gentlefolks in derision, "and did they serve you so? Well, we insist on your going and doing the same now, or, look you, that cane35 in the corner shall be laid across your shoulders. We will teach you, that it is the duty of you beggars to obey us gentlefolks."
Jackson still persisting in his refusal to be again guilty of any thing of the kind, Master Wilson took up the cane, and gave poor Jackson two or three blows with it, as hard as he could, while Miss Wilson stood looking on, encouraging her brother, telling Jackson at the same time, that if he complained of being beaten to their papa, they would again accuse him of stealing fruit, and that their words would be sooner believed than his.
Poor Jackson replied, that he would rather be beaten all day than do so dishonest a thing as they desired him. He observed to them, that this was not the first by many times that he had been beaten by them unjustly and wantonly, and he did not suppose this would be the last. However, he said he should put up with it, without complaining to any one.
Mr. Wilson and his lady could not patiently hear any more, but instantly came from behind the screen.—"Sweet children, indeed!" said Mrs. Wilson. "We have, behind that screen, unseen by you, heard all you have been saying, and in what manner you have treated that poor little fellow!" Little Jackson was all in a tremble, and told her, that they were only at play, and meant no harm. But this would not satisfy the lady, who was now convinced of the bad conduct of her son and daughter.
"You wicked children," said she to them, with a resolute36 look and stern voice, "you have accused this innocent child of gluttony and theft, while you only are the authors of those abominable37 crimes. You have not scrupled38 to tell me the grossest falsehood, such as God will one day call you to account for, and severely39 punish you in the next world, where it will not be in my power to intercede40 for you. This moment ask pardon of that little boy, whom you have so unjustly treated, and sincerely ask pardon27 of God, for the wickedness you have been guilty of!"
Her children were so overcome with shame, confusion, and sorrow, that they both fell down at their mother's feet, and with tears of sincerity41 most humbly42 begged pardon of God and her, promising never to be again guilty of such crimes. Little Jackson ran to them, and endeavoured to lift them up, while the tears stole down his cheeks in abundance. "Do not be angry with them, madam," said he to the lady, "for we were only in play; and I am sorry I am come here to breed so much uneasiness. But, if you are angry with them, let me humbly beg of you to forgive them."
Mr. Wilson also interfered43, and promised, if their mamma would forgive them this time, to be bound for their better conduct in future. The lady ordered them instantly to rise, to kiss little Jackson, and beg his pardon. This they did in so affecting a manner, as gave the most pleasing satisfaction to both their parents, who were now fully44 persuaded, that reason and tenderness will do more with children than the iron hand of correction.
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1
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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6
eradicate
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| v.根除，消灭，杜绝 | |
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7
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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8
perversity
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| n.任性；刚愎自用 | |
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9
corrupted
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| （使）败坏( corrupt的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）腐化； 引起（计算机文件等的）错误； 破坏 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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12
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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14
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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15
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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16
conformity
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| n.一致，遵从，顺从 | |
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17
complaisance
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| n.彬彬有礼，殷勤，柔顺 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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19
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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judiciously
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| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
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bestows
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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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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24
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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25
rusticity
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| n.乡村的特点、风格或气息 | |
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orchard
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| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
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complaisant
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| adj.顺从的，讨好的 | |
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28
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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29
candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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30
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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32
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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33
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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34
morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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35
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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36
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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37
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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38
scrupled
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| v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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40
intercede
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| vi.仲裁，说情 | |
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41
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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42
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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43
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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44
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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