Though her mother possessed5 all the talents necessary for an excellent instructress, yet she had never before any opportunity of reducing them to practice, and an only child was not perhaps the most proper object for her experience in the science of juvenile6 education. It should ever be one important point with parents, never to give up a command they have once laid on their children, but punctually to insist on its performance. The observation of this rule would frequently save a great deal of uneasiness to both parents and children.
Her mother could not think of applying even the most tender correction, and the use of threatenings only added to her own uneasiness. She hoped, as her daughter grew older, she would become more sensible of her indolence and inattention to business, and, as she ripened7 in years, would proportionably increase in sense and judgment8; but the older the twig9 grew the less pliant10 it became, and what might have been accomplished11 in its younger state, was by time become almost impracticable.
Bella, however, when she arrived at eight years of age, showed very little inclination12 to make any alteration13 in her conduct; the little creature's idleness rather increased than diminished, and she began to be troublesome even to herself. Her mother now conceived the plan of putting down on paper, every evening, the value of such things as she had lost or spoiled in the course of the day, in consequence of her carelessness and invincible14 indolence.
Her mother had flattered herself that Bella, when she came to know the value of money, would act in a more prudent15 manner; but she read over the account with the utmost indifference16, and considered the sums there mentioned as too insignificant17 for her notice and attention. A pretended head-ache was almost her constant excuse to avoid her attendance on her masters; and thus, though naturally sincere, she began to accustom18 herself to deviate19 from the truth.
Bella had reached her thirteenth year, without the least appearance of alteration in her conduct, and the lost and broken account, kept by her mother, was increased to a large sum. One irregularity, if not timely checked, brings on others; and thus Bella to indolence soon added inconsistence. She presently grew tired of every thing; her harpsichord20, which was one week her favourite instrument, was the next discarded with disgust, to make room for the guitar; and this, in a short time after, for something else. She had masters to teach her geography, French, and Italian; writing, accounts, dancing, drawing, and music. These added to her mother's long catalogue of expences, contributed but little to her improvement.
It is natural to suppose, that when the follies21 of youth are not early corrected, they will, like89 pernicious weeds, thrive so fast as to check the growth of every thing that is valuable in the same soil. Hence it happened, that after three years more had elapsed, the lovely Bella, instead of growing wiser by age, as her mother had vainly expected, became more indolent, whimsical, and capricious. All the money paid to her masters was thrown away, she learned nothing, and was in fact little more than an ignorant beauty: a character I most sincerely wish is not applicable to any of my fair readers, since nothing can be more dangerous, pernicious, and derogatory to female reputation.
At this period of her folly22, a young gentleman of fortune and character, whom I shall call by the name of Honestus, among other company, visited the parents of Bella. He was struck with her charms, and immediately conceived some thought of paying his addresses to that capricious beauty; but, when he learned what was her character, he declined all thoughts of forming such a connection.
The tender mother did not fail to represent this disappointment to her daughter, who was then of an age capable to receive remonstrances23 of that nature. To her natural disposition24 for indolence she had now added pride, the forerunner25 of all evils to a female mind. Instead of properly feeling the reproaches of a tender mother, she haughtily26 replied, "It is true, I90 have lost a great deal of time, and have not improved myself much from the lessons of my masters; but what need have I of learning, when my parents are so rich, and you yourself acknowledge I am so pretty?"
As soon as Bella had attained27 her eighteenth year, she began to think herself happy in being no longer incommoded with the visits of her teachers; so, when a young lady arrives at that age, she is supposed to be accomplished in point of education, and has nothing else to do but to apply herself to the application of those rules she learned from her masters. Alas28! this was not the case of the lovely Bella: she had learned nothing but those principles which never fail to be pernicious to the youthful mind.
That morning, which on its opening appeared to her so delightful29 and brilliant, was soon enveloped30 in dark and heavy clouds. Her mother entered her chamber31 with a countenance32 that convinced Bella something was amiss. After an awful pause, she thus addressed her daughter: "My dear child, you are this day eighteen years of age; but I fear your education is far short of what it now ought to be. I fear the indulgences I have granted you have made you too vain of yourself, and have fatally induced you to believe, that you had less occasion for an education than others. Will beauty make you lovely? separated from the graces of the mind, it will not so much as please. Are you not always uneasy in yourself, and constantly dissatisfied with others? Besides, rich as you imagine your father to be, are you sure that, while we are now speaking, he is not a ruined and undone33 man?"
The last words awakened34 in the bosom35 of Bella all the alarms which an unexpected disappointment to ambition is capable of feeling. Her mother got up, and left the room without saying any thing more.
The apprehensions36 of Bella on this occasion were but too well founded; for, in a few days after this conversation, her father stopped payment. This imprudent gentleman, not contented37 with a fortune of six thousand pounds a year, engaged in a very hazardous38 undertaking39, which, happening to fail, brought on a bankruptcy40. He had all his life been the child of fortune, and therefore made but a poor pupil in the school of adversity: he took this matter so to heart, that in spite of all the care and attention of his wife and daughter, he soon bid adieu to the cares of this world, and fled for repose41 to the next. He died perfectly42 sensible, exhorting43 those around him, never to give way to the emotions of avarice44 and rapacity45, since these first brought him to ruin, and then to his grave.
His wife undoubtedly46 felt this shock severely47, though she supported it with Christian48 fortitude49.92 She had a small jointure, which the creditors50 could not, nor did they wish to touch. Having performed the duties of the last funeral rites51 to her husband, she and her daughter retired52 to a private situation in the west of England, where every necessary article of life was cheaper than in the metropolis53.
Bella, however, behaved with all the propriety54 that could be expected from a repenting55 daughter, and made every effort she was capable of to console her unhappy mother. She would frequently reproach herself with her past negligence56, and reckon up the vast sums of money that had been squandered57 away upon her to so little purpose.
Bella had valued herself much on the fortune she supposed herself born to; but it pleased Providence58 to deprive her of it. She had, however, her beauty still left to boast of; but even of this she was soon to be deprived. Be cautious, my youthful readers, how you place too great a confidence in the possession of wealth and beauty, since they are fleeting59 as the wind, and as unsteady as the vessel60 on the troubled billows of the ocean. Fortify61 your minds with religion and virtue, and a proper knowledge of the useful sciences; the storms and hurricanes of Fortune may then attack you, but you will always safely withstand their rage, and deride62 their fury.
One evening, while she was bewailing her past neglect, and vowing63 a reform for the future, she was seized with a head-ache, and being otherwise very ill, she went to bed. The next morning a violent fever seized her, and a physician being sent for, her disorder64 was declared to be that which is frequently so fatal to female beauty.
It was one of the most unpromising kind; the doctors could say but little, and the mother was driven to despair. Day after day, and night after night, her mother never left her bed-side, but was constantly with her, in a state of uncertainty65, worse than that of death itself. The afflicted66 Bella became delirious67, the disorder made a rapid progress, and her eyes were soon excluded from the light.
Though this circumstance is not uncommon68 in this fatal disorder, and therefore did not at first create any alarm in her mother, yet at last it increased to such a dangerous height, that the physicians were no longer able to dissemble matters, and candidly69 confessed their apprehensions, that her daughter would be blind all her life. Judge, if you can, what must be the feelings of a tender mother on so trying a calamity70!
However, youth got the better of her disorder, very contrary to the expectation of her mother, the physicians, and every one around her; she also recovered her sight, but there were left terrible marks on her face of the devastation71 it had there made. As soon as she was able to walk about the room, she looked in the glass, and then exclaimed: "Ah! what is become of that lovely face, of which the proud Bella so lately boasted? Has cruel fortune robbed her of all she boasted, of all she valued herself for but a month ago, her fortune and her beauty? I am justly punished, and I will patiently submit."
Bella, thus instructed by misfortune, soon conquered her indolence, and all her former imperfections; a sudden revolution took place, and her very nature seemed to be reformed. Her mother's conversation now became delightful to her, and she began to sit down to study with unwearied attention. Reading, music, and drawing were her daily amusements; and so great were her improvements therein, that she soon made up for the time she had before thrown away in the most shameful72 indolence.
Her beauty was indeed vanished, but the improvements she made in her mind procured73 her more friends than she was ever before able to acquire by the charms of her person. Her shape was still truly elegant, and her eyes and countenance were still expressive74 of the vivacity75 of her heart. She was no longer expensive in her dress, though she was always neat and fashionable.—Though her visitors did not look upon her with that astonishment76 as formerly77, yet they soon became captivated with the charms of her mind and the politeness of her conversation.
Two years had passed away in this retired situation, when Honestus, who had long before ceased to think of making a partner of Bella, on account of her capricious and indolent temper, being on some business in that quarter, called on the mother and daughter to see them. He was introduced into a parlour elegantly furnished, and adorned78 with pictures. "Is not this," said the lady, "a neat apartment? Every thing you here see, and these drawings in particular, are the works of my daughter."
Honestus was much surprised at hearing what he considered as a tale, and his looks expressed his incredulity. He turned round, and stedfastly gazing on the face of Bella, was equally astonished at seeing her so changed. "Is this the lovely creature," said he to himself, "with whose beauty I was once so much enraptured79, and whom I forsook80 on account of her pride, vanity, and indolence!"
Out of politeness he entered into conversation with her, and found in her a most pleasing alteration: before she was a beauty without sense; now she had lost the charms of her face, but had found those of the mind, which are infinitely81 the most to be valued.
Honestus passed day after day in the company of Bella, whose conversation was so pleasing and attracting, that he began to feel himself uneasy when she was out of his sight. In order, therefore, that he might enjoy the pleasure of her company without interruption, he offered her his hand for life. "You certainly deserve her," said her mother, "since you refused her in the bloom of her beauty, when her fortune too afforded the most splendid promises, and now admire her when they are both for ever vanished."
Though the fortune of Honestus was not very splendid, yet it was sufficient, with the assistance of his trade, to keep up a genteel appearance, and to provide decently for a family, should such be the consequence of their marriage. They soon quitted this rural retreat and returned to London, where they now live in the enjoyment82 of all those pleasures which conjugal83 love, friendship, and virtue are capable of producing.
Let my youthful readers reflect on what they have here read, and they will then become sensible how vain and momentary84, how fickle85 and inconstant are the possession of riches and beauty. They are like habitations built on the sands of the ocean, which are perpetually liable to be swept away by the violence of winds and floods. I mean not, that fortune and beauty are to be97 spised, I mean only that they should be used properly, and that the possessor of them should not vainly imagine, that they will supply the place of education, industry, benevolence86, charity, and virtue.
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1
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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complaisance
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| n.彬彬有礼，殷勤，柔顺 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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juvenile
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| n.青少年，少年读物；adj.青少年的，幼稚的 | |
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ripened
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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pliant
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| adj.顺从的；可弯曲的 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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accustom
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| vt.使适应，使习惯 | |
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deviate
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| v.(from)背离，偏离 | |
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harpsichord
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| n.键琴（钢琴前身） | |
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follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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remonstrances
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| n.抱怨，抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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forerunner
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| n.前身，先驱（者），预兆，祖先 | |
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haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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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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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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bankruptcy
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| n.破产；无偿付能力 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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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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exhorting
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| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的现在分词 ) | |
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avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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rapacity
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| n.贪婪，贪心，劫掠的欲望 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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repenting
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的现在分词 ) | |
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negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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squandered
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| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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fortify
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| v.强化防御，为…设防；加强，强化 | |
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deride
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| v.嘲弄，愚弄 | |
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vowing
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式） | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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delirious
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| adj.不省人事的，神智昏迷的 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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candidly
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| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
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calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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devastation
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| n.毁坏；荒废；极度震惊或悲伤 | |
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shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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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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expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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enraptured
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| v.使狂喜( enrapture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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forsook
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| forsake的过去式 | |
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infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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conjugal
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| adj.婚姻的，婚姻性的 | |
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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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fickle
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| adj.(爱情或友谊上)易变的，不坚定的 | |
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86
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
参考例句： |
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