Part 4

No, Mamma, my sister was so good as to get the hat and the ribbon for me when she went to school, and to put the ribbon on for me. I have been saving up my money a great while. Do not you remember I would not buy a basket when the others did? and look now what a pretty basket _Sally_ has brought me! a great deal prettier than that at the door. Still I should not have had money enough if my aunt had not happened to give me a shilling the other day.

MAMMA.

But where did you get the frock?

LYDIA.

Do not you remember the piece of cotton Miss _Friend_ gave me to make my great doll a gown? My sister said, there was enough to make the little boy a frock, and she was so good as to cut it out and fit it for me, and I made it up myself.

MAMMA.

It is very nicely made, I am sure; and you, my love, are a proof of what I was saying just now, of the pleasure there is in doing kind actions; you appear so cheerful and satisfied. I am sure you never had half so much enjoyment of a new hat for yourself or a fine doll.

LYDIA.

Because the little boy and girl look so happy; and there is so much pleasure in seeing people happy.

MAMMA.

Blessed indeed are those whose countenances, like a mirror, reflect the brightness which shines in the face of their neighbour: or, to speak more plainly, my little dear, blessed both of God and man are those who are cheerful and happy, because they see another person glad; “Who rejoice with them that do rejoice.” But, my dear, your little friends, I dare say, are impatient to show the presents to their mother: you had better dismiss them.

_Lydia_, who had now learned to mind her Mamma the moment she spoke, thanked _Sally_ for her pretty basket, and told her she must come one day and teach her to make such; and then desired them to go home.

_Sally_ made a dozen courtesies, and the little boy as many bows; and thanked her again and again as they went away.

Miss _Lydia_ then put away her basket with cakes, saying, that should make part of the feast in the afternoon.

A half holiday had been procured for _Gilbert_, so that he joined the cheerful circle at dinner; and in the afternoon some young folk were expected to tea.

Miss _Lydia_, therefore, was abundantly busy in setting out cakes, fruit, &c. amidst which _Sally_’s little basket was introduced, and was to _Lydia_ the most agreeable part of the entertainment, as it was connected with the remembrance of a benevolent action. As she was not big enough to cut the large cake which her Mamma had provided, one of her brother’s very obligingly cut some slices for her, which she offered to the company with great politeness and propriety.

Just before tea, a servant brought in a little box, and delivered it to Miss _Lydia_; she looked, and saw it directed to her, and very eagerly set about opening it; this was very easily effected, as the nails were not driven very tight; and on lifting up the lid, the first thing she saw was hay, that being removed, she found a complete set of doll’s tea-china, a tea board, an urn, a tea-chest, a waiter, a pair of tea-tongs, and half a dozen spoons; with a little note to tell her, that these were the joint presents of her elder brothers and sisters.

Here was a fresh scene of pleasure to the sweet girl: her presents were shown to every body; were admired; and her delight expressed in the warmest manner, yet not so as to importune or disturb any body by her joy.

The tea-chest was then filled with tea, the sugar-bason with sugar, the urn with water, and Miss _Lydia_ made tea in a very composed and becoming manner. The evening was passed in cheerful and inoffensive amusement, where the chief contest was, who should please and oblige the other most.

CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH.

_THE AGREEABLE TOUR._

When Miss _Fanny_ had been two months with her aunt, her Mamma returned from her journey, and came to fetch her.

Not only Miss _Fanny_, but the rest of the family, were rejoiced to see her: the young persons asked her many questions; whither she had been? and what she had seen?

She was ready to answer all their inquiries with great good-humour; and taking out a book of pocket-maps, said, I will show you the route I have been. We set out, you know, from _Berkshire_. We went through _Oxfordshire_, stopped at _Oxford_, and there, Miss _Lydia_, saw your brother, who shewed us the university, and entertained us with great politeness.

We likewise passed through _Woodstock_; and I have brought each of you a pair of gloves; a manufacture for which you know _Woodstock_ is famous.

We then proceeded through _Warwickshire_, _Staffordshire_, _Cheshire_, _Lancashire_, _Westmoreland_, _Cumberland_, and _Northumberland_, where Fanny, your father’s business was.

As we returned, we came by _Durham_, _Yorkshire_, _Derbyshire_, _Lincolnshire_, _Huntingdonshire_, and _Hertfordshire_.

I have brought my little niece and _Fanny_ a set of doll’s plates and dishes, from _Staffordshire_, and a piece of muslin dimity, for gowns for my elder cousins, from _Manchester_, in _Lancashire_; where we stopped a whole day, to see the very great manufacture that is carrying on there, of cottons, dimities, muslins, &c.

While we were in _Lancashire_, we went to _Ancliff_ near _Wigan_, to see the famous burning well.

The water of this well is cold, and has no smell, yet there is so strong a vapour of sulphur issuing out with the stream, that upon applying a light to it, the top of the water is covered with a flame, like that of burning spirits, which lasts several hours, and emits so fierce a heat, that meat may be boiled over it. The fluid itself will not burn when taken out of the well.

In _Cumberland_ we saw the black-lead mine, from whence your pencils, young gentlemen, are furnished, which have assisted you in adorning my dressing-room with such handsome drawings.

While we staid in _Northumberland_, we went to see the coal-pits, from whence we who live in the southern countries are supplied: the cargoes are shipped from _Newcastle upon Tyne_, which is also famous for its fishery of Salmon.

The young gentlemen, I hope, will accept of a pair of shoe-buckles from _Birmingham_, in _Warwickshire_, and the ladies of a pair of scissors from _Sheffield_, in _Yorkshire_; both places are famous for the manufacture of hard-ware.

While we were in _Derbyshire_, we went to see the dropping-well near _Buxton_: which gives the appearance of stone to every thing that is put into it; and I have brought you some petrifactions from thence.

One day we spent at _Buxton_, and saw the company who go to drink the medicinal waters there.

We likewise went to see _Poole’s Hole_, by _Buxton_; but of that you will find a better account than I can give you in the _Gentleman’s Magazine_, written by a gentleman who went with a party to visit it.

I have brought your Mamma, Miss _Lydia_, some ornaments for her mantle-piece, made of Derbyshire spar; and an egg of that substance for your sister _Caroline_’s netting: the spar is said to be water petrified as it drops through rocks, and to take the variety of its colours from the different metals or minerals it passes through.

I have likewise brought a carpet for your papa’s study, from _Kidderminster_, in _Worcestershire_, which, I think, he will not esteem inferior to the Turkey carpets, which we fetch from so far.

From _Dunstable_ in _Bedfordshire_ I have brought a set of little tea-things, some work-baskets, and some toys for the young folk, all made of straw, like your hat, Miss _Lydia_. And now, perhaps, I have tired you by talking, and you will be better pleased with seeing all my collection.

The young people listened with great attention to the lady. Soon after she produced her treasures, and desired them to recollect the place from whence each came.

They acquitted themselves very well, and were not deficient in proper thanks to their aunt, for her kind attention to them.

A day or two afterwards Miss _Fanny_ and her Mamma took their leave; not without mutual regret on the part of Miss _Lydia_ and Miss _Fanny_, who were most affectionately attached to each other.

CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH.

_GENEROSITY AND GRATITUDE._

Sometime after Miss _Lydia_’s cousin _Fanny_ had left her, little _Lydia_, on her return from a walk with the maid, ran, all in tears, into her Mamma’s room; and told her, that little _Sally_’s mother was in very great distress.

LYDIA.

She owes, Mamma, four guineas to Mr. _Flint_ for living in his house; and because she has not money to pay him, he is going to take every thing she has, and turn her into the street. The poor woman and children were crying so sadly when I went by the door, that it made me quite uncomfortable, as Miss _Seymour_ says, to see them.

The poor woman said, she and her children must go into the workhouse. The little girl was crying to see her mother cry; and the boy said, they would take away his rabbit, and his little chair in which he used to sit by the fire-side. Do, pray, Mamma, do something for the poor woman. Perhaps, if you speak to Mr. _Flint_ he will not take her things.

MAMMA.

My dear love, I know Mr. _Flint_ better than you do: it is not possible to persuade him to forego his money; and as to assisting her with four guineas, it is more than I can well spare; besides, you know there are many people in distress as well as she.

LYDIA.

Perhaps so: but I have seen this poor woman and the children cry so! and the little ones have been so civil to me!

MAMMA.

I am sincerely sorry for them.—Why do you look so earnestly at me, _Lydia_?—Have you any money at all?

LYDIA.

No, Mamma; I have no money; but you know, Mamma, you were going to buy me a pink silk slip, to wear under my muslin frock. What would that have cost?—I can do very well with my dimity ones.

MAMMA.

My dearest girl! come to my arms, and enjoy a pleasure you so richly deserve! that of making the poor people happy. Your slip would not have cost two guineas, so that sacrifice alone would not do; but you have set me a noble example; and I will also give up a carpet which I intended to buy for my dressing-room; and the price of that added to the other, will be sufficient to redeem Mrs. _Brush_’s goods, and set her mind at ease.

LYDIA.

My dear Mamma! I am so glad! Then I may go directly with the money?

MAMMA.

We will go together. You would be at a loss by yourself. Go, pray, and ask for my great-coat and my gloves.

_Lydia_ flew like lightening; and her Mamma being soon equipped, they hastened to Mrs. _Brush_.

The first thing they saw, was all her little scholars turned out of the room, and in a heap before the door crying.

When they went in, they found every thing pulled out of its place: a rough looking man had dragged her bedstead down stairs; and the little boy stood with his eyes fixed upon him, and sobbing said, What must mammy and I do for a bed? I am sure Mr. _Flint_ does not want this: he has got a great many fine beds.

Upon being asked where his mammy was? he said in the garden. As they were passing through to go to her, they saw another man just going to pull her little copper down. Miss _Lydia_’s Mamma begged he would desist a little while, and he should not be a loser by it. She then went on; at the further end of the garden they saw the little girl and her mother in an arbour, which they had taken great pains to adorn with roses and honeysuckles; and in which they were now sitting, as they supposed, for the last time: they were weeping bitterly. The little girl’s eyes were fixed on the parrot, which hung on a tree near them, and which seemed to take part with them, by crying every minute, Poor Poll! What’s the matter?

The Lady and her daughter went on towards them; but as they were walking a young woman entered the garden hastily, and rushing by them, ran up to the woman, and catching hold of her arm, with great affection said, Thank God, cousin! I am come just in time! As soon as ever I heard you were in trouble, I left my place; and what with my wages, and the money I have raised upon my cloaths, I have been able to bring you enough to pay your rent. Take the four guineas, and let us get these frightful people out of the house.

The good woman looked very much amazed, and was silent for a moment; then again bursting into tears; God forbid, my dear _Jenny_! said she, that I should strip you. No, I can bear my own troubles; but I could never support the thought, that I had taken your bread out of your mouth. How could you think of leaving your place? so good a one as you had: and what have you done with your cloaths? I never thought I should be the occasion of doing you so much harm.

While these two friends were talking thus, the Lady and her daughter came up to them. The unfortunate woman, in the midst of her trouble, did not neglect to pay them proper respect: the young person stopped to make them a courtesy, and then earnestly went on. Never think about me, I am young, and can get my living; and after all you have done for me, I should be the most ungrateful creature in the world did I not assist you. If it had not been for you, I should not have been alive now; or, if I had, I should have been in a workhouse. When I was ill with that fever, you nursed me, laid me in your own bed, and sat up with me yourself, to tend me; and then paid my doctor’s bill, that I might not be obliged to sell my cloaths: and have not you the best right to them?

I a right! no, indeed said her cousin.

Surely you have, returned she: the money you spent upon me would have paid almost two years rent; and now you who lived so neatly, and so comfortably, are going to be pulled all to pieces. You will break my heart if you do not take the money: but why should I stand arguing with you, when I can go and pay the money myself. So saying, she was hastening out of the garden; when Miss _Lydia_’s Mamma catching hold of her, said, I was unwilling to interrupt so generous a dispute, and I waited a little to see what would be the end of it: but as to the rent, my daughter and I came on purpose to discharge it. Receive from my daughter (Mrs. _Brush_) four guineas, which we were going to spend otherwise; but upon nothing that would have given us half the pleasure which we feel in putting you in possession of your house again. As to you, young woman, your conduct is above all reward from man; and yet I wish—

It was impossible for the Lady to go on; the joy and gratitude of these worthy people quite overpowered her; and the only way she could get rid of their thanks, was by hurrying them into the house, to secure all the goods.

When the rent was discharged, and the men sent away, Mrs. _Brush_ and her cousin were able to converse more composedly with their benefactors. The former, in the midst of her joy, expressed great concern that her cousin had thrown herself out of place; and asked, with great anxiety, what she had done with her cloaths?

The young woman said, she could not rest a moment, after she heard from an acquaintance, who called upon her, that her landlord was very cruel to her; and that she expected every day to have her goods seized for rent. That she, therefore, went directly to her mistress, and told her, that a relation in the country wanted her very much, and begged to be discharged.

She would not tell her the whole story for fear she should oppose her intentions; and as to asking leave to go out for a time, she could not expect to return to her place, when she had disposed of all her cloaths.

Her mistress appeared displeased; but paid her her wages, which was about a guinea: that she then sold some of her cloaths, and pawned the rest to raise the remainder, and as much as would pay her passage from _London_; however, as to her cloaths, she said, she had not a doubt but she could get them again; for the woman who took them was a very good sort of woman, and indeed could hardly be persuaded to receive them of her.

And do you think, Mrs. _Jenny_, said the Lady, your mistress could not be prevailed on to take you again? Surely, if she knew the whole truth, she would think herself happy in such a servant.

It is not probable she should have got another in so short a time. You shall return as soon as you can; and I will send a letter by you to the lady you have left, to inform her from what generous motives you left her so abruptly. I will take my leave of you both now; and in an hour’s time the letter shall be ready.

The young woman called at the time mentioned for the letter; and after many expressions of gratitude for the kindness shown to her cousin and herself, returned to _London_, carried it to her late mistress, and in a few days, Miss _Lydia_ had the pleasure of knowing, that her Mamma had received a letter from the lady, to thank her for restoring so valuable a servant to her, and to inform her, that as her own maid was going to be married, she meant to take her to wait upon herself; and should ever esteem a person capable of such noble conduct, rather as a friend than a servant.

_CONCLUSION._

Miss _Lydia_, when her Mamma first began to write down an account of her behaviour throughout the day, was so much alarmed, lest the story should not be to her credit, that she never went to sleep, without endeavouring to recollect how she had passed the day, and whether she had been good or not. When her conscience told her of any fault, her concern for it naturally led her to consider how she might have avoided that fault, and how she ought to have behaved. In the morning, likewise, when she awoke, the journal was the first thing that came into her mind; and she used to think what business she had to do that day, and what faults she was in the most danger of committing; particularly if she had done any thing wrong the day before, she always considered how she should conduct herself so as not to have the same sad story told of her again.

Her Mamma, when she found those faults thoroughly corrected, which were her first motive for writing an account of her daughter’s conduct, discontinued her journal; but _Lydia_ had so accustomed herself to the above mentioned inquiry, that she still continued so excellent a practice; and nothing so much assisted her, in her wish to be good, as this habit; for by such a frequent review of her behaviour, she discovered many little faults, which she would not otherwise have noticed; and by correcting them in the beginning, she escaped falling into many vices and bad habits, which, though very easily checked at first, become, after they are long indulged, very difficult to break. I very affectionately recommend this practice to any young persons who desire in earnest to be good: and if the little anecdotes I have written shall persuade any one little boy or girl to correct their faults, and become more happy in themselves, and a greater comfort to their parents, I shall be abundantly recompensed for my trouble.

THE END.