Boarding School: Familiar conversations between a governess and her pupils. by Augusta Huiell Seaman
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THE BOARDING SCHOOL;
OR
FAMILIAR CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN A _GOVERNESS AND HER PUPILS._
WRITTEN FOR THE AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION OF YOUNG LADIES.
LONDON: PRINTED FOR G. AND W. B. WHITTAKER, AVE-MARIA LANE. 1823.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY COX AND BAYLIS, GREAT QUEEN STREET, LINCOLN'S-INN FIELDS.
PREFACE.
Those persons whose time is devoted to the instruction of youth, havenot only abundant opportunities of ascertaining the capacities of theirpupils, but of observing their various dispositions, and of noticing theeffects which have been produced on them by previous habit and example.It seldom happens that amiability of temper, respectful behaviour tosuperiors, or kindness to inferiors, distinguish children who in theirinfancy have been left to the care of menials, or who have beensuffered, by the blind indulgence of parents, to gratify their forwardinclinations; and it as rarely occurs that those who have had thebenefit of good example and parental admonition in the "bud of life,"display much propensity to vice as they grow up, unless their moralsbecome contaminated by afterwards forming improper companions. Withreference to the effects of early education, it has been most trulysaid, that
"Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclin'd."
And though a variety of causes may operate to form the character, orgive a bias to the mind, it is a fact not to be controverted, that earlyimpressions are never wholly eradicated, and the magic of some wellremembered maxim or parental caution will often come very seasonably tothe aid of the most experienced.
In pourtraying the characters which are introduced in "THE BOARDINGSCHOOL," the Author has endeavoured to represent, by contrast, theamiable and unamiable passions; and, by exhibiting them in their truecolours, to render her fair and youthful readers as emulous to imitatethe one, as they will doubtless be to avoid the other; while thenarrative, being of the most familiar kind, will, it is hoped,contribute to their amusement.
THE BOARDING SCHOOL.
CHAPTER I.
Elizabeth Adair was stooping to prop a rose-tree in a viranda, when shehastily turned to her sister, and exclaimed, "it is useless attendingeither to plants or flowers now: I must give up all my favouritepursuits."
"But you will have others to engage your attention," returned Jane.
"And will they afford me pleasure? You may as well say that I shalllisten with joy to the foolish commands of some parents, and thehaughty remarks of others."
"Let this be our comfort," said Jane, "sensible people always treat theinstructors of youth with respect; they neither command with pride, norcomplain with insolence."
"But think of the change! We, who have had every indulgence, and nocares to perplex us!"
"My dear Elizabeth, in the day of prosperity we seldom rejoice withthankfulness; but in the time of adversity, when our path is darkened,then we can bitterly repine. Surely we should place our joys and oursorrows against each other, as a defence from a murmuring spirit."
"It is not late trials that trouble me, but future vexations that Idread. You know that I have never been accustomed to stupid, drawling,spoiled children."
"I hope," said Jane, "you will not have a class of this description toinstruct."
"O, all things will be easy to you, for you love children and loveteaching; but I have never applied my mind to any thing of the kind: Ishall not know how to ask the most simple question in nature."
Jane smiled, as she said, "Since you are so very doubtful of yourabilities, I think I will give a short lesson upon teaching. Suppose youask your pupil if she has learned grammar: if she replies in theaffirmative, desire her to explain the nature of the different parts ofspeech. Then try her abilities in the arithmetical tables, or from thehistory of England; tell her to relate some particular event in thereign of one of our kings, and go on to other subjects in a similarmanner. In the first instance, however, always hear your pupil read;clear, distinct reading, with proper emphasis--I do not mean in atheatrical style--is one test of abilities; give her some pointedpassage from history, or from any suitable book."
"I want an example," said Elizabeth.
"Now, sister, you are trifling, and will lead me to trifle in return."
"In 1199 John signed Magna Charta, the bulwark of English liberty;" or,"the king wept when he found himself a prisoner; but the master ofGlamis said--"
"Go on, my dear Jane: the master of Glamis I will not have any thing tosay to."
"You forget," said Jane, "that we are not to finish a sentence with to,or for, or any word so insignificant. Let a little girl read, 'remembernow thy Creator in the days of thy youth,' or something in the sameeasy, impressive style. But consult my mother: she will give you thebest information upon the subject of teaching."
"Ah," said Elizabeth, "my spirits fail when I think of the task! I onlywish the first week were over."
"It will pass away like all other things. We have only to be resolute indoing our duty, and leave the rest to Providence. Let us at all timesremember our own excellent instructress: her 'authority, when mostsevere, and mustering all its force, was but the graver countenance oflove, watering at once and nourishing the plant.'"
CHAPTER II.
It will, perhaps, here be necessary to say something of Mrs. Adair; Iwill not, however, enter upon her motive for opening a boarding-school.It is a well known fact that the loss of fortune, contracted incomes, ortroubles in one shape or another, are the origin of almost all femaleseminaries. I never heard but of one lady beginning a school, andpersevering to the conclusion of a protracted life, without any motivebut benefiting a friend. To her credit let me remark, that she neverregretted this, as it may justly be styled, "labour of love."
Mrs. Adair's personal appearance and manner were calculated to exciterespect and deference from pupils. The general cast of her countenancewas serious, to a degree bordering upon severity; but when she didunbend, the cheerfulness that beamed in her features, and the benevolentexpression of her dark and pleasing eyes, invited confidence and regardfrom every beholder. She had been a widow several years, and was goingto commence a school patronized by respectable friends. I shall notattempt to describe her daughters, for beauty is of so perishable anature, and of so little value without good qualities, it is but timewasted dwelling on the subject. Jane, the youngest, had been some timein a delicate and declining state of health; and, viewing life asuncertain in its tenor, had wisely adapted her mind to passingcircumstances. Next to her brightest hopes, was her desire to be usefulwhilst she remained upon earth.
Elizabeth had high health and spirits, and could ill brook the idea ofthe restraint and confinement of a school. But the evening was nowarrived previous to beginning "the irksome task," as she styled it.
Mrs. Adair had been looking over her folio, and her daughters wereseated at their work, when she observed, "We may consider ourselvesparticularly fortunate, for I have now the promise of fifteen pupils.Several things, however, we must take into consideration. Elizabeth, youare sometimes a little petulant in temper: remember you must never berash in deciding, or hasty in punishing; curb the bold, but encouragethe timid. We must likewise be cautious to treat the parents of everychild with equal respect; not allow ourselves to be dazzled withglittering equipages, or dashing manners. And let us be tend
"And I think, my dear mother," said Elizabeth, "it will be necessary tofix children of weak capacities in one class: let all the dunces gotogether."
"But we must first weigh their talents justly," returned Mrs. Adair;"and always recollect, that 'children of the present age are the hope ofthe one to come.'
"There is one thing I particularly charge you to avoid: never speak in atone of ridicule of any lady who has previously instructed a pupil;there is something contemptible in trying to depreciate the talents ofanother. We are not to consider ourselves as supreme in wisdom, for ourabilities are moderate; if we can do good, I believe it is the chiefmerit we can claim."
"I hope one thing," said Elizabeth, "that the young ladies must never beallowed to learn their lessons at meals; for I am persuaded they willthink more of the present participle _loving_ than of declining the verb_to love_. And I trust likewise, my dear mother, that you will never letthem read their own themes at public examinations: for the voice I amcertain will tremble when hundreds are listening."
"We will not talk of public examinations, my dear, until we have triedour own abilities at teaching. But I must caution you never to criticizeletters from parents or friends; nor look upon a teacher as a solitarybeing, without friends and without feelings."
"I hope you do not think I would exact too much, or be unreasonable inany command to a teacher," said Elizabeth.
"I do not say that you will do so; I only wish to remind you, that weshould have due consideration for those persons who are dependent uponus. And now I have only to observe, that we must not think entirely ofthe time our pupils are to be with us, but extend our thoughts to theperiod when they will be enabled to judge by what spirit we wereactuated. In teaching, punishing, or rewarding, let us always considerwhether the means we then pursue will be useful to the young lady infuture life."
CHAPTER III.
Elizabeth with some degree of impatience stood at the drawing-roomwindow, looking for their first pupil, on the morning the school wasopened. At length a carriage drove hastily to the door, and she returnedto her seat.
With a flushed and agitated countenance she had now to welcome one ofher mother's earliest friends. Colonel Vincent advanced into the roomwith two daughters, and in a cheerful tone exclaimed, "I hope, my dearMiss Adair, we are your first scholars; we have strained every nerve tosurprise you with an early visit, and an auspicious one I hope it willprove."
"I hope so too, Sir," said Elizabeth quickly; "but I thought we shouldhave had the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Vincent."
"She was obliged to go down into the country to visit her father,"returned the Colonel, "and deputed me to act for her. I have to beg thatyou will treat our children as the children of strangers: reward themwith favour when they are good, and punish them when they are otherwise.We have confidence in our friends, therefore shall never listen to anyidle tales; but my little girl," he continued, as he fondly stroked thehair from the forehead of his youngest daughter, "will I know betractable and very good."
"That I will, Papa; only I wish I had my doll, and the cradle. My cousinEliza has a barrel-organ, a garden-chair, and I don't know how manythings, at her school."
"Your cousin has a large fortune, and is a simpleton," cried Caroline,the eldest daughter. "But pray, ma'am, who is to teach music?"
"I shall make the attempt," said Elizabeth; "how far I shall succeedwill depend upon my abilities to instruct, and your patience andperseverance in gaining instruction."
"O, ma'am, I have learned seven years of the first masters."
"There has been a wonderful waste of time, and money!" cried theColonel. "You rattle the keys, as blundering soldiers when commanded tofire: no taste, feeling, or judgment in the execution."
"But at Madame La Blond's, Papa, I was allowed to play in the very firststyle, and was always called upon to exhibit to strangers."
A servant at this moment announced "Mrs. Towers;" and a stately female,dressed in the extreme of fashion, with a measured step entered theroom, followed by a delicate, interesting looking young lady, but with avery dark complexion. Mrs. Towers moved very profoundly to Elizabeth."Permit me to introduce Miss Arden as a pupil," she said. "She is fromthe East, and under our guardianship. For certain causes we removed herfrom her last seminary; we did not consider it (as she is a young ladyof large fortune) sufficiently fashionable. As we understand ColonelVincent, a man whom every one must applaud, has declared that he and hisnoble lady will patronize Mrs. Adair, from this circumstance alone Ihave brought Miss Arden hither."
Colonel Vincent smiled, and stepped to the window to converse with hisyoungest daughter. "It is particularly unfortunate, ma'am," added Mrs.Towers, "that the young lady has so very dark a look; but I assure youshe is not a creole." Tears started into Miss Arden's eyes, and hercheeks were tinged with a deep blush. Mrs. Towers now made another verylow curtsey, with "a good morning, ma'am; I have several visits to payin this neighbourhood." As she passed the young lady, she whisperedsomething respecting mixture and composition.
Colonel Vincent now led his daughters to Miss Arden. "Let me introducethe young people to each other," said he; "who I hope will be friendsand pleasant companions."
Isabella, his youngest daughter, looked up in her face; and taking herhand, said, "I am sure I shall love this lady, if she will love me."
Her sister turned her head, and with a scornful smile exclaimed, "Youare always taken with strangers! I wish Miss Russel would come! Ithought she would have been here early."
"This is an insolent young lady," said the Colonel, looking at hisdaughter with displeasure. "But my Isabella, Miss Arden, will begrateful for your kindness."
"I have so few, Sir, to regard me," said Miss Arden, "that I shallindeed be happy to gain the love of this little girl."
Elizabeth now asked if she would walk in the garden. "Come, my littlepet," said the Colonel, "give me one kiss; and go with this young lady,and try to divert her. And do not forget to bring her with you thefirst holiday, and we will have a merry day; all your young friendsshall be invited to meet you."
In the course of the morning most of the young ladies arrived. It was acomplete day of bustle. There were trunks and packages to be removedfrom the hall into the dressing-room; then one wanted her reticule, andanother a book from her bag; and a third was searching her basket forgood things, either for her own private eating, or to give to some oneto whom she had taken a fancy. Then there were so many conjectures, "whoand who such ladies were?" Miss Vincent and Miss Russel, who weredeclared friends, kept apart from their companions. There were few,indeed, they would deign to notice; and no one, unless her Papa had acarriage. There was an air of scorn in their countenances, which seemedto say, "here is a motley group, indeed!"
Jane had been confined to her chamber the whole of the morning, but inthe afternoon strolled into the garden to converse with the youngladies. She soon felt fatigued, and went into the summer-house to rest.There, to her surprise, she beheld a young lady with a melancholyaspect, seated, with her eyes fixed intently upon the floor.
"My dear, why are you here alone?" asked Jane in a tone of kindness;"was there no young lady to walk with you?"
"No, ma'am; the ladies do not wish to associate with me. They object tomy complexion: and, I believe, they think that I am without feelings.The little girl would have remained with me, but her sister would notallow her."
A loud laugh now proclaimed a party approaching the summer-house. Janewas shocked when she heard Miss Vincent exclaim, "Oh, do come in andbehold her! she is a complete creole! I never saw so frightful acomplexion!"
"The young lady is a stranger to me," said another, "and I am sure Iwould not insult her upon any account."
"That is a voice I know," said Jane, stepping to the door. "My dear MissDamer, I wish to speak to you." Miss Vincent and her friend instantlyretreated, and the young lady ent
"Here is a young lady," said Jane, "who is a stranger; and I may add,that she is in a strange land. In introducing her to you, Miss Damer, Ihope I am securing a friend for her: one who will not behold herinsulted."
Tears now rushed from Miss Arden's eyes. "O! ma'am, I cannot thank youas I feel! Hitherto, I have only known rudeness and unkindness! When Ilost my father, I thought, in coming to England--England, so famed forevery thing great and noble--that I should be a stranger to all sorrowbut that of remembrance."
Miss Damer was too much moved to express herself as she wished. "Come,"said Jane, in a cheerful voice, "we must not have sorrow at this ourfirst meeting. I perceive that Miss Damer and you will be friends, socome with me; you shall be my guests this evening, and we will leave theother young ladies to my sister."
With a countenance expressive of kindness, Jane took an arm of each ofthe young ladies, and walked with them up the garden. As she passed MissVincent and her companion, she said very quietly, "Young ladies, I hopeyou will conduct yourselves better to-morrow."
CHAPTER IV.
When Miss Vincent entered the music-room to receive her first lesson,with haughty indifference she seated herself at the piano, and in acareless manner began a voluntary. Elizabeth, who was reading a letter,now closed it, leisurely opened a book, and desired her to play thelesson to which she pointed.
"This piece, ma'am! Gravana thinks English music despicable."
"And English manners, I presume?"
"Manners, ma'am! Madame La Blond's was a fashionable seminary."