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 | The boarding school, or, Lessons of a preceptress to her pupils ; consisting of information, instruction, and advice, calculated to improve the manners, and form the character of young ladies ; to which is added, a collection of letters, written by the pupils, to their instructor, their friends, and each other |  |
HARRIOT HENLY.
Salem.
Indeed, Harriot, I open your letters with
as much gravity as I would a sermon; you have
such a knack of moralizing upon every event!
What mortal else would feel serious and sentimental
at a wedding? Positively, you shall not
come to mine. Your presence, I fear, would
put such a restraint upon me, as to render me
quite foolish and awkward in my appearance.
However, I must acknowledge it a weighty affair;
and what you say has, perhaps, too much
truth in it to be jested with. I believe, therefore,
we had better resolve not to risk the consequences
of a wrong choice, or imprudent conduct;
but wisely devote ourselves to celibacy.
I am sure we should make a couple of very clever
old maids. If you agree to this proposition,
we will begin in season to accustom ourselves to
the virtues and habits of a single life. By observing
what is amiss in the conduct of others in
the same state, and avoiding their errors, I doubt
not but we may bring even the title into repute.
In this way we shall be useful to many of our
own sex, though I am aware it would be a most
grievous dispensation to a couple of the other;
but no matter for that.
The world needs some such examples as we
might become; and if we can be instrumental
of retrieving old-maidism from the imputation of
ill-nature, oddity, and many other mortifying
charges, which are now brought against it, I
believe we shall save many a good girl from an
unequal and unhappy marriage. It might have
a salutary effect on the other sex too. Finding
the ladies independent in sentiment, they would
be impelled to greater circumspection of conduct
to merit their favour.
You see that my benevolence is extensive. I
wish to become a general reformer. What say
you to my plan, Harriot? If you approve it,
dismiss your long train of admirers immediately,
and act not the part of a coquette, by retaining
them out of pride or vanity. We must rise
above such narrow views, and let the world
know that we act from principle, if we mean to
do good by our example. I shall continue to
receive the addresses of this same Junius, till I
hear that you have acceded to my proposal;
and then, display my fortitude by renouncing a
connexion which must be doubtful as to the
issue, and will certainly expose me to the mortification
of being looked at, when I am married.
Farewell.
| The boarding school, or, Lessons of a preceptress to her pupils ; consisting of information, instruction, and advice, calculated to improve the manners, and form the character of young ladies ; to which is added, a collection of letters, written by the pupils, to their instructor, their friends, and each other | |