University of Virginia Library

LETTER III.
ANNE TO ELENOR.

YOU flatter me by the satisfaction you express
at the receipt of my last. I am at once gratified
by the praises bestowed on my friend, and the
approbation you so delicately conveyed, of the
style of the narrator; for I will frankly own I
possess a good portion of that self love, which
occasions my heart to dilate with pleasure, when
I am applauded by those whom I respect, and of
whose discriminating judgment I have an high
opinion.

Sarah having thus discharged those duties
which the strong sense she entertained of moral
rectitude imposed on her, began to think of
some method to enlarge her income by industry,
and thus prevent her becoming troublesome to
her friends; I earnestly entreated her to live with
me, but in vain. “What is the reason,” said she,
“that I must not be allowed to support myself?
Why should I become a charge to you? It is
kind of you to offer it, but what right have I to
avail myself of your generosity? when I have
health and abilities to render myself independent?
You have a mother to support, and not
the most plentiful fortune to do it with; you have
also a brother who can always find employment
for any little sums you have to spare; continue

to me those sentiments of esteem which it has
been my honor to excite, and my pride to endeavor
to deserve, and I shall be happier in eating
the bread of industry, than I could possibly
be in dependent idleness.”

Her plan was to get recommended as a teacher
in a boarding school. Her aunt strongly opposed
it—“I wonder, Sarah,” said she to her one
day, “you have not more pride, than to be
willing to live in a state of servitude; I am
ashamed, I blush for your meanness of spirit.”
“I should have more cause to blush for myself,
aunt,” she replied—“were I, with the education
I have received, to become a useless burthen to
my friends. That is poor pride indeed, which, to
avoid active employment, sinks into a servile
being, who, to purchase the necessaries of life,
must cringe to a benefactor, take the lowest
place in the room, never speak but when spoken
to, and be required to perform fifty menial offices,
which, were that being in any other but a
state of dependence, would be rejected with disdain.”
Mrs. Vernon colored deeply, and Sarah
was allowed to follow her own plan. A
young women, whose mind was so highly cultivated
as Sarah's, whose manners were so captivating,
and who had abilities to be so eminently
useful, was an acquisition to any school, and it
proved that to the one in which she engaged,
she was so in a superlative degree. The governess
was not possessed of many engaging qualities;
she could speak French, and understood

something of the fashionable needlework; and
these were the vast stock of qualifications with
which she presumed to take upon herself the
care and instruction of young ladies. She had
been brought up in rather a low walk in life;
had married a reputable tradesman, and at the
age of forty-five, was left a widow, with very
little provision, but a house full of handsome
furniture; for having been of an expensive turn,
she had found means to dissipate money as fast,
and sometimes faster, than her husband could
accumulate it. She had one daughter rather
more accomplished than her mother, for she
could play on the harpsichord, and make filligree.
Mrs. Harrop was advised to take a school;
and, as in seminaries of this kind, the teachers
have all the care and labor while the governess
takes all the credit to herself; her want of abilities,
either natural or acquired, was no obstacle
to her following the counsel. They had been
settled in a very fine situation about five miles
from London, nearly three years, when having
lost their head teacher by her accepting a more
advantageous offer, Mrs. Harrop heard of Sarah's
design, and having had her character very
favorably represented by a gentleman who was
intimate in her father's family, she made application
to her to take the superintendance of the
school. Her offers were liberal, and Sarah having
consulted me, determined to wait on the
lady, to settle preliminaries; and I, fearing my
young enthusiastic friend would engage to perform
more than her strength would support, resolved
to accompany her. This visit produced
some singular circumstances, and indeed, as
things have terminated, may be termed the great
period which gave the coloring to my dear Sarah's
future life. You have observed the dignity
of Sarah's carriage—at that period it was more
conspicuous than it is at present. At times when
she supposed herself not treated with proper respect
by those whose wealth or situation in life
gave them a fancied superiority, it would rise
into something like hauteur; but to her equals
she was ever affable, and to her inferiors, her
manners were so sweetly conciliating, that while
they forgot the disparity custom and education
made between them, the affectionate respect
her conduct inspired, never permitted them to
treat her with improper familiarity. Her dress
was always the habit of a woman of fashion, without
the smallest affectation of finery. As I knew
to visit a school during the hours of study must
be an interruption, I ordered it so as to arrive
at Mrs. Harrop's, about twelve o'clock. Miss
Julia received us with a profusion of civility. We
were conveyed thither in a handsome job coach,
and I made my own foot boy mount behind, being
aware how much first appearances strike, so
much so, that frequently the impressions made
on a first interview, are never after entirely
effaced. The young lady having ushered us into
the drawing room, with many obsequious courtesies,
requested to be honored with our commands;
I perceived her mistake, and simply replied
we wished to speak with Mrs. Harrop on
particular business. She immediately rose, and
said she would inform her mamma, who would
come to receive our orders, and left the room.
I laughed, Sarah smiled, and observed, that she
was wondrous polite. Yes, my dear, said I, a
great deal more so, than she would have been,
had she guessed the nature of our business. Here
we were interrupted by the rustlidg of silk, and
Madam la Governante entered in all the consequence
of rich padusoy, lace ruffles, and an enormous
head, where gauze, wire, pompoons, and
ribbon, strove for pre-eminence. She was a tall,
masculine figure, dark complexioned, her cheeks
just lightly tinged with best vegetable rouge,
large black eyes, and very strong brows of the
same color, meeting over her nose, which was
inclined to the aquiline. “Pray be seated, ladies,”
said she, seating herself at the same time, “I am
extremely honored by this visit, and I hope, upon
the inspection of the work, &c. that has been
executed in the school, you will be so far satisfied,
as to give me the preference, in the placing any
young lady from home for the purpose of education.
To be sure, I have unfortunately lost my
head teacher; but I have great hope of having
her place supplied by a young person, who has
been strongly recommended as a young woman of
taste, genius, and respectability; for you know,
ladies, we cannot be too cautious who we engage
in such a situation.” I perceived the vermilion of
Sarah's complexion begin to heighten, so interrupted
the loquacious governess with, “True,
madam, and I flatter myself my friend, Miss
Osborn here, will do honor to those who spoke so
favorably of her.”

The broad face of Mrs. Harrop now resembled
the tints of a full blown pioni. “Madam,” said
she, “did I understand you—this the young—”
“Yes, madam,” said Sarah, bowing with composure
and dignity, “I am the young person to
whom you addressed this letter; I feel myself competent
to the business therein mentioned, and shall
only add, that if I engage in the situation, I shall
strive to discharge my duty conscientiously.”
“Upon my word, well to be sure, I thought,”
said the confused lady, then rising hastily, she
rung the bell, and then seating herself familiarly
on the sofa, between Sarah and myself—“I
dare say, my dear,” she continued addressing
Sarah, “you will do very well; Mr. Lewis said
you had a great deal of taste, was patient and
good natured.” “I am so, I trust, madam,”
said Sarah, coloring, “when not imposed on.”
“Certainly, no one likes to be imposed on,” said
Mrs. Harrop, a little disconcerted by the firmness
of her reply; a servant just then entering,
relieved her—“Bid Miss Julia send some of the
work and painting into the back parlor; we'll
go down, child, and you can judge if you think
you can teach in the same manner.” But before
this proposal could be complied with, steps
were heard ascending the stairs. The door

opened, and George Darnley and his mother entered;
Mrs. Darnley had a daughter at the
school, whom they had come to visit. As I
wished to converse with Sarah, before she made
any positive engagement, I made a motion to go.
“We will see you again in the evening, Mrs.
Harrop,” said I. “Permit me, ladies,” said
Darnley, with a respectful bow, “to call up your
carriage, and do me the honor,” presenting his
hand to Sarah! she accepted it, and with a
slight courtesy to the governess, and one more
respectful to Mrs. Darnley, tripped down stairs,
and left Mrs. Harrop to explain to her visitor,
who and what she was, at her leisure. Are you
weary? No—you say! well, but really I am—
so peace be with you, until the next post.