Original Stories from Real Life/Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII.
Viſit to the School-miſtreſs.—True and falſe Pride.
THEIR dreſs was ſoon adjuſted, and the girls plucked flowers to adorn themselves, and a noſegay to present to the ſchool-mistreſs, whoſe garden was but ſmall.
They met the children juſt releaſed from confinement; the ſwarm came humming round Mrs. Maſon, endeavouring to catch her eye, and obtain the notice they were ſo proud of. The girls made their beſt courtſies, bluſhing; and the boys hung down their heads, and kicked up the duſt, in ſcraping a bow of reſpect.
They found their miſtreſs preparing to drink tea, to refreſh herſelf after the toils of the day; and, with the eaſe peculiar to well-bred people, ſhe quickly enabled them to partake of it, by giving the tea-board a more ſociable appearance.
The harveſt-home was ſoon the ſubject of converſation, and the harper was mentioned. The family pride of the Welſh, ſaid Anna, has often diverted me; I have frequently heard the inhabitants of a little hut, that could ſcarcely be diſtinguished from the pig-ſty, which ſtood in the front of it, boaſt of their anceſtors and deſpiſe trade. They have informed me, that one branch of their family built the middle aiſle of the church; that another beautified the chancel, and gave the ten commandments, which blaze there in letters of gold. Some rejoice that their forefathers ſleep in the moſt conſpicuous tombs, and that their aſhes have an inſcription to point out where they are returning to their mother earth. And thoſe graves, which only a little ſtone at the head gives conſequence to, are adorned every Sunday with flowers or ever-greens. We perceive, in all the various cuſtoms of men, a deſire to live in the paſt and in the future, if I may be allowed the expreſſion.
Mrs. Maſon then obſerved, that of all the ſpecies of pride which carry a man out of himſelf, family pride was the moſt beneficial to society. Pride of wealth produces vanity and oſtentation; but that of blood ſeems to inſpire high notions of honour, and to baniſh meanneſs. Yet it is productive of many ill conſequences, the mſst obvious is, that it renders individuals reſpectable to the generality, whoſe merit is only reflected: and ſometimes the want of this accidental advantage throws the moſt ſhining perſonal virtues and abilities into obſcurity. In weak minds this pride degenerates into the most deſpicable folly; and the wiſe will not condeſcend to accept of fame at ſecond-hand, replied Anna. We ought to be proud of our original, but we ſhould trace it to our Heavenly Father, who breathed into us the breath of life.—We are His children when we try to reſemble Him, when we are convinced that truth and goodneſs muſt conſtitute the very eſſence of the ſoul; and that the purſuit of them will produce happineſs, when the vain diſtinctions of mortals will fade away, and their pompous eſcutcheons moulder with more vulgar duſt! But remember, my young friends, virtue is immortal; and goodneſs arises from a quick perception of truth, and actions conformable to the conviction.
Different ſubjects beguiled the time, till the cloſing evening admoniſhed them to return home; and they departed reluctantly, filled with reſpect.