The Governess [The Little Female Academy]
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Sarah Fielding >> The Governess [The Little Female Academy]
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11 This Etexst prepared by Pat Pflieger
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THE GOVERNESS; OR, THE LITTLE FEMALE ACADEMY (1749)
by Sarah Fielding
There lived in the northern parts of England, a gentlewoman who
undertook the education of young ladies; and this trust she
endeavoured faithfully to discharge, by instructing those
committed to her care in reading, writing, working, and in all
proper forms of behaviour. And though her principal aim was to
improve their minds in all useful knowledge; to render them
obedient to their superiors, and gentle, kind, and affectionate to
each other; yet did she not omit teaching them an exact neatness
in their persons and dress, and a perfect gentility in their whole
carriage.
This gentlewoman, whose name was Teachum, was the widow of a
clergyman, with whom she had lived nine years in all the harmony
and concord which forms the only satisfactory happiness in the
married state. Two little girls (the youngest of which was born
before the second year of their marriage was expired) took up a
great part of their thoughts; and it was their mutual design to
spare no pains or trouble in their education.
Mr. Teachum was a very sensible man, and took great delight in
improving his wife; as she also placed her chief pleasure in
receiving his instructions. One of his constant subjects of
discourse to her was concerning the education of children: so
that, when in his last illness his physicians pronounced him
beyond the power of their art to relieve him, he expressed great
satisfaction in the thought of leaving his children to the care of
so prudent a mother.
Mrs. Teachum, though exceedingly afflicted by such a loss, yet
thought it her duty to call forth all her resolutions to conquer
her grief, in order to apply herself to the care of these her dear
husband's children. But her misfortunes were not here to end:
for within a twelvemonth after the death of her husband, she was
deprived of both her children by a violent fever that then raged
in the country; and, about the same time, by the unforeseen
breaking of a banker, in whose hands almost all her fortune was
just then placed, she was bereft of the means of her future
support.
The Christian fortitude with which (through her husband's
instructions) she had armed her mind, had not left it in the power
of any outward accident to bereave her of her understanding, or to
make her incapable of doing what was proper on all occasions.
Therefore, by the advice of all her friends, she undertook what
she was so well qualified for; namely, the education of children.
But as she was moderate in her desires, and did not seek to raise
a great fortune, she was resolved to take no more scholars than
she could have an eye to herself without the help of other
teachers; and instead of making interest to fill her school, it
was looked upon as a great favour when she would take any girl.
And as her number was fixed to nine, which she on no account would
be prevailed on to increase, great application was made, when any
scholar went away, to have her place supplied; and happy were they
who could get a promise for the next vacancy.
Mrs. Teachum was about forty years old, tall and genteel in her
person, though somewhat inclined to fat. She had a lively and
commanding eye, insomuch that she naturally created an awe in all
her little scholars; except when she condescended to smile, and
talk familiarly to them; and then she had something perfectly kind
and tender in her manner. Her temper was so extremely calm and
good, that though she never omitted reprehending, and that pretty
severely, any girl that was guilty of the smallest fault
proceeding from an evil disposition; yet for no cause whatsoever
was she provoked to be in a passion; but she kept up such a
dignity and authority, by her steady behavior, that the girls
greatly feared to incur her displeasure by disobeying her
commands; and were equally pleased with her approbation, when they
had done anything worthy her commendation.
At the time of the ensuing history, the school (being full)
consisted of the nine following young ladies:
Miss JENNY PEACE.
Miss NANNY SPRUCE.
Miss SUKEY JENNETT.
Miss BETTY FORD.
Miss DOLLY FRIENDLY.
Miss HENNY FRET.
Miss LUCY SLY.
Miss POLLY SUCKLING.
Miss PATTY LOCKIT.
The eldest of these was but fourteen years old, and none of the
rest had yet attained their twelfth year.
AN ACCOUNT OF A FRAY, BEGUN AND CARRIED ON FOR THE SAKE OF AN
APPLE: IN WHICH ARE SHOWN THE SAD EFFECTS OF RAGE AND ANGER.
It was on a fine summer's evening when the school-hours were at an
end, and the young ladies were admitted to divert themselves for
some time, as they thought proper, in a pleasant garden adjoining
to the house, that their governess, who delighted in pleasing
them, brought out a little basket of apples, which were intended
to be divided equally amongst them; but Mrs. Teachum being hastily
called away (one of her poor neighhours having had an accident
which wanted her assistance), she left the fruit in the hands of
Miss Jenny Peace, the eldest of her scholars, with a strict charge
to see that every one had an equal share of her gift.
But here a perverse accident turned good Mrs. Teachum's design of
giving them pleasure into their sorrow, and raised in their little
hearts nothing but strife and anger: for, alas! there happened to
be one apple something larger than the rest, on which the whole
company immediately placed their desiring eyes, and all at once
cried out, 'Pray, Miss Jenny, give me that apple.' Each gave her
reasons why she had the best title to it: the youngest pleaded
her youth, and the eldest her age; one insisted on her goodness,
another from her meekness claimed a title to preference; and one,
in confidence of her strength, said positively, she would have it;
but all speaking together, it was difficult to distinguish who
said this, or who said that.
Miss Jenny begged them all to be quiet, but in vain; for she could
not be heard: they had all set their hearts on that fine apple,
looking upon those she had given them as nothing. She told them
they had better be contented with what they had, than be thus
seeking what it was impossible for her to give to them all. She
offered to divide it into eight parts, or to do anything to
satisfy them; but she might as well have been silent; for they
were all talking and had no time to hear. At last as a means to
quiet the disturbance, she threw this apple, the cause of their
contention, with her utmost force over a hedge into another
garden, where they could not come at it.
At first they were all silent, as if they were struck dumb with
astonishment with the loss of this one poor apple, though at the
same time they had plenty before them.
But this did not bring to pass Miss Jenny's design: for now they
all began again to quarrel which had the most right to it, and
which ought to have had it, with as much vehemence as they had
before contended for the possession of it; and their anger by
degrees became so high, that words could not vent half their rage;
and they fell to pulling of caps, tearing of hair, and dragging
the clothes off one another's backs: though they did not so much
strike, as endeavour to scratch and pinch their enemies.
Miss Dolly Friendly as yet was not engaged in the battle; but on
hearing her friend Miss Nanny Spruce scream out, that she was hurt
by a sly pinch from one of the girls, she flew on this sly
pincher, as she called her, like an enraged lion on its prey; and
not content only to return the harm her friend had received, she
struck with such force, as felled her enemy to the ground. And
now they could not distinguish between friend and enemy; but
fought, scratched, and tore, like so many cats, when they extend
their claws to fix them in their rival's heart.
Miss Jenny was employed in endeavouring to part them.
In the midst of this confusion appeared Mrs. Teachum, who was
returning in hopes to see them happy with the fruit she had given
them; but she was some time there before either her voice or
presence could awaken them from their attention to the fight; when
on a sudden they all faced her, and fear of punishment began now a
little to abate their rage. Each of the misses held in her right
hand, fast clenched, some marks of victory; for they beat and were
beaten by turns. One of them held a little lock of hair torn from
the head of her enemy; another grasped a piece of a cap, which, in
aiming at her rival's hair, had deceived her hand, and was all the
spoils she could gain; a third clenched a piece of an apron; a
fourth, of a frock. In short, everyone unfortunately held in her
hand a proof of having been engaged in the battle. And the ground
was spread with rags and tatters, torn from the backs of the
little inveterate combatants.
Mrs. Teachum stood for some time astonished at the sight; but at
last she enquired of Miss Jenny Peace, who was the only person
disengaged, to tell her the whole truth, and to inform her of the
cause of all this confusion.
Miss Jenny was obliged to obey the commands of her governess;
though she was so good natured that she did it in the mildest
terms; and endeavoured all she could to lessen, rather than
increase, Mrs. Teachum's anger. The guilty persons now began all
to excuse themselves as fast as tears and sobs would permit them.
One said, 'Indeed, madam, it was none of my fault; for I did not
begin; for Miss Sukey Jennett, without any cause in the world (for
I did nothing to provoke her), hit me a great slap in the face,
and made my tooth ache; the pain DID make me angry; and then,
indeed, I hit her a little tap; but it was on her back; and I am
sure it was the smallest tap in the world and could not possibly
hurt her half so much as her great blow did me.'
'Law, miss!' replied Miss Jennett, 'how can you say so? when you
know that you struck me first, and that yours was the great blow,
and mine the little tap; for I only went to defend myself from
your monstrous blows.'
Such like defences they would all have made for themselves, each
insisting on not being in fault, and throwing the blame on her
companion; but Mrs. Teachum silenced them by a positive command;
and told them, that she saw they were all equally guilty, and as
such would treat them.
Mrs. Teachum's method of punishing I never could find out. But
this is certain, the most severe punishment she had ever inflicted
on any misses, since she had kept a school, was now laid on these
wicked girls, who had been thus fighting, and pulling one another
to pieces, for a sorry apple.
The first thing she did was to take away all the apples; telling
them, that before they had any more instances of such kindness
from her, they should give her proofs of their deserving them
better. And when she had punished them as much as she thought
proper, she made them all embrace one another, and promise to be
friends for the future; which, in obedience to her commands, they
were forced to comply with, though there remained a grudge and
ill-will in their bosoms; every one thinking she was punished
most, although she would have it, that she deserved to be punished
least; and they continued all the sly tricks they could think on
to vex and tease each other.
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN MISS JENNY PEACE AND MISS SUKEY JENNETT;
WHEREIN THE LATTER IS AT LAST CONVINCED OF HER OWN FOLLY IN BEING
SO QUARRELSOME; AND, BY HER EXAMPLE, ALL HER COMPANIONS ARE
BROUGHT TO SEE AND CONFESS THEIR FAULT.
The next morning Miss Jenny Peace used her utmost endeavours to
bring her schoolfellows to be heartily reconciled, but in vain:
for each insisted on it, that she was not to blame; but that the
whole quarrel arose from the faults of others. At last ensued the
following dialogue between Miss Jenny Peace and Miss Sukey
Jennett, which brought about Miss Jenny's designs; and which we
recommend to the consideration of all our young readers.
MISS JENNY. Now pray, Miss Sukey, tell me, what did you get by
your contention and quarrel about that foolish apple?
MISS SUKEY. Indeed, ma'am, I shall not answer you; I know that
you only want to prove, that you are wiser than I, because you are
older. But I don't know but some people may understand as much at
eleven years old as others at thirteen: but, because you are the
oldest in the school, you always want to be tutoring and
governing. I don't like to have more than one governess; and if I
obey my mistress, I think that is enough.
MISS JENNY. Indeed, my dear, I don't want to govern you, nor to
prove myself wiser than you; I only want that instead of
quarrelling, and making yourself miserable, you should live at
peace and be happy. Therefore, pray do answer my question,
whether you get anything by your quarrel?
MISS SUKEY. No I cannot say I got anything by it: for my
mistress was angry, and punished me; and my hair was pulled off,
and my clothes torn in the scuffle; neither did I value the apple;
but yet I have too much spirit to be imposed on. I am sure I had
as good a right to it as any of the others; and I would not give
up my right to anyone.
MISS JENNY. But don't you know, Miss Sukey, it would have shown
much more spirit to have yielded the apple to another, than to
have fought about it? Then indeed you would have proved your
sense; for you would have shown, that you had too much
understanding to fight about a trifle. Then your clothes had been
whole, your hair not torn from your head, your mistress had not
been angry, nor had your fruit been taken away from you.
MISS SUKEY. And so, miss, you would fain prove, that it is wisest
to submit to everybody that would impose upon one? But I will not
believe ii, say what you will.
MISS JENNY. But is not what I say true? If you had not been in
the battle, would not your clothes have been whole, your hair not
torn, your mistress pleased with you, and the apples your own?
Here Miss Sukey paused for some time: for as Miss Jenny was in
the right and had truth on her side, it was difficult for Miss
Sukey to know what to answer. For it is impossible, without being
very silly, to contradict truth; and yet Miss Sukey was so
foolish, that she did not care to own herself in the wrong; though
nothing could have been so great a sign of her understanding.
When Miss Jenny saw her thus at a loss for an answer, she was in
hopes of making her companion happy; for, as she had as much good
nature as understanding, that was her design. She therefore
pursued her discourse in the following manner:
MISS JENNY. Pray, Miss Sukey, do answer me one question more.
Don't you lie awake at nights, and fret and vex yourself, because
you are angry with your school-fellows? Are not you restless and
uneasy, because you cannot find a safe method to be revenged on
them, without being punished yourself? Do tell me truly, is not
this your case?
MISS SUKEY. Yes it is. For if I could but hurt my enemies,
without being hurt myself, it would be the greatest pleasure I
could have in the world.
MISS JENNY. Oh fie, Miss Sukey! What you have now said is
wicked. Don't you consider what you say every day in your
prayers'? And this way of thinking will make you lead a very
uneasy life. If you would hearken to me, I could put you into a
method of being very happy, and making all those misses you call
your enemies, become your friends.
MISS SUKEY. You could tell me a method, miss? Do you think I
don't know as well as you what is fit to be done? I believe I am
as capable of finding the way to be happy, as you are of teaching
me.
Here Miss Sukey burst into tears, that anybody should presume to
tell her the way to be happy.
MISS JENNY. Upon my word, my dear, I don't mean to vex you; but
only, instead of tormenting yourself all night in laying plots to
revenge yourself, I would have you employ this one night in
thinking of what I have said. Nothing will show your sense so
much, as to own that you have been in the wrong. Nor will
anything prove a right spirit so much. as to confess your fault.
All the misses will be your friends, and perhaps follow your
example. Then you will have the pleasure of having caused the
quiet of the whole school; your governess will love you; and you
will be at peace in your mind, and never have any more foolish
quarrels, in which you all get nothing but blows and uneasiness.
Miss Sukey began now to find, that Miss Jenny was in the right,
and she herself in the wrong; but yet she was so proud she would
not own it. Nothing could be so foolish as this pride; because it
would have been both good and wise in her to confess the truth the
moment she saw it. However, Miss Jenny was so discreet as not to
press her any farther that night; but begged her to consider
seriously on what she had said, and to let her know her thoughts
the next morning and then left her.
When Miss Sukey was alone she stood some time in great confusion.
She could not help seeing how much hitherto she had been in the
wrong; and that thought stung her to the heart. She cried,
stamped, and was in as great an agony as if some sad misfortune
had befallen her. At last, when she had somewhat vented her
passion by tears, she burst forth into the following speech:
'It is very true what Miss Jenny Peace says; for I am always
uneasy. I don't sleep in quiet because I am always thinking,
either that I have not my share of what is given us, or that I
cannot be revenged on any of the girls that offend me. And when I
quarrel with them, I am scratched and bruised; or reproached. And
what do I get by all this? Why, I scratch, bruise, and reproach
them in my turn. Is not that gain enough? I warrant I hurt them
as much as they hurt me. But then indeed, as Miss Jenny says, if
I could make these girls my friends, and did not wish to hurt
them, I certainly might live a quieter, and perhaps a happier,
life. But what then, have I been always in the wrong all my
lifetime? for I always quarrelled and hated everyone who had
offended me. Oh! I cannot bear that thought! It is enough to
make me mad! when I imagined myself so wise and so sensible, to
find out that I have been always a fool. If I think a moment
longer about it, I shall die with grief and shame. I must think
myself in the right; and I will too. But, as Miss Jenny says, I
really am unhappy; for I hate all my schoolfellows; and yet I dare
not do them any mischief; for my mistress will punish me severely
if I do. I should not so much mind that neither; but then those I
intend to hurt will triumph over me, to see me punished for their
sakes. In short, the more I reflect, the more I am afraid Miss
Jenny is in the right; and yet it breaks my heart to think so.'
Here the poor girl wept so bitterly, and was so heartily grieved,
that she could not utter one word more; but sat herself down,
reclining her head upon her hand, in the most melancholy posture
that could be; nor could she close her eyes all night, but lay
tossing and raving with the thought how she should act, and what
she should say to Miss Jenny the next day.
When the morning came, Miss Sukey dreaded every moment, as the
time drew nearer when she must meet Miss Jenny. She knew it would
not be possible to resist her arguments; and yet shame for having
been in fault overcame her.
As soon as Miss Jenny saw Miss Sukey with her eyes cast down, and
confessing, by a look of sorrow, that she would take her advice,
she embraced her kindly; and, without giving her the trouble to
speak, took it for granted, that she would leave off quarreling,
be reconciled to her schoolfellows, and make herself happy.
Miss Sukey did indeed stammer out some words, which implied a
confession of her fault; but they were spoke so low they could
hardly be heard; only Miss Jenny, who always chose to look at the
fairest side of her companions' actions, by Miss Sukey's look and
manner guessed her meaning.
In the same manner did this good girl, Jenny, persuade, one by
one, all her schoolfellows to be reconciled to each with sincerity
and love.
Miss Dolly Friendly, who had too much sense to engage the battle
for the sake of an apple, and who was provoked to strike a blow
only for friendship's sake, easily saw the truth of what Miss
Jenny said; and was therefore presently convinced, that the best
part she could have acted for her friend, would have been to have
withdrawn her from the scuffle.
A SCENE OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP, QUITE THE REVERSE OF THE BATTLE,
WHEREIN ARE SHOWN THE DIFFERENT EFFECTS OF LOVE AND GOODNESS FROM
THOSE ATTENDING ANGER, STRIFE, AND WICKEDNESS: WITH THE LIFE OF
MISS JENNY PEACE.
After Miss Jenny had completed the good work of making all her
companions friends, she drew them round her in a little arbour, in
that very garden which had been the scene of their strife, and
consequently of their misery; and then spoke to them the following
speech; which she delivered in so mild a voice, that it was
sufficient to charm her hearers into attention, and to persuade
them to be led by her advice, and to follow her example in the
paths of goodness.
'My dear friends and schoolfellows, you cannot imagine the
happiness it gives me to see you thus all so heartily reconciled.
You will find the joyful fruits of it. Nothing can show so much
sense as thus to own yourselves in fault; for could anything have
been so foolish as to spend all your time in misery, rather than
at once to make use of the power you have of making yourselves
happy? Now if you will use as many endeavours to love as you have
hitherto done to hate each other, you will find that every one
amongst you, whenever you have anything given you, will have
double, nay, I may say eight times (as there are eight of you) the
pleasure, in considering that your companions are happy. What is
the end of quarrels, but that everyone is fretted and vexed, and
no one gains anything! Whereas by endeavouring to please and love
each other, the end is happiness to ourselves, and joy to everyone
around us. I am sure, if you will speak the truth, none of you
have been so easy since you quarrelled, as you are now you are
reconciled. Answer me honestly, if this is not truth.'
Here Miss Jenny was silent, and waited for an answer. But the
poor girls, who had in them the seeds of goodwill to each other,
although those seeds were choked and overrun with the weeds of
envy and pride; as in a garden the finest strawberries will be
spoiled by rank weeds, if care is not taken to root them out;
these poor girls, I say, now struck with the force of truth, and
sorry for what they had done, let drop some tears, which trickled
down their cheeks, and were signs of meekness, and sorrow for
their fault. Not like those tears which burst from their swollen
eyes, when anger and hatred choked their words, and their proud
hearts laboured with stubbornness and folly; when their skins
reddened, and all their features were changed and distorted by the
violence of passion, which made them frightful to the beholders,
and miserable to themselves;-- No! Far other cause had they now
for tears, and far different were the tears they shed; their eyes,
melted with sorrow for their faults, let fall some drops, as
tokens of their repentance; but, as soon as they could recover
themselves to speak, they all with one voice cried out, 'Indeed,
Miss Jenny, we are sorry for our fault, and will follow your
advice; which we now see is owing to your goodness.'
Miss Jenny now produced a basket of apples, which she had
purchased out of the little pocket-money she was allowed, in order
to prove, that the same things may be a pleasure or a pain,
according as the persons to whom they are given are good or bad.
These she placed in the midst of her companions, and desired them
to eat, and enjoy themselves; and now they were so changed, that
each helped her next neighbour before she would touch any for
herself; and the moment they were grown thus good natured and
friendly, they were as well-bred, and as polite, as it is possible
to describe.
Miss Jenny's joy was inexpressible, that she had caused this happy
change; nor less was the joy of her companions, who now began to
taste pleasures, from which their animosity to each other had
hitherto debarred them. They all sat looking pleased on their
companions; their faces borrowed beauty from the calmness and
goodness of their minds; and all those ugly frowns, and all that
ill-natured sourness, which when they were angry and cross were
but too plain in their faces, were now entirely fled; jessamine
and honeysuckles surrounded their seats, and played round their
heads, of which they gathered nosegays to present each other with.
They now enjoyed all the pleasure and happiness that attend those
who are innocent and good.
Miss Jenny, with her heart overflowing with joy at this happy
change, said, 'Now, my dear companions, that you may be convinced
what I have said and done was not occasioned by any desire of
proving myself wiser than you, as Miss Sukey hinted while she was
yet in her anger, I will, if you please, relate to you the history
of my past life; by which you will see in what manner I came by
this way of thinking; and as you will perceive it was chiefly
owing to the instructions of a kind mamma, you may all likewise
reap the same advantage under good Mrs. Teachum, if you will obey
her commands, and attend to her precepts. And after I have given
you the particulars of my life, I must beg that every one of you
will, some day or other, when you have reflected upon it, declare
all that you can remember of your own; for, should you not be able
to relate anything worth remembering as an example, yet there is
nothing more likely to amend the future part of anyone's life,
than the recollecting and confessing the faults of the past.'
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