The Governess [The Little Female Academy]

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All our little company highly approved of Miss Jenny's proposal,
and promised, in their turns, to relate their own lives; and Miss
Polly Suckling cried out, 'Yes indeed, Miss Jenny, I'll tell all
when it comes to my turn; so pray begin, for I long to hear what
you did, when you was no bigger than I am now.' Miss Jenny then
kissed little Polly, and said she would instantly begin.

But as in the reading of any one's story, it is an additional
pleasure to have some acquaintance with their persons; and as I
delight in giving my little readers every pleasure that is in my
power; I shall endeavour, as justly as I can, by description, to
set before their eyes the picture of this good young creature:
and in the same of every one of our young company, as they begin
their lives.

THE DESCRIPTION OF MISS JENNY PEACE.

Miss Jenny Peace was just turned of fourteen, and could be called
neither tall nor short of her age; but her whole person was the
most agreeable that can be imagined. She had an exceeding fine
complexion, with as much colour in her cheeks as is the natural
effect of perfect health. Her hair was light brown, and curled in
so regular and yet easy a manner, as never to want any assistance
from art. Her eyebrows (which were not of that correct turn as to
look as if they were drawn with a pencil) and her eyelashes were
both darker than her hair; and the latter being very long, gave
such a shade to her eyes as made them often mistaken for black,
though they were only a dark hazel. To give any description of
her eyes beyond the colour and size, which was perfectly the
medium, would be impossible; except by saying they were expressive
of everything that is amiable and good; for through them might be
read every single thought of the mind; from whence they had such a
brightness and cheerfulness, as seemed to cast a lustre over her
whole face. She had fine teeth, and a mouth answering to the most
correct rules of beauty; and when she spoke (though you were at
too great a distance to hear what she said) there appeared so much
sweetness, mildness, modesty and good nature, that you found
yourself filled more with pleasure than admiration in beholding
her. The delight which everyone took in looking on Miss Jenny was
evident in this, that though Miss Sukey Jennett and Miss Patty
Lockit were both what may be called handsomer girls (and if you
asked any persons in company their opinion, they would tell you
so) yet their eyes were a direct contradiction to their tongues,
by being continually fixed on Miss Jenny; for, while she was in
the room, it was impossible to fix them anywhere else. She had a
natural ease and gentility in her shape; and all her motions were
more pleasing, though less striking than what is commonly acquired
by the instruction of dancing masters.

Such was the agreeable person of Miss Jenny Peace, who, in her
usual obliging manner, and with an air pleasing beyond my power to
express, at the request of her companions began to relate the
history of her life, as follows:

THE LIFE OF MISS JENNY PEACE.

'My father dying when I was but half a year old, I was left to the
care of my mamma, who was the best woman in the world, and to
whose memory I shall ever pay the most grateful honour. From the
time she had any children, she made it the whole study of her life
to promote their welfare, and form their minds in the manner she
thought would best answer her purpose of making them both good and
happy; for it was her constant maxim, that goodness and happiness
dwelt in the same bosoms, and were generally found to life so much
together, that they could not easily be separated.

'My mother had six children born alive; but could preserve none
beyond the first year, except my brother, Harry Peace, and myself.
She made it one of her chief cares to cultivate and preserve the
most perfect love and harmony between us. My brother is but a
twelvemonth older than I; so that, till I was six years old (for
seven was the age in which he was sent to school) he remained at
home with me; in which time we often had little childish quarrels;
but my mother always took care to convince us of our error in
wrangling and fighting about nothing, and to teach us how much
more pleasure we enjoyed whilst we agreed. She showed no
partiality to either, but endeavoured to make us equal in all
things, any otherwise than that she taught me I owed a respect to
my brother as the eldest.

'Before my brother went to school, we had set hours appointed us,
in which we regularly attended to learn whatever was thought
necessary for our improvement; my mamma herself daily watching the
opening of our minds, and taking great care to instruct us in what
manner to make the best use of the knowledge we attained.
Whatever we read she explained to us, and made us understand, that
we might be the better for our lessons. When we were capable of
thinking, we made it so much a rule to obey our parent, the moment
she signified her pleasure, that by that means we avoided many
accidents and misfortunes; for example: my brother was running
one day giddily round the brink of a well; and if he had made the
least false step, he must have fallen to the bottom, and been
drowned; my mamma, by a sign with her finger that called him to
her, preserved him from the imminent danger he was in of losing
his life; and then she took care that we should both be the better
for this little incident, by laying before us how much our safety
and happiness, as well as our duty, were concerned in being
obedient.

'My brother and I once had a quarrel about something as trifling
as your apple of contention; and, though we both heartily wished
to be reconciled to each other, yet did our little hearts swell so
much with stubbornness and pride, that neither of us would speak
first; by which means we were so silly as to be both uneasy, and
yet would not use the remedy that was in our own power to remove
that uneasiness. My mamma found it out, and sent for me into her
closet, and said, "She was sorry to see her instructions had no
better effect on me; for," continued she, "indeed, Jenny, I am
ashamed of your folly, as well as wickedness, in thus contending
with your brother" A tear, which I believe flowed from shame,
started from my eyes at this reproof; and I fixed them on the
ground, being too much overwhelmed with confusion to dare to lift
them up on mamma. On which she kindly said, "She hoped my
confusion was a sign of my amendment. That she might indeed have
used another method, by commanding me to seek a reconciliation
with my brother; for she did not imagine I was already so far gone
in perverseness, as not to hold her commands as inviolable; but
she was willing, for my good, first to convince me of my folly."
As soon as my confusion would give me leave to speak, on my knees
I gave her a thousand thanks for her goodness, and went
immediately to seek my brother. He joyfully embraced the first
opportunity of being reconciled to me; and this was one of the
pleasantest hours of my life. This quarrel happened when my
brother came home at a breaking-up, and I was nine years old.

'My mamma's principal care was to keep up a perfect amity between
me and my brother. I remember once, when Harry and I were playing
in the fields, there was a small rivulet stopped me in my way. My
brother, being nimbler and better able to jump than myself, with
one spring leaped over, and left me on the other side of it; but
seeing me uneasy that I could not get over to him, his good nature
prompted him to come back and to assist me; and, by the help of
his hand, I easily passed over. On this my good mamma bid me
remember how much my brother's superior strength might assist me
in his being my protector; and that I ought to return to use my
utmost endeavours to oblige him; and that then we should be mutual
assistants to each other throughout life. Thus everything that
passed was made use of to improve my understanding and amend my
heart.

'I believe no child ever spent her time more agreeably than I did;
for I not only enjoyed my own pleasures, but also those of others.
And when my brother was carried abroad, and I was left at home,
that HE was pleased, made me full amends for the loss of any
diversion. the contentions between us (where our parent's
commands did not interfere) were always exerted in endeavours each
to prefer the other's pleasures to our own. My mind was easy and
free from anxiety; for as I always took care to speak truth, I had
nothing to conceal from my mamma, and consequently had never any
fears of being found in a lie. For one lie obliges us to tell a
thousand others to conceal it; and I have no notion of any
conditions being so miserable, as to live in a continual fear of
detection. Most particularly, my mamma instructed me to beware of
all sorts of deceit; so that I was accustomed, not only in words
to speak truth, but also not to endeavour by any means to deceive.

'But though the friendship between my brother and me was so
strongly cultivated, yet we were taught, that lying for each
other, or praising each other when it was not deserved, was not
only a fault, but a very great crime; for this, my mamma used to
tell us, was not love, but hatred; as it was encouraging one
another in folly and wickedness. And though my natural
disposition inclined me to be very tender of everything in my
power, yet was I not suffered to give way even to THIS in an
unreasonable degree. One instance of which I remember.

'When I was about eleven years old, I had a cat that I had bred up
from a little kitten, that used to play round me, till I had
indulged for the poor animal a fondness that made me delight to
have it continually with me wherever I went; and, in return for my
indulgence, the cat seemed to have changed its nature, and assumed
the manner that more properly belongs to dogs than cats; for it
would follow me about the house and gardens, mourn for my absence,
and rejoice at my presence. And, what was very remarkable, the
poor animal would, when fed by my hand, lose that caution which
cats are known to be possessed of, and eat whatever I gave it, as
if it could reflect that I meant only its good, and no harm could
come from me.

'I was at last so accustomed to see this little Frisk (for so I
called it) playing round me, that I seemed to miss part of myself
in its absence. But one day the poor little creature followed me
to the door; when a parcel of schoolboys coming by, one of them
catched her up in his arms, and ran away with her. All my cries
were to no purpose; for he was out of sight with her in a moment,
and there was no method to trace his steps. The cruel wretches,
for sport, as they called it, hunted it the next day from one to
the other, in the most barbarous manner; till at last it took
shelter in that house that used to be its protection, and came and
expired at my feet.

'I was so struck with the sight of the little animal dying in that
manner, that the great grief of my heart overflowed at my eyes,
and I was for some time inconsolable.

'My indulgent mamma comforted without blaming me, till she thought
I had sufficient time to vent my grief; and then, sending for me
into her chamber, spoke as follows:

'"Jenny, I have watched you ever since the death of your little
favourite cat; and have been in hopes daily, that your lamenting
and melancholy on that account would be at an end. But I find you
still persist in grieving, as if such a loss was irreparable.
Now, though I have always encouraged you in all sentiments of good
nature and compassion; and am sensible, that where those
sentiments are strongly implanted, they will extend their
influence even to the least animal; yet you are to consider, my
child, that you are not to give way to any passions that interfere
with your duty; for whenever there is any contention between your
duty and your inclinations, you must conquer the latter, or become
wicked and contemptible. If, therefore, you give way to this
melancholy, how will you be able to perform your duty towards me,
in cheerfully obeying my commands,and endeavouring, by your lively
prattle and innocent gaiety of heart, to be my companion and
delight? Nor will you be fit to converse with your brother, whom
(as you lost your good papa when you were too young to know that
loss) I have endeavoured to educate in such a manner, that I hope
he will be a father to you, if you deserve his love and
protection. In short, if you do not keep command enough of
yourself to prevent being ruffled by every accident, you will be
unfit for all the social offices of life, and be despised by all
those whose regard and love are worth your seeking. I treat you,
my girl, as capable of considering what is for your own good; for
though you are but eleven years of age, yet I hope the pains I
have taken in explaining all you read, and in answering all your
questions in search of knowledge, has not been so much thrown
away, but that you are more capable of judging, than those unhappy
children are, whose parents have neglected to instruct them. And
therefore, farther to enforce what I say, remember, that repining
at any accident that happens to you, is an offence to that God to
whom I have taught you daily to pray for all the blessings you can
receive, and to whom you are to return humble thanks for every
blessing.

'"I expect therefore, Jenny, that you now dry up your tears, and
resume your usual cheerfulness. I do not doubt but your obedience
to me will make you at least put on the appearance of cheerfulness
in my sight. But you will deceive yourself, if you think that is
performing your duty; for if you would obey me as you ought, you
must try heartily to root from your mind all sorrow and
gloominess. You may depend upon it, this command is in your power
to obey; for you know I never require anything of you that is
impossible."

'After my mamma had made this speech, she went out to take a walk
in the garden, and left me to consider of what she had said.

'The moment I came to reflect seriously, I found it was indeed in
my power to root all melancholy from my heart, when I considered
it was necessary, in order to perform my duty to God, to obey the
best of mothers, and to make myself a blessing and a cheerful
companion to her, rather than a burden, and the cause of her
uneasiness, by my foolish melancholy.

'This little accident, as managed by my mamma, has been a lesson
to me in governing my passions ever since.

'It would be endless to repeat all the methods this good mother
invented for my instruction, amendment, and improvement. It is
sufficient to acquaint you, that she contrived that every new day
should open to me some new scene of knowledge; and no girl could
be happier than I was during her life. But, alas! when I was
thirteen years of age, the scene changed. My dear mamma was taken
ill of a scarlet fever. I attended her day and night whilst she
lay ill, my eyes starting with tears to see her in that condition;
and yet I did not dare to give my sorrows vent, for fear of
increasing her pain.'

Here a trickling tear stole from Miss Jenny's eyes. She
suppressed some rising sobs that interrupted her speech, and was
about to proceed in her story, when, casting her eyes on her
companions, she saw her sorrow had such an effect upon them all,
that there was not one of her hearers who could refrain from
shedding a sympathising tear. She therefore thought it was more
strictly following her mamma's precepts to pass this part of her
story in silence, rather than to grieve her friends; and having
wiped away her tears, she hastened to conclude her story; which
she did as follows:

'After my mamma's death, my Aunt Newman, my father's sister, took
the care of me; but being obliged to go to Jamaica, to settle some
affairs relating to an estate she is possessed of there, she took
with her my Cousin Harriet, her only daughter, and left me under
the care of the good Mrs. Teachum till her return. And since I
have been here, you all know as much of my history as I do
myself.'

As Miss Jenny spoke these words, the bell summoned them to supper
into the presence of their governess, who having narrowly watched
their looks ever since the fray, had hitherto plainly perceived,
that though they did not dare to break out again into an open
quarrel, yet their hearts had still harboured unkind thoughts of
one another. She was surprised NOW, as she stood at a window in
the hall that overlooked the garden, to see all her scholars walk
towards her hand in hand, with such cheerful countenances, as
plainly showed their inward good humour. And as she thought
proper to mention to them her pleasure in seeing them thus
altered, Miss Jenny Peace related to her governess all that had
passed in the arbour, with their general reconciliation. Mrs.
Teachum gave Miss Jenny all the applause due to her goodness,
saying, she herself had only waited a little while, to see if
their anger would subside, and love take its place in their
bosoms, without her interfering again; for THAT she certainly
should otherwise have done, to have brought about what Miss Jenny
had so happily effected.

Miss Jenny thanked her governess for her kind approbation, and
said, that if she would give them leave, she would spend what time
she was pleased to allow them from school in this little arbour,
in reading stories, and such things as she should think a proper
and innocent amusement.

Mrs. Teachum not only gave leave, but very much approved of this
proposal; and desired Miss Jenny, as a reward for what she had
already done, to preside over these diversions, and to give her an
account in what manner they proceeded. Miss Jenny promised in all
things to be guided by good Mrs. Teachum. And now, soon after
supper, they retired to rest, free from those uneasy passions
which used to prevent their quiet; and as they had passed the day
in pleasure, at night they sunk in soft and sweet repose.

MONDAY.

THE FIRST DAY AFTER THEIR REPENTANCE; AND, CONSEQUENTLY, THE FIRST
DAY OF THE HAPPINESS OF MISS JENNY PEACE AND HER COMPANIONS.

Early in the morning, as soon as Miss Jenny arose, all her
companions flocked round her; for they now looked on her as the
best friend they had in the world; and they agreed, when they came
out of school, to adjourn into their arbour, and divert themselves
till dinner-time; which they accordingly did. When Miss Jenny
proposed, if it was agreeable to them to hear it, to read them a
story which she had put in her pocket for that purpose; and as
they now began to look upon her as the most proper person to
direct them in their amusements, they all replied, What was most
agreeable to her would please them best. She then began to read
the following story, with which we shall open their first day's
amusement.

THE STORY OF THE CRUEL GIANT BARBARICO, THE GOOD GIANT BENEFICO,
AND THE LITTLE PRETTY DWARF MIGNON.

A great many hundred years ago, the mountains of Wales were
inhabited by two giants; one of whom was the terror of all his
neighbours and the plague of the whole country. He greatly
exceeded the size of any giant recorded in history; and his eyes
looked so fierce and terrible, that they frightened all who were
so unhappy as to behold them.

The name of this enormous wretch was Barbarico. A name which
filled all who heard it with fear and astonishment. The whole
delight of this monster's life was in acts of inhumanity and
mischief; and he was the most miserable as well as the most wicked
creature that ever yet was born. He had no sooner committed one
outrage, but he was in agonies till he could commit another; never
satisfied, unless he could find an opportunity of either torturing
or devouring some innocent creature. And whenever he happened to
be disappointed in any of his malicious purposes, he would stretch
his immense bulk on the top of some high mountain, and groan, and
beat the earth, and bellow with such a hollow voice, that the
whole country heard and trembled at the sound.

The other giant, whose name was Benefico, was not so tall and
bulky as the hideous Barbarico. He was handsome, well
proportioned, and of a very good-natured turn of mind. His
delight was no less in acts of goodness and benevolence than the
other's was in cruelty and mischief. His constant care was to
endeavour if possible to repair the injuries committed by this
horrid tyrant, which he had sometimes an opportunity of doing; for
though Barbarico was much larger and stronger than Benefico, yet
his coward mind was afraid to engage with him, and always shunned
a meeting; leaving the pursuit of any prey, if he himself was
pursued by Benefico: nor could the good Benefico trust farther to
this coward spirit of his base adversary, than only to make the
horrid creature fly; for he well knew that a close engagement
might make him desperate; and fatal to himself might be the
consequence of such a brutal desperation; therefore he prudently
declined any attempt to destroy this cruel monster, till he should
gain some sure advantage over him.

It happened on a certain day, that as the inhuman Barbarico was
prowling along the side of a craggy mountain overgrown with
brambles and briery thickets, taking most horrid strides, rolling
his ghastly eyes around in quest of human blood, and having his
breast tortured with inward rage and grief, that he had been so
unhappy as to live one whole day without some act of violence, he
beheld, in a pleasant valley at a distance, a little rivulet
winding its gentle course through rows of willows mixed with
flowery shrubs. Hither the giant hasted; and being arrived, he
gazed about to see if in this sweet retirement any were so unhappy
as to fall within his power; but finding none, the disappointment
set him in a flame of rage, which, burning like an inward furnace,
parched his throat. And now he laid him down on the bank, to try
if in the cool stream, that murmured as it flowed, he could
assuage or slack the fiery thirst that burnt within him.

He bent him down to drink; and at the same time casting his
baleful eyes towards the opposite side, he discovered within a
little natural arbour formed by the branches of a spreading tree,
within the meadow's flowery lawn, the shepherd Fidus and his loved
Amata.

The gloomy tyrant no sooner perceived this happy pair, than his
heart exulted with joy; and, suddenly leaping up on the ground, he
forgot his thirst, and left the stream untasted. He stood for a
short space to view them in their sweet retirement; and was soon
convinced that, in the innocent enjoyment of reciprocal affection,
their happiness was complete. His eyes, inflamed with envy to
behold such bliss, darted a fearful glare; and his breast swelling
with malice and envenomed rage, he with gigantic pace approached
their peaceful seat.

The happy Fidus was at that time busy in entertaining his loved
Amata with a song which he had that very morning composed in
praise of constancy; and the giant was now within one stride of
them, when Amata, perceiving him, cried out in a trembling voice,
'Fly, Fidus, fly, or we are lost for ever; we are pursued by the
hateful Barbarico!' She had scarce uttered these words, when the
savage tyrant seized them by the waist n either hand, and holding
up to his nearer view, thus said: 'Speak, miscreants; and, if you
would avoid immediate death, tell me who you are, and whence
arises that tranquility of mind, which even at a distance was
visible in your behaviour.'

Poor Fidus, with looks that would have melted the hardest heart,
innocently replied, that they were wandering that way without
designing offence to any creature on earth. That they were
faithful lovers; and, with the consent of all their friends and
relations, were soon to be married; therefore he entreated him not
to part them.

The giant now no sooner perceived, from the last words of the
affrighted youth, what was most likely to give them the greatest
torment, than with a spiteful grin which made his horrible face
yet more horrible, and in a hollow voice, as loud as thunder, he
tauntingly cried out, 'Ho-hoh! You'd not be parted, would you?
For once I'll gratify thy will, and thou shalt follow this thy
whimpering fondling down my capatious maw.' So saying, he turned
his ghastly visage on the trembling Amata who, being now no longer
able to support herself under his cruel threats, fainted away, and
remained in his hand but as a lifeless corpse. When lifting up
his eyes towards the hill on the opposite side, he beheld Benefico
coming hastily towards him. This good giant having been that
morning informed that Barbarico was roaming in the mountains after
prey, left his peaceful castle, in hopes of giving protection to
whatever unfortunate creature should fall into the clutches of
this so cruel a monster.

Barbarico, at the sight of the friendly Benefico, started with
fear; for although in bulk and stature he was, as we have said,
the superior: yet that cowardice, which ever accompanies
wickedness, now wrought in him in such a manner that he could not
bear to confront him, well knowing the courage and fortitude that
always attend the good and virtuous; and therefore instantly
putting Fidus into the wallet that hung over his shoulder, he
flung the fainting Amata, whom he took to be quite expired, into
the stream that ran hard by, and fled to his cave, not daring once
to cast his eyes behind him.

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