Mary Wollstonecraft's Original Stories

all Duties.-History of L

her that they were ashamed of themselves. It was one of Mrs. Mason's rules, when they offended her, that is, behaved improper

old. Nay, look up, for I wish to see you blush; and the confusion which I perceive in your faces gives me pleasure; because it convinces me

nother believe what they ought not to believe, are lies, and of the worst kind; because the contrivance aggravates the guilt. I would much sooner forgive a lie told

enquir

: but, if you consider a moment, you must recollect, that the Search

hom you have received life and all its blessings, to screen yourselves from correction or reproof, or, wh

y use the word Honour. Honour consists in respecting yourself; in d

ary to consider what you intend to say, when you have done right. Always determine, on every occasion, to speak the truth, and you will never be at a loss for words. If your character for this scrupulous attention is once fixed, your acquaintance will be courted; and tho

nd this observance keeping my head clear and my heart pure, I am

o drop from my tongue, that my heart does not dictate. And when I relate any matter of fact, I carefully avoid embellishing it, in order to render it a more entertaining story; not that I think such a practice absolutely criminal; but as

d conscience should always preside, to keep the heart steady. Many people make promises, and appointments, which they scruple not to break, if a more inviting pleasure occurs, not rememberin

ffered by the faults, or follies, I wish you to avoid; I will describe two chara

servants wore elegant liveries, and her own clothes suited the equipage. Her house is equal to her carriage; the rooms are lofty, and hung with silk; noble glasses and pictures adorn them: and the

use, wears the gayest clothes, and rides in that beautiful carriage, without feeling pleasure. Suspicion, and the cares it has given birth to, have wrinkled her countenance, an

ecting to discover the designs of her servants, none of whom she can trust; and in consequence of this anxiety her sleep is unsound, and her food tasteless. She walks in her paradise of a garden, and smells not the flo

r marrying her was to clear an incumbered estate. Her son, her only child, is undutiful; the p

ing scandalous tales, to bring others on a level with herself. Even those who resemble her are afraid of her;

urate's wife, who lives in yonder white house, close to the church; it is a small one, yet the woodbines and jessamins that twine about the windows give i

run under her apron, and she looks like the hen taking care of her young brood. The domestic animals play with the children, finding her a mild a

her the Gentlewoman; indeed every gesture shews an accomplished and dignified mind, that reli

neat parlour; some musical instruments stand in one

n books, speak the refinement of the owner, and the pleasures a c

kes clothes for her children, whom she teaches in the tenderest, and

ble in her little garden; there are several pretty seats in it, and t

r characters; listen to me whilst I relate in what manner these characters we

tories, when adding to those that had some foundation, was not sufficient to entertain the company. If she stole sweetmeats, or broke any thing, the cat, or the dog, was blamed, and the poor animals were

. She had received the most liberal education, and was in every respect the reverse of her cousin; who envied her merit, and could not bear to think of her divi

ld domestic, who was in consequence of it dismissed. Mrs. Trueman supported her, when she could not succeed in vindicating her, and suffer

n disappointed in his hopes of preferment. This last couple, in spite of their mutual disappointments, are contented with

emble what God Himself enjoys, whose truth and goodness produce a sublime d

the end. I never read such a pretty book; may I read it over again to Mrs. Trueman's little Fanny? Certainly, said Mrs. Mason, if you can make her understand that birds never talk. Go and r