Domestic Pleasures, or, the Happy Fire-side Part 1

Domestic pleasures.

by F. B. Vaux.

MY DEAR YOUNG READERS,

When I was a child, if a new book were given to me, I recollect, my first question invariably was:--"Is this true." If the answer were in the affirmative, the volume immediately a.s.sumed, in my eyes, a new value, and was perused with far greater interest than a story merely fict.i.tious. Now, as I am very desirous that you should take up this little volume with a prepossession in its favour, I must inform you, that the characters of the children here pourtrayed, are all _real_ characters. The little work was undertaken for the improvement of a family very dear to me, and was, during its progress, regarded by them as a faithful mirror, reflecting both their virtues and defects. You will find in it, among other subjects, a slight sketch of the early part of the Roman history; but you must not suppose, that in offering it to you, I mean my little book to supersede the more detailed accounts that are usually put into the hands of children. I have often found, that even when a volume has been read entirely through, very few of the facts have made any deep impression on the youthful mind; and the improvement to be derived from those facts, is still more completely overlooked.

This I discovered to be the case with my little friends: they had read the Roman history, and I had hoped that they had read it attentively; but upon questioning them afterwards, even upon some leading events, I found them exceedingly deficient in information. This suggested to me the idea of the following little volume. I recommended them to begin again the perusal of the Roman history; to take notes as they proceeded, and write, from them, an abridgment for themselves; promising that I would do the same, and give my ma.n.u.script to the one who should most deserve it. They were pleased with the plan, and regularly brought their little productions, once a fortnight, for my inspection. I, at the same time, read them mine. They soon discovered in it their own characters, delineated under fict.i.tious names, and took a still more lively interest in their task. By the time I had completed the regal government of Rome, I found my ma.n.u.script had attained a considerable size; I therefore had it neatly bound, and as Emily and Louisa equally deserved the prize, they drew lots, and it fell to the former. Several young persons who had perused the little work, united in begging it might be printed, that they also might have it in their libraries. This, my dear young readers, is the origin of DOMESTIC PLEASURES.

The conversations recorded in the following pages, are chiefly such as have, at different times, taken place between my little friends and myself. I sincerely wish you may derive, not only amus.e.m.e.nt, but instruction, from the transcript; and that it may convince you, no pleasures are so pure as _domestic pleasures_; no society so delightful, as that experienced in the affectionate intercourse of parents and children, by a _happy fire-side_.

FRANCES BOWYER VAUX.

The Persons.

MR. AND MRS. BERNARD.

EMILY, aged _Fifteen_.

CHARLES, _Fourteen_.

EDWARD, _Twelve_.

LOUISA, _Ten_.

FERDINAND, _Seven_.

SOPHY, _Five_.

DOMESTIC PLEASURES.

CONVERSATION I.

The rain came down in torrents, and beat violently against the parlour windows, whilst a keen autumnal blast made the children shiver, even by the side of a good fire. Their little hearts glowed with grat.i.tude, when they reflected on their happy lot, sheltered from the bitter wind and driving sleet; and contrasted it with that of many miserable little beings, who were, no doubt, exposed, at that very moment, to the pitiless raging of the storm.

"Ah, mamma," said Ferdinand, a little boy of seven years old, "how I feel for those poor children who have no home to shelter them, and no fire to warm their cold hands. I often think of them, and it reminds me of the hymn I learned some time ago.

"Not more than others I deserve, Yet G.o.d hath given me more; For I have food whilst others starve, Or beg from door to door."

"I am glad to find that you can feel for others in distress, my boy,"

said Mrs. Bernard; "and hope you will each, my dear children, cultivate that benevolent affection called compa.s.sion, which enables us to enter into the distresses of others, and feel for them, in worse measure, as we do for ourselves. But we must not rest satisfied with only pitying their sorrows; as far as lies in our power, it is our duty to relieve them."

"That would be delightful indeed, mamma," said Ferdinand; "but what can such children as we are, do towards a.s.sisting our fellow creatures?--at least, such a little boy a I am. I thought it was only men and women, who could do good to others by their charity and benevolence."

His mother endeavoured to explain to him, that, although he might not at present be able to do any very extensive good to society, still the attempt to be useful, as far as lay in his power, would improve his own disposition; in which case his efforts would not be thrown away; and that, although he was so young, he might, nevertheless, be serviceable, in some degree, to his poorer neighbours. "And it would be very silly, my boy," added she, "to abstain from making the trial, merely because you could not do all the good you wished."

Ferdinand quite agreed with his mother, and the rest of the children cordially united in his wish to render themselves useful; but how to effect their purpose was the next consideration. Mrs. Bernard had taught her boys to net and knit, together with several other employments of the same kind. These occupations, she found, had the excellent effect of completely fixing their wandering attention, whilst she read to them, which she was daily in the practice of doing.

Ferdinand was the first to recollect that he could plat straw for a hat, which, he had no doubt, Emily and Louisa would afterwards sew together for him.

_Louisa_. Oh, yes, that we will most willingly, Ferdinand. But let us think what we can do, Emily: we might make a great many things, you know, because we can do all sorts of work.

_Emily_. Very true, Louisa: the chief difficulty will be to procure materials for the exercise of our abilities. I have several things that I shall not wear again; these, if mamma has no objection, might, I think, be converted to very useful purposes.

_Mrs. B._ You have my free permission, my dear girl, to exert all your ingenuity upon them.

Edward said, he had just thought of an employment for himself, which he hoped would please Ferdinand. "A few days ago," added he, "when I was drinking tea with my aunt, she was making gloves of fine white cotton, with a little ivory instrument hooked at the end; now, if I use worsted instead of cotton, I think I shall make some nice warm gloves, which will do instead of fire, to keep the poor children's hands warm; and I can knit stockings for them too, so that I do not think any one of us need be idle."

_Louisa._ And then our prize-money--that may be set apart to purchase materials for more clothes, when the stock we have on hand is all used.

May it not, mamma?

_Mrs. B._ It is an excellent scheme, my dear Louisa, and, as a reward for suggesting it, you shall make the box to hold your treasure, provided you will take pains, and endeavour to do it as neatly as you can.

_Ferdinand._ And make it strong too, Lousia, for I expect it will soon be full. I shall be more anxious than ever to get a prize now.

_Louisa._ I have been thinking what I shall put upon the box as a motto.

Ought it not to have one, mamma?

_Mrs. B._ By all means, my dear; but it must be something appropriate.

What do you propose, Louisa?

_Louisa._ I was thinking of painting a little wreath of flowers, and writing very neatly in the middle, "Charity is kind."

_Mr. B._ A very well-chosen motto, Louisa. I am delighted to witness your benevolent dispositions, my beloved children. Make haste and sit down to your respective employments. In the mean time, I will hasten and finish my business in the counting-house, that I may enjoy your company this evening.

_All._ Thank you, dear papa.

While Mr. Bernard was absent, the children were all busily employed, preparing for their new occupations, and had just taken their seats before a cheerful fire, when their father re-entered the room.

_Mr. B._ Well, what all seated?

_Louisa._ Yes, papa, we made great haste, that we might be ready for you when you came in. Are we to read to-night, or will you be so kind as to talk to us?

_Mr. B._ Suppose you talk to me a little, Louisa. Tell me what you have been reading with your mother to-day.

_Louisa._ Emily would tell you best, papa; but if you wish to hear me, I will give you as good an account as I can.

_Mr. B._ To do your best, is all that can be expected of you, my dear.

Remember to speak very distinctly.

_Louisa._ We began the Roman history, and read as far as the deaths of Romulus. n.o.body saw him die, and so--

_Mr. B._ Stop, stop--not so fast, recollect, you have not yet told me who Romulus was.