The Governess [57]
me to speak my sentiments freely, I think by what happened to each character in this play, the author intended to prove what my good mamma first taught me, and what you, madam, since have so strongly confirmed me in; namely, that folly, wickedness, and misery, all three, as constantly dwell together, as wisdom, virtue, and happiness do.'
''Tis very true (answered Mrs. Teachum); but this moral does not arise only from the happy turn in favour of the virtuous characters in the conclusion of the play, but is strongly inculcated, as you see all along, in the peace of mind that attends the virtuous, even in the midst of oppression and distress, while the event is yet doubtful, and apparently against them; and, on the contrary, in the confusion of mind which the vicious are tormented with, even whilst they falsely imagine themselves triumphant.'
Mrs. Teachum then taking the book out of Miss Jenny's hands, and turning to the passage, said, 'How does Lady Brumpton show us the wretched condition of her own mind, when she says,
'"How miserable 'tis to have one one hates always about one! And when one can't endure one's own reflections upon some actions, who can bear the thoughts of another upon them?"
'Then with what perturbation of mind does she proceed, to wish it was in her power to increase her wickedness, without making use enough of her understanding, to see that by that means she would but increase her own misery.
'On the other hand, what a noble figure does Lord Hardy make, when, by this wicked woman's contrivances, he thinks himself disinherited of his whole fortune, ill-treated, and neglected by a father, he never had in thought offended! He could give an opportunity to a sincere friend, who would not flatter him, to say,
'No; you are, my lord, the extraordinary man, who, on the loss of an almost princely fortune, can be master of a temper that makes you the envy rather than pity, of your more fortunate, not more happy friends."
'This is a fine distinction between fortunate and happy; and intimates this happiness must dwell in the mind, and depends upon no outward accidents.
'Fortune, indeed, is a blessing, if properly used; which Camply shows, when by that means he can assist and relieve his worthy friend.
'With what advantage does Lady Charlotte appear over her sister, when the latter is trifling and dancing before the glass, and the former says,
'"If I am at first so silly as to be a little taken with myself, I know it is a fault, and take pains to correct it."
'And on Lady Harriet's saying, very giddily, that it was too soon for her to think at that rate, Lady Charlotte properly adds,
'"They that think it too soon to understand themselves, will very soon find it too late."
'In how ridiculous a light does Lady Harriet appear, while she is displaying all that foolish coquetry! And how different a figure does she make, when she has got the better of it?
'My Lady Brumpton, when alarmed with the least noise, breaks out into all the convulsive starts natural to conscious guilt.
'"Ha! what noise is that--that noise of fighting?--Run, I say.-- Whither are you going?--What, are you mad?--Will you leave me alone?--Can't you stir?--What, you can't take your message with you!--Whatever 'tis, I suppose you are not in the plot, not you-- nor that now they're breaking open my house for Charlotte--Not you.--Go see what's the matter, I say; I have nobody I can trust.-- One minute I think this wench honest, and the next false.-- Whither shall I turn me?"
'This is a picture of the confused, the miserable mind of a close, malicious, cruel, designing woman, as Lady Brumpton was, and as Lady Harriet very properly calls her.
'Honesty and faithfulness shine forth in all their lustre, in the good old Trusty. We follow him throughout with anxious wishes for his success, and tears of joy for his tenderness. And when he finds that he is likely to come at the whole truth, and to save his lord from being deceived and betrayed into unjustly ruining his noble son, you may remember that he makes
''Tis very true (answered Mrs. Teachum); but this moral does not arise only from the happy turn in favour of the virtuous characters in the conclusion of the play, but is strongly inculcated, as you see all along, in the peace of mind that attends the virtuous, even in the midst of oppression and distress, while the event is yet doubtful, and apparently against them; and, on the contrary, in the confusion of mind which the vicious are tormented with, even whilst they falsely imagine themselves triumphant.'
Mrs. Teachum then taking the book out of Miss Jenny's hands, and turning to the passage, said, 'How does Lady Brumpton show us the wretched condition of her own mind, when she says,
'"How miserable 'tis to have one one hates always about one! And when one can't endure one's own reflections upon some actions, who can bear the thoughts of another upon them?"
'Then with what perturbation of mind does she proceed, to wish it was in her power to increase her wickedness, without making use enough of her understanding, to see that by that means she would but increase her own misery.
'On the other hand, what a noble figure does Lord Hardy make, when, by this wicked woman's contrivances, he thinks himself disinherited of his whole fortune, ill-treated, and neglected by a father, he never had in thought offended! He could give an opportunity to a sincere friend, who would not flatter him, to say,
'No; you are, my lord, the extraordinary man, who, on the loss of an almost princely fortune, can be master of a temper that makes you the envy rather than pity, of your more fortunate, not more happy friends."
'This is a fine distinction between fortunate and happy; and intimates this happiness must dwell in the mind, and depends upon no outward accidents.
'Fortune, indeed, is a blessing, if properly used; which Camply shows, when by that means he can assist and relieve his worthy friend.
'With what advantage does Lady Charlotte appear over her sister, when the latter is trifling and dancing before the glass, and the former says,
'"If I am at first so silly as to be a little taken with myself, I know it is a fault, and take pains to correct it."
'And on Lady Harriet's saying, very giddily, that it was too soon for her to think at that rate, Lady Charlotte properly adds,
'"They that think it too soon to understand themselves, will very soon find it too late."
'In how ridiculous a light does Lady Harriet appear, while she is displaying all that foolish coquetry! And how different a figure does she make, when she has got the better of it?
'My Lady Brumpton, when alarmed with the least noise, breaks out into all the convulsive starts natural to conscious guilt.
'"Ha! what noise is that--that noise of fighting?--Run, I say.-- Whither are you going?--What, are you mad?--Will you leave me alone?--Can't you stir?--What, you can't take your message with you!--Whatever 'tis, I suppose you are not in the plot, not you-- nor that now they're breaking open my house for Charlotte--Not you.--Go see what's the matter, I say; I have nobody I can trust.-- One minute I think this wench honest, and the next false.-- Whither shall I turn me?"
'This is a picture of the confused, the miserable mind of a close, malicious, cruel, designing woman, as Lady Brumpton was, and as Lady Harriet very properly calls her.
'Honesty and faithfulness shine forth in all their lustre, in the good old Trusty. We follow him throughout with anxious wishes for his success, and tears of joy for his tenderness. And when he finds that he is likely to come at the whole truth, and to save his lord from being deceived and betrayed into unjustly ruining his noble son, you may remember that he makes