<h2>CHAP. XVIII.<br/> <i>Visit to the School-mistress.—True and false Pride.</i></h2>
<p>Their dress was soon adjusted, and
the girls plucked flowers to adorn
themselves, and a nosegay to present to the
school-mistress, whose garden was but small.</p>
<p>They met the children just released from
confinement; the swarm came humming
round Mrs. Mason, endeavouring to catch
her eye, and obtain the notice they were so
proud of. The girls made their best curtsies,
blushing; and the boys hung down
their heads, and kicked up the dust, in
scraping a bow of respect.</p>
<p>They found their mistress preparing to
drink tea, to refresh herself after the toils
of the day; and, with the ease peculiar to
well-bred people, she quickly enabled them
to partake of it, by giving the tea-board a
more sociable appearance.</p>
<p>The harvest-home was soon the subject
of conversation, and the harper was mentioned.
The family pride of the Welsh,
said Anna, has often diverted me; I have
frequently heard the inhabitants of a little
hut, that could scarcely be distinguished
from the pig-sty, which stood in the front
of it, boast of their ancestors and despise
trade. They have informed me, that one
branch of their family built the middle aisle
of the church; that another beautified the
chancel, and gave the ten commandments,
which blaze there in letters of gold. Some
rejoice that their forefathers sleep in the
most conspicuous tombs, and that their
ashes have an inscription to point out where
they are returning to their mother earth.
And those graves, which only a little stone
at the head gives consequence to, are adorned
every Sunday with flowers or ever-greens.
We perceive, in all the various customs of
men, a desire to live in the past and in the
future, if I may be allowed the expression.</p>
<p>Mrs. Mason then observed, that of all
the species of pride which carry a man out
of himself, family pride was the most beneficial
to society. Pride of wealth produces
vanity and ostentation; but that of blood
seems to inspire high notions of honour,
and to banish meanness. Yet it is productive
of many ill consequences, the most obvious
is, that it renders individuals respectable
to the generality, whose merit is only
reflected: and sometimes the want of this
accidental advantage throws the most shining
personal virtues and abilities into obscurity.
In weak minds this pride degenerates
into the most despicable folly; and the
wise will not condescend to accept of fame
at second-hand, replied Anna. We ought
to be proud of our original, but we should
trace it to our Heavenly Father, who
breathed into us the breath of life.—We
are his children when we try to resemble
Him, when we are convinced that truth
and goodness must constitute the very essence
of the soul; and that the pursuit of
them will produce happiness, when the vain
distinctions of mortals will fade away, and
their pompous escutcheons moulder with
more vulgar dust! But remember, my
young friends, virtue is immortal; and
goodness arises from a quick perception of
truth, and actions conformable to the conviction.</p>
<p>Different subjects beguiled the time, till
the closing evening admonished them to return
home; and they departed reluctantly,
filled with respect.</p>
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