LETTER VI.
WILLIAM to his MOTHER.
To-morrow we go to the country-seat—what pleasure I shall have there! Charles has packed up a great many books to take with him; for we are both fond of reading. Our drawings and our pencils are not forgotten. Charles has drawn some landscapes from nature; and I will try to do a view of the house, and send it to you. I enclose you one of the town habitation. You must observe two windows on the left side of the house, I will mark them, your William sleeps in that room, pray look at it.
We are all glad to go to the country-seat, except Edward, he is displeased. I have been present at a conversation, which interested me. I will repeat it.
Do you know, said Emilia, that our dear Dr. Bartlett goes with us into the country? Yes, answered Charles, and I am glad of it. So am not I, grumbled Edward. And why? Because he is always reproving me. The reproofs of so wise a man as Dr. Bartlett are very useful, and then he speaks in such a mild voice, the very tone encourages me to hope that I may correct the faults he reproves: I am sorry but not hurt, said Charles. I thought at least I should be free for some time from learning that miserable Latin, continued Edward; but, no, we must write a theme every day, I suppose. I hope so, said Charles, and that will not be tiresome. But, Edward, have you nothing to pack up? I shall let the servants do that, answered he. The servants will have enough to do, said Emilia. Then they may go an hour later to bed. Poor servants, replied Emilia, they are tired and want sleep; besides, they must rise very early in the morning; you could spare them some trouble, and that would be a better employment than tormenting your dog. But he is my dog, snarled Edward. Yes, said Emilia, but the servants are not your servants nor mine. I need not your lessons, Madam.—Charles interrupted him, and took them both by the hand, and, turning to Edward, said, we have been taught from our infancy to think attendance a proof of weakness; and that we ought not to give the meanest of our fellow-creatures trouble when we can avoid it, if we desire to be truly great. Give me the business of the servant and you will oblige me.
Farewel, my dear mother, I will write as soon as I arrive at the country-seat.