CHAP. XX.
Viſit to Mrs. Trueman.—The Uſe of Accompliſhments.—Virtue the Soul of all.
IN the afternoon they viſited Mrs. Trueman unexpectedly, and found her ſitting in the garden playing to her children, who danced on the green ſod. She approached to receive them, and laid aſide her guitar; but, after ſome converſation, Mrs. Maſon deſired her to take it up again, and the girls joined in the requeſt. While ſhe was ſinging Mary whiſpered Mrs. Maſon, that ſhe would give the world to be able to ſing as well. The whiſper was not ſo low but a part of it reached Mrs. Trueman's ears, who ſaid to her, ſmiling, my young friend,
you value accompliſhments much too highly—they may give grace to virtue, but are nothing without ſolid worth. Indeed, I may ſay more, for any thing like perfection in the arts cannot be attained, where a reliſh, nay, a delight in what is true and noble is wanting. A ſuperficial obſerver may be pleaſed with a picture in which fine colours predominate; and quick movements in muſic may tickle the ear, though they never reach the heart: but it is the ſimple ſtrain which affection animates, that we liſten to with intereſt and delight. Mr. Trueman has a taſte for the fine arts; and I wiſh in every thing to be his companion. His converſation has improved my judgment, and the affection an intimate knowledge of his virtues has inſpired, increaſes the love which I feel for the whole human race. He lives retired from the world; to amuſe him after the buſineſs of the day is over, and my babes aſleep, I ſing to him. A deſire to pleaſe, and the pleaſure I read in his eyes, give to my muſic energy and tenderneſs. When he is ruffled by worldly cares, I try to ſmooth his wrinkled brow, and think mine a voice of melody, when it has had that effect.
Very true, replied Mrs. Maſon, accompliſhments ſhould be cultivated to render us pleaſing to our domeſtic friends; virtue is neceſſary; it muſt ever be the foundation of our peace and uſefulneſs; but when we are capable of affection, we wiſh to have ſomething peculiar to ourſelves. We ſtudy the taſte of our friends, and endeavour to conform to it; but, in doing ſo, we ought rather to improve our own abilities than ſervilely to copy theirs. Obſerve, my dear girls, Mrs. Trueman's diſtinction, her accompliſhments are for her friends, her virtues for the world in general.
I ſhould think myſelf vain, and my ſoul little, anſwered Mrs. Trueman, if the applauſe of the whole world, on the ſcore of abilities, which did not add any real luſtre to my character, could afford me matter of exultation. The approbation of my own heart, the humble hope of pleaſing the Moſt High, elevates my ſoul; and I feel, that in a future ſtate, I may enjoy an unſpeakable degree of happineſs, though I now only experience a faint foretaſte. Next to theſe ſublime emotions, which I cannot deſcribe, and the joy reſulting from doing good, I am happy when I can amuſe thoſe I love; it is not then vanity, but tenderneſs, that ſpurs me on, and my ſongs, my drawings, my every action, has ſomething of my heart in it. When I can add to the innocent enjoyments of my children, and improve them at the ſame time, are not my accompliſhments of uſe? In the ſame ſtyle, when I vary the pleaſures of my fire-ſide, I make my huſband forget that it is a lonely one; and he returns to look for elegance at home, elegance that he himſelf gave the poliſh to; and which is only affected, when it does not flow from virtuous affections.
I beg your pardon, I expatiate too long on my favourite topic; my deſire to rectify your notions muſt plead my excuſe.
Mr. Trueman now joined them, and brought with him ſome of his fineſt fruit. After tea Mrs. Trueman ſhewed them ſome of her drawings; and, to comply with their repeated requeſt, played on the harpſichord, and Mr. Trueman took his violin to accompany her. Then the children were indulged with a dance, each had her favourite tune played in turn.
As they returned home, the girls were eagerly laviſhing praiſes on Mrs. Trueman; and Mary ſaid, I cannot tell why, but I feel ſo glad when ſhe takes notice of me. I never ſaw any one look ſo good-natured, cried Caroline. Mrs. Maſon joined in the converſation. You juſtly remarked that ſhe is good-natured; you remember her hiſtory, ſhe loves truth, and ſhe is ever exerciſing benevolence and love. From the inſect, that ſhe avoids treading on, her affection may be traced to that Being who lives for ever. And it is from her goodneſs her agreeable qualities ſpring.