modest, well

young lady.

judiced female to the profession; and finally, That of a will not be at any trouble themselves, that there disposed are only two considerations left: the engaging of a half-bred nursery maid, to act as governess under masters, and so ourselves slaughter the unfortunate victim; or the sending it to school, where among the thirty thousand said to be in, and round London, and the hundreds in other or a good parts of England, we may find some conducted upon principles of rectitude and piety.

school.

To

26

offered to go

TO PRIVATE GOVERNESSES.

IN the foregoing pages, I have endeavoured to point out those who assume the title of governess, without having the least pretension whatever. To such I do not now address myself. Them I advise, as a friend, to follow a mode of life in which they may meet with respect and success, which they never can hope to obtain by imposing themselves upon their employers A few remarks for what they really are not. To you, my friends, (particularly young ones) and partners in our important concern, whose exertions tend to promote the comforts of the rising generation in this world, and to ensure the happiness of it in the next; to you, do I presume to offer a few scattered remarks, founded upon experience, on the particular station of life in which the Almighty has, of his divine will, been pleased to place you.

vernesses.

Supposing they have ei

educated or

Educated, as I must suppose you to have been, upon noble and generous principles; cultivated as must be your minds by the perpetual ebb and ther been well flow of erudition, which your pupil requires at command; delicate as must be your feelings, from the quickness of perception so necessary to you with children; and softened and humanized as must be your manners, from having a continual

are well dis

posed and prepared.

guard

guard over every impulse; yet, considering the difficulties with which you have to contend, I should be inclined to pronounce your situation the most peculiar of any among British females.

Although, by the very nature of your profession, you are more immediately called upon to set a watch over your temper and feelings, yet I will assert, that, in more than a common degree are they sometimes provoked to rebel.

Their situapeculiarly ar

tion of life is

duous.

is raised,

It is now more customary than was formerly the case, for governesses to sit at table with the Their rank parents of their pupils. They have a seat, and mingle with the company of the house. It cannot but be satisfactory to see you thus raised a step higher, as it were, in society; as it shews the wish of the parent to place you upon the footing of gentlewomen, which some years ago, was certainly not the case. Excepting, however, people who visit at the house will condescend to speak occasionally to the governess, to take off the embarrassment she may feel before criticism, or superiority of birth and fortune, very little enjoyment or satisfaction is for you. should be introduced to strangers,

Surely you

provided the

making you

doing so can be effected without
appear unpleasantly conspicuous. In Ireland,
where the rights of hospitality are so universally
known, and where I passed in a gentleman's fa-
mily several happy years of my life, the
verness is introduced to any stranger who
C 2

but it is the acknowledge

duty of all to

this;

go- and in Iremay ways done. visit;

land it is al

visit; and she of course, according to the customs of our country, may converse, or at least, attempt conversation. But if you are to eat your food in silence and neglect, I suppose you would rather dine or sup in your study; and I am of opinion that you would make a happy exchange. I once declined a situation in Lady HS's family, because she did not permit the governess to associate with her. How different is the liberal plan of a noble family I have since had so much reason to admire and respect! but at that time, I had just quitted my Irish friends, by whom I was affectionately and more than kindly treated; and because I did my duty to my pupil, my feelings were consulted, and my happiness promoted by every possible effort. To dine or not with the family, would be now a matter of indifference to me. If our neighbour with delicacy be a liberal minded person, he will never be wanting in the delicate attentions of good breeding and humanity. If he be proud, sullen, or scornful, our remedy must be patience, till the signal is given to withdraw.

A generous mind feels

for others.

Want of society the

tion of a go

verness.

Society you are not to expect. This blessing chief depriva- is never tasted by you, excepting at the firesides of your own family and friends. The company with whom you mix are all either your superiors, or are those who consider themselves as such. Of marriage and domestic comforts you should banish every idea. You cannot expect offers

from

But consolaeasily found ginary wants.

tions may be

under ima

from men of birth and fortune. I will not insult you by mentioning the only men you see in opposition to these; therefore make up your minds to the deprivation of two grand female considerations;-society and settlement. And let not these imaginary wants afflict or vex you. Look around you on the world, consider the selfishness of general associates, and the unhappiness of many married couples. Repine not at any slight which has not been caused by your own behaviour. Upon the whole, the world is more ready to give us our deserts than we choose to allow. Let us not rate too highly our merits; but in all events, we well know that however others may neglect us, or even wound our self-love, we have no excuse for impropriety in our own conduct. You are well aware that every state, from the regal to that of slavery, has its difficulties; to contend with them in the best possible manner is our duty. Disgrace cannot rest upon you for submitting patiently to that, for which you cannot be in any way accountable. The shame falls to those who forget the rules of good-breeding and hospitality. The place you fill does equal honour to your dispositions and abilities. On Her situation entering the most brilliant drawing-room with recommendayour smiling pupils in either hand, you present the most satisfactory credentials. If the sovereign approve, and give you a sanction, trouble not yourselves with the contempt or indifference c 3

of

All states

have their dif

ficulties.

is her best

tion.