the vicar of wakefield-第5章
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Our little habitation was situated at the foot of a sloping hill; sheltered with a beautiful underwood behind; and a pratling river before; on one side a meadow; on the other a green。 My farm consisted of about twenty acres of excellent land; having given an hundred pound for my predecessor's good…will。 Nothing could exceed the neatness of my little enclosures: the elms and hedge rows appearing with inexpressible beauty。 My house consisted of but one story; and was covered with thatch; which gave it an air of great snugness; the walls on the inside were nicely white… washed; and my daughters undertook to adorn them with pictures of their own designing。 Though the same room served us for parlour and kitchen; that only made it the warmer。 Besides; as it was kept with the utmost neatness; the dishes; plates; and coppers; being well scoured; and all disposed in bright rows on the shelves; the eye was agreeably relieved; and did not want richer furniture。 There were three other apartments; one for my wife and me; another for our two daughters; within our own; and the third; with two beds; for the rest of the children。
The little republic to which I gave laws; was regulated in the following manner: by sun…rise we all assembled in our common appartment; the fire being previously kindled by the servant。 After we had saluted each other with proper ceremony; for I always thought fit to keep up some mechanical forms of good breeding; without which freedom ever destroys friendship; we all bent in gratitude to that Being who gave us another day。 This duty being performed; my son and I went to pursue our usual industry abroad; while my wife and daughters employed themselves in providing breakfast; which was always ready at a certain time。 I allowed half an hour for this meal; and an hour for dinner; which time was taken up in innocent mirth between my wife and daughters; and in philosophical arguments between my son and me。
As we rose with the sun; so we never pursued our labours after it was gone down; but returned home to the expecting family; where smiling looks; a treat hearth; and pleasant fire; were prepared for our reception。 Nor were we without guests: sometimes farmer Flamborough; our talkative neighbour; and often the blind piper; would pay us a visit; and taste our gooseberry wine; for the making of which we had lost neither the receipt nor the reputation。 These harmless people had several ways of being good company; while one played; the other would sing some soothing ballad; Johnny Armstrong's last good night; or the cruelty of Barbara Allen。 The night was concluded in the manner we began the morning; my youngest boys being appointed to read the lessons of the day; and he that read loudest; distinctest; and best; was to have an half…penny on Sunday to put in the poor's box。
When Sunday came; it was indeed a day of finery; which all my sumptuary edicts could not restrain。 How well so ever I fancied my lectures against pride had conquered the vanity of my daughters; yet I still found them secretly attached to all their former finery: they still loved laces; ribbands; bugles and catgut; my wife herself retained a passion for her crimson paduasoy; because I formerly happened to say it became her。
The first Sunday in particular their behaviour served to mortify me: I had desired my girls the preceding night to be drest early the next day; for I always loved to be at church a good while before the rest of the congregation。 They punctually obeyed my directions; but when we were to assemble in the morning at breakfast; down came my wife and daughters; drest out in all their former splendour: their hair plaistered up with pomatum; their faces patched to taste; their trains bundled up into an heap behind; and rustling at every motion。 I could not help smiling at their vanity; particularly that of my wife; from whom I expected more discretion。 In this exigence; therefore; my only resource was to order my son; with an important air; to call our coach。 The girls were amazed at the command; but I repeated it with more solemnity than before。'Surely; my dear; you jest;' cried my wife; 'we can walk it perfectly well: we want no coach to carry us now。' 'You mistake; child;' returned I; 'we do want a coach; for if we walk to church in this trim; the very children in the parish will hoot after us。''Indeed;' replied my wife; 'I always imagined that my Charles was fond of seeing his children neat and handsome about him。''You may be as neat as you please;' interrupted I; 'and I shall love you the better for it; but all this is not neatness; but frippery。 These rufflings; and pinkings; and patchings; will only make us hated by all the wives of all our neighbours。 No; my children;' continued I; more gravely; 'those gowns may be altered into something of a plainer cut; for finery is very unbecoming in us; who want the means of decency。 I do not know whether such flouncing and shredding is becoming even in the rich; if we consider; upon a moderate calculation; that the nakedness of the indigent world may be cloathed from the trimmings of the vain。'
This remonstrance had the proper effect; they went with great composure; that very instant; to change their dress; and the next day I had the satisfaction of finding my daughters; at their own request employed in cutting up their trains into Sunday waistcoats for Dick and Bill; the two little ones; and what was still more satisfactory; the gowns seemed improved by this curtailing。
CHAPTER 5
A new and great acquaintance introduced。 What we place most hopes upon; generally proves most fatal
At a small distance from the house my predecessor had made a seat; overshaded by an hedge of hawthorn and honeysuckle。 Here; when the weather was fine; and our labour soon finished; we usually sate together; to enjoy an extensive landschape; in the calm of the evening。 Here too we drank tea; which now was become an occasional banquet; and as we had it but seldom; it diffused a new joy; the preparations for it being made with no small share of bustle and ceremony。 On these occasions; our two little ones always read for us; and they were regularly served after we had done。 Sometimes; to give a variety to our amusements; the girls sung to the guitar; and while they thus formed a little concert; my wife and I would stroll down the sloping field; that was embellished with blue bells and centaury; talk of our children with rapture; and enjoy the breeze that wafted both health and harmony。
In this manner we began to find that every situation in life might bring its own peculiar pleasures: every morning waked us to a repetition of toil; but the evening repaid it with vacant hilarity。
It was about the beginning of autumn; on a holiday; for I kept such as intervals of relaxation from labour; that I had drawn out my family to our usual place of amusement; and our young musicians began their usual concert。 As we were thus engaged; we saw a stag bound nimbly by; within about twenty paces of where we were sitting; and by its panting; it seemed prest by the hunters。 We had not much time to reflect upon the poor animal's distress; when we perceived the dogs and horsemen come sweeping along at some distance behind; and making the very path it had taken。 I was instantly for returning in with my family; but either curiosity or surprize; or some more hidden motive; held my wife and daughters to their seats。 The huntsman; who rode foremost; past us with great swiftness; followed by four or five persons more; who seemed in equal haste。 At last; a young gentleman of a more genteel appearance than the rest; came forward; and for a while regarding us; instead of pursuing the chace; stopt short; and giving his horse to a servant who attended; approached us with a careless superior air。 He seemed to want no introduction; but was going to salute my daughters as one certain of a kind reception; but they had early learnt the lesson of looking presumption out of countenance。 Upon which he let us know that his name was Thornhill; and that he was owner of the estate that lay for some extent round us。 He again; therefore; offered to salute the female part of the family; and such was the power of fortune and fine cloaths; that he fo