Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 June 1887 — Mrs. Barbanld's Childhood. [ARTICLE]

Mrs. Barbanld's Childhood.

One can fancy the little aasifcout prl, industrious, impulsive, interested tn everything—in all life and all nature —drinking in, on every side, learning, eagerly wondering, fastening to all around with bright and ready wit, There is a pretty little story told by Mrs. Ellis in her book about Mrs. Banbauld, how one day, when Dr. Aiken and a friend “were conversing on ths passions,” the doctor observes that joy cannot have place in a state of perfect felicity, since it supposes an accession of happiness. “ I think you are mistaken, papa,” says a little voice from the oj> posite side of the table. “Why so, my child?” says the doctor. “Because in the chapter I read to you this morning, in the Testament, it is said that * there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repeneth than over ninety and nine lust persons that need no repentance.’ 1 * Besides her English Testament and her early reading, the little girl was taught by her mother to do as little daughters lid in those days —to obey a somewhat austere rule, to drop curtsies in the right place, to make beds, to preserve tru.ta The father, after demur, but surely not without some paternal pride in her proficiency, taught the child Latin and Wrench and Italian, and something of Greek, and gave her an acquaintance with English literature. One can imagine little Nancy, with her fair head bending over her lessons, or, when playing-time had come, perhaps a little lonely and listening to the distant voices of the schoolboys at their games. The mother, tearing she might acquire rough and boisterous manners, strictly forbade any communication with the schoolboys. Sometimes in after days, speaking of these early times and of the constraint of many by-gone rules and regulations, Mrs. Barbauld used to attribute to this early, formal training something of the hesitation and shyness which troubled her and never entirely wore off. ghe does not seem to have been in any great harmony with her mother. One could imagine a fanciful and high-spirited child, timid and dutiful, and yet strongwilled, secretly rebelling against the rigid order of her home, and feeling lonely for want of liberty and companionship. It was true she had birds and beasts and plants for her playfellows, but she was of a gregarious and sociable nature, and perhaps she was unconsciously longing for something more, and feeling a want in her early life which nc silent company can supply.— Ths Cornhill Magazine.