CHAPTER I While the present century was in its teens , and on one sunshiny morning in June , there drove up to the great iron gate of , on , , with two fat horses in blazing harness , driven by in a three-cornered hat and wig , at the rate of four miles an hour .
, who reposed on the box beside , uncurled bandy legs as soon as the equipage drew up opposite 's shining brass plate , and as pulled the bell at least a score of young heads were seen peering out of the narrow windows of .
Nay , might have recognized the little red nose of , rising over some geranium pots in the window of .
" It is , , " said .
" , , has just rung the bell ; and has a new red waistcoat . "
" Have completed all the necessary preparations incident to 's departure , ? "
asked , ; , , .
" were up at four this morning , packing trunks , , " replied ; " have made a bow-pot . "
" Say a bouquet , , 't is more genteel . "
" Well , a booky as big almost as a haystack ; have put up two bottles of the gillyflower water for , and the receipt for making it , in 's box . "
" And trust , , have made a copy of 's account .
This is it , is it ?
Very good -- ninety-three pounds , four shillings .
Be kind enough to address it to , and to seal this billet which have written to . "
In 's eyes an autograph letter of , , was an object of as deep veneration as would have been a letter from a sovereign .
Only when quitted the establishment , or when were about to be married , and once , when died of the scarlet fever , was known to write personally to ; and it was 's opinion that if anything could console for 's loss , it would be that pious and eloquent composition in which announced the event .
In the present instance 's " billet " was to the following effect : -- , , June 15 , 18 , -- After six years ' residence at , have the honour and happiness of presenting to , as .
Those virtues which characterize , those accomplishments which become birth and station , will not be found wanting in , whose INDUSTRY and OBEDIENCE have endeared to , and whose delightful sweetness of temper has charmed .
In music , in dancing , in orthography , in every variety of embroidery and needlework , will be found to have realized ' fondest wishes .
In geography there is still much to be desired ; and a careful and undeviating use of the backboard , for four hours daily during the next three years , is recommended as necessary to the acquirement of that dignified DEPORTMENT AND CARRIAGE , so requisite for .
In the principles of religion and morality , will be found worthy of an establishment which has been honoured by the presence of , and the patronage of .
In leaving , carries with the hearts of , and the affectionate regards of , who has the honour to subscribe , , , P.S. -- accompanies .
It is particularly requested that 's stay in may not exceed ten days .
, desire to avail of services as soon as possible .
This letter completed , proceeded to write own name , and 's , in the fly-leaf of a Johnson 's Dictionary -- the interesting work which invariably presented to , on departure from .
On the cover was inserted a copy of " Lines addressed to on quitting , at ; by . "
In fact , 's name was always on the lips of , and a visit had paid to was the cause of reputation and fortune .
Being commanded by to get " the Dictionary " from the cupboard , had extracted two copies of the book from the receptacle in question .
When had finished the inscription in the first , , with rather a dubious and timid air , handed the second .
" For whom is this , ? "
said , with awful coldness .
" For , " answered , trembling very much , and blushing over withered face and neck , as turned back on .
" For : 's going too . "
" ! "
exclaimed , in the largest capitals .
" Are in senses ?
Replace the Dixonary in , and never venture to take such a liberty in future . "
" Well , , it 's only two-and-ninepence , and will be miserable if do n't get one . "
" Send instantly to , " said .
And so venturing not to say another word , trotted off , exceedingly flurried and nervous .
was a merchant in , and ; whereas was , for whom had done , as thought , quite enough , without conferring upon at parting the high honour of the Dixonary .
Although ' letters are to be trusted no more nor less than epitaphs ; yet , as it sometimes happens that departs this life who is really deserving of all the praises carves over bones ; who IS , , , , or ; who actually DOES leave to mourn loss ; so in it occurs every now and then that is fully worthy of the praises bestowed by .
Now , was ; and deserved not only all that said in praise , but had many charming qualities which that could not see , from the differences of rank and age between and .
For could not only sing like a lark , or a , and dance like or ; and embroider beautifully ; and spell as well as a Dixonary itself ; but had such a kindly , smiling , tender , gentle , generous heart of own , as won the love of , from down to , and , who was permitted to vend wares once a week to .
had out of .
Even never spoke ill of ; high and mighty ( ) allowed that figure was genteel ; and as for , 's , on the day went away , was in such a passion of tears that were obliged to send for , and half tipsify with salvolatile .
's attachment was , as may be supposed from the high position and eminent virtues of , calm and dignified ; but had already whimpered several times at the idea of 's departure ; and , but for fear of , would have gone off in downright hysterics , like .
Such luxury of grief , however , is only allowed to .
had all the bills , and the washing , and the mending , and the puddings , and the plate and crockery , and the to superintend .
But why speak about ?
It is probable that shall not hear of again from this moment to the end of time , and that when the great filigree iron gates are once closed on , and will never issue therefrom into this little world of history .
But as are to see a great deal of , there is no harm in saying , at the outset of acquaintance , that was ; and a great mercy it is , both in life and in novels , which ( and the latter especially ) abound in , that are to have for .
As is not , there is no need to describe ; indeed am afraid that nose was rather short than otherwise , and cheeks a great deal too round and red for ; but face blushed with rosy health , and lips with the freshest of smiles , and had a pair of eyes which sparkled with the brightest and honestest good-humour , except indeed when they filled with tears , and that was a great deal too often ; for the silly thing would cry over a dead canary-bird ; or over a mouse , that the cat haply had seized upon ; or over the end of a novel , were it ever so stupid ; and as for saying an unkind word to , were hard-hearted enough to do so -- why , so much the worse for .
Even , , ceased scolding after the first time , and though no more comprehended sensibility than did Algebra , gave and particular orders to treat with the utmost gentleness , as harsh treatment was injurious to .