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From Thompson； that
—“It is a delightful task
“To teach the young idea how to shoot。”
And from Shakespeare she gained a great store of information—
amongst the rest； that
—“Trifles light as air；
“Are； to the jealous； confirmation strong；
“As proofs of Holy Writ。”
That
“The poor beetle； which we tread upon；
“In corporal sufferance feels a pang as great
“As when a giant dies。”
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And that a young woman in love always looks
—“like Patience on a monument
“Smiling at Grief。”
So far her improvement was sufficient—and in many other
points she came on exceedingly well； for though she could not
write sonnets； she brought herself to read them； and though there
seemed no chance of her throwing a whole party into raptures by
a prelude on the pianoforté； of her own composition； she could
listen to other people’s performance with very little fatigue。 Her
greatest deficiency was in the pencil—she had no notion of
drawing—not enough even to attempt a sketch of her lover’s
profile； that she might be detected in the design。 There she fell
miserably short of the true heroic height。 At present she did not
know her own poverty； for she had no lover to portray。 She had
reached the age of seventeen； without having seen one amiable
youth who could call forth her sensibility； without having inspired
one real passion； and without having excited even any admiration
but what was very moderate and very transient。 This was strange
indeed！ But strange things may be generally accounted for if their
cause be fairly searched out。 There was not one lord in the
neighbourhood； no—not even a baronet。 There was not one family
among their acquaintance who had reared and supported a boy
accidentally found at their door—not one young man whose origin
was unknown。 Her father had no ward； and the squire of the
parish no children。
But when a young lady is to be a heroine； the perverseness of
forty surrounding families cannot prevent her。 Something must
and will happen to throw a hero in her way。
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Mr。 Allen； who owned the chief of the property about Fullerton；
the village in Wiltshire where the Morlands lived； was ordered to
Bath for the benefit of a gouty constitution；—and his lady； a good…
humoured woman； fond of Miss Morland； and probably aware that
if adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village； she
must seek them abroad； invited her to go with them。 Mr。 and Mrs。
Morland were all compliance； and Catherine all happiness。
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CHAPTER II
n addition to what has been already said of Catherine
Morland’s personal and mental endowments； when about to
I
be launched into all the difficulties and dangers of a six weeks’
residence in Bath； it may be stated； for the reader’s more certain
information； lest the following pages should otherwise fail of
giving any idea of what her character is meant to be； that her heart
was affectionate； her disposition cheerful and open； without
conceit or affectation of any kind—her manners just removed from
the awkwardness and shyness of a girl； her person pleasing； and；
when in good looks； pretty—and her mind about as ignorant and
uninformed as the female mind at seventeen usually is。
When the hour of departure drew near； the maternal anxiety of
Mrs。 Morland will be naturally supposed to be most severe。 A
thousand alarming presentiments of evil to her beloved Catherine
from this terrific separation must oppress her heart with sadness；
and drown her in tears for the last day or two of their being
together； and advice of the most important and applicable nature
must of course flow from her wise lips in their parting conference
in her closet。 Cautions against the violence of such noblemen and
baronets as delight in forcing young ladies away to some remote
farm…house； must； at such a moment； relieve the fulness of her
heart。 Who would not think so？ But Mrs。 Morland knew so little of
lords and baronets； that she entertained no notion of their general
mischievousness； and was wholly unsuspicious of danger to her
daughter from their machinations。 Her cautions were confined to
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the following points。 “I beg； Catherine； you will always wrap
yourself up very warm about the throat； when you come from the
Rooms at night； and I wish you would try to keep some account of
the money you spend；—I will give you this little book on purpose。
Sally； or rather Sarah （for what young lady of common gentility
will reach the age of sixteen without altering her name as far as
she can？）； must from situation be at this time the intimate friend
and confidante of her sister。 It is remarkable； however； that she
neither insisted on Catherine’s writing by every post； nor exacted
her promise of transmitting the character of every new
acquaintance； nor a detail of every interesting conversation that
Bath might produce。 Every thing indeed relative to this important
journey was done； on the part of the Morlands； with a degree of
moderation and composure； which seemed rather consistent with
the common feelings of common life； than with the refined
susceptibilities； the tender emotions which the first separation of a
heroine from her family ought always to excite。 Her father； instead
of giving her an unlimited order on his banker； or even putting an
hundred poun