As this is one of those deep observations which very
few readers can be supposed capable of making themselves,
I have thought proper to lend them my assistance;
but this is a favour rarely to be expected in the
course of my work. Indeed, I shall seldom or never
so indulge him, unless in such instances as this,
where nothing but the inspiration with which we writers
are gifted, can possibly enable any one to make the
discovery.
Mrs Deborah is introduced into the parish with a simile.
A short account of Jenny Jones, with the difficulties
and discouragements which may attend young women in
the pursuit of learning.
Mrs Deborah, having disposed of the child according
to the will of her master, now prepared to visit those
habitations which were supposed to conceal its mother.
Not otherwise than when a kite, tremendous bird, is
beheld by the feathered generation soaring aloft,
and hovering over their heads, the amorous dove, and
every innocent little bird, spread wide the alarm,
and fly trembling to their hiding-places. He proudly
beats the air, conscious of his dignity, and meditates
intended mischief.
So when the approach of Mrs Deborah was proclaimed
through the street, all the inhabitants ran trembling
into their houses, each matron dreading lest the visit
should fall to her lot. She with stately steps
proudly advances over the field: aloft she bears
her towering head, filled with conceit of her own
pre-eminence, and schemes to effect her intended discovery.
The sagacious reader will not from this simile imagine
these poor people had any apprehension of the design
with which Mrs Wilkins was now coming towards them;
but as the great beauty of the simile may possibly
sleep these hundred years, till some future commentator
shall take this work in hand, I think proper to lend
the reader a little assistance in this place.
It is my intention, therefore, to signify, that, as
it is the nature of a kite to devour little birds,
so is it the nature of such persons as Mrs Wilkins
to insult and tyrannize over little people. This
being indeed the means which they use to recompense
to themselves their extreme servility and condescension
to their superiors; for nothing can be more reasonable,
than that slaves and flatterers should exact the same
taxes on all below them, which they themselves pay
to all above them.
Whenever Mrs Deborah had occasion to exert any extraordinary
condescension to Mrs Bridget, and by that means had
a little soured her natural disposition, it was usual
with her to walk forth among these people, in order
to refine her temper, by venting, and, as it were,
purging off all ill humours; on which account she was
by no means a welcome visitant: to say the truth,
she was universally dreaded and hated by them all.
