“I’ll tell you, madam, if you please,” said the little girl.
It was not in expectation of being praised for it, that Laura had been generous, and therefore everybody was really touched with the history of the weaving-pillow; and whilst they praised, felt a certain degree of respect, which is not always felt by those who pour forth eulogiums. Respect is not an improper word, even applied to a child of Laura’s age; for let the age or situation of the person be what it may, they command respect who deserve it.
“Ah, madam!” said Rosamond to her godmother, “now you see—you see she is not a little miser. I’m sure that’s better than wasting half a guinea upon a filigree basket; is it not, ma’am?” said she, with an eagerness which showed that she had forgotten all her own misfortunes in sympathy with her sister. “This is being really generous, father, is it not?”
“Yes, Rosamond,” said her father, and he kissed her; “this is being really generous. It is not only by giving away money that we can show generosity; it is by giving up to others anything that we like ourselves: and therefore,” added he, smiling, “it is really generous of you to give your sister the thing you like best of all others.”
“The thing I like the best of all others, father,” said Rosamond, half pleased, half vexed. “What is that, I wonder? You don’t mean praise, do you, sir?”
“Nay, you must decide that yourself, Rosamond.”
“Why, sir,” said she, ingenuously, “perhaps it was ONCE the thing I liked best; but the pleasure I have just felt makes me like something else much better.”
ETON MONTEM.
[Extracted from the “Courier” of May, 1799.]
“Yesterday this triennial ceremony took place, with which the public are too well acquainted to require a particular description. A collection, called Salt, is taken from the public, which forms a purse, to support the Captain of the School in his studies at Cambridge. This collection is made by the Scholars, dressed in fancy dresses, all round the country.