Jemima Placid; or, The Advantage of Good-Nature

by Mary Ann Kilner

Miss Placid, with a tear starting to her eye, ran to her mamma, and pointing to the broken pieces, without speaking, picked them up, and put them into her hand.

Mrs. Placid inquired into the cause which had produced such unfortunate effects; and Sally, who imagined she was the party injured, related the whole occasion.

Her aunt, who perceived they were too angry to attend to her admonitions at that time, told Miss Piner to go up stairs, and desire the maid to come and pick up the broken glass, and sent Sally for a little while into the garden. Then taking Jemima by the hand, and affectionately kissing her, she thus addressed her beloved daughter on the loss of her doll:—I am extremely sorry, my dear, that, by your cousins' foolish contention, you are deprived of what has afforded you so much pleasure; but as I see you are so good a child as to bear the accident with composure, and do not fret about it, which, you well know, would never be able to repair your loss, when I write to your aunt, which, I believe, I shall do to-morrow, I will desire her to send you another immediately; and as you have long wished for one that is made with its eyes to open, you shall have one of that sort now. You see, my love, how very naughty your cousins are, to be so passionate, and so frequently to disagree with each other; as by this conduct they interrupt their own happiness, and discompose every body who is connected with them. And surely it is very easy for brothers and sisters to live in harmony and affection, if they will but resolve to be good-natured and obliging; and how much more comfortably do you pass your time, who never quarrel with your brothers, than do those silly girls.

Jemima thanked her mamma for her indulgent promise, and taking up her faceless child, carried it with her up stairs, where she met her brothers; and with a sad countenance held it up to their view. They immediately desired to be informed what she had done with the face, and were much grieved at the relation of its misfortune.

She there undressed it, and put the clothes very carefully away; and so great was her affection for its remains, that she laid the body in the same drawer; nor could prevail with herself to part with it, although so much disfigured as to renew her regret for its loss every time she beheld it.

Just as she finished this employment, her papa entered the apartment; and calling her to him, commended the placid manner in which she had supported an accident, which many little girls would have fretted about for a long time.—You see, my dear, said he, that, young as you are, numberless occasions arise, which are proper to exercise your fortitude, and call forth your patience into action. Older people, my Jemima, meet with greater trials; but there is as much merit in your submitting calmly to such accidents as tend to discompose your temper, and provoke your indignation, as in your elders bearing with the real troubles of life. These mortifications, to which every child must submit, should be always received with composure; and I hope you will never suffer them to ruffle your temper, or make you forget, that to be good-natured, is one of the first duties you can exercise in social intercourse. I dare say, you are very sorry for the loss of your doll, and I am grieved that it has so happened; for, I know, that a trial is greater or less, in proportion to the value which the person affixed to the object they are deprived of; that is, though I should not mind the breaking of a dozen wax dolls on my own account, yet to you, who liked to play with it, it is a great loss indeed.

During this consolatory discourse, Mrs. Placid talked very seriously to her two nieces. She began by telling Miss Piner, that she had on many occasions observed her to behave very ill-naturedly to her sister;—and as you are the eldest, my dear, said she, I think you ought to endeavour to assist her, and set a good example; and how can you expect she should be obliging to you, when she never sees any instances of kindness in your behaviour? Why would you not make room for her this morning, when she desired you? The window was large enough for both of you; and, I am sure, your denial must have rendered you very uncomfortable. It is very wicked, Ellen, to act in such a manner, and allow your passions to become so violent that you are quite regardless of their consequence.—But I had the window first, Madam, said Miss Piner, and therefore she had no right to it; and I never heard that there was any wickedness in keeping one's own place, when one had gotten possession!—There is great wickedness, replied her aunt, in being so tenacious of every trifle, as to disagree about it with those with whom we live, especially between brothers and sisters, who ought always to be united in affection and love; and if you now indulge your passions, so that you will submit to no opposition, it will make you hated and despised by every body, and constantly unhappy in your own mind. It is impossible, my dear, to have every circumstance happen as we wish it to do; but if a disappointment could at any time justify ill-nature and petulance, it would certainly be adding greatly to the unhappiness of life. And do you think, my dear, that to fight on every occasion with those who oppose you, is at all consistent with the delicacy of a young lady? I dare say, when you give yourself time to reflect on the subject, you will perceive that you have been much to blame; and that, whenever you have suffered yourself to be ill-natured and quarrelsome, you have always been proportionably uneasy and wretched. Nothing can so much contribute to your present felicity, or future peace, as a good understanding, and cordial affection for your sister. You will most probably be more in her company than in any other person's; and how comfortable would it be, by every little office of kindness, to assist each other! I am sure, if you will try the experiment, you will find it much better than such churlish resistance, and provoking contentions. It is by good-humour, and an attention to please in trifles, that love is cherished and improved. If your sister want any thing, be assiduous to fetch it. If she cannot untie a knot, do it for her. If she wish for a place in the window, make room immediately. Share with her all that is given to you; conceal her faults, as you dislike your own to be observed; commend her good qualities, and never envy, but endeavour to emulate her perfections. By this method you will ensure her regard, and make yourself happy at the same time; that will give the highest pleasure to your parents, and obtain the esteem of all your acquaintance. Think of these motives, my dear girl, and resolve to exert yourself; and when you feel inclined to be angry and cross, recollect whether it will be worth while, because you have first gotten possession, to engage in a contest which will forfeit all these advantages. Think, with yourself, Shall I lose my sister's love, or abate her regard, for an orange, a play-thing, or a seat? Do I not prefer making her contented, and keeping my own mind serene and placid, before the pleasure of enjoying a toy, or any other thing equally trifling? Will it tire me to fetch down her cloke, or her doll, if she be in want of them? And shall I not do it in less time than it will take to dispute whose business it is to go? In short, my dear niece, you will find so much ease and pleasure result from the resolution to oblige, that I dare say, if you once attempt it, you will be inclined to persevere.

But indeed, Madam, returned Miss Ellen, my sister is as cross to me, as I am to her; and therefore it is out of my power to do what you advise; for I cannot bear to do every thing for her, when she will do nothing for me!—You are both much to blame, said Mrs. Placid; but as you are the elder, it is your place to set a good example; and you do not know, Ellen, how far that incitement will prevail. When you have refused her one request, she is naturally, by way of retaliation, induced to deny you another; this increases your mutual dissatisfaction, and commences new quarrels; by which means your anger is continued, so that neither is inclined to oblige or condescend. But if she finds you continue to be good-natured, she will catch the kind impression, as she used to imbibe the ill-habits of malevolence and rage. In every case you should consider, that the errors of another person are no excuse for the indulgence of evil in yourself.