Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast

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Title: Beauty and the Beast
Author: Marie Le Prince de Beaumont
Release Date: December, 2004 [EBook #7074] [Yes, we are more than
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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
A TALE
FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT OF
JUVENILE READERS.
Ornamented with Elegant Engravings.

by Marie Le Prince de Beaumont

[Illustration: FRONTISPIECE The Beast Attacking the Merchant]
BEAUTY
AND
THE BEAST.
* * * * *
There was once a very rich merchant, who had six children, three sons,
and three daughters; being a man of sense, he spared no cost for their
education, but gave them all kinds of masters. His daughters were
extremely handsome, especially the youngest; when she was little,
every body admired her, and called her The little Beauty; so
that, as she grew up, she still went by the name of Beauty,
which made her sisters very jealous. The youngest, as she was
handsome, was also better than her sisters. The two eldest had a great
deal of pride, because they were rich. They gave themselves ridiculous
airs, and would not visit other merchants' daughters, nor keep company
with any but persons of quality. They went out every day upon parties
of pleasure, balls, plays, concerts, etc. and laughed at their youngest
sister, because she spent the greatest part of her time in reading good
books. As it was known that they were to have great fortunes, several

eminent merchants made their addresses to them; but the two eldest
said they would never marry, unless they could meet with a Duke, or an
Earl at least. Beauty very civilly thanked them that courted her, and
told them she was too young yet to marry, but chose to stay with her
father a few years longer.
All at once the merchant lost his whole fortune, excepting a small
country-house at a great distance from town, and told his children, with
tears in his eyes, they most go there and work for their living. The two
eldest answered, that they would not leave the town, for they had
several lovers, who they were sure would be glad to have them, though
they had no fortune; but in this they were mistaken, for their lovers
slighted and forsook them in their poverty. As they were not beloved
on account of their pride, every body said, "they do not deserve to be
pitied, we are glad to see their pride humbled, let them go and give
themselves quality airs in milking the cows and minding their dairy.
But, (added they,) we are extremely concerned for Beauty, she was
such a charming, sweet-tempered creature, spoke so kindly to poor
people, and was of such an affable, obliging disposition." Nay, several
gentlemen would have married her, though they knew she had not a
penny; but she told them she could not think of leaving her poor father
in his misfortunes, but was determined to go along with him into the
country to comfort and attend him. Poor Beauty at first was sadly
grieved at the loss of her fortune; "but, (she said to herself,) were I to
cry ever so much, that would not make things better, I must try to make
myself happy without a fortune." When they came to their
country-house, the merchant and his three sons applied themselves to
husbandry and tillage; and Beauty rose at four in the morning, and
made haste to have the house clean, and breakfast ready for the family.
In the beginning she found it very difficult, for she had not been used to
work as a servant; but in less than two