Domestic pleasures | Page 3

have been thinking what I shall put upon the box as a motto. Ought it not to have one, mamma?
_Mrs. B._ By all means, my dear; but it must be something appropriate. What do you propose, Louisa?
_Louisa._ I was thinking of painting a little wreath of flowers, and writing very neatly in the middle, "Charity is kind."
_Mr. B._ A very well-chosen motto, Louisa. I am delighted to witness your benevolent dispositions, my beloved children. Make haste and sit down to your respective employments. In the mean time, I will hasten and finish my business in the counting-house, that I may enjoy your company this evening.
_All._ Thank you, dear papa.
While Mr. Bernard was absent, the children were all busily employed, preparing for their new occupations, and had just taken their seats before a cheerful fire, when their father re-entered the room.
_Mr. B._ Well, what all seated?
_Louisa._ Yes, papa, we made great haste, that we might be ready for you when you came in. Are we to read to-night, or will you be so kind as to talk to us?
_Mr. B._ Suppose you talk to me a little, Louisa. Tell me what you have been reading with your mother to-day.
_Louisa._ Emily would tell you best, papa; but if you wish to hear me, I will give you as good an account as I can.
_Mr. B._ To do your best, is all that can be expected of you, my dear. Remember to speak very distinctly.
_Louisa._ We began the Roman history, and read as far as the deaths of Romulus. Nobody saw him die, and so--
_Mr. B._ Stop, stop--not so fast, recollect, you have not yet told me who Romulus was.
_Louisa._ Oh! I thought you knew that, papa; he was the first king of Rome, and he built the city, and--
_Mr. B._ Begin again, my dear Louisa. Do not be in such a hurry; give me a clear account of Romulus, from his birth to his death.
_Louisa._ Oh dear, papa, I do not think I can do that.
_Mrs. B._ Try, however, my dear, as your father wishes it. Emily will help you out, if you find yourself at a loss.
_Louisa, (laying aside her work and looking attentively at her father.)_ I do not at all know where to begin, papa. I think you will not understand me, if I do not first tell you something about Numitor and Amulius.
_Mr. B._ Then, by all means, begin with them.
_Louisa._ Numitor and Amulius were brothers. They were sons to the king of Lavinium. Numitor was, by his father's will, left heir to the throne, and Amulius was to have all the treasures. This, however, did not satisfy him; he wanted to be king too, and, by means of his riches, soon gained his wish. He was a very bad man indeed, for he killed Numitor's two sons, and would not let his daughter marry, for fear she should have a little baby, which, when it grew up, might deprive him of the crown he had so wickedly taken from his brother. Notwithstanding his precaution, she did have two little boys, whom she named Romulus and Remus. Amulius, their cruel uncle, found them out, and ordered them to be drowned: so the poor little creatures were put into a cradle, and thrown in the the river Tiber. But it happened, just at that time, it had overflowed its banks, and at the place where they were thrown in, the water was too shallow to drown them.--Do I get on pretty well, papa?
_Mr. B._ Admirably, my dear Louisa. Edward, can you tell us where the river Tiber flows?
_Edward._ Yes, father, it rises in the Apenine mountains in Italy, and empties itself into the Mediterranean Sea, ten miles from Rome. Its present name is Tivere.
_Mr. B._ Perfectly right, my boy. Now, Louisa, go on. I beg pardon for interrupting you.
_Louisa._ I think I left my little babies in a very dangerous situation on the banks of the Tiber: they, however, escaped the death prepared for them. The cradle floated some time, and on the waters' retiring, was left on dry ground. And now, papa, do you know, I do not quite believe what the book says, about a wolf's coming and suckling them: it seems so unnatural.
_Mr. B._ I am inclined to doubt the fact too, my dear; but not upon the ground of its being unnatural, as I have heard of many circumstances quite as extraordinary, which, nevertheless, I know to have been true. But go on with your relation.
Louisa. At last, Faustulus, the king's shepherd, found them, and took them home to his wife, Laurentia, who brought them up as her own children. They followed the employment of shepherds, but soon discovered abilities above the meanness of their supposed birth. As they grew up, they were not content