Memoirs of the Author of a Vindication of the Rights of Woman | Page 9

adventure which
characterized Mary, were not felt in an equal degree by her sisters, so
that a disproportionate share of every burthen attendant upon the
situation, fell to her lot. On the other hand, they could scarcely perhaps
be perfectly easy, in observing the superior degree of deference and
courtship, which her merit extorted from almost every one that knew
her. Her kindness for them was not diminished, but she resolved that
the mode of its exertion in future should be different, tending to their
benefit, without intrenching upon her own liberty.
Thus circumstanced, a proposal was made her, such as, regarding only
the situations through which she had lately passed, is usually termed
advantageous. This was, to accept the office of governess to the
daughters of lord viscount Kingsborough, eldest son to the earl of
Kingston of the kingdom of Ireland. The terms held out to her were
such as she determined to accept, at the same time resolving to retain
the situation only for a short time. Independence was the object after
which she thirsted, and she was fixed to try whether it might not be
found in literary occupation. She was desirous however first to
accumulate a small sum of money, which should enable her to consider
at leisure the different literary engagements that might offer, and
provide in some degree for the eventual deficiency of her earliest
attempts.
The situation in the family of lord Kingsborough, was offered to her
through the medium of the rev. Mr. Prior, at that time one of the under
masters of Eton school. She spent some time at the house of this
gentleman, immediately after her giving up the school at Newington
Green. Here she had an opportunity of making an accurate observation
upon the manners and conduct of that celebrated seminary, and the

ideas she retained of it were by no means favourable. By all that she
saw, she was confirmed in a very favourite opinion of her's, in behalf of
day-schools, where, as she expressed it, "children have the opportunity
of conversing with children, without interfering with domestic
affections, the foundation of virtue."
Though her residence in the family of lord Kingsborough continued
scarcely more than twelve months, she left behind her, with them and
their connections, a very advantageous impression. The governesses the
young ladies had hitherto had, were only a species of upper servants,
controlled in every thing by the mother; Mary insisted upon the
unbounded exercise of her own discretion. When the young ladies
heard of their governess coming from England, they heard in
imagination of a new enemy, and declared their resolution to guard
themselves accordingly. Mary however speedily succeeded in gaining
their confidence, and the friendship that soon grew up between her and
Margaret King, now countess Mount Cashel, the eldest daughter, was
in an uncommon degree cordial and affectionate. Mary always spoke of
this young lady in terms of the truest applause, both in relation to the
eminence of her intellectual powers, and the ingenuous amiableness of
her disposition. Lady Kingsborough, from the best motives, had
imposed upon her daughters a variety of prohibitions, both as to the
books they should read, and in many other respects. These prohibitions
had their usual effects; inordinate desire for the things forbidden, and
clandestine indulgence. Mary immediately restored the children to their
liberty, and undertook to govern them by their affections only. The
consequence was, that their indulgences were moderate, and they were
uneasy under any indulgence that had not the sanction of their
governess. The salutary effects of the new system of education were
speedily visible; and lady Kingsborough soon felt no other uneasiness,
than lest the children should love their governess better than their
mother.
Mary made many friends in Ireland, among the persons who visited
lord Kingsborough's house, for she always appeared there with the air
of an equal, and not of a dependent. I have heard her mention the
ludicrous distress of a woman of quality, whose name I have forgotten,
that, in a large company, singled out Mary, and entered into a long
conversation with her. After the conversation was over, she enquired

whom she had been talking with, and found, to her utter mortification
and dismay, that it was Miss King's governess.
One of the persons among her Irish acquaintance, whom Mary was
accustomed to speak of with the highest respect, was Mr. George Ogle,
member of parliament for the county of Wexford. She held his talents
in very high estimation; she was strongly prepossessed in favour of the
goodness of his heart; and she always spoke of him as the most perfect
gentleman she had ever known. She felt the regret of a disappointed
friend, at the part he has lately taken in the politics of Ireland.
Lord Kingsborough's family