The Barbadoes Girl

The Barbadoes Girl, by Mrs.
Hofland

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Title: The Barbadoes Girl A Tale for Young People
Author: Mrs. Hofland
Release Date: June 30, 2007 [EBook #21975]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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[Illustration]

THE
BARBADOES GIRL.
A Tale for Young People.
BY MRS. HOFLAND.
AUTHOR OF
THE CLERGYMAN'S WIDOW; THE SISTERS; BLIND FARMER;
AFFECTIONATE BROTHERS; ELLEN THE TEACHER; GOOD
GRANDMOTHER; MERCHANT'S WIDOW; ETC., ETC., ETC.
* * *
The indulgence of passion makes bitter work for repentance, and
produces a feeble old age. BACON.
As violent contrary winds endanger a ship, so it is with turbulent
emotions in the mind; whereas such as are favourable awaken the
understanding, keep in motion the will, and make the whole man more
vigorous. ADDISON.
* * *
A NEW EDITION, REVISED.
BOSTON: CHASE AND NICHOLS, 43 WASHINGTON STREET.
1863.
* * * * *

THE BARBADOES GIRL.
CHAPTER I.

As Mr. Harewood was one evening sitting with his wife and children,
he told them that he expected soon to receive among them the daughter
of a friend, who had lately died in the West Indies.
Mr. Harewood's family consisted of his wife, two sons, and a daughter:
the eldest, named Edmund, was about twelve years of age; Charles, the
second, was scarcely ten; and Ellen, the daughter, had just passed her
eighth birthday: they were all sensible, affectionate children, but a little
different in disposition, the eldest being grave and studious, the second
lively and active, and as he was nearer to Ellen's age, she was often
inclined to romp with him, when she should have minded her book; but
she was so fond of her mamma, and was educated with such a proper
sense of the duty and obedience she owed her, that a word or a look
never failed to restrain the exuberance of her spirits.
Children are alike naturally curious and fond of society; the moment,
therefore, Mr. Harewood mentioned their expected guest, every one
had some question to ask respecting her; but as Ellen's was uttered with
most mildness and modesty, she was first answered; and her brother
Charles, taking this hint, listened quietly to the following conversation,
not joining in it, till he felt that he had a right to do so, from having
practised a forbearance that cost him some effort.
Ellen.--Pray, papa, what is this little girl's name, and how old is she?
Father.--She is called Matilda Sophia Hanson: her father was a man of
good fortune, and she is an only child; I believe, however, his affairs
are in an unsettled state, as her mother is under the necessity of
remaining some time in the country, in order to settle them. It is at her
earnest request that I have been prevailed upon to accept the charge of
her daughter. I believe she is about a year younger than you; but as the
growth of people in warm countries is more rapid than in this, I expect
to see her quite as tall and forward as you, Ellen.
Ellen.--But, dear papa, how will she get here from a place on the other
side of the globe? I mean, who will bring her? for I know, of course,
that she must come in a ship.

Father.--She will be attended by a negro servant, who has always
waited upon her; and who will return after she is safely landed, I
suppose.
Ellen.--Poor thing! how she will cry when she leaves her own dear
mamma, when she is to cross the wide sea! and then again, when she
parts with her good nurse; I dare say she will kiss her very fondly,
though she is a black.
Charles.--Oh, she will forget her sorrow when she sees so many things
that are quite new to her. I'm afraid she'll think Ellen, and us boys, very
silly, ignorant creatures, compared to her, who has seen so much of the
world: upon my word, we must be all upon our good behaviour.
Father.--I hope you will behave well, not merely from conscious
inferiority, but because you would be both impolite and unkind, if you
omitted any thing in your power that could render a stranger happy,
who is so entirely thrown upon our protection--one, too,