The Mothers Recompense, Volume I.

The Mother's Recompense,
Volume I.

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Title: The Mother's Recompense, Volume I. A Sequel to Home
Influence in Two Volumes.
Author: Grace Aguilar
Release Date: May 16, 2004 [EBook #12361]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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THE MOTHER'S RECOMPENSE;
A SEQUEL TO HOME INFLUENCE.
BY GRACE AGUILAR.

IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
LEIPZIG
BERNHARD TAUCHNITZ

1859.

PREFACE.
The domestic story of "Home Influence," and its Sequel, the present
volume, were written in the early part of the year 1836, and the entire
work was completed when its author was little above the age of
nineteen; and, although no portion of it was published till some years
after its composition, but little alteration was made in the original plan.
The labours of my dear child were unceasing, and from the hour when
she could read, it may truly be stated that she learned to write; her
contributions to the current literature of the day, her valuable works
upon religious subjects, and others of a lighter character, most of which
have been reprinted in other lands, all testify to a mind of no common
stamp; and here, in reply to numerous questions relative to her literary
remains, I may state that Grace Aguilar has left many excellent works
in manuscript, both in prose and verse; some of which may, at a future
day, be presented to the public.
I have been induced to publish "The Mother's Recompense," in
compliance with the repeated solicitations of many friends, but in doing
so I feel it incumbent on me to state that, unlike its predecessor, it has
not received the advantage of that correction, which later years and
ripened judgment would doubtless have cast around it. A long and fatal
illness prevented its revision for the press; the circumstances of which
will be found detailed in a short memoir, accompanying the last edition
of "Home Influence." The universal voice of praise, which attended the
publication of that work, it was not permitted her to enjoy,--an all-wise
Creator called her to himself.
It was ever my dear child's wish to aid, by the example of her pen, the
education of the Heart. It was her desire, in the truthful exemplification
of character, to point out to the youthful of her own sex the paths of
rectitude and virtue. The same kindly love--the same heartfelt
charity--the same spirit of devotion, which breathes through every line
in "Home Influence," will be found pervading the pages of the present
work.
If, then, the Home Education of the Hamilton Family be well traced
and faithfully delineated in "Home Influence, a Tale for Mothers and
Daughters," its effect will be found illustrated in the "Mother's

Recompense;" there, as its dear author writes, will still further be
portrayed the cares, anxieties, and ultimate reward of maternal love.
SARAH AGUILAR.
December, 1850.

THE MOTHER'S RECOMPENSE
VOL. I.

CHAPTER I.
From Emmeline Hamilton to Mary Greville.
London, January, 18--
At length, dearest Mary, I may write to you; at length indulge my
long-controlled wishes. My conscience has given me permission now,
though I once thought I never could again. We parted in August, and it
is now January; and except during our little tour, you have not had one
line from me, but very many more than one from Caroline and Ellen. I
used to wrong them, but I am glad I adhered to mamma's advice and
my resolution, painful as it has been; for it did seem hard that I, who
consider myself even more my dear Mary's own friend, should not
address you when my sister and cousin did. And now to explain this
riddle, for though mamma has excused my silence to you, I am quite
sure she has not told you the real truth. She would not expose my silly
weakness, and therefore prepare yourself for a most humiliating
confession, which will, in all probability, lower me ten degrees in your
estimation. However, truth must he told, and so it shall be with all the
necessary regularity and precision. You know, almost better than any
one else, how very much I disliked the thought of leaving dear happy
Oakwood, and residing any part of the year in London. You often used
to warn me, when I have thus spoken, against permitting such fancies
to obtain too much dominion; but I