PREFACE.

The Author of the following sheets is well aware of the objections which may be made to the performance but hopes the candour of the public will excuse those defects, which the nature of the undertaking rendered it almost impossible to avoid. The pointed satire of ridicule, which would perhaps have given a zest to those scenes in which the subject of these pages was engaged, was not, in the opinion of the writer, at all proper for those readers for whom it was solely designed: to exhibit their superiors in a ridiculous view, is not the proper method to engage the youthful mind to respect: to represent their equals as the objects of contemptuous mirth, is by no means favourable to the interest of good-nature: and to treat the characters of their inferiors with levity, the Author thought was inconsistent with the sacred rights of humanity. Circumscribed therefore to the narrow boundaries of simple narrative, it has been the design of the following pages, carefully to avoid exciting any wrong impression, and, by sometimes blending instruction and amusement, to make

it the more easily retained.

To multiply incidents in these circumstances, was a very difficult task, especially, as it was wished to make them arise naturally from the subject; and not obtrude unnecessarily without any seeming cause to produce them. The avidity with which children peruse books of entertainment, is a proof how much publications proper for their attention are required. Though the sentiments should be suited to their simplicity, they ought to be expressed with propriety; since a taste for elegance may be insensibly acquired; and we should always endeavour to present them with proper models of imitation. Conscious of the difficulty of the undertaking, the Author of these adventures will gladly have declined the task, in the expectation of such a work’s engaging the attention of those, whose genius were more equal to its accomplishment. With the hope, therefore, of inspiring others to excel the example, it is now submitted to the world “with all its imperfections on its head,” trusting for a candid reception to the motive which first suggested the idea: That

of presenting the juvenile reader with a a few pages which should be innocent of corrupting, if they did not amuse.

THE ADVENTURES OF A PINCUSHION.

It happened one very fine afternoon in the latter end of May, that Mrs. Airy had been collecting together a great number of different pieces of silk, in order to made a work-bag; which she intended as a present to one of her nieces. Miss Martha Airy, her eldest daughter, was about ten years old, and had been for some time indolently lolling with both her elbows on the table, looking at her Mamma while she was chusing the prettiest pattern for the purpose I just mentioned. Her chin rested on her two hands, which were crossed over each other, and she was seated on the back of her brother’s chair, which he had turned down in that manner for the purpose of serving him as a horse. At last, however, her weight proving too great for the seat she had chosen, as she did not keep still, the upper part of the chair-back came to the ground, while the other end mounted up like a piece of board for a sea-saw; and in her fall tumbling down backwards, proved the occasion of a great deal of mischief, by oversetting a curious set of tea-china, which her sister Charlotte was

playing with; and which she had received as a present the day before from her grandpapa. Charlotte was so enraged at the loss of her play-things, that without offering to help her sister, she gave her a slap on the face, and told her, she was very naughty to spoil things in such a manner by her carelessness; and that she would break her plates whenever they came in her way. She was proceeding in this manner when Mrs. Airy thought it time to interfere, and was extremely angry with Charlotte for her warmth. “Martha was not to blame,” added she, “as she had no intention of doing the least mischief to your cups and saucers. I think, as I told her once before, she was not sitting in a graceful attitude, and had she moved at the time I spoke to her, it would have prevented her fall; but that is no justification of your behaviour to your sister. She has not deserved your reproaches, and I did not think you could have behaved so improperly, as well as unkindly, as to strike anyone, especially your elder sister. Indeed I am much displeased with you, and the threat you made

of breaking her plates in return, is so very naughty and wicked, that I think you deserve to be punished; and I desire you will ask Martha’s pardon for the blow you have given her.” Charlotte coloured with indignation and anger, at the thoughts of submitting in such a manner to humble herself. She had heard some silly girls declare, they would never own their being in the wrong, and was withheld from acting in the noblest manner, by the false shame of confessing an error. At length however, upon her Mamma coming towards her with an avowed intention of inflicting some further punishment, she mumbled out, in a low voice, which was very difficult to be understood, That she was sorry that she had struck her sister. Martha, who was extremely generous, and uncommonly good-natured, very affectionately kissed her sister; and told her, she was much concerned at the mischief she had occasioned; though she could not have helped it; as she fell down before she was aware of it, and did not see that her tea-things were near her. Charlotte grew reconciled by degrees; but

it was a long time before she regained her usual cheerfulness. After some time, however, the sisters seated themselves in a window by the table, and solicited their Mamma for a bit of silk to make a Pincushion. Mrs. Airy gave them several pieces to chuse which they liked best; and after they had taken them up a dozen times, or perhaps as many more, had they been reckoned, Martha made a choice of a square piece of pink sattin, which she neatly sewed and stuffed with bran, and which, gentle reader, when it was finished, was the identical Pincushion whose adventures form the subject of this little volume. Assuming, therefore, the title of an Historian, or Biographer, which is generally understood to mean a person who is writing an account of his own, or another’s actions, I shall take the liberty to speak for myself, and tell you what I saw and heard in the character of a Pincushion. Perhaps you never thought that such things as are inanimate, could be sensible of any thing which happens, as they can neither hear, see, nor understand; and as I would not willingly mislead

your judgment: I would previous to your reading this work, inform you, that it is to be understood as an imaginary tale; in the same manner as when you are at play, you sometimes call yourselves gentlemen, and ladies, though you know you are only little boys or girls. So, when you read of birds and beads speaking and thinking, you know it is not so in reality, any more than your amusements, which you frequently call making believe. To use your own style, and adopt your own manner of speaking, therefore, you must imagine, that a Pincushion is now making believe to address you, and to recite a number of little events, some of which really have happened, and others might do so with great probability: and if any of the characters here represented should appear to be disagreeable, the Author hopes you will endeavour to avoid their failings, and to practice those virtues or accomplishments, which render the contrary examples more worthy of imitation. And now, if you please, we will return to the account of what further befell me in the family of Mrs. Airy.

After the young ladies had amused themselves a great while with the pieces of silk I have so often had occasion to mention, and Miss Martha had completed me to her entire satisfaction; she took all the pins out of an old green one, which was originally in the shape of a heart, but had, by looping a great part of its inside, through various little holes, quite lost its form; and which, that she might find those pins which had gone through the silk, she cut open on an old news-paper, and then stuck all she could find upon my sides in the shape of letters, which she afterwards changed to flowers, and a third time altered to stars and circles; which afforded her full amusement till bed time. Miss Charlotte, though her mamma had given her as much silk as her sister, had only cut it into waste; while Martha, after she had furnished me, had saved the rest towards making a housewife for her doll. I could not help reflecting when I saw all Charlotte’s little shreds and slips littering the room; what a simple method many little girls are apt to get into, of wasting every thing

which their friends are so kind as to give them, and which, properly employed, might, make them many useful ornaments for their dolls; and sometimes pretty trifles for themselves. Charlotte Airy as such children usually are, was desirous of having every thing she saw, so that her drawers were always filled with bits of ribbon, pieces of silk, cuttings of gauze, catgut, and muslin: and if she wanted to find her gloves, tippet, tuckers, or any part of her dress, she was obliged to search for them in twenty different places, and frequently to go without what she was looking for. Martha on the contrary, by taking care of what might be of use, and laying it by in a proper place, always knew where to find what she had occasion for directly. So that it frequently happened that she went out with her Mamma, when her sister was forced to stay at home; because she had lost something which had delayed her so long to lock for, that she could not get ready in time. This very circumstance happened the day after I became acquainted with her, to her no small mortification. Mrs. Airy

was going to see the exhibition of pictures, at the Royal Academy, and told her daughters if they behaved well they should accompany her; as Mrs. Gardner and her niece Miss Lounge would call at one o’clock. After breakfast, Charlotte, who had found the mould of an old button in one of her papa’s waistcoat pockets which she had been rummaging, had cut to pieces an axle-tree of a little cart, which belonged to her brother, to make a spindle, in order to convert it into a tea-totum; with which she was so much entertained, that she was very unwilling to leave it to go to work, though her mamma repeatedly told her, she would not be ready against Mr. Gardner’s coach came. “Yes, I shall, Madam!” said she, and played on. “Do pray go to work, Charlotte!”

“Presently, Madam.” But still she thought she would give it another twirl. “You shall not go if you have not finished your morning business!” “In a minute I will!” And so she simply idled away her time, without heeding her mamma’s admonition, till near an hour beyond her usual time of beginning. This put her into such a hurry to finish when she found it was so late, that she stitched some wristbands she was about, and which were intended for her grandpapa, so very badly, they were obliged to be undone; which made her so cross, that in pulling out the work, she broke the threads of the cloth, and entirely spoiled it. Charlotte was a very fair complexioned pretty girl; but you cannot imagine how ugly her ill-humour made her appear; nor how much more agreeable her sister looked, who was much browner, was pitted with the small pox, and a much plainer child. I surveyed them both as I lay on the table, where my Mistress had placed me to stick her pins as she took out of the shirt collar which she was putting on; Martha looked so placid and cheerful,

and seemed to speak so kindly when she asked a question, that it made her really charming; while Charlotte, who had a very pretty mouth, and very regular features, stuck out her lips in a manner so unbecoming, and tossed about her head with such very illiberal jirks that she lost all natural advantages in her wilful ill-humour.

A person happening to call on Mrs. Airy, to speak about some particular business, she left the children to attend him; and Martha, who pitied her sister’s distress, and saw the impossibility of her finishing the task she was ordered to do, very kindly offered to assist her, without which, she never could have accomplished it. But their mamma at her return, immediately suspected the case to be as I have told you, and inquired what help Charlotte had received in her absence? They were both girls of too much honour to deny the truth, and in consequences of her frankly owning her sister’s kindness, Mrs. Airy, permitted her to retire; in order to prepare for the intended expedition; but alas! poor Charlotte, who indeed was not always so good as she ought to have been, was not to go that morning, although her mamma had consented to it. Betty, who came to put on her frock, was not very fond of her, for she was sometimes apt, when her mamma was not in the way, to speak very haughtily, and in a manner quite unbecoming a young lady. Unfortunately she forgot herself on the present

occasion, and very rudely said, “You must come and dress me, and you must make haste, or I shall not be ready.” “Must I?” replied Betty, “That is if I please, Miss Charlotte, though you, forgot to put that in, and unless you speak in a prettier way, I will not help you at all.” “Then you may let it alone, for I will not ask you any otherwise,” and away she went, banging the door after her, to call her sister, who was ready and waiting for the coach in her mamma’s room. Martha ran directly, and began to pin her frock as she desired. But a new distress arose, for as she was too careless ever to retain any of my fellow-servants (commonly called a Pincushion) in her service, so she had not one pin to proceed with after three, which had stuck at one end of me, had been employed. Neither of them chose to apply to Betty, because they were sure from Charlotte’s ill-behaviour to be denied: and she would not permit her sister to ask her mamma, for fear of an inquiry which might not turn out to her credit. So, in short, they both traversed the

room backwards and forwards, and were quite overjoyed when they found two, (one of which proved to be crooked) between the joining of the floor. Then they each returned and took me up repeatedly, and examined me over and over, though they were convinced I had been empty long ago. At last, a loud rap at the door announced Mrs. Gardner’s arrival. The ladies were called, and Martha obeyed, though with reluctance to leave her sister: and Charlotte, with conscious shame, and remorse for her past conduct, and heart-heaving sobs of disappointment, saw them drive away without her. I was left upon the table in the hurry of my mistress’s departure, and Charlotte took me up, and earnestly wished she had had a pincushion of her own: and so I should think would any one who had experienced the want of such a useful companion; though unless well furnished with pins, it is in itself but of little assistance, as—she had but too unfortunately found. The slatternly appearance, and real inconvenience, which many ladies suffer from neglecting to provide themselves with and retaining

a few such necessary implements of female œconomy about them, is really inconceivable by any person accustomed to a proper degree of attention. Trifles are frequently regarded by the giddy and thoughtless as of no moment, when essentials are taken care of: but it is the repetition of trifles which constitutes the chief business of our existence. In other words, people form their opinion of a young lady from her personal appearance; and if, because she is at work, and in want of pins, and destitute of a Pincushion, she has quite undressed herself, and her cloaths are dropping off, she will be thought a negligent slattern; which, I suppose, is what no one would chuse to be esteemed: so, when children accustom themselves to loll their elbows, stoop their heads, stand upon one foot, bite their nails, or any other ungraceful actions, it makes them disagreeable, and the object of dislike to all their friends, and every one who is acquainted with them. And it is very foolish to imagine, that because they are not in company with strangers it does not signify; for ill-habits,

when once they are acquired, are very difficult to leave off; and by being used to do an impolite action frequently, they will do it without recollecting the impropriety; when if they thought, perhaps, they would have on no account been guilty of it.

Miss Lounge, the young lady who accompanied Mrs. Airy to the exhibition was a striking example of what I mention above. She was about sixteen, and very tall of her age; so that she appeared quite womanly in person, though her manners were to the highest degree remarkable unpleasing, she had a strange way of tossing her legs round at every step, as if she was making circles, and her arms were crossed over each other in so awkward a manner, and so unfashionably low, that it made her still more ungraceful in her appearance: besides this, she had acquired a drawling tone in conversation, which made her completely an object of disgust: as it was entirely the consequence of her own neglect, and therefore, was by no means deserving of that pity which is due to every natural defect, or accidental deformity. She returned with her aunt to dinner.

Miss Charlotte was quite ashamed of entering the drawing room, though she was now dressed, and had promised Mrs. Betty she would behave with more civility for the future. But the fear of her mamma’s exposing her folly to Mrs. Gardner, had made her dislike to show herself in company; and the consciousness of having deserved reproof, made her justly apprehensive of receiving it. She did not venture down stairs, therefore, till dinner was on the table; and then with her neck and face as red as blushes could make them, she paid her compliments to the company, without daring to look at her mamma. So cowardly and uncomfortable does the thought of a wrong action make those who have committed it, even when they are not certain it will be publicly known. And this reminds me of a few stanzas I found in Miss Martha’s work-bag one day, when she put me into it with her scissars, (by mistake I suppose) as my proper place was certainly in her pocket. But as they are so very apropos to my present subject, I will present my readers with them: and as the author

is quite unknown, if they should not be thought deserving of a favourable reception, they will not at least subject the writer to any mortification.

There was another short piece by the same hand, which my mistress had transcribed, to give her sister on occasion of a little quarrel which had happened between them: Miss Martha having mentioned to her the impropriety of speaking rudely to servants, and behaving in a different manner when her mamma was absent, to what she could dare to do in her presence; which reproof Charlotte highly resented, and was very angry that her sister should find fault with her: as the following verses were applicable to the circumstance, she adopted them as her own on the occasion.

Mrs. Airy was so generous as not to expose her daughter’s folly before Mrs. Gardner; and as she had met with a severe punishment in the consequence of her fault, and had promised amendment for the future, after a gentle reprimand, when she came down the next morning, nothing further passed on the subject.