{"product_id":"2940012623775","title":"Moderation, a tale","description":"This ebook edition has been proofed, corrected and compiled to be read with without errors!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e***\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn excerpt from the beginning of:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCHAPTER I.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen the Rector of Ravenhill arose from his breakfast table one spring morning in 18— and retired to his study, notwithstanding his three daughters were present, perfect silence reigned in the room until they were sensible that his library door was closed, and his steps directed to a certain bay window, which possessed the double advantage of seclusion from domestic sounds, and of a widely extended prospect over a beautiful country.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis silence did not proceed from awe, for to confess the truth, that was a quality the Rector was rather deemed deficient in his power of inspiring, being a man more generally loved than feared, both in the house and the parish;—but surprise, which is somewhat related to that emotion, he had undoubtedly awakened, as his eldest daughter, Harriet, indignantly announced by the observation which followed upon his removal.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I cannot imagine how my father can think of such a thing as laying down the carriage—it strikes me as preposterous to the greatest degree—how can any body live in the country without a carriage? especially a person who has three daughters situated as we are.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMiss Carysford did not explain what she meant by the word situated, and it appeared that her sister Emma did not read it as meaning \"young women seeking for establishments,\" for she observed in a soothing manner:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"It is because we are so situated, that my father deems it advisable to lessen his expenses, and secure us a continuance of our solid comforts. I thought his reasons very sufficient ones: every body knows that as Charles is of age, more than half his income is transferred to him from his taking possession of our dear mother's jointure; and we are ourselves well aware that from the style she always supported, it was impossible for him to save any thing hitherto to speak of; it is therefore a good time to begin, when the occasion is so evident as to proclaim its propriety.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I don't think it right at all,\" said the eldest sister. \"The action is right, but the intention grounded upon it is wrong,\" observed Sophia, the youngest.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"That I must deny,\" returned Harriet, \"the action is decidedly ill-judged, because my father ought to maintain the respectability of his family, and his own rank in life; but the intention is, like every thing he does, kind and disinterested, considerate and affectionate.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Poor man! his worldly cares are indeed abundant for his children, but how much better would it be if he directed them to those beyond the grave; had he proposed to lay down the carriage, and appropriate the income thereby saved to the London Missionary Society, then indeed he would have acted worthy of the name he bears as a minister of Christ; but to do it, that he may add 'house to house, and field to field,' that he may 'increase the mammon of unrighteousness,' in my opinion is quite dreadful.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Ridiculous! you are Missionary mad—if the coach is to be given up, I would advise that the pannels should make you a cell, and the linings a strait waistcoat—that would be a family benefit.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Better it were I should be so situated, than enter with you, Miss Carysford, into that place 'where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched,'—that place, where there shall be 'instead of a girdle, a rent; instead of well set hair, baldness; and burning instead of beauty.'\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith these words, slowly and emphatically pronounced, with the air of a maledictory prophecy, Sophia, taking up a number of pamphlets which she had been reading, left the room. As Miss Carysford was an acknowledged beauty, and gave to her person all the cares and the advantages which belong to ladies holding that rank in creation, every syllable had its immediate reference, and excited such violent anger as to give her fine but infuriated countenance the character of a 'burning beauty,' even now. She protested (with a good deal of truth undoubtedly) that \"Sophia was the most provoking creature that ever existed, a disgrace to the family, a pest in the village, a canker that was eating out the very heart of her father, and a person in short who ought to be turned out of the house, as unworthy its countenance and protection.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHaving so spoken during a rapid promenade round the breakfast parlour, Harriet threw herself on a sofa, wiped the few tears which scalded her cheeks, and looked earnestly towards Emma as if for answer or observation; but since neither occurred, she added, \"can you say a word in her behalf? a single word?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"She is very sincere, very conscientious, if we do not approve her zeal, nor partake her feelings, we must do justice to her principles, my dear Harriet.\"","brand":"Leila's Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47145393357040,"sku":"2940012623775","price":1.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940012623775_p0.jpg?v=1763570951","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940012623775","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}