Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Overfondness Of Parents.
second day of my-visit , in the midst of dinner , the eldest boy , who is eight years old , whipped off my wig with great dexterity , and received the applause of the table for his humour and spirit . This lad , when he reaches his fourteenth year , and is big enough to lie without the maid , is to be sent to a school in the neighbourhood , which has no other merit than that of being but seven miles-off . Six of the children are permitted to sit at tablewho entirely monopolize the
, wings of fowls , and the most delicate morsels of every dish ; because the mother has discovered that her children have not strong stomachs . It was the beginning of the partridge season when I first came ; and tho' there were several persons at table , and only two small birds for supper , my friend observed to his wife , that he believed his son Jacky loved partridges ( though he was but three years oldand had
, never seen one ) , and ordered the best part of one to be put by for his dinner the next day . In the evening , when any of them are put to bed , no one is suffered to speak above a whisper , for fear they should be disturbed ; nor to walk across the room , except with a gentle tread , lest any of them should awaken : and often when I . have been telling my friend a very interesting storyhe has broke through '
, the thread of it by addressing his wife with a " My clear , listen ; don't I hear one of the children cry : do go , and see ; " and it is some time before we aye recomposed . In the morning , before my friend is up , I general !} ' take a turn upon the gravel walk , where 1 could wish to enjoy my thoughts without interruption ; but I am here instantly attended b y my little tormentors , who follow me backwards and .
forwards , playing at what they call running after ihe Gentleman . My whip , which was a present from an old friend , has been lashed to pieces by one of the boys who is fond of horses , and the . handle is turned into a hobb y horse . The main-spring of rhy repeating watch has been broke in the nursery , which , at the mother ' s request , I had lent to the youngest boy , who was just breeched , and who cried to
wear it . The father and mother ' s attention to the children entirely destroy all conversation : and once , as an amusement for the evening , we attempted to begin readingTom Jones , but were interrupted in the second page by little Sammy , who is suffered to whip his top in the parlour . I am known to be troubled with head-achs ; notwithstanding whichanother of the boyswithout notice givenor airy regard paid
, , , to the company , is permitted to break out into the brayings of an ass , for which the strength of his lungs is commended ; and to bid me-kiss his , because it is smart and clever : and a little miss , at breakfast , is allowed to drink up . all the cream , and put her fingers into the sugar-dish , because she was once sickly . I am teav . ed with familiarities which ] can only repay with a frown ; and pestered with the
petulance of ludicrous prattle , in which lam unqualified to join . It is whispered in the family , that I am a mighty good sort of a man , - but that I cannot talk to children . Nor am I the only person who suffers by this folly , a nei ghbouring clergyman , of great merit and modesty , much acquainted in the family , has received hints to forbear coming to the house , because little Sukey always cries when she sees him , and has told her Mamma she can ' t bear that ugly Parson .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Overfondness Of Parents.
second day of my-visit , in the midst of dinner , the eldest boy , who is eight years old , whipped off my wig with great dexterity , and received the applause of the table for his humour and spirit . This lad , when he reaches his fourteenth year , and is big enough to lie without the maid , is to be sent to a school in the neighbourhood , which has no other merit than that of being but seven miles-off . Six of the children are permitted to sit at tablewho entirely monopolize the
, wings of fowls , and the most delicate morsels of every dish ; because the mother has discovered that her children have not strong stomachs . It was the beginning of the partridge season when I first came ; and tho' there were several persons at table , and only two small birds for supper , my friend observed to his wife , that he believed his son Jacky loved partridges ( though he was but three years oldand had
, never seen one ) , and ordered the best part of one to be put by for his dinner the next day . In the evening , when any of them are put to bed , no one is suffered to speak above a whisper , for fear they should be disturbed ; nor to walk across the room , except with a gentle tread , lest any of them should awaken : and often when I . have been telling my friend a very interesting storyhe has broke through '
, the thread of it by addressing his wife with a " My clear , listen ; don't I hear one of the children cry : do go , and see ; " and it is some time before we aye recomposed . In the morning , before my friend is up , I general !} ' take a turn upon the gravel walk , where 1 could wish to enjoy my thoughts without interruption ; but I am here instantly attended b y my little tormentors , who follow me backwards and .
forwards , playing at what they call running after ihe Gentleman . My whip , which was a present from an old friend , has been lashed to pieces by one of the boys who is fond of horses , and the . handle is turned into a hobb y horse . The main-spring of rhy repeating watch has been broke in the nursery , which , at the mother ' s request , I had lent to the youngest boy , who was just breeched , and who cried to
wear it . The father and mother ' s attention to the children entirely destroy all conversation : and once , as an amusement for the evening , we attempted to begin readingTom Jones , but were interrupted in the second page by little Sammy , who is suffered to whip his top in the parlour . I am known to be troubled with head-achs ; notwithstanding whichanother of the boyswithout notice givenor airy regard paid
, , , to the company , is permitted to break out into the brayings of an ass , for which the strength of his lungs is commended ; and to bid me-kiss his , because it is smart and clever : and a little miss , at breakfast , is allowed to drink up . all the cream , and put her fingers into the sugar-dish , because she was once sickly . I am teav . ed with familiarities which ] can only repay with a frown ; and pestered with the
petulance of ludicrous prattle , in which lam unqualified to join . It is whispered in the family , that I am a mighty good sort of a man , - but that I cannot talk to children . Nor am I the only person who suffers by this folly , a nei ghbouring clergyman , of great merit and modesty , much acquainted in the family , has received hints to forbear coming to the house , because little Sukey always cries when she sees him , and has told her Mamma she can ' t bear that ugly Parson .