I found so little to excite my desires, and those I had were so seldom
contradicted, that I was hardly sensible of possessing any, and can
solemnly aver I was an absolute stranger to caprice until after I
had experienced the authority of a master.
Those hours that were not employed in reading or writing with my
father, or walking with my governess, Jaqueline, I spent with my aunt;
and whether seeing her embroider, or hearing her sing, whether sitting
or standing by her side, I was ever happy. Her tenderness and
unaffected gayety, the charms of her figure and countenance, have left
such indelible impressions on my mind, that her manner, look, and
attitude, are still before my eyes; I recollect a thousand little
caressing questions; could describe her clothes, her head-dress, nor
have the two curls of fine black hair which hung on her temples,
according to the mode of that time, escaped my memory.
Though my taste, or rather passion, for music, did not show itself
until a considerable time after, I am fully persuaded it is to her I
am indebted for it. She knew a great number of songs, which she sung
with great sweetness and melody. The serenity and cheerfulness which
were conspicuous in this lovely girl, banished melancholy, and made
all round her happy.
The charms of her voice had such an affect on me, that not only
several of her songs have ever since remained on my memory, but some I
have not thought of from my infancy, as I grow old, return upon my
mind with a charm altogether inexpressible.
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