of yet. How long ago it is, aunt, since we used to
repeat the chronological order of the kings of England, with the dates of their
accession, and most of the principal events of their reigns!«
    »Yes,« added the other; »and of the Roman emperors as low as Severus;
besides a great deal of the Heathen Mythology, and all the Metals, Semi-Metals,
Planets, and distinguished philosophers.«
    »Very true, indeed, my dears, but you are blessed with wonderful memories,
and your poor cousin has probably none at all. There is a vast deal of
difference in memories, as well as in every thing else, and therefore you must
make allowance for your cousin, and pity her deficiency. And remember that, if
you are ever so forward and clever yourselves, you should always be modest; for,
much as you know already, there is a great deal more for you to learn.«
    »Yes, I know there is, till I am seventeen. But I must tell you another
thing of Fanny, so odd and so stupid. Do you know, she says she does not want to
learn either music or drawing.«
    »To be sure, my dear, that is very stupid indeed, and shows a great want of
genius and emulation. But all things considered, I do not know whether it is not
as well that it should be so, for, though you know (owing to me) your papa and
mamma are so good as to bring her up with you, it is not at all necessary that
she should be as accomplished as you are; - on the contrary, it is much more
desirable that there should be a difference.«
    Such were the counsels by which Mrs. Norris assisted to form her nieces'
minds; and it is not very wonderful that with all their promising talents and
early information, they should be entirely deficient in the less common
acquirements of self-knowledge, generosity, and humility. In every thing but
disposition, they were admirably taught. Sir Thomas did not know what was
wanting, because, though a truly anxious father, he was not outwardly
affectionate, and the reserve of his manner repressed all the flow of their
spirits before him.
    To the education of her daughters, Lady Bertram paid not the smallest
attention. She had not time for such cares. She was a woman who spent her days
in sitting nicely dressed on a sofa, doing some long piece of needle-work, of
little use and no beauty, thinking more of her