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From Pope； she learnt to censure those who
〃bear about the mockery of woe。〃
From Gray； that
〃Many a flower is born to blush unseen；
〃And waste its fragrance on the desert air。〃
From Thompson； that
〃It is a delightful task
〃To teach the young idea how to shoot。〃
And from Shakespeare she gained a great store of information
amongst the rest； that
〃Trifles light as air；
〃Are； to the jealous； confirmation strong；
〃As proofs of Holy Writ。〃
That
〃The poor beetle； which we tread upon；
〃In corporal sufferance feels a pang as great
〃As when a giant dies。〃
And that a young woman in love always looks
〃like Patience on a monument
〃Smiling at Grief。〃
So far her improvement was sufficientand in many
other points she came on exceedingly well； for though she
could not write sonnets； she brought herself to read them；
and though there seemed no chance of her throwing a whole
party into raptures by a prelude on the pianoforte；
of her own composition； she could listen to other people's
performance with very little fatigue。 Her greatest
deficiency was in the pencilshe had no notion of
drawingnot enough even to attempt a sketch of her
lover's profile； that she might be detected in the design。
There she fell miserably short of the true heroic height。
At present she did not know her own poverty； for she had no
lover to portray。 She had reached the age of seventeen；
without having seen one amiable youth who could call forth
her sensibility； without having inspired one real passion；
and without having excited even any admiration but what
was very moderate and very transient。 This was strange
indeed！ But strange things may be generally accounted
for if their cause be fairly searched out。 There was not
one lord in the neighbourhood； nonot even a baronet。
There was not one family among their acquaintance who
had reared and supported a boy accidentally found at
their doornot one young man whose origin was unknown。
Her father had no ward； and the squire of the parish
no children。
But when a young lady is to be a heroine； the perverseness
of forty surrounding families cannot prevent her。
Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way。
Mr。 Allen； who owned the chief of the property
about Fullerton； the village in Wiltshire where the
Morlands lived； was ordered to Bath for the benefit of a
gouty constitutionand his lady； a good…humoured woman；
fond of Miss Morland； and probably aware that if adventures
will not befall a young lady in her own village；
she must seek them abroad； invited her to go with them。
Mr。 and Mrs。 Morland were all compliance； and Catherine
all happiness。
CHAPTER 2
In addition to what has been already said of
Catherine Morlands personal and mental endowments；
when about to be launched into all the difficulties
and dangers of a six weeks' residence in Bath； it may
be stated； for the reader's more certain information；
lest the following pages should otherwise fail of
giving any idea of what her character is meant to be；
that her heart was affectionate； her disposition cheerful
and open； without conceit or affectation of any kindher
manners just removed from the awkwardness and shyness
of a girl； her person pleasing； and； when in good looks；
prettyand her mind about as ignorant and uninformed
as the female mind at seventeen usually is。
When the hour of departure drew near； the maternal
anxiety of Mrs。 Morland will be naturally supposed to be
most severe。 A thousand alarming presentiments of evil
to her beloved Catherine from this terrific separation
must oppress her heart with sadness； and drown her in
tears for the last day or two of their being together；
and advice of the most important and applicable nature
must of course flow from her wise lips in their parting
conference in her closet。 Cautions against the violence
of such noblemen and baronets as delight in forcing
young ladies away to some remote farm…house； must；
at such a moment； relieve the fulness of her heart。
Who would not think so？ But Mrs。 Morland knew so little
of lords and baronets； that she entertained no notion of
their general mischievousness； and was wholly unsuspicious
of danger to her daughter from their machinations。
Her cautions were confined to the following points。
〃I beg； Catherine； you will always wrap yourself up
very warm about the throat； when you come from the rooms
at night； and I wish you would try to keep some account
of the money you spend； I will give you this little book
on purpose。
Sally； or rather Sarah （for what young lady of common
gentility will reach the age of sixteen without altering
her name as far as she can？）； must from situation be at this
time the intimate friend and confidante of her sister。
It is remarkable； however； that she neither insisted on
Catherine's writing by every post； nor exacted her promise
of transmitting the character of every new acquaintance；
nor a detail of every interesting conversation that Bath
might produce。 Everything indeed relative to this
important journey was done； on the part of the Morlands；
with a degree of moderation and composure； which seemed
rather consistent with the common feelings of common life；
than with the refined susceptibilities； the tender
emotions which the first separation of a heroine
from her family ought always to excite。 Her father；
instead of giving her an unlimited order on his banker；
or even putting an hundred pounds bank…bill into her hands；
gave her only ten guineas； and promosed her more when she
wanted it。
Under these unpromising auspices； the parting
took place； and the journey began。 It was performed
with suitable quietness and uneventful safety。
Neither robbers nor tempests befriended them； nor one lucky
overturn to introduce them to the hero。 Nothing more
alarming occurred than a fear； on Mrs。 Allen's side；
of having once left her clogs behind her at an inn；
and that fortunately proved to be groundless。
They arrived at Bath。 Catherine was all eager
delighther eyes were here； there； everywhere； as they
approached its fine and striking environs；