, is low-spirited at table, and never
opens her mouth either to speak or eat; then, at bed-time, the
inevitable repetition of the lesson she has learned, even on the
pillow. The same sound of the same bell, for ever and ever: who
could withstand it? What is to be done? Give in, or become mad!

* * * * *

"What is very singular, the father, generally, is aware that they
are bringing up his child against him. Man, you surprise me; what
do you expect then? 'Oh! she will forget it; time, marriage, and
the world, will wear away all that'. Yes, for a time, but only to
reappear; at the first disappointment in the world, it will all
return. As soon as she grows somewhat in years, she will return to
the habits of the child; the master she now has will be her master
then, whether for your contradiction, good man, or for the despair
and daily damnation of her father and husband. Then will you taste
the fruit of this education.

"Education! a mere trifle, a weak power, no doubt, which the father
may, without danger, allow his enemies to take possession of!

"To possess the mind, with all the advantage of the first
possessor! To write in this book of blank paper whatever they will!
and to write what will last for ever! And, remember well, it will
be in vain for you to write upon it hereafter; what has once been
indited, cannot be erased. Is the mystery of her young memory to
be as weak in receiving impressions, as it is strong in keeping
them. The early tracing that seemed to be effaced at twenty,
reappears at forty or sixty. It is the last and the clearest,
perhaps, that old age will retain.

* * * * *

"This is true in speaking of the school, but how much more so as
regards the church! especially in the case of the daughter, who is
more docile and timid, and certainly retains more faithfully her
early impressions. What she heard the first time in that grand
church, under those resounding roofs, and the words, pronounced
with a solemn voice by that man in black, which then frightened her
so, being addressed to _herself_;--ah! be not afraid of her ever
forgetting them. But even if she could forget them, she would be
reminded of them every week: woman is all her life at school,
finding in the confessional her school-bench, her sc