An Antidote to the Miseries of Human Life; In the History of the Widow Placid and Her Daughter Rachel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1814 Excerpt: ...reached their ears. " I was coming," said he, " to see what was become of you: you ladies are all alike--so long in getting ready for a journey my good woman can never find her hat, or her cloak in time." Mrs. P. made a suitable answer to this address; and, after a short conversation, not needing recital, they reached Mr. Bustle's house, at the door of which they were met by Mrs. B. and her daughter, these two ladies not THE GARDEN. IS being accustomed to the frigid mode of waiting the announcing of a visitor in a distant drawinsrroom. Cake and wine soon made their appearance; but Mrs. Placid refused the latter as a morning refreshment. The squire disappeared in a moment, and returned with a sparkling glass of his home-made perry, which, he observed, was generally liked by all the ladies who came to his house. The widow could not resist the temptation, to oblige him by tasting what his hospitality had so instantaneously procured, though she protested against the propriety of the action as a general custom. As soon as Mrs. Bustle had shewn her guests her house, (a ceremony all were obliged to go through on a first visit) the squire proposed a walk in the outward premises; for he was equally desirous of exhibiting his garden, his stables, and his dogs. The former pleased the ladies extremely: Mrs. Placid pronounced it to be a garden which, for neatness and utility, she never saw excelled. She would willingly have been excused a visit to the stables, being, as she said, no judge of horses; but the squire led the way with an air which spoke--You must follow. No persuasions, however, could induce her to approach the fine animals near enough to examine their beauties to the full extent of the squire's wishes; and Rachel, who stood be 16 THE S...